Former members can attest to the fact that although EOJ proclaims it is “Eyes on Jesus,” it becomes eyes on the leaders, Kevin and Shi-Anne Eakin. Many of the young congregants come from divorced/single parent households and are looking for Jesus and a sense of belonging, community, relationships, friendships, family. Kevin and Shi-Anne seem to meet those needs initially. Gradually it becomes clear, that everything with EOJ comes with conditions. Those loyal to the couple report contents of private conversations with other church attendees directly to the pastors. Anything you say in EOJ will make its way back to Kevin and Shi-Anne. It is not uncommon to hear the contents of the private conversations in sermons and/or prophecies, as if from God rather than shared info. People who question the couple, are labeled as having “issues with authority,” insecurities, divisive, rebellious, or even demonized. If anyone leaves, there is great effort made by the Eakins into controlling the narrative and demeaning the character of people who leave. Even those who have been members for years, having listened to countless hours of preaching, attending multiple services per week, having become exhausted, confused, doubting themselves and their faith, are essentially shunned if they leave. Scripture is misinterpreted in ways that are manipulative, condemning, controlling and beneficial to them, and the couple admits that they lack Biblical education. This is a cult of personality where the leaders set themselves up as having been gifted by God, so claim they are the ultimate and only authority within the EOJ community. They approve/disapprove of dating relationships, and other intimate details of life so members look to them rather than trust their own ability to discern the ways of God and make decisions for themselves in their lives. If you have further questions, or are a “recovering” former member of the Eakins and EOJ please see: “Is Your Church Becoming a Cult? 4 Red Flags You Can't Ignore” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlgRYM2iSdM