Endorsements & Reviews
“A courageous and candid memoir of sexual discovery, social history and psychological illumination. The author’s complex character is, once again, born again.”
Margaret Humphreys, LCSW Psychotherapist, New York City
“A young man’s quest to dedicate his life to Jesus and the ministry that sucked him in and spit him out. For anyone who’s ever struggled to find their purpose or had to start over … a poignant story of disillusionment and loss…courage and triumph.”
Linda (Freiwald) Schreiber, TV writer, two-time Emmy award winner
“Jud Hoyt has written a memoir which amounts to a cautionary tale for anyone going into ministry. Wounds and struggles that haven’t been dealt with are the fodder for secret sins that can dismantle a godly work, and this narrative is a true and tragic example. It’s also a glimpse into an amazing time known as the Jesus Movement, and one of the many works that movement produced. Jud 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 God’s 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”
“This is a compelling witness of God’s love, faithfulness and direction for a life through all the struggles, defeats and victories. Judson’s 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.” Jud’s 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
Judson Hoyt has written a courageous coming of age memoir as a same sex attracted teen during the Jesus movement of the 1970’s. An amazingly honest and insightful account of a young man’s struggle to conform his desires with a newfound faith. This book is for anyone who has ever felt like they aren’t 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
“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 hierarchical 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. Jud 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 Shekinah’s story in its entirety. But this book isn’t just about Brant and Shekinah. All believers can learn key principles about following Jesus in the highs and lows of ministry life. Thanks, Jud, for your diligent research and transparent sharing in the writing of No More Secrets: Sucked In and Spit Out.
Joel Comiskey, Ph.D., Author/Speaker and founder of Joel Comiskey Group
“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 1970’s, Shekinah Fellowship. Often, those in ministry remember only the good and only talk about God’s will in order to avoid dealing with the loss of spending years of devotion to a church or pastor not worthy of it. Jud 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 Suranie, Los Angeles County LBQ Women’s Health Collaborative, honoree of The Rainbow Key Award
Review: “No More Secrets”
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 facade. Underneath it, was a corrupt leadership that held a dark secret.
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 Jud 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 don’t 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 it’s also an account of grace, hope, and restoration.
Pastor Mike Bayer
Village Church of Laguna Woods CA