TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A federal investigation has not stopped the Kingdom of God Global Church from operating. Last month, the FBI raided a home inside the exclusive Avila community, resulting in the arrest of two church leaders.
The two leaders are accused of living a life of luxury, while using a forced labor and money laundering conspiracy to solicit millions of dollars in donations.
The Kingdom of God Global Church is still operating its 24/7 miracle prayer line, and on Sunday streamed service as its two leaders remain in federal custody.
Inside the multi-million-dollar Avila mansion, federal investigators said a human trafficking operation was unfolding, which was disguised as a church ministry.
New court records released on Monday reveal 57 victims who lived there were forced into a labor scheme to solicit monetary donations, but it wasn’t only in Tampa. On August 27, there was a multi-state FBI raid at various call centers for the Kingdom of God Global Church, in Michigan, North Carolina, Missouri, Texas and Florida.
“I’ve never seen so many police cars coming in on a house and tanks and FBI,” said a neighbor.
Investigators arrested self-professed church leaders David Taylor in Durham and Michelle Brannon in Tampa. Prosecutors say at times, the two have been romantically involved.
Records show that Taylor, who refers to himself as apostle, knew what would be coming. In a meeting to his workers he said, “They gonna be in here with their FBI jackets on… you don’t scare me. God’s gonna to get you.”
According to the indictment filed in July, Brannon and Taylor lured their victims in nationwide with promises to fulfill their spiritual hunger, then used psychological manipulation, isolation, physical violence, sleep deprivation, as well as withholding food and medical care if their workers did not meet quotas.
“That doesn’t surprise me that they are still operating,” said Warren Smith, MinistryWatch President.
The Kingdom of God’s 24/7 prayer hotline is still active.
“It’s not really a prayer hotline at all but rather a sweat shop, a call center,” Smith said.
Smith said the Kingdom of God Global Church was put on his radar about three years ago. Warren’s organization operates a database that includes information donors need in order to make wise giving decisions.
“We were also, you know, just aware of some pretty extravagant claims made on their television programs and also the like, the extravagant lifestyle of David Taylor, so that put them originally on our radar screen,” Smith said.
In addition to lawsuits stemming from vendors that were suing the church for nonpayment.
New court documents show a text from Taylor to Brannon in July 2022, reading: “It don’t matter if you bring in $400k if you don’t stay on top of the daily operation… If they don’t do this they don’t deserve to be in that Tampa house they are all going back to Ocala packed like sardines with consequences in the garage.”
The church received $50 million in donations since 2014. The Justice Department said donors were under the belief their money would be spent on helping “impoverished communities overseas and supporting victims of human trafficking,” but instead Taylor and Brannon allegedly “purchased luxury properties, cars, boats, jet skis, and ATVs.”
Agents in Tampa also recovered $500,000 in gold bars, $60,000 in cash, jewelry, life-sized stone statues, seven Mercedes Benz; and two Bentleys from the mansion.
In a court record filed on Monday, prosecutors said multiple children of the workers lived at the call centers or other properties owned by the church. Some of those kids reportedly have been separated from their parents for years and in one case, a minor who was interviewed by prosecutors shared her own experience of emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical trauma.
“It’s very surprising to hear that type of thing was going on right in your back yard. Who would have known?” said a neighbor.
Brannon is expected in court at 1 p.m. on Tuesday in Detroit for her arraignment and detention hearing. Taylor’s next hearing has not been set since he’s in transit to Detroit. His attorney, Scott Rosenblum, said they plan on entering a plea of not guilty and challenging each and every allegation.
Smith said do not give money to an organization that you haven’t researched and that you don’t know and that you don’t know where the money is going.
“If you don’t, if you can’t answer the question, ‘Where is the money going?’ You should not give to that ministry, and you shouldn’t depend on the answer that comes from the ministry. You should look at independent third party,” Smith said. “As a donor, you should ask tough questions as well. Asking a tough question gives a great organization an opportunity to shine because they have great answers. Tough questions are only a problem for bad ministries, so don’t ever hesitate to ask a tough question. You’re doing them a favor. You’re doing yourself a favor. You’re doing, candidly, the Christian community a favor when you ask tough questions because great ministries will have great answers.”
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