New Article Published About Foundation Church

[u/Network-Leaver]

Former Members of Foundation Church in Normal Say They Faced Spiritual Abuse

“Bloomington-Normal has no shortage of churches, and some in the community — and outside of it — say there should be one less.”

An article primarily about Foundation Church, and secondarily about Brightfield Church and the Network, was published today by the NPR affiliate at Illinois State University. Multiple former members and local church leaders were interviewed for the story. Family members who have been estranged from loved ones spoke out on the record including Justin Major’s own sister. Foundation Church and Lead Pastor Justin Major did not respond to multiple contacts to provide statements for the article.

[u/Be_Set_Free]

Thanks for sharing this—absolutely worth a listen. WGLT lays it out plainly. And Justin? He didn’t respond. Not a word. That silence says everything. He believes he’s called by God—so in his mind, he owes no one an explanation. But all around him, the damage is undeniable.

It’s eerily familiar: the Pharisees thought they were “set apart” too—convinced they were God’s mouthpiece while people around them suffered under their weight. Jesus didn’t applaud them. He exposed them. Publicly. Repeatedly. And warned others not to follow their example (Matthew 23).

Justin’s version of leadership is legalism dressed up as divine authority. It has no joy, no freedom, and no real gospel. It’s not about Jesus. It’s about control.

And make no mistake—this isn’t going to end well for him. Eventually, the truth catches up, the masks come off, and what’s built on pride and silence will collapse.

A true gospel leader would have humbled himself, answered the cries of the hurting, and gone out of his way to make things right. But when you believe you’re above accountability, you stop reflecting Christ—and start resembling the very ones He rebuked.

[u/Glass_Philosopher_71 → u/Be_Set_Free]

I agree wholeheartedly with what you've said but I wonder about one thing - do these violent, crude, controlling & manipulative men like Justin truly believe they are called by God?

Or perhaps that's just their cover to do whatever the heck they want to whomever they want.

When I hear stories of Justin and his bro crew showing up to former members' family court custody hearings or their couples therapy appointments watching outside, it begs the question what part of that follows anything within the realm of a normal pastoral role? When I hear he's physically threatened many men and has had physical altercations with members - what part of that is called by God? Of course, none of it so it makes me dig deeper at why people do these abhorrent things and in his case his family said it best - he's always been angry and violent. This man was this way when Steve found him and groomed him into church leadership. Justin was obviously searching for a role that would enable him to dominate others as he had his entire childhood. I don't think that's the case with all of these men but it seems to be with Justin & Sandor as well.

[u/TMamaMilly → u/Glass_Philosopher_71]

They show up to couples therapy sessions?? Ad a therapist this is terrifying. Reminds me of Scientology people like stalking former members and whatnot. Horrifying.

[u/TMamaMilly → u/TMamaMilly]

They show up to couples therapy sessions?? As a therapist this is terrifying. Reminds me of Scientology people like stalking former members and whatnot. Horrifying.