Cult Leaders William Branham and John Robert Stevens | Interview with John Collins

In this bonus episode I speak with author and webmaster of William Branham: Historical Research, John Collins. John was raised in the Message cult and has since worked to expose the teachings of William Branham who founded and led the cult until his death in 1965. In addition he researches other cult leaders who were influenced by Branham's Latter Rain teachings of the mid 20th century. Listen as we discuss how the founder of the Living Word, John Robert Stevens is connected to Branham and other cult leaders like Jim Jones.
Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades.
In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry".
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[@LWB913]

I'm a 52 year student of the teachings of Jesus Christ through His servant William Branham. In my 77 years I've heard more than a few different opinions along the way. You all are welcome to believe what you like, but for me and those things I have seen about the man William Branham... He's truly a man who loved God and Holiness. And was true to his calling more than myself, his accusers or anyone I know of these past 77 years by a long shot \o/ praise The Holy name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

[@ivanasimic2072]

John Collins is great, his history research help me a lot

[@wordsoflife42]

It's crazy how men of "authority" react to questions these days. I mean, asking questions is what led me to the truth of Christ. He's not afraid of our questions, so I wonder why all those who profess to be moving in his authority get so off-put by questions? I mean as a dad, I can tell you, kids come out full of questions. Just doesn't make sense to me 🤨thank you guys for this

[@lesliewells-ig5dl]

Thanks for having John on your channel!!! Word about the Branham cult needs to get out there and John Collins is definitely the man to do it!!!

[@mannyleon2122]

My wife and I were in the ‘Walk 46 years ago. The church pulled out and slowly laid a Christian foundation. Been thankful that Holy Spirit protected me and my wife

[@forgetmenot4600]

Excellent work and presentation

[@woodsprout]

Thanks for this. It takes some digesting, but all these detailed backstories help us to understand better what makes a cult leader. And how they are very self-righteously stubborn people!

[@AZee55]

John Stevens died in 1983. You young man, look too young to have been part of the Living Word church and involved in the producing the recordings. My time as part of the Living Word Ministries in an African country, was the greatest time of my life. John’s teachings were Scriptural. My relationship with the Lord grew as we spent hours in worship, with the Presence of God unbelievably tangible, and I fell in love with the Scriptures. I am a born again believer for 54 years this year. I love God more now than ever. The movement may have derailed a few years before John’s passing, but those who have a pure heart saw and will still see God in what the origins of the Living Word Ministries was.

[@SageApologist]

For Branham, Davis, and Lake what drove them initially was $$. These “revivals” were travelling road shows. The bigger the crowd, the more $$. Celebrity created demand and more opportunity. They may have started to believe their own teaching but the initial motivation was $$

[@dianefarrell2343]

Will you be bringing to how it relates to BETHEL teaching abd Bill Johnson??

[@annielyst]

Great interview with John.

[@LWB913]

I'm sorry that brother John was hurt by Grandpa apparently not responding correctly like a Christian should to brother John's needs. Hopefully Grandpa will recognize his failure to portray Christ and apologize to brother John someday sooner than later. Again we learn how much we all fall short of The Glory of God and are totally dependant on His promises for mercy. How silly we are as men proclaiming Christ and speak such evil as though only we have no faults. I thank God for all that He has done through all of His servants and especially the one called William Branham. For if he was a conscious deceiver of men... Who is not? I recommend that every person who has a pure heart and not the spirit of fear to hear all things and decern for themselves that which The Lord has spoken... Selah

[@ivanasimic2072]

They are all connected through books and tapes, even here in europe Croatia. Its like a virus

[@LWB913]

Is this called preaching the gospel to every kindred, tongue and nation?

[@LWB913]

Apostle Paul was warned to leave the Christians alone and not find himself fighting against God someday. Might be a good lesson for the followers of Paul also. Seems like I read something about no forgiveness for blasphemy against the Works of the Holy Spirit, but 100 counts is probably better than 101.

[@connielester1641]

From John Roberts Steven’s website: Stevens founded Grace Chapel of South Gate in 1951, around the same time that the Latter Rain Movement was starting to dwindle. Because Stevens’ church shared a handful of similar beliefs with the Latter Rain Movement, including singing in the Spirit, he was mistakenly identified with the movement. Consequently, many of the problems associated with the Latter Rain Movement were falsely attributed to Stevens. The truth is that while Stevens was a proponent of the latter rain as a biblical reality, he heeded the Lord’s direction and never participated in the Latter Rain Movement.

