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Videos show 'Message' pastors preach against interracial marriage across U.S.

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Videos show 'Message' pastors preach against interracial marriage across U.S.

From the Twisted Message: A prophet’s unchecked global sect series

One former member of the sect said he felt “inferior” as a Black teenager because of his church’s racist beliefs on mixed relationships.

By Emily Hamer Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team and Tim Steller Arizona Daily Star
Dec 3, 2024
Dec 3, 2024 Updated May 21, 2025
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11 min to read

Martin Maene was flipping burgers at a Wendy’s in Jeffersonville, Indiana, when a rush of questions bombarded his mind.

Martin Maene, 19, says a racist teaching in his church in Indiana caused him to start questioning the religious sect he was born and raised in.
Courtesy of Martin Maene

Branham in South Africa — Rev. William Branham preaches in Durban, South Africa at the Greyville racetrack in 1951.
Courtesy of Voice of God Recordings

Fumiko Tipping — Fumiko Tipping said interracial relationships were frowned upon in the Message communities she was a part of in Arizona and Michigan.
Emily Hamer / Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team

John Collins — John Collins, an ex-Message member and researcher, holds up his book, "Preacher Behind the White Hoods: A Critical Examination of William Branham and His Message," in his home in Jeffersonville, Ind. on Jan. 12, 2024. Behind him are the computers and other equipment he uses to record the William Branham Historical Research podcast.
Emily Hamer / Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team

Rod Bergen.jpg — Bergen
One Tree Studio

Evans — Jeremy Evans is the spokesperson for Voice of God Recordings, a nonprofit that distributes William Branham's sermons worldwide. Here, Evans explains items in a display case at Voice of God Recordings' office in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Emily Hamer / Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team

Nathan Bryant — Nathan Bryant, pastor of Church of the Open Door, delivers a message on how love keeps no record of wrongs to a congregation of about 120 people in New Albany, Indiana on Jan. 14, 2024.
Emily Hamer / Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team

Branham pointing — A photo of William Branham from the Voice of God Recordings archives.
Courtesy of Voice of God Recordings

Branham Tabernacle — The Branham Tabernacle, at 804 Penn Street, is a church that was started by Rev. William Branham in the '30s, according to Branham's recorded sermons. The church is pictured here on Jan. 14, 2024 in Jeffersonville, Ind. Martin Maene, 19, said that when he used to attend this church, members of his congregation told him that it would be a sin for him, a Black teenager, to date a white teenage girl.
Emily Hamer / Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team

Rick Ross headline.JPG (copy) — Ross
Courtesy of Rick Ross

Golden Dawn Tabernacle — Aaron Duenas grew up in Golden Dawn Tabernacle church but eventually left with his wife. He poses for a photo in his home in Tucson, Ariz. on July 25, 2024.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star

Martin Maene — Martin Maene, 19, grew up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but moved to the U.S. when he was 9. He said The Message churches he attended across the world, especially the one in Indiana, made him feel inferior because of the color of his skin.
Courtesy of Martin Maene

Contact reporter Emily Hamer at emily.hamer@lee.net or 262-844-4151. On Twitter: @ehamer7

Contact columnist Tim Steller at tsteller@tucson.com or 520-807-7789. On Twitter: @timothysteller

In this Series

Twisted Message: A prophet’s unchecked global sect

Updated Jun 2, 2025
Mass starvation, a doomsday colony: 'The Message' inspires dangerous ‘cults’ worldwide
Updated Nov 12, 2024
From backwoods boy to 20th century 'prophet': How William Branham gained a global following
Updated Apr 18, 2025
'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe
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