Hi, my name is Adriel, a pseudonym I chose for myself. In the Bible, Adriel means “flock of God”, symbolizing care, belonging, and a connection to God’s people. This name reflects my journey—a quest to understand faith, uncover the truth, and reconnect with the essence of spiritual freedom. I am a former member of the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG), where I was deeply involved for eight years. My story is one of faith, discovery, and ultimately breaking free from the control and misconceptions that shaped much of my young life.

My Early Faith Journey

From a young age, I had a deep desire to seek God and live a life of faith. Baptized as a Catholic as a child, I later explored various Christian denominations, including the LDS faith. At the age of 12, I was introduced to the WMSCOG through a sibling who joined after being invited by a friend. With no one to go to church with at the time and yearning for a connection to God, I joined the WMSCOG and began my spiritual journey.

The teachings of the church captivated me. Through their studies, I was led to believe that:

• The Catholic Church and the Papacy were responsible for atrocities like the Inquisition, killing over 50 million people.
• The Sabbath was changed to Sunday as a form of sun god worship.
• Catholic iconography, including images of Mary and Jesus, were derived from pagan religions.
• The cross was an idol.
• The Passover was abolished in 325 AD, and Sunday worship was instituted in 321 AD after Christianity's legalization in 313 AD.

I believed these claims deeply, as they were presented as absolute truths. Feeling betrayed by the Catholic Church, I destroyed any Catholic iconography I owned, viewing this act as being like Hezekiah destroying pagan idols. At the time, I was filled with fervor for what I thought was the truth. All these things, I will explain further in other posts.

My Life as a WMSCOG Member

After leaving the church for a brief period in my youth, I rejoined in high school and fully committed myself to its teachings and mission. I attended the Passover again and delved deeply into their doctrines, convinced by their studies, videos, and materials.

As a member, I was highly active:

• I diligently studied all 50 sermons of Elohim Academy and preached regularly.
• I became a Unit Leader, leading others in their spiritual journeys.
• I participated in campus missions, choir, volunteer cleanups, and preaching missions.