‘They say you have to buy blessings’: the London women who gave everything to a controversial church

“Sometimes you’re seeing God as a genie, where if I give him all this money, He will bring me what I want,” Sarah says.The 27-year-old spent years in the grip of “prosperity gospel”, whose followers believe cash donations to evangelical churches unlock divine blessings of health and wealth. So did Jennifer*, 29, who says she handed over her life savings.Both women are professionals from London and former members of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), an international evangelical movement and UK-registered charity whose cases have recently been investigated by the Fundraising Regulator (FR).The regulator found in February that, in Jennifer’s case, UCKG had breached the fundraising code as it was “aware” of previous mental health difficulties she had experienced when it took a “large donation” from her and “could not show that it had otherwise considered” her needs or circumstances.UCKG did not have policies in place regarding vulnerable donors, the regulator found, and urged them to consider paying back Jennifer’s donation, which she says was £15,000.Sarah, a former member of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, says: ‘Sometimes you’re seeing God as a genie, where if I give him all this money, He will bring me what I want.’ Photograph: SuppliedJennifer said: “Every service they showed videos of how people had given their all, how people had given money, sold things or slept on the floor, and then they received the Holy Spirit and that gave them peace.“I considered my all was everything I had: my savings, my current account, change I had collected. I had a help-to-buy Isa, I closed that to give them that money, and filled up an envelope with 1ps and 2ps.“I was not in the right state of mind. I do believe I was financially coerced and controlled.”Jennifer says she hoped the £15,000 donation would prove she “had received the Holy Spirit” and help her ascend through UCKG volunteer ranks to the “best position” of pastor’s wife.She estimates she gave more than £38,000 to UCKG over eight years, says she felt isolated from friends and family, and has alleged that the UCKG forbade dating or marriage outside the membership and arranged marriages to pastors, as well as encouraging members to give them money to attract divine favour.The regulator’s report said: “In terms of [Jennifer’s] large donation, we found the charity in breach of the code as it did not give any consideration to the possibility the donor could be in vulnerable circumstances. Therefore, we recommend that the charity’s trustees consider whether it should refund any of the donor’s donations and explain their considerations in reaching their decision to the complainant.“The charity may wish to seek professional advice to assist it in reaching a decision. If trustees decide to issue a refund, depending on the rationale for their decision, they may need authorisation from the Charity Commission for England and Wales.”UCKG has denied the claims, saying it is committed to the highest standards of governance. A spokesperson said its charitable work included 14 food banks in London and helping 100,000 people in Ukraine, and involved volunteers supporting care homes, hospitals and vulnerable families in 38 cities.In Sarah’s case, FR found UCKG had breached the fundraising code by “not having a clear and publicly available complaints procedure” or “meeting all legal requirements” for data protection, after she complained UCKG contacted her twice after she left and had asked not to be approached.Both women are supported by the Surviving Universal UK support group for former members, led by the whistleblower Rachael Reign. FR has no powers of sanction, but the women are urging ministers to take tougher action against “high control” religious groups, which are not restricted by specific legal provisions.UCKG reported a UK income of more than £15m in the most recent financial year, £13m of that from donations. In 2022 former followers told the Guardian they had felt pressure to give tithes – 10% of their income.Reign said: “We receive at least five new referrals a week about UCKG – people looking to leave, people who have left, parents and caregivers.“In healthy churches, there’s a doctrine of grace, that God’s love is free of charge. In the UCKD, if you want to be saved, if you want to be healed, if you want to receive any kind of success, you have to buy your blessings.“High control groups don’t discriminate – we all have unmet needs and they target people who are passionate.”A UCKG spokesperson said they “strongly refute” the allegations, saying they “do not reflect the experience of the vast majority of our 5,000-plus members across 38 branches in the UK”.They added: “We are working constructively with the regulator to update policies, strengthen governance, and ensure full compliance. While we may not agree with every aspect of the recent findings, we respect the regulator’s role and remain committed to transparency and accountability.“Tithes and donations are voluntary and based on longstanding Christian teaching. No one is pressured to give, and members are free to make their own financial and personal decisions.“UCKG does not control members’ relationships, clothing, finances, or personal lives. We do not arrange marriages, impose dress codes, or isolate individuals from family or friends. Members are free to come and go as they choose.” Name has been changed