Word of Faith Fellowship leader Brooke Covington was first tried in 2017 for allegedly assaulting a former member, Matthew Fenner, in a "blasting" session. The first trial ended in a mistrial.

John and Ken examine the overlap between Word of Faith teaching, prosperity preaching, healing lines, “honoring the prophet,” and high-pressure giving culture through Ken Barriger’s experience around World Harvest Church in Paducah, Kentucky. The discussion traces connections involving Amway-style motivation, The Way International, Ed and Nancy Dufresne, Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, grave soaking, slain-in-the-spirit experiences, and the broader charismatic ecosystem. The conversation also explores how religious language can prepare people to give beyond their means, how miracle claims can become difficult to question, and why independent verification matters when evaluating spiritual leaders. Ken’s story offers a personal look at the tension between sincere faith, group pressure, healing expectations, and the need for discernment. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:18 Amway, Motivation, And A First Cult-Like Experience 06:18 Returning To Kentucky And Joining Grace Church International 09:41 Ed Dufresne, World Harvest Church, And Father-In-The-Faith Language 12:20 Amway, Prosperity Thinking, And Money-Making Schemes 18:10 Ed Dufresne’s Death And Leadership Changes 22:23 Grave Soaking, Relics, And Spiritual Power Claims 32:44 Slain In The Spirit And Learning To “Respond” 36:00 Giving Pressure And “All The Money You Make Is Not Your Money” 39:27 Honoring The Prophet And Offering Psychology 42:07 False Teachers, Scripture, And Spiritual Abuse Patterns 45:07 Healing Lines, Miracles, And Unanswered Questions 48:21 Leg-Lengthening Claims And Miracle Verification 51:41 Advice For People Questioning Word Of Faith Churches ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

He was eighteen. He left his Word of Faith Fellowship congregation in Brazil to travel to the church’s compound in Spindale, North Carolina. According to Andre Oliveira’s account to the Associated Press, when he arrived, his passport and money were confiscated. He was allegedly forced to work fifteen hours a day without pay. He eventually fled and said they kept us as slaves. The AP found that the church allegedly used two Brazilian congregations to funnel young workers to Spindale on tourist and student visas. Passports were seized. The Brazilians spoke little English. American workers doing the same jobs were paid. The Brazilians, according to multiple accounts, were not. In 2014, former members reported the alleged forced labor directly to a federal prosecutor. A recording captured her promising to look into it. According to the former members, she never followed up. Tony Brueski continues a five-part investigation with the pipeline that allegedly moved people across borders and put them to work for free. Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/ Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePod This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice. #WordOfFaith #JaneWhaley #HumanTrafficking #ForcedLabor #Cult #TrueCrime #Brazil #Spindale #HiddenKillers #CultAbuse

John and Chino trace the documented links between William Branham and Hobart Freeman, examining how Freeman referenced Branham, repeated Branham-adjacent themes, and operated within a broader network of healing revival and Word of Faith influences. The discussion explores how ideas moved across ministries, how borrowed doctrines were reframed as revelation, and why many followers failed to recognize the historical trail in plain sight. The conversation also examines claims about prophecy, restorationism, anti-denominationalism, serpent seed, California destruction prophecies, and the broader culture that elevated Branham as a prophet. Along the way, John and Chino show how theological cross-pollination, selective memory, and charisma-driven authority helped shape one of the most troubling religious influence chains of the twentieth century. 00:00 Introduction 00:57 Why The Branham-Freeman Connection Matters 04:17 How Chenn First Found John’s Research 07:30 Research Trails From Word Of Faith To Freeman 10:00 Freeman’s Early Exposure To Branham’s World 13:20 The Illusion Of Original Revelation 17:45 Branhamism As Borrowed Theology 20:11 Why The Timeline Points To Real Influence 23:32 Why Freeman Seemed Spiritually Unique 26:34 The First Cracks In Freeman’s Authority 30:09 Borrowed Ideas From Roberts, Prince, And Hagin 32:21 Sponsor Break 33:25 Cross-Pollination And The Problem Of Secondhand Doctrine 36:06 Freeman’s Praise For Branham As God’s Prophet 40:37 The Strongest Evidence Of Direct Influence 44:23 Babylon, Dress Codes, And Oneness Influence 48:57 Branham, Moses, And The Serpent Seed Contradiction 53:00 Stage Personas, Elijah Claims, And Escalating Extremism 54:46 The California Prophecy And Failed Predictions 59:47 Final Example Of Branham’s Influence 1:03:56 Why The Contradictions Eventually Fell Apart ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

In this episode, we examine the key beliefs of ‘Name it and Claim it’ theology, including its origins and impact on Christianity. We also discuss the controversies it raises, such as claims of prosperity and its views on faith and healing.

