Free Grace Women

Lessons from my interactions with Adam’s Road 

The Recent Tragedy within Adam’s Road

Last year, devastating news of long-standing sexual immorality and hypocrisy was brought to light regarding Adam’s Road, a ministry I had been a part of for nearly two years. I had worked beside these people throughout this time, unaware of the egregious sins behind closed doors, and two months after I left, was shocked to hear what had been happening. Ironically, I left because they insisted that “true believers” would live good lives, and that people living in sin weren’t saved.

In addition to shock, one can imagine the immense grief and betrayal I felt upon hearing the news. However, my experience is not unique, as many prominent evangelical leaders have recently stepped down from their positions due to moral failings, leaving millions of people who looked up to them feeling shaken and distraught.

It is crucial therefore, that we as Free Grace people are equipped in the truth and know how to respond to such circumstances.

My Personal Background with the Ministry

Over three years ago, I came to understand that Jesus gives us eternal life when we simply believe Him for it, and I was looking for fellowship with a church body. While attending a service at a small Baptist church I met Micah Wilder, the leader of Adam’s Road. He shared with me about his ministry that consisted of ex-Mormons and invited me to attend an upcoming Bible study at the church. Excited, I agreed. I was curious to learn more about the ministry, as I myself had come out of numerous deceptive forms of works-based teachings. In addition, around that same time I encountered a Mormon missionary, which had created a tenderness in my heart towards Mormons. Soon, I decided I wanted to serve within this ministry that shared the common goal of reaching those within works-based religion.

False Teachings within the Ministry & My Departure

During my time getting to know the Adam’s Road ministry, I slowly noticed that teachings of Mormonism seemed to creep in here and there. I remember overhearing multiple doctrinal discussions which gave me pause. At first, I thought it wasn’t much of a concern, as I knew from my own experience that sanctification is a process and is never to be expected as an overnight occurrence. Especially when leaving an authoritative religion like Mormonism, false doctrines and ideas can linger even years after exiting due to spiritual baggage and past influence. However, as I overheard more and more conversations discussing doctrinal matters, it became evident that not only were teachings of Mormonism still present within the ministry, but teachings of Calvinism and Lordship salvation were as well. I was able to catch these theological errors due to my own background in these false teachings. I was not new to the deceptions within Christianity and throughout my time working with Adam’s Road would continuously try to clarify the Free Grace message.¹

While I tried to have many conversations discussing these issues, eventually our theological differences resulted in me being ridiculed and given an ultimatum that I either had to change my beliefs or we could no longer partner in ministry. Although the ridicule and separation from these friends tore at my heart, I wanted to remain faithful to the Lord above all else, so I had to leave.

Actions Do Not Prove or Disprove Salvation

Two months after my departure, the ministry’s sexual immorality came to light and Adam’s Road disbanded. In light of this news, I am utterly disgusted by the hypocrisy and religious pride in their teachings. However, it’s important to remember that if anyone involved in this matter has ever believed in the promise of life, they are [still] a child of God.

The grounds for assurance of salvation stand solely on Jesus’s promise of eternal life. 

Still, the ministry’s work is in ruins: after almost 18 years the entire ministry has been disbanded, relationships have been shattered, and innocent people have been affected. Additionally, each believer will have to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, where their deeds will be publicly proclaimed and rewards given (2 Cor 5:10-11). To hear others be praised, and then have to admit that your own actions caused ridicule to the Lord and doubt among people will cause nearly unimaginable shame. Finally, the Bible teaches that sin brings consequences, including in this life.²  While we may not see what God does in their lives, these people have certainly opened themselves up to God’s discipline, as can we all if we chose to live in rebellion to the Lord.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7 (KJV)

For this reason, believers should remain steadfast and faithful, abiding in Him, and continuing to walk in the light. We should always strive to be holy and blameless so that when we stand before the Lord, we may not shrink back in shame but instead hear the words “well done good and faithful servant.”

We Follow the Message, Not the Man

Through all of this, we must never forget that all men are fallen and are therefore capable of failing. We should never place all of our faith in man, as no one is perfect beside God.

¹⁰ As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; ¹¹ There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. ¹² They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”

Romans 3:10-12 (NKJV)

Too often believers can fall into the trap of idolizing sinful men—both believers and unbelievers—and as a result, are shaken in their faith when those men let us down. However, we see in Scripture many believers who fell short, yet the message they proclaimed remained true. Peter denied the Lord, Demas left the mission field, and the church at Corinth was rebuked by the apostle Paul for numerous sins (e.g., drunkenness, sexual immortality, and pride). We also see that believers can fall away from the truth of the message of life. The book of Galatians is a rebuke to believers, who have fallen away from the saving message of grace and have turned to works for assurance (Gal 1:6). Yet, despite all of these shortcomings of men, God is capable of using flawed vessels to accomplish His purposes.

For that reason, we can stand firm in our faith, resting in the knowledge that while we may fail, His word never will. The Lord is without spot or blemish and will never let us down.

³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.  Matthew 24:35 (NKJV)

1.  Some of the false teachings held within the ministry were that a true believer will not fall away from the faith and that fruit/repentance is required for evidence of salvation—both of which are strong tenets of Calvinism and ultimately backload the gospel with works. Often times these teachings are supported by verses such as Matthew 7:15-20, Galatians 5:22-23, James 2, etc.
   See blogs and videos https://faithalone.org/blog/fruit-recognize/,
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n3a1iGSqCU, 
   and https://faithalone.org/blog/what-type-of-salvation-is-james-talking-about/ 
   for clearer teaching on those passages.
   ↩︎
2.  E.g., David had unrest in his kingdom for the rest of his life after he committed adultery and murder, Ananias and Sapphira died for lying, and Moses was refused entrance to the Promised Land for disobeying what God had said. See also Proverbs, 1 Corinthians, Hebrews, James, etc. ↩︎