Judson Hoyt - No More Secrets: Sucked in and Spit Out

Endorsements

Judson Hoyt has written a memoir which amounts to a cautionary tale for anyone going into ministry. Wounds and struggles that havent been dealt with are the fodder for secret sins that can dismantle a godly work, and this narrative is a true and tragic example. Its also a glimpse into an amazing time known as the Jesus Movement, and one of the many works that movement produced. Judson was there, and his story is pretty compelling.

Joe Dallas, Author and Speaker

In spite of the trials Judson has endured, his story gives insight into a journey revealing Gods faithfulness while helping Judson find healing and wholeness in his life. No matter what we struggle with, there is hope in Christ! A wonderful read.

George Carneal, Author/Speaker, From Queer to Christ

Judson Hoyt has written a courageous coming of age memoir as a same sex attracted teen during the Jesus movement of the 1970s. An amazingly honest and insightful account of a young mans struggle to conform his desires with a newfound faith. This book is for anyone who has ever felt like they arent where they should be and feel lost about where they are going. In other words, for all of us.

William Jensen, William K Jensen Literary Agency

Judson Hoyt has written a thought-provoking account of his time as a key member of the fastest growing youth ministry in California during the 1970s, Shekinah Fellowship. Often, those in ministry remember only the good and only talk about Gods will in order to avoid dealing with the loss of spending years of devotion to a church or pastor not worthy of it. Judson does that as well as hanging out the dirty laundry. We all agree not to talk about misbehavior as if doing so is a virtue. Silence is not always healing, but human beings are always complex. Hoyt risks telling his truth as the simple healing virtue. I would agree. I was there.

Elaine S uranie , Los Angeles County LBQ Womens Health Collaborative, Honoree of The Rainbow Key Award

This is a compelling witness of Gods love, faithfulness and direction for a life through all the struggles, defeats and victories. Judsons experience in the Jesus Movement brought him to where he is today. This is a testimony to the fact that we see through a glass darkly. Judsons life story is a journey that witnesses the orchestration God writes for all our lives in the symphonic path to a greater relationship with our Creator. Inspiring!

Teddi Paul, CA, Entrepreneur

Through his own experiences, Judson takes us on his journey as he strives to find acceptance and fulfillment within the Ministry. Whilst the struggle with his own personal and social frailties are apparent, it is the rise of the celebrity, homosexuality and the hierarchal system along with grooming of individuals that is the ever-constant theme. The hypocrisy of some within the Ministry and those pulling their strings is abhorrent. A thought-provoking book and one which should be read by those considering entry to Ministerial office.

Appearances are deceptive.

Lesley Norris, UK (retired nurse)

The story of Brant Baker and Shekinah Fellowship provides valuable lessons for ministers and believers of all generations. Shekinah grew rapidly, transformed many lives, and then just as suddenly disappeared. What really happened at Shekinah has been shrouded in secrecy. Until now. Judson Hoyt does an excellent job of revealing the whole story. I read this book with intense interest because I was intimately involved with Shekinah from 1974 to 1976. Yet, I had to read this book to finally understand Shekinahs story in its entirety. But this book isnt just about Brant and Shekinah. All believers can learn key principles about following Jesus in the highs and lows of ministry life. Thanks, Judson, for your diligent research and transparent sharing in the writing of No More Secrets: Lifted Up and Coming Out

Joel Comiskey, Ph.D., Author/Speaker and founder of Joel Comiskey Group

Authenticity and integrity are two things that the Church needs today. Judson Hoyt has written a book about his life and early involvement in a ministry that lacked both of these qualities. On the surface, the ministry appeared to be Godly. People were getting saved and becoming healed. With Saturday night services filling a huge theater and being broadcast live on Christian television, the ministry seemed to be a success. However, this was just a faade.

I know all of this not only because I read the book, but because I was a part of the ministry myself. For over a year, I was a member of staff as the pastor of a Sunday morning church that grew out of the Saturday night meetings. After we both left the ministry, I had the joy of marrying Judson to his wife, Kristy.

Churches are not perfect, but they need to be authentic and deal with bad leadership and immorality when it is present. This book will give you insights on how a ministry can get off track while most dont know it. When anyone tries to help and bring correction, the church brands them as disloyal. This book is an inside account of how things can go very wrong in a person's life and ministry. But its also an account of grace, hope, and restoration.

Pastor Mike Bayer, Village Church of Laguna Woods CA

Acknowledgments

My life has been in the hands of my Lord, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ. I had a greater awakening in the times we live in and His word with this project. It seems Im just now understanding about His grace and priceless gift of salvation that amazes me. It is a journey of ongoing life lessons until my time is done on this earth.

I want to thank my wife Kristy for her support and input during the writing of this book. As well, thank the rest of my family and friends for their encouraging words of support. A special thank you to Olivia and my daughter Jamie with the editing process.

Dedicated in memory of my older sister Meredith, my parents John and Frances (founder of Mariposa Woman & Family Center, Orange, Ca), my Uncle Eric, Aunt Nancy, my niece Arin. To past ministry friends: David Sloane (who sparked the seed with this project), Madge C, Arda H, Georgette A, Pam J, Sue O, Sister Edith, Loraine P, Mr. & Mrs. Adams, Trudi and others that have gone before me.

Foreword

Judson Hoyt and I met in high school in Corona del Mar, California. My good friend, Brad, introduced us. I was a bit jealous of Brad who seemed to take more of a liking to Jud than myself. One day after school, Jud invited us to come over to his house. None of us had a car yet, so we all walked the long trek from our high school across the open land of the dried up Back Bay to get there. I wasnt anticipating such a hike. My sexy Italian sandals were covered with dirt as we zigzagged to avoid large mud puddles of standing water left by the outgoing tide. I also wasnt expecting to find Jud living in such a modest house. He explained his parents had divorced and that he lived there with his father and his older sister. Jud brought us into his room, which was on the back porch, and I remember it being cold as the night drew on. The windows were hard to close. The draft that came through the window screens had a faint smell of the horse stalls outside his father rented out. Jud offered me a blanket to put around my shoulders. He put one on too. He had a kind paternal quality for someone his age. The adventure was a little scary and exciting at the same time, however, Jud appeared comfortable with his surroundings and that put me at ease. He was personable with an honest sense of fun. He could laugh at himself and was often the butt of his own humor, and of Brads. He took it like a sport. There was definitely a closeness between them, (the extent of which I was not privy to at the time) yet they made sure I felt included.