By Dwayne McLeod / Jonique Gaynor, Staff Reporters

If you're having problems and think there's nowhere to turn, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God is willing to help. But be warned - you may have to pay for your miracle.

Although tithes and offerings are accepted in most, if not all churches, the Universal Church goes a bit further by telling members or visitors that in order to be blessed, they need to make a sacrifice. In many cases, this sacrifice is financial.

The Universal Church has 21 branches across the island, with the headquarters located at 108 Hagley Park Road. The church was formed in Brazil in 1977, and today, the church has about 10 million members in more than 90 countries.

According to reports posted on the website www.rickross.com the church has been accused of extortion and money laundering in other countries. A high court in Zambia also banned the church in 2005 seven years after it was shut down for "unchristian practices". THE STAR was therefore lead to do our investigations at the local headquarters.

Fake problem

When a member of the team called the church recently with a 'fake problem', and asked about the church's ability to help, we were told that our name would be put in the prayer book and that we should attend the Sunday service, so we could drink the blessed tea from Jerusalem for healing.

When THE STAR asked about the issue of sacrifice, we were told, "You have to put out your all, if you want to get better. For some people it is better when they sacrifice more. The pastor will tell you a certain amount, but you can pay more if you want. You just have to say 'my God, show me the amount to give for the healing'. But when you come and speak with the pastor, he will talk more about the sacrifice. God will deliver, you have called the right place."

When THE STAR visited the church, we were greeted at the entrance by a man who appeared to be a guard. He was wearing dark glasses, a huge glass cross around his neck and a red string around his wrist. The pastor, who also wore a similar string, outlined the various services conducted by the church and mentioned that Tuesday was the day of healing, Friday the day of deliverance and Sunday, the day of protection against evil spirits.

He also diagnosed the fake problem the STAR team member was experiencing, saying, "The problem you have is not normal. That's why the doctors can't find a solution. This problem is caused by evil spirits." He also explained that the more we attend the church, the more we would hear about the sacrifice. He prayed for the afflicted team member and ordered the evil spirit to "get out!" The 'sick' team member was told, "You don't have a lot of friends. There is a grudge against you. There is some jealousy there, it might be in the community or your family. You need to be careful."

THE STAR team was invited back the following day to collect the 'blessed rose'. This, we learnt, was used for point of contact intervention, where the rose would be placed on the point of the pain, during prayer.

When THE STAR visited the church again, the pastor spoke openly about the sacrifice to a congregation of almost 50 persons, who were all casually dressed. "In order to conquer your problems, you must pay the price. You must make a sacrifice in order to get the fire," he preached.

He continued, "I am not afraid to preach about the sacrifice. I'm not afraid to tell you to go to your account and take out everything and lay it on the altar. If you have a million dollars, I am not afraid to tell you to bring it all. If you make a sacrifice and get no results then the sacrifice was not perfect."

Next came the testimonials. A few members of the church were asked what their sacrifice was and they also told the church how their lives have changed since. One woman shouted with pride, "I gave $45,000." Another added, "I gave $25,000". To both women, he replied, "Only that?!" One other woman revealed that she had sacrificed over $100,000.

Now it was time for the miracle water/green water to be brought out. He told the congregation to make a contribution of $1,000 in order to wash their hands in the miracle water. He asked for seven people. When he realised that only a few were responding, he reduced the figure to $500 and then to $300 and finally to $150. When one woman approached the altar and asked for change from her contribution, he said loudly, "We don't give back change. You are either giving or not. Keep the money. Sit down."

The congregation was then told to collect their 'big problem' envelope. They were told to write down their problems and take the envelope on Sunday, with $300 for the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. They were also told to bring double tithes on Sunday.

Two pastors from different churches, with whom THE STAR spoke, expressed concern about the Universal church's operations.

Rev. Don McDowell of the Global Highways and Byways Mission claimed that while the teaching of sacrifice is practised in most, if not all, churches, the difference between the teaching of God's word andtotal rip-off is based on the degree of emphasis placed on the sacrifice.

Another pastor who asked to remain anonymous admitted that he is a bit sceptical of the church's practices. The pastor told THE STAR that he has heard of the 'miracle water' and the 'charges' attached for its use and added that he thinks it is against Christian values. He, however, said he is not at liberty to judge the practices of the church, as that responsibility lies with God. "I've heard of them charging to wash hands in their 'miracle water' and I'm quite concerned ... If they are indeed ripping off people and manage to elude the law, they still will have to answer to God so I wont judge them," he said.