
In 2005, I found myself inside a Catholic church for Midnight Mass. My future wife, born and raised in the Catholic Church, was by my side, silently showing me something that I never thought I’d see or feel. At the age of 31, an unexpected realization set in – thus beginning my personal journey to the Catholic Church, my home.
Peering back into my childhood, however, I realize that my exposure to Catholicism actually began as a child. My father was in the Army so our family traveled around quite a bit. I was born in San Francisco, California, where my father was stationed in 1974. Both of my parents are “cradle” Catholics and each had very different experiences with the Catholic Church. Throughout the various moves from place to place, my parents were contacted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Watchtower message touched my parents enough to eventually become baptized Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1984.
Embracing the Watchtower
Growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness was difficult at times, but it was also very rewarding. As a child, I felt a part of something much larger than myself, than the world, than my parents. I felt a part of an organization that seemed to truly care for me and my family and that was teaching me “the truth.” Standing up for my beliefs as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses made me feel good inside, knowing that I was being loyal to my God. I learned Scripture quickly and, at a very young age, I began to give “talks” (sermons) in front of the congregation. My heart was drawn to go out publically from door-to-door preaching this “good news” that I was learning. I just loved meeting new people and teaching them the things that God was teaching me! Thus, in 1987, at the age of 13, I was baptized as an ordained minister in the Watchtower organization as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
As we all know, the teenage years are a difficult time regardless of one’s religious views. Mine were no exception. Inquisitive as most at my age, I began to question many of my beliefs. Questions like, “How do we know that the Watchtower Society, Jehovah’s Witnesses, is the only true religion?” and “Why is it that the history of Jehovah’s Witnesses only goes back so far, thus creating a huge gap in the connection to the Apostles?” These and many other questions began to truly eat away inside me at a very young age. The difficulty with having such questions as a Jehovah’s Witnesses is that a person who begins to ask such questions is then “marked” by the church as a “bad association,” or even reprimanded for questioning the organization. So I held all these questions, along with many more concerns I had, deep inside.
Feeling that I had nowhere to go, I turned to drugs and alcohol at the age of 15. My life spun out of control for a good year. I began to completely withdraw from the Watchtower, my friends, and more importantly, God. I began to self-medicate, hoping all of the questions would be answered. Fortunately, I had a good enough relationship with my parents to eventually talk to them about this substance abuse issue I had created for myself. I truly desired to get back in the good graces of my God and my family. It is common practice among Jehovah’s Witnesses to confess things like this to the Elders of the congregation and, with the encouragement of my parents, I did so. What resulted was a disciplinary action called “Private Reproof,” which limited my responsibilities in the congregation, including praying publically, reading Scripture in front of the congregation, and giving sermons. While I understood principle of the discipline, I was truly distraught knowing I could not serve my congregation. However, I took this time to try and strengthen my relationship with God and my family. Fortunately, I was able to overcome my battle with drug abuse and my responsibilities in the congregation were restored.
Searching for answers
Over the next several years, I dedicated myself to the Watchtower. I became a “Full-time Pioneer” (minister) at the age of 18, was appointed a “Ministerial Servant” (Deacon) in my 20s, and had many responsibilities in the congregation. Through it all, however, it seemed like something was missing – there was an emptiness growing inside me. This feeling always concerned me and I feared telling anyone about it, so I prayed about it constantly, hoping for an answer.
In 1994, I married a sweet, Jehovah’s Witness woman whose desire to serve seemed to match mine. We both served the congregation as much as we could. We met many wonderful people and gained so much joy through service! However, that empty feeling still existed within me. I had so many lingering questions about my religion that just did not seem to have plausible answers. A couple of years later, in 1996, my wife gave birth to our beautiful son. He just lit up our world and helped me make a decision that would change my life forever.
The birth of our firstborn made me realize that I needed to do something with this empty feeling, with these questions that haunted me for years. I decided to take a break from my responsibilities in the congregation for a while and instead focus on research. I totally engulfed myself in nothing but the Bible and its history. I stopped attending the meetings at the Kingdom Hall, and prayed harder than I have ever prayed. My prayer was that God guide me in the right direction and fill this emptiness inside of me. The Elders in my congregation did not welcome this break.
