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.
(37) 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.
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 were whipped with belts, sexually abused, separated from families and locked in a cellar for days, accor…
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.
Listen to the audio recording and read the transcript of an interview with an alleged child molester in Tucson's Golden Dawn church.
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.”
Women share misogynistic experiences they have had in a Christian religious sect called "The Message."
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.
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.
Critics say leaders of a religious group called "The Message" use their prophet William Branham to expand assets and amass donations.
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.
"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.
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.
The COVID fatality rate in a Tucson church was 10 times higher than that of Pima County, estimates show. The pastor ignored health officials and continued services as congregants died.
As COVID ripped through a Tucson church, killing members, public-health officials couldn't get a response from church leaders.
Tucson's Sabino Canyon is a pilgrimage site for followers of preacher William Branham. He said he had mystical experiences there, including a sword materializing in his hand.
Some Message believers trek to Sabino Canyon in Tucson, Arizona to retrace the steps of their prophet, the late Rev. William Branham.
Dancing for the first time. Celebrating holidays. Seeing the ocean. For people in one strict Tucson church, leaving has meant freedom to do 'wrong' things that others find normal.
After he left his strict Tucson church, deacons went to Robert Roa's work to bring him back, he said. Leaving the church was hard, and getting over the experience took decades.
Tucsonan Marissa Butterfuss tried to make it as a woman and wife in The Message, but marriage to a devout man proved disastrous. By leaving she revealed a whole new self.
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 …
Resources are available for those who wish to leave The Message or need help recovering from religious trauma.
The Bride. End Times. Serpent’s seed. These are some of the words and phrases you’ll hear if you attend a Message church.
Tucson police probe alleged child sex abuse, coverup at churchFor Star subscribers: Victims say a Tucson church, Golden Dawn, protected alleged child molesters for years. Tucson police are now "looking into the possibility of additional victims" — and another has come forward.
Victims say an Arizona church, Golden Dawn, protected alleged child molesters for years. Tucson police are now "looking into the possibility of additional victims" — and another has come forward.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Jose Mora, 57, before he was arrested on suspicion of five counts of child molestation.
Jonathan Santos, 23, said a member of his former Tucson church molested him when he was about 8 years old. He's coming forward now to support another victim of the alleged "pedophile."
A Star investigation found that Isaac Noriega, pastor of Tucson's Golden Dawn Tabernacle, covered-up alleged child-sex abuse for decades. He now faces criminal charges.
A boy said he was molested repeatedly in the pews of his Tucson church, the Golden Dawn Tabernacle. The church's "cultish rules" kept him silent — until now.
An elderly Tucson pastor is accused of failing to report allegations that a boy and a girl in his church were sexually abused by congregants. His attorney claims dementia makes him incompetent for trial.
He admitted to molesting a boy. And now he's been indicted again — this time, for alleged child sexual abuse that happened during church services.
Emily Hamer
Public Service Journalism reporter
Tim Steller
Columnist
Leaders influenced by the late Rev. William Branham have overseen controlling religious groups worldwide. Get caught up on the investigative series.