Sons of Patriarchy

She Was Kidnapped, Used as Free Labor, and the OPC Turned a Blind Eye

Nov 20, 2025
Stephanie Cherniowski, a former member of the Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, shares her harrowing story of abuse and institutional failure. From severe punishment and forced repentance to being kidnapped and imprisoned by church leaders, her testimony reveals a chilling account of manipulation, control, and sexual abuse. She discusses the ongoing trauma and how the church neglected to pursue justice for victims. Advocating for those in patriarchal settings, she emphasizes the importance of seeking safety and healing while holding faith through immense suffering.
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ANECDOTE

Raised Into Rigid Federal Vision Culture

  • Stephanie Cherniowski describes being raised in Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church under strict Federal Vision teachings and intense homeschooling.
  • She says this upbringing started her devaluation and loss of personal identity as a woman and individual.
ANECDOTE

Abuse Before And After Adoption

  • Stephanie recounts early-life abuse by her birth mother and being sold sexually before adoption and near death before rescue.
  • After adoption she endured escalating harsh discipline and isolation framed as repentance by church leaders.
ANECDOTE

Punitive 'Repentance' And Concealed Abuse

  • Church leaders forced punitive 'repentance' tasks: long isolation, copying scriptures on sin, and doctor visits within the denomination.
  • Sexual abuse by a neighbor continued and she developed PTSD-related vision loss as a teenager.
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