54 episodes
Heaven Bent Heaven Bent+
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- History
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4.8 • 4 Ratings
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Explore the fascinating, mysterious, and sometimes dangerous world of evangelical Christianity, with host and creator Tara Jean Stevens. This documentary series focuses on different Pentecostal, and charismatic movements, one season at a time. Season 4 starts September 25th with a spotlight on the extreme beliefs and practices at the International House of Prayer, in Kansas City, Missouri.
In season 3, Tara Jean follows the Pentecostal spirit of revival to Nashville, Tennessee, where a once thriving church is up in flames and a mutilated body is found inside. In season 2, she examines the questionable teachings and spectacular spiritual practices of Bethel Church, in Redding, California. And, in season one, Tara Jean seeks to understand the “Toronto Blessing”, a movement she was raised in.
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S4E1: The 24/7 Prayer Room
They pray 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the return of Jesus. What could possibly go wrong? Join Tara Jean Stevens for her exploration of the International House of Prayer, in Kansas City, Missouri.
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S4E2: Rachael
Rachael Bailey was once on the cover of the Kansas City Star. The headline read: “Youth Cult”. But was it? This episode, Rachael shares her journey at the International House of Prayer.
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S4E3: Austin
God wanted Austin Williamson to be famous, according to some leaders at the International House of Prayer. Austin dishes to Tara Jean about his time on IHOP’s elite worship team, and his coming out journey.
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S4E4: Bethany
It’s 2012, IHOPU student Bethany Deaton dies in a shroud of mystery. Tara Jean explores what really happened and how it put IHOP’s spiritual practises, leadership and culture into question.
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S4E5: The Micahs
An exorcism? A false-murder confession? Rumours of a sex cult? Tara Jean explores the aftermath of Bethany Deaton's death. Also, a further spotlight on how IHOP leadership managed this crisis in their community.
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S4E6: Gracia
Gracia dedicated 6 years to IHOP’s 24/7 prayer room. But, she has grievances about her time there, especially when it comes to how they handled her sexual assault claim. Also, on the final episode this season, the surprising person who is coming to Gracia’s defence
Customer Reviews
Fascinating, disturbing, tragic and hopeful
Tara provides a fascinating take on the various fringe Christian groups popping up in the broader evangelical Christian community. Her insights and journalistic pursuit of the issues at the heart of these groups and their practices is insightful and revealing, both of the groups themselves but also of the fragility of the human condition. Definitely worth listening to whether you are a Christian or not; either way, your eyes will be opened to a profound reality which escapes the majority of us. Looking forward to the next season!
Great insights
Love the insights of this podcast. Absolutely horrified that there are still people in South Africa who support any kind of conversion therapy - even scarier that these people are in positions where they can influence children. This is definitely not the view supported by the majority of South Africans.