ctmi concerned parents

Having read the recent headline in a national newspaper in Johannesburg about a ‘cult church, stealing children’, we were amused to discover that the article referred to CTMI, the church our children are currently involved with. We must admit, our first reaction when they joined the CTMI church was pretty similar; we experienced a feeling of loss, and we did wonder whether or not they might be involved with a cult.

Like all parents, we thought our children (since we had invested an enormous amount of time and emotion, as well as a fortune in educating them) would grow up, live nearby, buy a house, a car, get a good job or start their own business. (Just like everyone else!) When they told us they were going to “serve the Lord” we were anything but pleased. As South Africans, we have grown up with so many prejudices, the colour of your skin, your language, your faith. It’s very difficult for us to accept that our children may have different beliefs, but we have learned (and it has been painful) that you have to let go. We refer to them as our children, but they are adults. What we thought was just a phase, has turned out to be a commitment.

We recently had the opportunity to visit Mauritius for five weeks for the birth of our granddaughter. We returned again a few weeks later for a few days in transit. To those concerned parents, I would urge you to do the same. We were pleasantly surprised. Not once were we badgered to attend any church activities, we were invited to attend a service, which we declined, and it was accepted gracefully. We experienced a community, dedicated to helping ALL people, not just people who believe in what they believe in.  We weren’t aware of ANY arranged marriages. There are a number of young people, living in the same country, meeting together regularly; it is natural that relationships would form. They are living normal, healthy lives and they are really happy. My son who has battled with depression for years has finally found something that makes him happy, if that means we have to face the fact that he will always be involved in the church so be it, we can think of worse things he could be involved in. We believe that collections are taken at services. We don’t see this as being any different to hundreds of churches all over the world. The communities are involved in raising money and sometimes help physically to build churches. Does this mean that they are a cult that steals children?

Sometimes we really need to let go, in this way, we can still have meaningful loving relationships with our children. Ask us, we know!

Debbie and Brian Echstein