Preacher Boys Podcast

Much conversation has been had about the nature of cults, how to identify what churches simply teach high standards vs what churches are actually exemplifying cult-like behavior, and whether or not some or many IFB churches meet the criteria to be considered cults. On this episode, Eric shares the key characteristics of a harmful organization from the "BITE Model." Steven Hassan originally...

On this episode of the podcast, host Eric Skwarczynski is joined by Joseph Tindle from Louisville, KY. They dive into hot button topics including racism and even politics – however, the episode is not about persuading the listener to a certain political position, but is rather about the larger conversation surrounding the concept of separation and getting outside of your bubble. Mentioned in the e...

On Monday, February 17, 2020, a lawsuit was filed by JOY RYDER against DAVID HYLES, HYLES-ANDERSON COLLEGE, INC., and FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HAMMOND, INDIANA, INC. More info can be found here: https://www.preacherboysdoc.com/ryder-v-hyles (https://www.preacherboysdoc.com/ryder-v-hyles) Find more stories regarding the IFB movement by visiting: https://open.acast.com/shows/5e123e2b355ab8560d61f99c/...

Karen Kroft was in the Independent Fundamental Baptist Movement for 43 years. She talks about being raised with immense fear of government and then, moving from one fearful situation to another when her dad moved them from Nebraska to Oklahoma City, where he served on staff at http://www.windsorhills.org/ (Windsor Hills Baptist Church) – a church she described as “more Hyles than Hyles.” The pasto...

Your host, Eric Skwarczynski, welcomes Jon Hollifield to The Preacher Boys Podcast. Jon is currently Assistant Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Manchester, TN since 2013. On this episode, he shares the biggest concerns he developed during his time within the IFB movement at other ministries. Eric and Jon discuss what actually makes a cult a cult, why pastor worship is so dangerous, and what the...

What could two IFB churches – 8 minutes apart – in Mesquite, TX have in common? Pedophiles, financial scandals, and-cover ups. All covered in this jaw-dropping interview. Find more stories regarding the IFB movement by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/preacherboysdoc/ (https://www.facebook.com/preacherboysdoc/) https://twitter.com/preacherboysdoc (https://twitter.com/preacherboysdoc) https://www...

Stephanie (Helms) Kittilsen joins your host, Eric Skwarczynski, on the podcast to talk about the problems in the IFB that prompted her to leave her job as a teacher in Hawaii(!). Find more stories regarding the IFB movement by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/preacherboysdoc/ (https://www.facebook.com/preacherboysdoc/) https://twitter.com/preacherboysdoc (https://twitter.com/preacherboysdoc) htt...

​Tiffani Cappello spent many years struggling with depression and an anxiety disorder that was dominating her life and damaging her health. She suffered many traumatic experiences throughout her life, including the death of her own child and 5 years of debilitating chronic illness. As a result, she felt defeated by life and wound up believing many things about herself and the world that were disem...

On this episode, your host, Eric Skwarczynski, interviews Benjamin Williams. His father, Ron Williams, was the founder and director of Hephzibah House in Winona Lake In, which also has Believers Baptist Church – independent church that was started by my father on his own. His father and mother have years of documented abuse that has occurred under them to students in the home, staff children and e...

On this episode, your host, Eric Skwarczynski, answers some listener questions. Questions: How do you define fundamentalism? I grew up believing that it just meant the following: divine creator, inerred word of God, His diety (virgin birth, died for us, bodily resurrection), He will come back and establish His kingdom, and there is a literal heaven and hell. Does fundamentalism mean something diff...

On this episode, your host, Eric Skwarczynski, sits down with ex-IFB member, Wendy Saddler. Wendy’s personal hell began 1984 at First Baptist Church of Easton, when she says Pastor Joe Thompson began trying to sexually groom her and other girls, eventually attempting to force himself upon some of them. Wendy also saw firsthand the abuse of her mentally handicapped brothers by Pastor Joe Thompson a...

Steven Thiel was recruited into an IFB youth group when he was almost 15, and was groomed to be a “preacher boy," preaching every chance he got in homeless shelters, detention centers and services. He surrendered to the “call” on his life and committed to full-time ministry. He attended West Coast Baptist College and then served 8.5 years in two different IFB churches. Find more stories regard...

Paul's journey with the IFB began at five years old. From that point until he broke away nearly twenty years later, he experienced torture – disguised as "discipline." From his early days within the Christian school, receiving daily swats with a large 2x4 to being sent to an even more abusive "boys home" because he snuck out to watch Ice Age as a teenager – this harrowing story...