YouTube video by Daniel C

Jane and Sam Whaley (founders)

John Collins speaks with Christopher Green about his experience inside the Word of Faith movement, tracing its overlap with charismatic revival culture, healing teachings, prosperity doctrine, prophetic influence, and the pressure of positive confession. Together they examine how promises of miracles, physical healing, and spiritual power shaped real lives, and why those expectations often collapsed under the weight of scripture, suffering, and unanswered prayer. The conversation also explores links between Word of Faith, the Full Gospel Business Men, the Kansas City prophetic stream, and broader Pentecostal and charismatic trends. Christopher reflects on how Bible study, theological comparison, and lived experience helped him reevaluate the movement's claims and separate historic Christianity from teachings that placed authority in untouchable leaders, confession formulas, and unfulfilled prophecies. 0:00 Introduction 1:21 Christopher Green’s Word of Faith background 5:28 Early charismatic influence and Full Gospel Businessmen 9:15 Charismatic unity and a church split 12:41 Kenneth Hagin, Copeland, and positive confession 15:03 Branham’s spoken word and faith as a force 21:27 Failed prophecy and mental health concerns 24:12 Healing claims versus Scripture 29:03 The consequences of positive confession 33:13 Watching people suffer while claiming healing 37:14 Healing tricks and spiritual pressure 39:18 Seed faith and Oral Roberts 40:51 Kansas City Fellowship and prophetic abuse 42:14 Medicine, doctors, and religious pressure 44:36 Hank Hanegraaff and Word of Faith critique 48:04 John Wimber and Midwest charismatic influence 51:54 Advice for people leaving Word of Faith ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

John sits down with Jordan Roberts, a former Word of Faith member, to examine how healing claims, signs-and-wonders culture, and emotionally driven church environments shaped his faith and family life. Jordan traces his path through Kenneth Hagin influence, Pentecostalism, Vineyard, Foursquare, Brownsville-era revival culture, and prosperity-style teaching, explaining what first drew him in and what finally caused him to question it. The conversation explores failed healing expectations, the human cost of spiritual pressure, the contrast between hype-centered religion and compassionate church life, and the difficult process of separating biblical truth from religious fiction. Along the way, John and Jordan discuss Kenneth Hagin, John Wimber, revival culture, the New Apostolic Reformation, and why asking hard questions can be the first step toward spiritual clarity and healing. 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Jordan's Word of Faith Background And Kenneth Hagin Influence 10:20 A Sick Child, Divine Healing Pressure, And The Breaking Point 17:04 Cancer, Delayed Treatment, And The Cost Of Healing Expectations 19:07 How A Mainstream Church Responded Differently To Suffering 23:17 Vineyard, Worship Culture, And The Church-as-Venue Model 28:12 COVID, Church Shutdowns, And Cracks In The Signs-And-Wonders Framework 32:10 Leaving The Gospel Of Hype For Reality 35:04 Challenging Family Without Pushing Them Away 37:26 Foursquare, Aimee Semple McPherson, And Revival Lineage 40:05 Shared Patterns Across Word Of Faith, Foursquare, Vineyard, And Revivalist Churches 42:56 Deconstructing Old Interpretations And Learning To Read Scripture Again 48:12 The Lack Of Compassion And The Relief Of Verse-By-Verse Teaching 49:40 Looking Backward To Movement Heroes Versus Living Forward In Christian Practice 51:10 Being Christlike Versus Trying To Be Like Christ 52:35 Advice For People Still Inside Word Of Faith Or Similar Movements 53:45 Closing ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

John and Candice explore the long-term spiritual and psychological impact of Word of Faith teaching, Christ for the Nations culture, and extreme deliverance ministry. Candice shares her journey from charismatic enthusiasm in the late 1970s through decades of performance-driven faith, idolizing "God's generals," and eventually entering a highly controlling deliverance environment that revolved around demons, witchcraft, and spiritual fear. This conversation examines how authoritarian leadership, fear-based theology, and unrealistic expectations of constant blessing can damage faith and identity. Together, they discuss trauma, spiritual manipulation, angelic visitation claims, and what recovery looks like after leaving high-control charismatic movements. It is a candid reflection on discernment, sovereignty, healing, and learning to read Scripture in context after years inside Word of Faith and NAR-influenced environments. 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Candace’s Background and Early Charismatic Experience 07:53 Arriving at Christ for the Nations 09:05 Word of Faith and the Idolatry of Leaders 16:38 The Damage of Hero Worship and False Models of Power 19:33 Returning to Christ for the Nations in 2000 25:29 Losing Hope After the Second Experience 29:00 How Deliverance Ministry Pulled Her Back In 30:36 Dark Times, Shame, and Spiritual Isolation 33:45 Entering an Extreme Deliverance Ministry 40:07 Fear, Control, and Everyday Superstition 46:20 Trauma Ignored and Replaced With Demon Narratives 49:02 Paranoia, Suppression, and Emotional Collapse 53:26 Angel Visitations and the Breaking Point 55:23 Recovery, Scripture, and Learning to Question ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