[@darylgiffin3235]

Hi Connie. Stevens web site says that but, further research reveals, "Instead he allowed Winston Nunes to lay hands on him, changing his life forever but in the wrong direction. Stevens developed his network of some 94 churches thereafter by teaching his people that he was not just an Apostle, but the Apostle of the Kingdom who would break through into the ultimate revelation "in the heavenlies", leading his flock into it with him. Basing his views on such a subjective foundation, it is not surprising to find that he eventually got into the occultic practices of spiritualism, reading auras, astral projection, psychic warfare, hypnosis and what amounted to "white witchcraft" (but witchcraft all the same).7 (4)-John Robert Stevens and The Church of the Living Word, unpublished manuscript by the Spiritual Counterfeits Project, P.O. Box 4308, Berkeley, CA 94704, p. 38. (7) Spiritual Counterfeits Project, pp. 33, 63, 106, etc.

[@LWB913]

Brother John, is there anyone affiliated with the Bible and the Christians saved by grace throughout the past and today that you can recommend. Anyone that you can highly recommend to others around the messages as being a good example of Christ besides yourself and those people you know who are also biased against The Revealed Word to the church of Laodicia?

[@marilynadams349]

Oh my

[@dianefarrell2343]

Are you talking about the Cilt "The Walk " or the "WAY"??

[@therecoverytabernacle]

This 👏

[@BarbaraCarty-zc8dn]

They were training missionary pilots.

[@incredable6211]

Ok guys I'm typing as I'm listening, I've looked in the comments and am listening to you for any, any sign of scriptural support I'm not saying good or bad about your opinions. Without scriptural support, like the bible says this and they say that. I've been in the Charismatic area for a long time and agree there are people who've a mess of the whole Acts 2:38 experience. So where's your scriptural support. The word "cult" is different things to different people, so if you are going to tell us truth, the bible is my and appears to be your truth. So do your due diligence and tell us how this "cult" is at odds with the bible. So many of the terms like cult and white supremist are very "fuzzy".

[@dianefarrell2343]

Is the Message Bible related to the Culture THE MESSAGE??

[@JuliexSteadman]

..no it isnt despite its dodgy line in the Lords prayer 'As above, so below' Matt 6:10; The Passion translation is closely aligned with Bethel and its dominion theology. Mike Winger on his You Tube channel shows that the translator Brian Simmons was lying about his translation credentials...

[@joannebeerens6206]

To belive in the trinity, is total ignorance. Look at history it was NEVER IN EITHER OT OR NT.. I LOVE TRUTH. YOU ARE IGNORANT OF GODS TRUTH

[@mannyleon2122]

Kenneth Hagin is not part of a cult

[@user-qd9mm5mt4i]

He certainly was.

[@BuckinMich63]

Kenneth Hagin?? Yikes.

[@JuliexSteadman]

he was his own cult - his name it and claim it theology comes out of new thought metaphysics... faith is actually trust, its trusting in Jesus, not using magic words to get what you want.... I would recommend Derek Princes book 'Faith to live by'...

[@AZee55]

Are you guys even Christians?

[@enocksengana-cq8ww]

WILLIAM MARRION BRANHAM IS GOD

[@enocksengana-d3g]

william marrion branham is god

[@joannebeerens6206]

You are WRONG..NOT TRUTH

[@joannebeerens6206]

How dare you call William Branham a cult and con. The LORD REBUKE YOU...Beware beware.

[@omnitrus]

He was a cult and a Jesus only. He did not believe in a tri une God.

[@alexandrayarborough]

You're funny

[@joannebeerens6206]

@@alexandrayarboroughI might be funny but I AM NOT IGNORANT.

[@JacquelineHahn1]

Years ago I researched Branham I read many of his teachings and about his early life I was horrified at many of the things he taught. He would even contradict himself on many things. He was not a sound biblical teacher

[@christydunwoody9002]

william branham is true not false

[@Dave-nh2tg]

😂

[@greglogan7706]

Christy - simply follow with John and he will expose Branham over and over and over!

[@IC-XC_NIKA]

No Branham was fake - its pretty clear at this point

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

You’ve been deceived by a shameless cult leader into believing that he was someone he very clearly was not.

[@truthalonegirl]

Oh no! Please pray for discernment.