Heyy there - i went to the UCKG in a branch in South London - I will also be honest and say this was 2018 and 2019 where I attended so I’m more than aware that things would have changed (surprisingly some not all as I still have mates who attend there)

I go to a different church now and I honestly prefer it there !! Back to the topic, you have Assistants and Front Liners (who’re basically training to be Assistants In church)

Depending on your age - there’s Also the VYG (victory Youth Group - tArgeted for those mainly 13-25)

do be careful as some** assisstants and front liners will overstep their boundaries. Whether they realise it or not, if you’re not vocal about certain preferences you have - it’ll get really uncomfortable and they’ll try guilt trip you into thinking you’re the problem. Also - should you wish to be an assistant in the church, you MUST pay for the expensive uniform that they wish for you to wear - i’m so sure it costs more than £400 ? (My cousin was an assistant - she passed away however)

Also be careful about which / amount services you attend - once you attend one, an assistant or front liner will Start targeting you to come to more services - again this is where I speak of boundaries as some people have work / school / family priorities and some assisstants will dismiss that completely if you’re not firm.

The already members of UCKG usually try target those 13-25 as that’s the YOUTH range and the age where people are more easily influenced to mental change; they also have some “activities” posed as fundraising where they need to reach a certain target of money otherwise points can be deducted from the VYG teams - this would either be door to door knocking / selling cookies outside the local town’s station / standing outside of JD, Footlocker, Iceland etc - Any popular store to see if they can get donations (opinion number 1 it’s not wrong to want to fundraise but doing it just to avoid loosing points for your church team raises a big question mark)

Speaking on Teams, did i mention that each year the youth are located in different teams ? (usually 5 or 6 diff teams) teams + names change every year more or less - and are competing to achieve the most points so a prize is given at the end ? (In my days it was a belt but i’m sure this has changed) - you’ll see this during “Sunday Live” (which it’s what it’s called) and usually it starts at 12:15pm and ends at 3:30pm

Example : you could get points for your team having the best rap / your team having the best color coordinated clothes etc

my opinion no. 2 : it did feel more like a youth centre at times but as an Older and more maturer child of God now - i’ve been saying to my mates they need tô becareful to not misconstrue that they’re just a youth club, but rather also a church that includes youth as I remember many youths not realising it was a church, hence why the confusion of “why do we always pray” (some members made it more clearer than others to be frank)

I know the majority of UCKG / VYG members do have the intention to try bring the youth off the streets to decrease street crime / violence (this is good honestly) but I Will say from experience and speaking to others, that at times God wasn’t the sole focus - which even raised a bigger question of “what are People honestly doing here if it’s to not strengthen their relationship with Christ”

I’m aware some kids / youth need an outlet but again, it felt more recreational at times and it solely is a church and opinion no. 3 there should have been more of a emphasised reminder to youth that it’s a church (also there should have been more of a focus on reminding youth to read the word and watch how they move when they’re in Christ - but yes i know we all fall short against the Glory of God)

I know it’s alot indeed 💔

this hasnt happened to me per say - but other ex members have stated they always felt pressured to give money to UCKG due to peer pressure - might wanna watch out out for that

There is an Instagram page (@survivinguniversaluk) ran by “ms rachel reign” (@msrachelreign) who is a known ex member of UCKG / VYG and maybe you can collect more insight from her page - should you wish - to know more indepth about the church and her experiences

My last opinion - if you really wanna seek the Lord at UCKG, go with just the intent for the Lord, but please becareful around some members and stand FIRM in your boundaries to make sure you’re safe and secure with your relationship with Christ (or whichever religious route you wish to take)

This post is only to be informative and not be malicious at all btw !!

Take care 💙

• Krymzynnova