Baptistland

A Memoir of Abuse, Betrayal, and Transformation

By: Christa Brown

Narrated by: Soren McKay

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

It began with just wanting to tell the truth. But truth-telling has a way of snowballing.

When Christa Brown first spoke out about the sexual abuse she endured in her Texas childhood church, she never imagined it would expose the ethical chasm at the core of the Southern Baptist Convention: male religious leaders so focused on institutional protection that they sacrifice the safety of children.

A book about speaking out and speaking up, Baptistland weaves together Christa’s revealing story of hope amid Southern patriarchy and religious fundamentalism. You’ll meet the young Christa who endures family dysfunction, the trauma of bodily desecration, and the death blows of a gaslighting church and faith community. Then you’ll meet the Christa transformed who finds her voice and rises above the limited expectations of her given culture, becoming a successful attorney and earning the title of advocate for clergy sex abuse survivors.

Ultimately, Christa Brown grows into a vivid tree of life, rooted in love, individuality, beauty, and goodness. But it was unrelenting honesty, to herself and others, that guided her to this ordinary paradise. Baptistland speaks to the power of truth-telling—to ourselves, our relationships, and our institutions.

©2024 Christa Brown (P)2024 Christa Brown

Difficult story of truth telling

This was a hard book to listen to but I’m glad that I did. It’s truth that needs to be told and heard.

Meaningful

Great storytelling about how coping with trauma really does matter. It can be passed down without even realizing it.

Light and truth are much more powerful than darkness and fear.

It may not always feel that way when you’re going through it, but it’s still truth.
I don’t understand why there are so many who have not had to stand accountable for their evil. I too grew up in the SBC and nearly killed me. And I only see the SBC becoming more evil.
However, Christa’s truth telling will hopefully let this cult become more aware that they can run, but they can’t hide. And those that help them hide are just as responsible for their sins as the wrongdoers.
Hey SBC, WWJD?

Fantastic book

Christa’s story was inspiring. Her commitment to breaking generational trauma before she even knew what it was Is so inspiring.

Compelling story and wonderful narration

I admire the courage and truth telling in Christa’s story. I am so thankful for the ways she has fought for justice despite such odds stacked against her. Soren’s narration was so easy to listen to. I was caught up in the story thoroughly. She is my new favorite narrator

Very inspiring and emotional

So glad to have read it. Highly recommend. Very moving and inspiring hearing Christa’s life story and how she has been such a powerful advocate for abuse victims

Outstanding and Crucial Read

it was an amazing account of courage and persistence in the face of personal atrocity

I can relate

Thoroughly and honestly written about her pastor abuse and the reaction from her family and the church is my story too. "No one gives a flip" is so true. It's been 35 years and it never goes away. I loved all the details of her entire story and the amazing life she pursued and still spent time fighting this ridiculous Christian crime that continues to this day. Everyone needs to read this!!

My heart ached with every page

Christa Brown is a remarkable writer. She’s brilliant, resilient, & courageous. As a devout follower of Jesus, I want to say how sorry I am. The sexual predation of the SBC pastor was enraging. The countless hurtful words (emotional & verbal abuse) coming from Christa’s mother & the unfathomable bullying & hate from Judy & eventually Rita, just kept breaking my heart for Christa over & over. I kept thinking, “how much more can she take?” It’s rare that I can’t put a book down. I pray that the love, kindness, goodness, mercy, & peace of God becomes experiential & healing to every fiber of Christa’s being. She’s clearly a very dear & precious soul with great depth & on a necessary mission. God speed.

It was very boring.

A long story about an average life. I thought it would have more to do with dealing with the Baptist Church dealing with their pedophile preachers, but didn’t.
It may have had it later in the book, but it just didn’t interest me enough to carry on.