John examines how William Branham’s sermons and recorded messages used repetition, information control, fear, and supernatural claims to shape the thinking of followers inside Branhamism. He connects those patterns to broader coercive techniques found in destructive religious systems and explains why those methods were so powerful when reinforced through constant listening and isolated interpretation. He also traces how ideas like the “spoken word,” prophetic exclusivity, and staged mystical authority helped build an authoritarian structure that reached far beyond one preacher. The discussion shows how those patterns influenced later movements and why understanding the mechanics of control matters for anyone studying religious abuse, charismatic history, and spiritual manipulation. 00:00 Introduction 02:22 Repetition, Recordings, And Self-Reinforcement 04:46 Information Control And The “Spoken Word” 07:53 Purity Culture, Fear, And Us-Vs-Them Thinking ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

John and Tim explore how modern charismatic movements can drift from Scripture into “special revelation,” elite identity, and end-times fear, and why that shift often changes how believers treat outsiders and former members. They discuss how proof-texting, confirmation bias, and platform-driven incentives can create a self-reinforcing culture where experiences feel authoritative even when they collide with Jesus’ teaching. They also unpack Colossians 2:18 as a diagnostic for vision-centered spirituality, and talk through practical ways to rebuild a grounded faith: returning to the core message of Christ, testing claims against Scripture, and learning to engage people beyond insulated religious subcultures with humility, compassion, and intellectual honesty. 00:00 Introduction 01:42 Tim’s Background In Pentecostal And Charismatic Ministry 03:29 Proof Texting, Defensive Reflexes, And Questioning The Movement 07:38 Fruits Of The Spirit Versus Charismatic Elitism 11:17 Hurt, Deconstruction, And How People Leave High-Control Groups 14:43 Islamophobia, Recruitment Culture, And Life Inside The Charismatic Box 21:02 Reentering The Secular World And Learning To Love People Again 28:03 How Word Of Faith And Special Revelation Grow Into Movements 33:07 Colossians 2, Visions, Angels, And The Problem Of Spiritual Spectacle 40:26 Forgetting The Gospel Inside A Supernatural Religion 43:22 Public Scandals, IHOP, Branhamism, And Rebranded Patterns 49:18 Why Out-Of-Touch Ministry Fails To Reach Real People 53:02 Using Scripture And Discernment To Resist Extra-Biblical Teaching ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

John and Charles trace the theological engine behind Word of Faith teaching, explaining how its power theology differs from prosperity preaching and why William Branham’s teachings about “little messiahs” became foundational. They unpack how Manifested Sons of God ideology reshaped positive confession and introduced dangerous ideas about authority, dominion, and spiritual power. The conversation follows the historical thread from 19th-century New Thought into the healing revival, showing how figures like Branham, F. F. Bosworth, Kenneth Hagin, and T. L. Osborne helped spread these ideas globally. The episode explains why these doctrines continue to influence charismatic movements today and why understanding their origins is essential. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

John and Charles trace how modern charismatic doctrines developed gradually rather than appearing fully formed, explaining how ideas evolve as they pass through different movements and leaders. The discussion breaks down the distinct theological roots behind prosperity teaching and Word of Faith theology, showing how separate streams merged during the healing revival and why understanding their origins matters for making sense of modern charismatic Christianity. CHAPTER LIST 00:00 Introduction 01:18 How ideologies evolve over time 02:09 The roots of prosperity teaching 03:11 Word of Faith versus prosperity theology 04:41 William Branham’s role in shaping modern movements 06:52 The merging of ideas during the healing revival 08:14 Branham’s “spoken word” teaching explained ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

John and Charles discuss the largely forgotten foundations of modern healing and Word of Faith theology, tracing its development through early twentieth-century healing revivals. They explore the role of F.F. Bosworth, the influence of E.W. Kenyon, and how ideas like positive confession and divine healing were already firmly established decades before the postwar revival movement. Drawing from revival history, publishing networks, and theological cross-pollination, the discussion highlights how large-scale healing campaigns were carefully structured long before later figures popularized them. The conversation also examines how these early ideas continued to circulate through later ministries, shaping contemporary charismatic teaching in ways many listeners may not realize. [oai_citation:0‡transcript.txt](sediment://file_0000000041d8722fb9c695f9642033d4) CHAPTER LIST 00:00 Introduction 00:57 Bosworth and Pre-Azusa Healing Movements 02:11 Christ the Healer and Bosworth’s Theology 03:21 Kenyon, Dowie, and Theological Influences 05:00 Word of Faith and Positive Confession Origins 07:12 Revival Networks and Organizational Strategy 09:00 The Legacy of Early Healing Theology ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books