‘They say you have to buy blessings’: the London women who gave everything to a controversial church

Regulator rules Universal Church of the Kingdom of God did not protect vulnerable donors, including woman who says she gave life savings “Sometimes you’re seeing God as a genie, where if I give him all this money, He will bring me what I want,” Sarah says. The 27-year-old spent years in the grip of “prosperity gospel”, whose followers believe cash donations to evangelical churches unlock divine blessings of health and wealth. So did Jennifer*, 29, who says she handed over her life savings. Na...

By Chris Osuh Community affairs correspondent