{"id":10629,"date":"2026-03-04T12:00:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T23:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cvnznews.com\/?p=10629"},"modified":"2026-03-04T09:09:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T20:09:31","slug":"they-say-you-have-to-buy-blessings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cvnznews.com\/?p=10629","title":{"rendered":"They say you have to buy blessings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Story by Chris Osuh\/The Guardian<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes you\u2019re seeing God as a genie, where if I give him all this money, He will bring me what I want,\u201d Sarah says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 27-year-old spent years in the grip of \u201cprosperity gospel\u201d, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regulator found in February that, in Jennifer\u2019s case, UCKG had breached the fundraising code as it was \u201caware\u201d of previous mental health difficulties she had experienced when it took a \u201clarge donation\u201d from her and \u201ccould not show that it had otherwise considered\u201d her needs or circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UCKG did not have policies in place regarding vulnerable donors, the regulator found, and urged them to consider paying back Jennifer\u2019s donation, which she says was \u00a315,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jennifer said: \u201cEvery 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was not in the right state of mind. I do believe I was financially coerced and controlled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jennifer says she hoped the \u00a315,000 donation would prove she \u201chad received the Holy Spirit\u201d and help her ascend through UCKG volunteer ranks to the \u201cbest position\u201d of pastor\u2019s wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She estimates she gave more than \u00a338,000 to UCKG over five 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regulator\u2019s report said: \u201cIn terms of [Jennifer\u2019s] 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\u2019s trustees consider whether it should refund any of the donor\u2019s donations and explain their considerations in reaching their decision to the complainant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Sarah\u2019s case, FR found UCKG had breached the fundraising code by \u201cnot having a clear and publicly available complaints procedure\u201d or \u201cmeeting all legal requirements\u201d for data protection, after she complained UCKG contacted her twice after she left and had asked not to be approached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both women are supported by Surviving Universal UK, a support and advocacy group for victims of cultic and spiritual abuse, led by the whistleblower and campaigner Rachael Reign. FR has no powers of sanction, but the women are urging ministers to take tougher action against \u201chigh control\u201d religious groups, which are not restricted by specific legal provisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UCKG reported a UK income of more than \u00a315m in the most recent financial year, \u00a313m of that from donations.\u00a0In 2022 former followers\u00a0told the Guardian they had felt pressure to give tithes \u2013 10% of their income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reign said: \u201cWe receive at least five new referrals a week about UCKG \u2013 people looking to leave, people who have left, parents and caregivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn healthy churches, there\u2019s a doctrine of grace, that God\u2019s love is free of charge. In the UCKG, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHigh control groups don\u2019t discriminate \u2013 we all have unmet needs and they target people who are passionate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A UCKG spokesperson said they \u201cstrongly refute\u201d the allegations, saying they \u201cdo not reflect the experience of the vast majority of our 5,000-plus members across 38 branches in the UK\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They added: \u201cWe 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\u2019s role and remain committed to transparency and accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTithes 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUCKG does not control members\u2019 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n