Behind the Pulpit, Beyond Pain: A memoir of faith, silence, and day truth set me free

Behind the pulpit, there was pain no one could see. In this powerful memoir, Roc Johnson shares his twenty-two-year journey through narcissistic abuse, emotional manipulation, gaslighting, criticism, isolation, and silent suffering. As a pastor, he stood before others preaching hope while privately wrestling with confusion, shame, and the slow loss of his own identity. This book is not written from bitterness, but from truth, faith, and a desire to help others recognize what emotional abuse can look like behind closed doors. Through honest reflection, Roc reveals the warning signs he ignored, the reasons he stayed, the moment he discovered the abuse had a name, and the healing that began when he stopped believing the lies spoken over his life. Behind the Pulpit, Beyond the Pain is a story of survival, faith, courage, and restoration. It reminds readers that abuse may shape part of their story, but it does not have to write the ending. There is life after narcissistic abuse, and healing is possible.