Our People is a podcast dedicated to the unique experiences within the Church of God In Christ Mennonite. Through heartfelt interviews, we spotlight the emotional and mental odysseys of current and former Holdeman members. We aim to provide a safe space for sharing the real impacts of life inside this high-control church, the challenging journey of questioning, and the transformative path to independence and emotional health. Listen to tales of survival, healing, and thriving beyond the church's confines, offering solace and encouragement to those on a similar journey.
🎙️ The Purge: A 1970s Reckoning in the Holdeman Church
In this powerful and deeply researched episode, host Caleb sits down with historian Dennis Goossen to unpack one of the most dramatic and traumatic chapters in the history of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite—commonly known as the Holdeman Church.
📜 What was “The Purge”? During the 1970s, the Holdeman Church launched a sweeping campaign of member interviews and disciplinary action, known internally as “panel work.” Ministers interrogated every member of every congregation, leading to mass excommunications, family divisions, and long-lasting emotional scars.
🔍 Inside the Episode:
The cultural and theological tensions that led to the purge
How the panel interviews unfolded and what questions were asked
Firsthand accounts from those who lived through it—both those who stayed and those who were cast out
The infamous Greeley, Colorado case and its lasting legacy
The emotional toll on both members and ministers
How the church eventually brought the purge to an end—and what changed (or didn’t)
💔 A Story of Faith, Fear, and Fallout This episode explores not just the historical facts, but the human cost of religious control and the resilience of those who found new paths forward. Whether you're familiar with the Holdeman Church or hearing about this for the first time, this is a story that resonates far beyond one denomination.
🎧 Tune in for a sobering, insightful, and empathetic look at a community in crisis—and the lessons it leaves behind.
Follow us on Facebook:https://rb.gy/cj55td (https://rb.gy/cj55td)Subscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490 (https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490)Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 (https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast?sub_confirmation=1)Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045)Are you or is someone you know interested in sharing a story on the podcast? Reach out to OurPeoplePodcastTeam@gmail.com or message us on Facebook. We would love to hear from you.Support Us On Patreon:https://patreon.com/OurPeoplePodcast (https://patreon.com/OurPeoplePodcast)
16 May 2025
Jared's Story of Breaking the Holdeman Mold: A Voice From West Point
In this episode, Amanda reconnects with her cousin Jared Smith after more than a decade apart. Growing up together in Mississippi after Amanda's family moved from Arizona, Jared was Amanda’s first white cousin among a sea of Mexican cousins—an early sign that his path might look different from others. The two shared many childhood memories, but after drifting apart for 13–15 years, Amanda is eager to hear how Jared’s life has unfolded.
Jared shares openly about his deep roots in the Holdeman Mennonite church, describing himself as the "poster child" for the faith. Coming from a family of ministers, he was seen as someone destined to continue in the tradition. But as he puts it, he eventually "broke the mold."
In a conversation that’s both reflective and full of life, Jared walks us through his journey of leaving the church, which he began around 2018. It wasn’t a clean break at first—he stayed connected for a few more years before finally relocating to Arizona and severing ties completely. It was one of the hardest things he’s ever done, but also one of the best.
He speaks with emotion about the mental and emotional toll of leaving and how difficult it was to even begin to understand himself outside the church. But today, Jared says his life is full and beautiful. He has a 15-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, and he’s built a life filled with personal growth, business success, and genuine well-being. “Not what we were told when we were leaving,” he notes, but undeniably good.
Whether you're familiar with the Holdeman world or completely new to it, Jared's story offers a powerful look at what it means to step away from a high-control religious community and discover a vibrant, fulfilling life on the other side.
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Are you or is someone you know interested in sharing a story on the podcast? Reach out to OurPeoplePodcastTeam@gmail.com or message us on Facebook. We would love to hear from you.
Support Us On Patreon:https://patreon.com/OurPeoplePodcast (https://patreon.com/OurPeoplePodcast)
9 Mar 2025
Janice's Story Of Crossing Spiritual Paths With The Holdemans: A Voice From Linden, Alberta
This episode of Our People: Holdeman Mennonite Stories features a conversation with Janice Selby, a therapist, author, podcaster, and YouTuber specializing in religious trauma. Hosted by Amanda Esau and Wayla, the discussion explores Janice’s personal journey growing up in a Pentecostal household in Kelowna, British Columbia, and later encountering the Holdeman Mennonites in adulthood.
Janice shares how her early religious experiences, which included speaking in tongues and anointing with oil, shaped her understanding of faith and obedience. However, as she began questioning her beliefs, she found herself on a path of deconstruction that ultimately led her to work in religious trauma recovery. A pivotal part of her journey was her time spent among the Holdeman Mennonites, where she gained firsthand insight into the church’s strict control over members’ lives. She discusses the psychological impact of leaving such a high-demand religious community, the pressure to conform, and the deep emotional toll of shunning and isolation.
With warmth and candor, Janice reflects on the struggles of breaking free from religious indoctrination and the long road to healing. She shares her professional insights on the challenges of religious trauma, the guilt and fear that often linger, and the importance of rebuilding a sense of self outside of rigid belief systems. Whether you have personal experience with the Holdemans or are simply interested in the broader topic of religious trauma, this episode offers a compelling, compassionate, and deeply insightful perspective.
Follow us on Facebook:https://rb.gy/cj55td (https://rb.gy/cj55td)Subscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490 (https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490)Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 (https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast?sub_confirmation=1)Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045)Are you or is someone you know interested in sharing a story on the podcast? Reach out to OurPeoplePodcastTeam@gmail.com or message us on Facebook. We would love to hear from you.Support Us On Patreon:https://patreon.com/OurPeoplePodcast (https://patreon.com/OurPeoplePodcast)
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15 ratings
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