Anna Schreyer shares her journey growing up in the Assemblies of God (AG) Pentecostal church, her experiences as a missionary, and her eventual departure from faith. As the daughter of two AG pastors, she grew up with a very strong faith in her religion and was a prominent part of the Charismatic community. She takes us through the history of the AG Charismatic church, and discusses AG practices such as speaking in tongues and their strong belief in demons. Anna also offers insight as to how the LDS is viewed from the Pentecostal faith, and has the unique perspective of growing up in Utah in a high-demand religion other than Mormonism.
Anna’s story unfolds with deeply personal moments: being diagnosed with cancer as a child and her family’s belief that divine intervention saved her, the pressures of religious exceptionalism, and the emotional highs and lows of spiritual experiences. She opens up about her struggles with purity culture, the intense scrutiny she faced from church leaders over her personal relationships, and the guilt and shame that ultimately pushed her away from the faith.
Her journey takes her to Mozambique for missionary work, where she grapples with her identity and faith. After years of devotion, she begins questioning the doctrines she once held dear and encounters with critical perspectives led her to reevaluate everything she believed. As Anna steps away from the church, she faces loneliness, grief, and the challenge of rebuilding her life outside of a religious framework. The conversation touches on the challenges of leaving a high-demand religion and finding new paths to healing and authenticity. She discusses the impact on her relationships, her journey toward healing, and the search for meaning beyond structured faith.
Join us as we explore Anna’s powerful testimony, the parallels between Pentecostalism and Mormonism, and the broader struggles of deconstructing faith. If you’re navigating your own faith transition, you’re not alone—this is a space for open dialogue, support, and discovery.
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