Heaven Bent

Tara Jean shines a spotlight on the women and girls of Emmanuel Church of Christ, including founding Bishop-Overseer Nina May Pierce. How did she fight off the men in her church who thought they knew better? Sharon shares her own experience growing up as a girl in Emmanuel post-Nina's leadership.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emmanuel Pastor, David Terry faces murder and arson charges in a Tennessee court. What does his former lawyer remember about the trial? Also, Sharon confronts her dad about his memory of the trial and hears his perspective for the first time ever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the fire happened, in Nashville, Sharon was at Emmanuel’s church camp; speaking in tongues and crushing on boys. What dark secrets did the adults in her church keep from her? And why did they suspect a cult might be involved?   Subscribe to Heaven Bent Plus for early access to episodes and bonus content, all ad-free. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sharon learns about the early days of Emmanuel Church of Christ and its intriguing legacy of female leadership. Can this in-depth look at the church's history help us better understand what led to the tragic events of 1987? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the morning of June 16th, 1987, in Nashville, Tennessee. Shortly after midnight, firefighters are called to a blaze at Emmanuel Church of Christ. What they find in the ashes would change this small Pentecostal congregation forever. Thirty-five years later, Tara Jean Stevens begins to unravel this shocking crime. On the journey with her is Sharon Edwards. She was just a kid when the fire...

It’s 1987. Nashville, Tennessee. Emmanuel Church of Christ Oneness Pentecostal is up in flames and a mutilated body is found inside. Who did it? Why is the congregation’s beloved pastor missing? And could a Satanic cult be responsible, or was it something else equally sinister? In season three, host and creator Tara Jean Stevens reveals the shocking details surrounding this mysterious and thought-...

In the final episode this season, what’s truly at the heart of Bethel Church, in Redding, California? And, is it a cult? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The eye-opening evolution of the image of Satan in the Evangelical Church. Plus, what does the Devil have to do with the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. If you ask the leaders of Bethel Church, in Redding, California. The answer is a whole Hell of a lot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can God cure someone of their homosexual desires? Tara Jean Stevens explores “conversion therapy” and the “ex-gay” movement, within Bethel Church. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A COVID-19 outbreak at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry makes national headlines. And, Sean Feucht’s “Let Us Worship” tour hits Washington, DC. Is he right? Could this be a “tipping point for revival in America”? And how about his critics? Will this be the superspreader event they’re dreading? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Bethel Church, they believe in the power to heal the sick and raise the dead. What could possibly go wrong? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens at Bethel’s bewildering School of Supernatural Ministry? And how do they plan to keep students safe as they return to class during the COVID-19 pandemic? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much influence and impact does Bethel Church have in Redding? Turns out… a lot. And many locals are not happy about it. Is a cult really trying to take over this Northern California town? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In defiance of COVID-19 restrictions on mass gatherings and public singing, a Billboard charting worship leader from Redding, California launches a national, outdoor worship tour. Thousands of people show up at nearly every stop, and there’s barely ever a mask in sight. Is Sean Feucht a superspreader? Join Tara Jean Stevens, as she begins her exploration into Bethel Church, one of the largest and...

In March of 1999, more than 300 Christians claimed that gold teeth or fillings had miraculously appeared in their mouths. Can any of these “dental miracles” be verified? On this episode of Heaven Bent, Tara Jean Stevens returns to her childhood church in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, to find out. Also, on this final episode of the season, Tara Jean, herself a former follower, comes to some pers...

In 1995, a pastor’s wife from Florida attended ‘Toronto Blessing’ services in Toronto, Canada. Just days after her return, the strange phenomena happening there started happening in her church back home in Brownsville. Was her trip a successful crowd-control reconnaissance mission? On this episode of Heaven Bent, Tara Jean Stevens tracks the spread of this controversial spiritual movement – where...

Even the children fell to the floor, shaking and speaking in tongues. On this episode of Heaven Bent, Tara Jean Stevens explores the strange phenomenon known as “carpet time”. Was something supernatural at play? If not, what else could be going on? And, tracing the fascinating historical roots of the “Toronto Blessing,” we learn about the “Jesus Freaks” of the 1960s and 70s. Hosted on Acast. See a...

They say she heals the deaf and blind. They even say “Mama Heidi” has raised the dead. On this episode of Heaven Bent, Tara Jean Stevens explores the divine healing ministry of Mozambique missionary and Toronto Blessing follower: Heidi Baker. Plus, what does science teach us about “speaking in tongues”? And, birthdates, the names of your children, the description of your childhood home – where doe...

In 1994, a small church next to Toronto Pearson International Airport suddenly became one of the city’s “Top Tourist Attractions”. Why did millions of Christians flock from around the world? Was something truly supernatural happening? 25 years later, join Tara Jean Stevens as she revisits the unusual spiritual movement she was a part of as a teenager. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

Tara Jean Stevens was a teenager when a bizarre spiritual movement spread from Toronto to her childhood church in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Why did worshipers shake and fall to the ground? Did anyone truly get healed? And did gold teeth miraculously appear in people’s mouths…or not? Join Tara Jean on her curious journey to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...