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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Shanti Das

‘It felt like a demon was inside me’: young Christian missionaries allege spiritual abuse

Daniel, who is using a pseudonym, told the Observer about his experiences
Daniel, who is using a pseudonym, told the Observer about his experiences. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The Observer

One Sunday last summer, 5,000 young people packed into the Wembley Arena for a “mass gathering of gen Z Jesus followers”. They danced to Christian rock, hugged, wept and sang. Between performances, charismatic leaders proclaimed something “huge” was afoot.

“Tonight kicks something off,” said Andy Byrd, a leader of Youth With a Mission (YWAM). He told the crowd they were witnessing the start of a “spiritual awakening”. Soon, the UK would send out “thousands of missionaries” to preach the name of Jesus – and “see every tribe, tongue and nation worshipping before the throne”.

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