Twisted Message: A prophet’s unchecked global sect
A religious sect called “The Message” has spread worldwide — and also sprouted destructive “cults.” An investigation exposes the child abuse, misogyny and manipulation in some of the faith’s subgroups.
(19) updates to this series since Updated
Leaders influenced by William Branham have overseen a deadly starvation cult in Kenya in 2023 and a trailer-park commune in Arizona that abused children in the 1960s, among other atrocities.
Although William Branham died in 1965, millions of people worldwide still follow his teachings. The sect has expanded, in part, through more than 1,200 recordings of his sermons.
Leaders influenced by the late Rev. William Branham have overseen controlling religious groups worldwide, including a trailer park commune tha…
The 'prophet' who founded a sect called The Message hailed this Arizona trailer park as an ideal community in the 1960s. Survivors say they suffered hellish abuse as children there.
Children in a 1960s trailer park cult in Arizona were whipped with belts, sexually abused, separated from their families, forced to run naked …
A member of an Arizona church admitted he molested a boy. The pastor said he knew and never went to the police, flouting state laws that mandate reporting of such incidents.
Alleged sexual abuse of minors has been covered up in a Tucson church for decades, an investigation finds. The pastor dismissed allegations, blamed victims and screamed at police.
Men across the country use misogynistic rhetoric from their prophet, the late Rev. William Branham, to justify sexist behavior.
Women were told never to cut their hair, one of the many rules controlling them. Women who disobeyed "weren't worth a good, clean bullet," the sect's founder taught.
“I know for a fact young women did not want to be 17, 18 years old and marrying a man in his 50s. ... But the parents had a different view.”
"The Message" considers the late Rev. William Branham to be a prophet from God, but some of his sermons contain sexist rhetoric. Women share m…
The story behind millions of dollars amassed by a fringe religious sect includes the distribution of recorded sermons by its dead prophet and tributes paid worldwide.
Critics say leaders of a religious group called 'The Message' use their prophet William Branham as a way to expand assets and amass donations.…
One former member of the sect said he felt “inferior” as a Black teenager because of his church’s racist beliefs on mixed race relationships.
Pastors in a Christian religious sect called "The Message" preach against interracial marriage in churches across the U.S. One former Message …
The Bride. End Times. Serpent’s seed. These are some of the words and phrases you’ll hear if you attend a Message church.
Resources are available for those who wish to leave The Message or need help recovering from religious trauma.
As COVID ripped through the Golden Dawn Tabernacle in Tucson, Arizona, killing members, public-health officials couldn't get a response from t…
Millions follow a Christian religious sect called ‘The Message.’ Some followers trek to Sabino Canyon in Tucson, Arizona to retrace the steps …
Leaders influenced by the late Rev. William Branham have overseen controlling religious groups worldwide. Get caught up on the investigative series.
