Sign-In
Cart
I Never Intended to Join a Cult
Paperback
Biographies GeneralReligious BiographiesReligion General
ISBN13: 9781764787000
Publisher: M H Bidwell
Published: Jul 31 2026
Pages: 86
Weight: 0.27
Height: 0.23 Width: 5.00 Depth: 8.00
Language: English
I Never Intended to Join a Cult is M H Bidwell's courageous memoir of faith, love, and survival inside the Potter's House-an intense, high-control religious organisation whose practices often resemble cultic manipulation more than Christian grace. Fresh out of college and posted to a teaching position far from home, Bidwell sought friendship and belonging in a local church. What began as a sincere search for community gradually became a painful descent into coercive religion and spiritual control.
With unflinching honesty, Bidwell pulls back the curtain on love-bombing, fear-based leadership, spiritual abuse, and systematic shunning that quietly erode identity. She recounts relentless pressure to conform, the isolation that followed, and the inner struggle required to question authority. Ultimately, she found the courage to leave and rebuild her life.
Part personal testimony and part practical guide, this compelling memoir exposes the cost of unquestioned authority while offering hope and tools for healing. Through compassionate reflection, the author provides a roadmap for survivors to recover identity and rediscover faith on their own terms. A powerful story of resilience and recovery, this book is a timely warning about high-control groups and a vital resource for survivors, families, and anyone seeking to understand spiritual abuse.
Also in
Religious Biographies
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy: A Righteous Gentile vs. the Third Reich
Metaxas, Eric
Hardcover
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy: A Righteous Gentile vs. the Third Reich
Metaxas, Eric
Paperback
American Pope: Leo XIV's Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City
Burke, Daniel
Detrow, Scott
Hardcover
Minute by Minute: A Pivotal Question from God, My Response, and the Remarkable Miracles That Followed
Moody, Joanne
Paperback
The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby: Inside a Billionaire Family's Quest to Craft a Christian Nation
Blanding, Michael
Hardcover
The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom
Sherrill, John
Boom, Corrie Ten
Paperback
A Thousand Shall Fall: The Electrifying Story of a Soldier and His Family Who Dared to Practice Their Faith in Hitler's Germany
Mundy, Susi Hasel
Paperback
On Fire for God: Fear, Shame, Poverty, and the Making of the Christian Right - A Personal History
Hesse, Josiah
Hardcover
Another Life: Discovering the Healing Power of Purpose on My Long Journey from Player to Preacher
Strawberry, Darryl
Hardcover
The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover
Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries
Sittser, Gerald L.
Paperback
The Priest Who Stayed in Gaza: A Witness to Hope in the Ruins
de Dieuleveult, Guillaume
Romanelli, Fr Gabriel
Paperback
He Leadeth Me: An Extraordinary Testament of Faith
Flaherty, Daniel L., S. J.
Ciszek, Walter J., S. J.
Paperback
Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of the Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, with Additional Writings
St Therese of Lisieux
Hardcover
Dreams of a White Snow Lion: The Remarkable Life, Vision, and Deeds of the Dalai Lama
Bianca, Mariateresa
Dhargye, Sherab
Hardcover
I Met God in Hell: The True Story of a Rocker's Unexpected Rescue from Eternal Death Into the Arms of God
Ehmann, Tim
Paperback
Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of the Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, with Additional Writings
St Therese of Lisieux
Paperback
Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire (the Official Book for I Can Only Imagine 2)
Millard, Bart
Noland, Robert
Millard, Shannon
Hardcover
New International Encyclopedia of Bible Characters: (Zondervan's Understand the Bible Reference Series)
Zondervan Publishing
Paperback
The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist
Day, Dorothy
Paperback
The Missionary: A Memoir of Superheroes, Sin & Saving Souls for the Mormon Church
Hudson, Greg
Paperback
If Only We Could See: Reimagining Creativity, Compassion, and Calling Through the Extraordinary Life of Lilias Trotter
Trafton, Jennifer
Hardcover
Holy Disobedience: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows
Spiers, Melissa Duge
Paperback
John G. Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides: An Autobiography (History of Vanuatu)
Paton, John G.
Paperback
Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!)
Lenz, Bethany Joy
Paperback
Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices That Brought Peace
Moreland, J. P.
Paperback
Run Baby Run (New Edition): The True Story of a New York Gangster Finding Christ
Cruz, Nicky
Paperback
Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!)
Lenz, Bethany Joy
Hardcover
Kisses from Heaven Book One: Unique, Inexplicable, Extraordinary, and Supernatural Tales from the Heart of a Miraculous God
Woodworth, C. B. Caleb
Paperback
Living Water: Powerful Teachings from the International Bestselling Author of the Heavenly Man
Yun, Brother
Paperback
To End All Wars: A True Story about the Will to Survive and the Courage to Forgive
Gordon, Ernest
Paperback
Designed to Succeed: A Faith-Driven Blueprint to Building the Life You Were Created to Live
Olusola, Kevin
Donnell, Donovan
Hardcover
The Shot Caller: A Latino Gangbanger's Miraculous Escape from a Life of Violence to a New Life in Christ
Diaz, Casey
Paperback
The Book of Heaven: A Story of Hope for the Outcasts, the Broken, and Those Who Lost Faith
Asher, Houston
Asher, Katie
Paperback
To Heaven and Back: A Doctor's Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again: A True Story
Neal, Mary C.
Paperback
The Autobiography of George Müller: You, Too, Can Experience Miraculous Answers to Prayer!
Muller, George
Paperback
Joy Isn't Canceled: What Grief Taught Us about Pain, Peace, and Purpose
Penavega, Carlos
Penavega, Alexa
Hardcover
Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II
Rose, Darlene Deibler
Paperback
The Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak: Lessons on Faith from Nine Biblical Families
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover