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Freedom Village: A Memoir
Some say it was a religious cult. Some say it was a God-ordained ministry. Some say it saved them. Some say it ruined their lives.
Mary Rosenberger was born and raised at Freedom Village USA. From the outside, it appeared to be a troubled teen industry program with a mission to rehabilitate and restore lost souls. On the inside, it was a community with an atmosphere of severe spiritual abuse, fear, and obedience to its founder and leader, a man everyone called Pastor.
In this memoir, Mary shares her unique inner-circle story from her family's 30-year staff residency and eventual exodus from Freedom Village. Its fear-based culture shaped Mary's relationship with herself, others, and God. Freedom A Memoir is a daring, vulnerable story of both light and darkness, inviting readers along in the relentless pursuit of healing and freedom.
Mary Rosenberger was born and raised at Freedom Village USA. From the outside, it appeared to be a troubled teen industry program with a mission to rehabilitate and restore lost souls. On the inside, it was a community with an atmosphere of severe spiritual abuse, fear, and obedience to its founder and leader, a man everyone called Pastor.
In this memoir, Mary shares her unique inner-circle story from her family's 30-year staff residency and eventual exodus from Freedom Village. Its fear-based culture shaped Mary's relationship with herself, others, and God. Freedom A Memoir is a daring, vulnerable story of both light and darkness, inviting readers along in the relentless pursuit of healing and freedom.
- GenresMemoir
178 pages, Hardcover
Published November 21, 2024
13 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 10, 2024
A story so good, I started an entire company to publish it.
—Alysha Love, Payette Publishing
—Alysha Love, Payette Publishing
May 28, 2025
There’s the story of the rise and fall of Freedom Village, but then there’s all these nuggets of wisdom from someone who has been through the trenches. Thank you for sharing your story, Mary!
November 23, 2024
Mary Rosenberger’s “Freedom Village: A Memoir” is amazing, somewhat disturbing but, at the same time hopeful. This story offers a raw and poignant glimpse into her life, marked by personal struggles and triumphs, set against the backdrop of the Finger Lakes community. The book chronicles her experiences at Freedom Village, a unique residential program that profoundly shaped her journey toward self-discovery and healing. With courage and candor, Mary shares the complexities of her life—exploring themes of resilience, transformation and hope.
This quote from Mary’s book stands out for me. “I think I finally believed the one thing I had always hoped was true. Knowing who I was opened the windows and doors of my heart, and it flushed out every bit of fear. That scared little girl who always felt unworthy and disappointing was gone.”
Mary’s willingness to share her vulnerabilities and triumphs is a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to inspire others facing their own challenges. Her journey is a reminder that with courage, even the most difficult experiences can become stepping stones toward freedom and healing
This quote from Mary’s book stands out for me. “I think I finally believed the one thing I had always hoped was true. Knowing who I was opened the windows and doors of my heart, and it flushed out every bit of fear. That scared little girl who always felt unworthy and disappointing was gone.”
Mary’s willingness to share her vulnerabilities and triumphs is a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to inspire others facing their own challenges. Her journey is a reminder that with courage, even the most difficult experiences can become stepping stones toward freedom and healing
May 11, 2025
Picked this up because of regional interest about a cult in my "backyard." Ended up rating it two stars because it was much more an exploration of faith than an explanation of the cultish aspects of Freedom Village. I grew up in an evangelical community myself and am familiar with many of the controls that the author found herself grappling with as she escaped their clutches. That said, the book just wasn't what I expected it to be, and I wish that it had focused more on the realities of living in a controlling environment than the feelings associated with reclaiming her faith on her own terms.
April 19, 2025
Mary was her parents' third child born while they were employed by Freedom Village, a Christian home and school where troubled teens were sent to be rehabilitated under the rulings of Pastor. But as she grew up and fell in love with her future husband, Mary realized her fear and anxiety were not OK and that she could find a healthier way to raise her family and love God. Mary's story is one that shows how religious faith can be used to control and distort the most important teachings of love and forgiveness through fear and threats. Given that there were parts of her young life that gave her joy, such as dance and music and her boyfriend Mike, her confusion was rightly justified, and the reader is happy to see her fight her way mentally through to the other side. Mary's writing is honest, vulnerable, and healing to her and others overcoming a traumatic time.
July 31, 2025
Mary Rosenberger has written a compelling memoir about her time as a member of the Freedom Village. I appreciated Her honesty about how the Pastor instilled fear of retribution in this religious cult. This is a book that should be read by anyone who has questions about fear induced Christianity. Mary gives us hope that Christians can break free from religious abuse.
December 7, 2024
When I got my hands on this book I sat down and never got up I read the whole book in one sitting it was such an amazing read I think everyone should read it especially people in this very community!!! Mary did an amazing job writing this book will be reading it again!
