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'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe
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'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe

From the Twisted Message: A prophet’s unchecked global sect series
  • Nov 12, 2024
  • Nov 12, 2024 Updated Apr 18, 2025
Flooding at Sabino Canyon
Flooding at Sabino Canyon
Stranded visitors at Sabino Canyon
Stranded visitors at Sabino Canyon
Heavy rain in Tucson brings out the wash watchers
Heavy rain in Tucson brings out the wash watchers
U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., at election night watch party
U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., at election night watch party
JoAnna Mendoza announces win to a crowd of eager supporters
JoAnna Mendoza announces win to a crowd of eager supporters
Weather delay in effect at Arizona Band Day, Oct. 31
Weather delay in effect at Arizona Band Day, Oct. 31
Tucson weather forecast for November 1
Tucson weather forecast for November 1
JoAnna Mendoza speaks to the press after declaring victory
JoAnna Mendoza speaks to the press after declaring victory
Tucson weather forecast for October 31
Tucson weather forecast for October 31
Kevin Volk, who represents Arizona's 17th district in the State House of Representatives, speaks at JoAnna Mendoza election night event
Kevin Volk, who represents Arizona's 17th district in the State House of Representatives, speaks at JoAnna Mendoza election night event
Tucson's Top Stories: November 2
Tucson's Top Stories: November 2
Tucson's Top Stories: November 1
Tucson's Top Stories: November 1
Tucson weather forecast for October 30
Tucson weather forecast for October 30
VIDEO: Arizona vs. Texas Tech on College Football 27
VIDEO: Arizona vs. Texas Tech on College Football 27
Rio Grande performs as guests arrive to JoAnna Mendoza’s election night event
Rio Grande performs as guests arrive to JoAnna Mendoza’s election night event
Tucson Fire: 1 person injured in two-alarm fire
Tucson Fire: 1 person injured in two-alarm fire
The Wildcast: Previewing the Arizona-Texas Tech game, other Big 12 matchups
The Wildcast: Previewing the Arizona-Texas Tech game, other Big 12 matchups
U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani at election night watch party
U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani at election night watch party
Tucson weather forecast for October 29
Tucson weather forecast for October 29
Arizona Wildcats’ sports schedule for Nov. 2-8
Arizona Wildcats’ sports schedule for Nov. 2-8
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Leaders influenced by the late Rev. William Branham have overseen controlling religious groups worldwide.

  • Previous
  • Next

More in Twisted Message: A prophet’s unchecked global sect (3 of 37)

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

Read more

In this Series

Twisted Message: A prophet’s unchecked global sect

1

Updated Jul 6, 2026 article

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

2

Updated Jun 2, 2025 article

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

3

Updated Apr 18, 2025 video

'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe

37 updates

As featured on

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

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.

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

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.

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

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. 

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Kirsten Engel, former Arizona State Senator, speaks at JoAnna Mendoza election night event

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