An abrupt end
One morning I received a call from an Elder of our congregation, a dear friend of mine. It also happens that he was serving at “Bethel” (the Watchtower headquarters in New York). He expressed his concern for me and my spirituality. He offered to help me in any way he could and asked is he could make a home visit. Of course, I understood his concern for my spirituality because I was concerned about it myself, so I accepted his offer. His visit would be a pivotal point in my journey.
The day came for the long-awaited visit — I was very excited to see my friend! Initially we sat and chatted about some lost time, drank some coffee, and just enjoyed each other’s company. The subject then switched to me and my spirituality. I expressed my feelings and the questions that I had been pondering. I also confessed my fear of sharing these things, because I didn’t want any negative recourse as a result. He seemed to understand and wanted to help answer any concerns I had, in hopes to strengthen me. This was a relief for me! Feeling safe, I then began to pour out every concern I had and described the empty feeling I had inside for years. We discussed the apparent conflicts between Scripture and the teachings of the Watchtower Society. He listened to everything I was feeling. It felt as if a load was lifted off my shoulders! I thanked him for visiting, we hugged, and he left. This was the last time I spoke with or saw him again.
A week later, I received a phone call from another Elder informing me that, because of my views, they had decided to “disassociate” (ex-communicate) me from the organization. He stated that because of the questions, concerns, and views that I expressed to my Elder friend, I had made it clear that I no longer wanted to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This decision on the part of the Elders devastated me! By disassociating me from the organization, my parents, brother, sister, and all of my friends (ones I have known since I was a child) were no longer allowed to speak to me or visit with me at any time. That empty feeling — that hole — just got larger. I was spiritually alone.
Falling into despair
Over the next several years, in my desolation, I became angry at organized religion as a whole – in particular Jehovah’s Witnesses. I dabbled in paganism, Hinduism, Buddhism, agnosticism, and eventually just gave up and began feeling there was no God and began to study atheism. In attempting to fill the empty feeling, I just made it larger and larger.
In 1999, a beautiful baby girl was added to our family and she brought so much joy into my life! I sat back and saw this picture: I had a nice home, was married with two beautiful children, and I was alive. So why was I so unhappy? Why did I still have this empty hole inside? I couldn’t understand it. I became more angry and resentful. I began to drink alcohol heavily and dabble in marijuana. I joined a metal-rock band and became part of the music scene — all in hopes of filling this void. As happens many times due to behavior like this, my marriage fell apart. In 2004 I found myself divorced, living alone, and only seeing my children every other weekend. It was all gone. I was empty and alone.
A light shone in the darkness
In March of 2005, I met a woman named Sherri who would change my life. We seemed to have similar interests, so we began dating. I quickly saw that she was deeply inclined toward God. While she didn’t talk much about her religious beliefs, she showed them to me in almost everything she did. It wasn’t long before I brought up religion with her, since her unspoken faith had intrigued me. When she told me she was Catholic, I thought to myself, “Of all religions, she HAD to be Catholic!” This feeling came from my roots as a Jehovah’s Witnesses since they are extremely anti-Catholic.
However, after getting to know Sherri, I fell in love and proposed marriage. I found myself going along with her through the pre-Cana program so we could get married in the Catholic Church. I also went through the annulment process. Again, I wasn’t too sure about all of this, but it made Sherri happy, and that was what I wanted.
From the first meeting we had with our priest, Father Toomey, I was truly impressed. He shared with me his journey to the priesthood and had extensive discussions with me on my views and my experiences with Jehovah’s Witnesses. I even told him about the emptiness I felt inside. I couldn’t believe that he didn’t judge me for my questions and concerns! He just listened, smiled, and understood.
During one of our discussions, Fr. Toomey said that he wanted to give me a gift that he thought I would enjoy. He handed me a book entitled, The Teaching of Christ – A Catholic Catechism for Adults. He said, “You may not decide to read it right away, and that’s okay. But I thought of you and wanted you to have it.” I accepted this book as a kind gesture. When I got home, I placed it in my nightstand and forgot about it.
With Christmas around the corner, I was getting excited to spend it with Sherri. Sherri mentioned to me that she wanted me to go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. At first, I was taken back with hesitation because of my disdain for organized religion. However, I didn’t want to disappoint Sherri, so I accepted her invitation. While it was difficult for me at the time, I admitted to Sherri that the Midnight Mass was one of the most inspiring things I have ever encountered!
In December of 2006, Sherri and I were married at St. Matthew Catholic Church and it was an amazing day! Our journey brought us there that day and Father Toomey performed the ceremony exquisitely.
Time to think
In 2009, during a night out with friends, I became extremely intoxicated. I blacked out while walking, fell and hit my head, and suffered a Grade 3 concussion. The doctors told me I was lucky to be alive, since my blood alcohol level was 1.11 when they measured it the morning after the accident! The following weeks of recovery were very reflective. I was under doctors’ order to stay put and limit movement; I had a lot of time on my hands.
I began to reflect on my relationship with Sherri, and just how blessed I was to have such an amazing partner who was sticking by me, even though I wasn’t sure where I was going. I pondered on how much she trusted in her God, how deeply she felt about her faith, and just how much I yearned for that. It was at that moment that I remembered the book that Father Toomey gave me over three years earlier. I just had to find it! I just had to read it!
As I began to read this book, I felt as if something began to sew up the empty hole inside of me. The words of the book turned into mental pictures, and pictures turned into feelings, and feelings turned into faith. Learning for the first time about Catholic Tradition with a capital “T” and apostolic succession just completely overwhelmed me. I was drawn to learn more!
I told Sherri I had been reading Fr. Toomey’s book and expressed my desire to attend Mass with her. I know just how happy this made her! As I began attend Mass, an indescribable feeling took hold of me. That empty feeling — that hollow hole inside me — began to be filled. Before long, I realized that every single time I was at Mass, I was in the presence of Someone so much higher than myself, yet I could feel His yearning for me to be closer. There was no other place I would rather be!
Finally, the Lord filled the emptiness
I came across information on the RCIA program, while researching how to become a part of the Catholic Church. I just HAD to do it and what an amazing and insightful journey it proved to be! I completed the RCIA program, and was welcomed into the Church on Easter Vigil 2010.
Being able to take in the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ through the Eucharist is a moment that could never be put into words. I just thank my God for guiding me along on this journey and helping me see His face in so many people and events throughout my life! I currently serve as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion in our local parish, which amazes me every time I serve. Coming out of an organization that attempted to limit my access to God, and into His, one, true Church where He dwells and is freely and readily available, fills that empty place I carried inside for years! Thanks be to God!
Lou. The most important thing now is to focus on Christ through our Mother the Church. Problems, doubts, bad days will never cease, but God’s grace is greater. Say the Rosary as much as you can
Congrads on exiting the Jehovah’s Witnesses,same with me was a ‘born in’ 1957,was in the cult and now i’m out.Danny Haszard Bangor Maine
FMI dannyhaszard(dot)com
Very nice story Lou, you are so inspiring! GOD really guided your journey!
There is a number of JW here in our place; how I wish that i could share your story with them. God’s Will be done; if there’s
an opportunity, I certainly will introduce you and your journey to them. Thanks for your story. By the way, I am a Filipino, from the Philippines.
Jehovahs Witness belief system.
Jehovah’s Witnesses proselytizing is a scam.
A) They are at your door to recruit you for their watchtower society corporation,they will say that *we are just here to share a message from the Bible*… this is deception right off.
B) Their *message* creed is a false Gospel that Jesus had his second coming in 1914.The problem with this is it’s not just a cute fairy tale,Jesus warned of the false prophets who would claim *..look he is here in the wilderness,or see here he is at the temple*. C) Their anti-blood transfusion ban against *whole blood* has killed thousands.D) once they recruit you they will *love bomb* you in cult fashion to also recruit your family & friends or cut them off. —-My family was spiritually and financially swindled by the Watchtower society,3rd generation Jehovah’s Witness Danny Haszard *Tell the truth don’t be afraid* FMI dannyhaszard(dot)com
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that the “whore of Babylon”, spoken of by John in the Revelations, is all of Christianity, in their view. In other words, they are the only true christians, and every other Christian faith (as well as the rest of humanity) is apostate and damned by God, destined to be destroyed at Armageddon.
Danny you need to sit and talk with mycatslyone and show how all the misrepresentation of the Catholic church are not true. God Bless
I understand your view on DF’d. However, I wasn’t disfellowshipped, I was ‘disassociated’. Which, in turn, is basically the same result. And the elders can clearly make a determination, without sitting down with someone, that they should be disassociated. Unfortunately, that is what happened to me. I am sorry that your beliefs do not permit you to understand this. It is my prayer that you and others find the wholeness of the Faith.
In Christ,
Lou Everett
Mycatslyone unfortunately has been, I hesitate to use the term but can think of no other, brainwashed. Catholics do not believe in a 3headed God. And if Mycats…studied the truth, he would see that the original translation of God is more Eloim, not Jehovah, besides Mycats…God tells us to call Him, “Abba” or our closest translation of same is “Daddy” also He said to Moses He is “I AM” As for eating the body and blood at Mass, have you never read John 6 and seen what Jesus said about that? The bread & wine that nourishes at Mass transubstatiated to become God’s nourishment for us to live the will of God is something the’enemy’ you speak of, or Satan, DOES NOT want anyone to be so nourished because the enemy knows how powerful that nourishment can be. It is evident by all the Christian churches who have rejected the Eucharist established at the Last Supper that Satan has been VERY busy trying to keep people away from the Sacred nourishment Jesus has provided for us.
Open your heart and mind Mycats….I understand your great love for God and your desire to keep it and know the truth, but believe it or not God wants even more for you than you are now experiencing.
Welcome Home Lou. Thank you for sharing your story and may God help you continue to evangelize for Him and the fullness of His love for us; evangelizing in word & deed. As St. Francis said we should spread the work of God & if necessary to do it sometimes by using words!!
Lou,
Do you have a website? Have you written any apologetics articles? If so, please share. If not, Catholics could surely help from them.
Lou has shared an amazing story, and it has inspired me! I do feel like we want to limit any negative talk about jehovah’s wtinesses. Lets be charitable and pray for people, and treat them as we would want to be treated!
Agreed! I have had to delete a few comments that were not respectful. Charity!
Don’t bother talking to the j-dubs. The only reason they exist is because they reversed every Catholic Doctrine. They even reversed the Eucharist to actually passing a plate and not partaking it. They have no doctrine, just policies against the True Church of Christ. It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.
Lou,
Fr. Dan Toomey, in East Stroudsburg, PA at the time? We knew him well.
Thank you for sharing! I often question why Jehovah’s are so anti-catholic. They make fun of our beliefs and they constantly try to CONVINCE us that THEIR beliefs are the ONLY beliefs. Bottom line we all love God. Why don’t Catholics go around bashing Jehovah’s? No- we rather pray for them and project all our energy in loving God! We are all brothers and sisters! Live and let live!!!!
You know just about 5 months ago I found this catholic priest who opened his door and asked me what did I want. I only had spanish literature with me at the time and since he is white I asked him if he knows if any of his neighbors speak or read spanish. He put his face close to mine and our noses where almost touching and he said “Im a roman catholic priest, does that answer your question?” Then he shut the door. I was going to witness to him about the bible but he didnt give me a chance. Now 2 weeks ago from now I found another catholic priest. He is about in his 30’s I think. He was really friendly and even told me to come inside his home and I talked with him. He asked me alot of questions about Jehovah Wittiness that he wasnt sure about if they where true and I did the same asking questions about the Catholics beliefs. There was no arguing at all. We focused mostly on the Trinity towards the end to see if it is true or not. He gave texts and so did I. He explained the Trinity better than any other Catholic I have talked to just there was one problem. He was able to explain John 3:16 and John 17:3 in away that if you believe in the trinity it will make since that God and Jesus are one even though the scriptures sound like they are two, The problem is that he couldnt back up the Trinity with John 14:28. Where Jesus says “The Father is greater than I”. I told him “if the trinity is true than shouldnt the Father,Son, and the Holy spirit be equal?” He said “in all my years of studying the bible I could not figure that one out.” So I ask any of you to help me with that text. I dont believe in the trinity but would like to know how would you explain John 14:28 where it wont contradict the Trinity. Thank you.
Hi Lou,
My wife is guilty of putting me up to reading your testimony. I am very glad that I did. It is inspiring. I have worked for many years converting Jehovah’s Witnesses to the Catholic Church. If you ever want to really remove all doubt about them being a true church, read their own statements! I use only their own publications to prove them wrong. Did you know that they first said that Jesus returned in 1874 then in 1914? Armageddon first took place in 1914 then in 1975. The date for the prophecy on 1914 came from pagan sources (their own admission). Their New World Translation of the Bible was translated with the help of demons (I didn’t say it; they did!). It is amazing!
Lee
I live in Mexico, I have had encounters with JW at public places, like parks. The fact is, is so amazingly easy to refute their arguments! All you have to have some knowledge of our Catholic faith, be certain that our faith is the true faith, and not be involved in their elaborated “spaghetti” of biblical quotations, and you will see how easy is to make them drop their beliefs! !. This is because their theology is built on sand, and although it seems to be a castle, is a castle founded on sand, and crumbles easily ..
Amen Saul, they came to my home today, and respectfully we had a discussion.Many JW are ex-Catholics who never understood their faith. the JW had a very difficult time answering my questions, especially on the history of their JW faith. I turned the argument against them by asking them where their authority was, and why based on this lack of authority were they any different from other denominations. They pointed out verses in Isiah, but to my surprise, when I pointed out Matthew 16 they could not explain what Jesus said to Peter. I knew once they couldn’t explain that, I was dealing with some lightweights.lol I enjoyed the debate, I may have planted a seed.
Hi Gokistian! I hope this link could answer your question: http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/what-did-jesus-mean-in-saying-that-the-father-was-greater-than-he
Yes, that’s the Father I was referencing! A great man and priest!
Lou
You wrote, “And the Q’s in your head could have all been answered by doing your own research in the Bible & the WT publications.” However, using WT publications is NOT doing your own research. The WT publications deliberately misrepresent the Church Fathers by taking their words out of context. They direct you to certain passages (also out of context) which will answer their own questions in the affirmative. Scripture is taken out of context and the JW’s I know call this “cross-referencing.” Do your own research and read the Church Fathers in their own words and the Bible in context, not as edited by the WT. Oh and where in the Bible does it say that Jesus is actually the Archangel Michael?
Thanks Lou, for sharing your awesome story. I am an Ex-JW myself. I left them back in 1999 after 30 years with them and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. They disfellowshipped me for living in my ex’s home for a couple of weeks after our divorce (my apt. wasn’t yet avail.) and expected me to apologize, or else. Well, that “or else” resulted in my children and my Ex no longer being among that cult themselves. *Hallelujah!*
I am currently in the process of renewing my former Catholic ways (up until I was 15 yrs. old). I spent a couple of months in the Catholic Church a few years ago, then moved away and tried a couple of non-denominational churches, but somehow the Catholic faith is calling me back.
Over these past years, I have learned to listen to my own inner voice and do what I feel is right for me and especially for Him.
God bless you and your faith journey Linda. Please do not hesitate to contact the CHNetwork if there is any way we can be of help to you.
Thanks. I’m just glad you have this website. Thanks also for the offer, but I’m doing ok. The Lord has been with me over the years in spite of all the things I have been through recently,(unemployment, bankruptcy, upcoming short sale or worst case scenario a potential foreclosure and 3 of my 4 children don’t talk to me).
When we only dwell on the good things of the Lord and not on the evil and wrong things about the JW’s, it makes life more enjoyable. Blessings to you all!
Good on you Nora, you did the right thing.
If we are supposed to say the rosary why didn’t Jesus say the rosary?
Jesus LIVED the Holy Rosary.
Though most Jehovah’s Witnesses are sincere in their faith they are taught that their religion is the pure religion of the early Christians and mainline Christianity is incorrect with unbiblical teachings and what bad things mainline Christians have done throughout the centuries. Also don’t forget the devil could be very cunning and shrewd, he can make you think something else is bad to lure you away from where you should be. And don’t forget Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus is not the second person of the Trinity but Michael the Archangel which to me is almost heretical.
Chris, the rosary is meditation upon the events in Christ’s life. Saying, a full rosary, you prayerfully meditate on 20 events in the life of Christ and the Church. It’s kind of like asking why we pray to Jesus if Jesus never prayed to Jesus. Sometimes the Scriptural Rosary is a good introduction. You pray the rosary with a Bible verse meditation before each Hail Mary. The Hail Mary is taken from Luke 1:28 and 42. http://scripturalrosary.blogspot.com/p/scriptural-rosary.html
well look at all the bad things the catholic church has done from torturing people to accept their faith to covering rape, while the JW give you the option to join or not
“why don’t catholics go around bashing Jehovah’s”
there is many websites talking bad about them and most of them are catholics
Coming Home to the Catholic Church? Good stuff. After all.
Why settle for crumbs when you can have the whole loaf?
I love this response. How can u leave the protection of the true God to frolic for self assurance ..because of selfishness and pride. You are not telling the whole truth because as stated above you do not get dissed by telephone. To even write this article shows your reaching for acceptance and understanding. Nothing is immoral about anything done or said by true Jehovah’s witnesses because there is no lie or contradiction in Scripture.
Folks, the Church founded by Christ can be found today in the Catholic, Orthodox, Armenian, and Oriental communions.
Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Henry Tudor Menno Simons, and other Protestants got it wrong.
That is the truth.
Wow, for someone supposed to be a good standing witness, you sure are angry. Do YOUR fellow members know your participation here, or anger issues? U might just be disassociated for it… Smh, I’ve been a witness too, and your behavior is NOT consistent with your own judgmental “preaching” against our Catholic brother here.
How bout all the incestuous Jw men on the well documented list. At least the Catholic Church addresses their bad history. Jw faith hides past blunders, not even allowing current members to open up their own church history w,o being labeled potential apostates.
I’m a Filipino too
That is pretty stupid because the Rosary is a meditation on the life of our Lord and his Mother which was obviously still in progress when Jesus was alive. You will find nearly all of the words of the Rosary in the Gospel of St. Luke if you read the Annunciation and the Visitation.
Had I been raised in a devout Catholic family, or even a practicing one, I would have been immune to the JWs and all other anti-Catholic groups.
Within a year of leaving the JWs, I attended my first Mass in March, 1976, and was baptized and confirmed into Holy Church on Easter, 1980aD.
The JWs are not alone in their blindness reg. the Church. It is so sad that they believe that the Church of Fr. Groeschel, of St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta, of the Little Flower, of St. John of the Cross, of Fr. Thomas Dubay and so many more be “of the devil.”
I got more of God (the Father through Jesus with the Holy Spirit) from one short Fr. Leo Clifford video than I got from three years of running with the Jehovah Witnesses. They don’t know what God’s Love is.
Pray for them!
Jesus also said “I and the Father are one”.:Whoever sees me see the Father.” John 14:28 just means that in his humanity he is less than the Father. It is as if his Glory is veiled. It was briefly shown to the three apostles in the Transfiguration. I hope that answers your question. I am surprised the priest did not know that.
The Church is against forced conversions and always has been even if some Catholics did. And the Church has been trying to stop abuse even if some have covered it up.
not true
Catholics have at times used forced conversion, even though it goes against the Church’s teachign but mostly it was because of conversions by missionaries.
Excellent, plus it’s the story of and meditation on salvation…thanks be to God!
It has apostolic basis which is biblical basis!
Mission accomplished! thanks be to God!
I would like to know more about JW disfellowship. I know someone who is a JW and according to her if a JW leaves for another Christian religion that is ok with them and that person won’t be disfellowshipped. Is this true? What is the experience of people who left JW for another Christian denomination? In Lou Everett’s case, are his family who are still in the JW Church still not allowed to communicate with him? If they are able to communicate with him, what changed?