January 5, 2025
I could not put this book down. Extremely raw and intriguing.
March 12, 2025
This book enraged me. It was so powerful in its description of how absolute power corrupts absolutely, even when the one in power professes to be a man of G-d. Well done, Mary; you have shone a bright light on the problems with putting all one's faith and trust in the hands of one man or woman. Freedom Village was a travesty, a virtual prison run by a wolf in sheep's clothing and as one who lived to tell the tale, Mary Rosenberger is a true survivor. She tells a story as few can, as a member of a staff family, one born and raised within the confines of this institution, believed by so many to be the last hope of families with "problem" children. And she tells that story well.
As someone who lives maybe five miles from the site of Freedom Village, I have long been curious about this mysterious place. Many times, cars would pull over as I worked in my garden to ask directions to New York City or Long Island. We'd get to chatting, as country people up here often do, but as had been previously foreign to me as a native Brooklynite, myself. Sometimes, they'd feel the need to spill their sadness over having to leave their troubled teen behind in Freedom Village, their hopes for their child's redemption from their wicked ways, petty crimes, or drug abuse. As they drove away, I'd feel so saddened to imagine what it might feel like to be so much at my wit's end that I'd send my teen away, far out of my sight, at least a six hour car ride away. Once the rumors of scandal and abuse hit the area, I'd wonder from time to time, how did these teenagers do and would these teens have fared better in some other setting?
I had the pleasure of meeting Mary Rosenberger, a few years ago, and heard small tidbits of what her life was like in a staff family in Freedom Village. I, then, met her husband, Mike, and thought, "What a lovely couple," and, "How wonderful that they found each other in such an oppressive setting." Of course, I could not wait to read this memoir.
Having read it, as I said above, I find myself filled with a rage I never expected. How could one man deceive so many? Why would so many families fall victim to this charasmatic snake oil salesman? And why, oh why, could parents be so oblivious to the abuse, so willing to sacrifice the peace and happiness of their own children? I just could not for the life of me understand any of it! But then, I'd think about Jonestown. I'd think about the politicians in government today with such a tight grip on power that they are able to lie with impunity, to decieve their followers without thinking twice. I realized that not only is it possible to pulll it off, but it happens everyday, and especially when that someone in authority pretends so convincingly to be a representative of G-d, the Father, and when confusion and deception is his/her superpower. If you think it isn't possible, you need to read Freedom Village.
As someone who lives maybe five miles from the site of Freedom Village, I have long been curious about this mysterious place. Many times, cars would pull over as I worked in my garden to ask directions to New York City or Long Island. We'd get to chatting, as country people up here often do, but as had been previously foreign to me as a native Brooklynite, myself. Sometimes, they'd feel the need to spill their sadness over having to leave their troubled teen behind in Freedom Village, their hopes for their child's redemption from their wicked ways, petty crimes, or drug abuse. As they drove away, I'd feel so saddened to imagine what it might feel like to be so much at my wit's end that I'd send my teen away, far out of my sight, at least a six hour car ride away. Once the rumors of scandal and abuse hit the area, I'd wonder from time to time, how did these teenagers do and would these teens have fared better in some other setting?
I had the pleasure of meeting Mary Rosenberger, a few years ago, and heard small tidbits of what her life was like in a staff family in Freedom Village. I, then, met her husband, Mike, and thought, "What a lovely couple," and, "How wonderful that they found each other in such an oppressive setting." Of course, I could not wait to read this memoir.
Having read it, as I said above, I find myself filled with a rage I never expected. How could one man deceive so many? Why would so many families fall victim to this charasmatic snake oil salesman? And why, oh why, could parents be so oblivious to the abuse, so willing to sacrifice the peace and happiness of their own children? I just could not for the life of me understand any of it! But then, I'd think about Jonestown. I'd think about the politicians in government today with such a tight grip on power that they are able to lie with impunity, to decieve their followers without thinking twice. I realized that not only is it possible to pulll it off, but it happens everyday, and especially when that someone in authority pretends so convincingly to be a representative of G-d, the Father, and when confusion and deception is his/her superpower. If you think it isn't possible, you need to read Freedom Village.
January 14, 2025
What a unique opportunity it is to peek behind the curtain of a life that has overlapped one’s own. Mary’s story is compelling to say the least; even as a busy mother of an infant, I devoured it all in one day! Her courage to tell her story with vulnerability and grace amazes and inspires me. Her journey calls to mind that of Joseph in Genesis. Her conclusions had me revisiting Psalm 139 and thanking God for His faithful presence - from the heights to the depths, in the light and the dark. God’s hand on Mary’s life is unmistakable and the depth of love and hope in her heart this side the cult is a beautiful miracle. If you’ve ever known someone affiliated with Freedom Village, I think this is a must-read. Even if you haven’t, it is a page-turning story like only God can write.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews