Willard Collins
Rev. Willard Collins was born in 1926 in Glensfork, Kentucky. He attended the Glensfork school system until his junior year of high school, at which time he transferred to Knifley High School after the Glensfork school was closed. He loved sports, and played basketball for the Knifley High School basketball team.
Berniece Hicks: Branham’s Sunday School “Messenger” and the Rise of Christ Gospel Church International
Berniece Hicks emerged from William Branham’s inner circle—teaching in his tabernacle, participating in early revival networks, and adopting the same “Message”-adjacent doctrines and source-material claims—before building Christ Gospel Church International into an isolationist movement centered on her own prophetic authority. Over time, her teachings expanded into militant Manifest Sons/“Joel’s Army” themes, increasingly extraordinary supernatural claims, and accusations from former members that drew public scrutiny, including a 1979 Louisville Courier-Journal investigation.
Drinking and Homosexuality: Moral Absolutes, Private Exceptions
William Branham’s Message enforced strict prohibitions against alcohol and homosexuality as markers of holiness and separation, yet historical records, testimony, and visual evidence reveal persistent exceptions within his inner circle. This investigation traces how authority, proximity, and institutional preservation consistently overrode the very moral standards imposed on followers.
The Sarah Branham Investigation
Sarah Branham sent a letter pleading for help. She entitled it, "Take it With You", and addressed it "To the Bride of Christ, the followers of the 'Message'". Sarah, her husband, and their eight children are in a desperate situation due to financial struggles after working as missionaries in Guatemala and spreading the "Message" of William Branham deep into South America. In the letter, Sarah described the hardships that she faced after being allegedly taken advantage of by cult leaders back in the United States. At the same time, it appears that "Message" cult leaders were attempting to silence Sarah by praying that Satan would destroy Sarah's flesh.
The Sarah Branham Investigation Part 5: The William Branham Evangelistic Association
This episode examines the formation of the William Branham Evangelistic Association, its unusual beginnings, and a glimpse into its unusual activities. According to Sarah Branham's letter, "Take It With You", Billy Paul Branham "appeared before a Notary Public as William Branham transferring the William Branham Evangelistic Association into another corporation. " shortly before his Rev. William Branham's death in 1965. Meda Branham allegedly confirmed that Billy Paul forged the signature in order to "give him power and access over the money". Gerald Lee Walker began collecting government documents to verify Sarah's claim and Meda's alleged claim, which Walker appeared to confirm through the evidence collected.
Resignation of the Pastor of the Branham Tabernacle
In 2015, the Branham Tabernacle began a series of events that would eventually lead to the church splitting into multiple groups. Deacons in the Branham Tabernacle recognized the financial problems in the church and began investigating. To their surprise, they found evidence that they claimed to be criminal. According to their testimonies when they resigned, William Branham's sons had been allegedly stealing from the church, and cult headquarters appeared to be stealing and stockpiling money. Tax records revealed a hundred million dollars in assets, and a second legal entity was created for the sole purpose of moving money. Homes (not occupied by Willard Collins) were claimed as "parsonages" to allegedly avoid paying income tax, and a large portion of the property underneath the Branham Tabernacle was deeded away from the church to one of Branham's sons. Comparing the expenses to the money collected, a large discrepancy was found. Deacons publicly demanded to know where the money went. In October of 2015, Willard Collins resigned from his position as "pastor" of the Branham Tabernacle. Along with him, the entire staff of deacons.
No records found.