Concerns raised over relationship between ‘cult’ church and Lewisham council

Concerns have been raised over the relationship between Lewisham council and a church which allegedly showed teenagers a video of a dead body to scare them from leaving, according to former members.

The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) is a Christian denomination with five chapters in South London – Brixton, Peckham, Croydon, Woolwich and Catford.

The UCKG has been described as a “cult” by former members after allegations of preying on vulnerable people, brainwashing them, performing exorcisms and making them pay 10 per cent of their income to the church.

Two weeks ago the Diocese of Southwark – responsible for more than 100 Anglican churches in South London and east Surrey – apologised for including the Catford branch of the UCKG in an annual interfaith peace walk through Lewisham in September.

Rachael Reign, 30, the director of Surviving Universal UK, a support group for ex-members, said the inclusion of the UCKG on the interfaith walk caused “considerable upset and distress” among ex-members of the church.

She said: “Surely there must be a safeguarding policy for the organisations included in the walk.”

A spokesman for the Diocese of Southwark said it “deeply regrets” the “distress” it caused “among those who’ve experienced abuse in UCKG congregations”.

A spokesman for UCKG said they were “surprised” by the apology from the diocese for their involvement in the walk. 

He said: “Having considered the statement, we are disappointed with its content and the fact no one has had the courtesy of contacting us regarding the damaging allegations before making what seems a statement of fact about these in the published text. We will be addressing this matter directly with the Diocese of Southwark.”

Ms Reign welcomed the apology, but said the issue raised further questions about the relationship between the church and Lewisham council.

Lewisham Labour councillor, Kim Powell, is a community outreach manager at the controversial church. Last month, the council presented the UCKG’s food bank with a community award. 

Ms Reign said: “The council’s public appreciation of the church sets a dangerous precedent that when survivors speak out they can stamp out our voices.”

The South London Press understands that several councillors are concerned about the council’s relationship with the church. Some of these concerns have been raised internally with the Mayor, Brenda Dacres, but these have been repeatedly dismissed.

A council spokeswoman said the local authority had no formal relationship with the UCKG’s Catford church and was not aware of any allegations made against this specific branch.

Vikisha Misselbrook, 30, from Croydon, joined the youth group at the Catford branch as a teenager.

She said: “They showed us a video of a pastor who quit the church in Brazil and got into a motorbike accident.

“His body was in one place and his heart was somewhere else on the road.

“They said this could happen if we left or went against god – the devil will come after you.”

Ms Misselbrook described the church’s behaviour as “coersive” and “controlling”, especially for young women.

She said: “They would ask the girls what underwear we were wearing and said we couldn’t wear thongs, nail varnish or dye our hair without permission.”

Mia, 23, from Lewisham, joined the church when she was 11 after being invited to perform in the music group.

In 2016,  Mia said a pastor at the church showed her images of a girl who had tried to commit suicide. 

She said: “He took me and my friend to the hospital to visit her. We didn’t know her, it was so strange. He said if we didn’t behave the same would happen to us.”

Mia and Ms Misselbrook both said the church promoted its own version of conversion therapy and witnessed senior members telling homosexual men that they were possessed by evil spirits and needed saving through prayer and sermons.

The Labour Party pledged to ban conversion therapy as part of its manifesto. 

A council spokeswoman said: “We have reached out to the Director of Surviving Universal UK offering to meet to listen to concerns being raised on behalf of survivors with our safeguarding officers present so they can investigate any matters raised. We would encourage them and anyone else in Lewisham impacted to approach the council directly.”

A UCKG spokesman said: “The UCKG relies on the teachings of the Bible for its ethos and messages and exercises absolutely no control over anyone’s life. It also does not employ scare tactics to force people to remain in the church or otherwise.

“The Peace Walk is an interfaith walk, we are a faith organisation, and as such we will be taking part in such walks and organising walks of our own to promote peace and abundant life in Jesus Christ.”

Pictured top: The UCKG Help Centre in Catford (Picture: Google Street View)