Twisted Message: A prophet’s unchecked global sect

Emily Hamer Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team and Tim Steller Arizona Daily Star
Nov 12, 2024
Nov 12, 2024 Updated Nov 19, 2024

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.

Updated 3 hrs ago

Women report widespread misogyny in churches tied to religious group 'The Message'

Men across the country use misogynistic rhetoric from their prophet, the late Rev. William Branham, to justify sexist behavior.

Resources for people leaving The Message or recovering from religious trauma

Resources are available for those who wish to leave The Message or need help recovering from religious trauma.

Women treated as ‘second-class citizens’ in Christian sect 'The Message'

"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…

Believers bought airplane for dead preacher thinking he’d rise from grave to fly in it

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.

Tucson church manipulates members' finances, acts as 'bank,' critics say

Strict tithing mandates, real estate purchases and mortgage lending marked the financial practices of a Tucson church. "I can't believe I was so stupid," one former member said.

Christian sect called 'The Message' has become multi-million dollar enterprise

Critics say leaders of a religious group called 'The Message' use their prophet William Branham as a way to expand assets and amass donations.…

Mass starvation, a doomsday colony: 'The Message' inspires dangerous ‘cults’ worldwide

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.

Tucson church a controlling 'cult within a cult,' ex-members say

A Tucson pastor built his congregation on the strict teachings of 20th-century 'prophet' William Branham, but made it so harsh that leaving means estrangement from family members.

Tucson's Golden Dawn church blocks former members from attending family funerals

Former members who have been "excommunicated" from a Tucson church "cult" say the church prevents them from attending the funerals of their own family members.

Tucson ‘church school’ used as tool to instill fear, shame in students

"Indoctrination school" at Tucson church thrives under Arizona's home-schooling rules. Former students say it used shunning and shame, taught all about 'prophet' William Branham.

Arizona trailer park cult that brutalized more than 100 children exposed 60 years later

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.

Arizona cult that brutalized children exposed 60 years later

Children in a 1960s trailer park cult in Arizona were whipped with belts, sexually abused, separated from their families, forced to run naked …

He admitted to molesting a boy. And his Tucson church protected him for years.

A member of a Tucson 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.

Culture of cover-ups: Tucson church has ignored child sexual abuse allegations for decades

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.

From backwoods boy to 20th century 'prophet': How William Branham gained a global following

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.