The rise and fall of the British cult that hid in plain sight
Briefly

Philippa Barnes enjoyed a joyful early childhood filled with family, favorite clothes, and outdoor play. Her close-knit family often visited the Jesus Fellowship, which initially thrilled Philippa and her siblings. They experienced communal living at the fellowship, contrasting with their life in Surrey. However, at age five, during a prayer meeting, the family dynamic changed. Philippa and her brother fell ill while left alone, revealing a shift in her parents' priorities towards their commitment to the fellowship over parental responsibilities, leaving Philippa feeling abandoned and scared in a moment of need.
Philippa recalls a pivotal moment when she and her younger brother were left alone with a baby monitor while their parents attended a prayer meeting. Despite their usual freedom to call for help, fear dominated her as they fell ill, signaling her parents' priorities had shifted toward the community over family.
Philippa's early memories reflect her joyful childhood filled with family and freedom, contrasting sharply with the beginning of her family's involvement in the Jesus Fellowship, where communal life soon overshadowed familial bonds.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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