Christian singer Franni Cash is sharing one of the most painful chapters of her life-and why she believes God can still reach people even after they've been wounded by religion.
The former We The Kingdom vocalist has revealed that her deeply personal new single, "Darken the Doorway," was inspired by her own experience growing up under the influence of what she describes as a cult led by preacher Wayne Jolley.
In an emotional Instagram video, Cash said she wrote the song for anyone who has experienced church hurt or become skeptical of organized religion because of spiritual abuse.
"I write a lot about church hurt," Cash explained. "People who have been burned by religion or had really bad experiences with someone who is misrepresenting God."
Cash recounted how her parents initially turned to Jolley for marriage counseling when she was just six years old. According to the singer, those counseling sessions eventually evolved into isolated Bible studies where families were encouraged to stop attending church and instead view Jolley as their "spiritual father."
She alleged that members were warned terrible curses would follow anyone who left the group, while women who challenged their husbands were labeled as having a "Jezebel spirit," creating what she described as an atmosphere of fear and control.
The turning point came during Cash's senior year of high school after media reports surfaced alleging financial misconduct and tax fraud involving Jolley. As her family investigated the allegations, they made the difficult decision to leave.
But freedom didn't come without consequences.
Cash admitted she struggled with overwhelming fear, believing the curses she had been warned about would become reality. The emotional fallout led to severe depression and self-harm.
"There were a lot of times I didn't know if I was going to live to see the next day," she said through tears. "I felt completely brainwashed."
Although she initially wanted nothing to do with God, Cash said honest prayers filled with anger eventually became the beginning of her healing.
She recalled sensing God tell her, "I am not the one who is hurting you, but I am the one who is healing you."
That moment led her back to Scripture, where she said reading the New Testament completely reshaped her understanding of Jesus.
Rather than condemning broken people, Cash said she discovered that Christ reserved His strongest rebukes for religious leaders who abused their authority and burdened others.
The experience ultimately inspired "Darken the Doorway," a song she never expected to release publicly because it was so closely tied to her own story.
Now, she hopes it becomes an anthem for others navigating spiritual wounds.
"My heart is that these songs would validate your pain," Cash shared, adding that she wants listeners to know that God "can find you anywhere."
For Cash, the message is simple: while people may fail, manipulate, or misrepresent faith, God's love remains unchanged-and healing is still possible for those who have been hurt by religion.
