The Sarah Branham Investigation Part 3: The Investigation Begins

This episode examines the early stages of the investigation. Only just one day before departing for a mission trip, Gerald Lee Walker received a letter from a minister in New Zealand requesting his assistance in helping Sarah Branham and her family with their desperate situation. According to the information given to Walker, Billy Paul Branham, Joseph Branham, and other cult leaders had joined forces against Sarah and were praying that "Satan destroy Sarah's flesh." Apparently "Word Publications" (referring to the collective business entities William Branham Evangelistic Association and Voice of God Recordings) had some unknown control over the other cult leaders. Walker was determined to find what these business entities had over the cult leaders.Show more

Walker began by examining the business entities themselves, not only William Branham Evangelistic Association and Voice of God Recordings, but also business entities for other key individuals involved in Sarah's desperate situation. To his surprise, he found an unusual lack of accountability for such "non-profit" corporations. Specific individuals were listed on the corporate documents for multiple entities, some of which did not have an appointed treasurer. From all appearances, these entities were set up for the benefit of one or two individuals. Interestingly, the Branham Tabernacle had no public record at all, and on September 4, 1984, real estate was transferred from the church to William Branham Evangelistic Association — which appears to have been purposefully set up as a business arm for the church. Similar problems were found with the Tucson Tabernacle. Walker was surprised to see Pearry Green involved in a number of lawsuits, some as a plaintiff and some as a defendant, using different church names besides Tucson Tabernacle.

Most interesting, however, is the examination into George Smith and Rebekah Branham Smith through their business entity Believers International. Documentation included in the Intent To Sue described William Branham's death to be the indirect result of an argument over Rebekah staying with Betty Collins (now Phillips). Betty was listed as a registered agent for Believers International. Even more surprising, Charles (Chuck) Rinkle, who had been shunned from the "Message" cult, was also a registered agent.

Charles (Chuck) Rinkle was Sarah Branham's former fiance.

Names mentioned in this video:

Gerald Lee Walker
Billy Paul Branham
Joseph Branham
Pearry Green
George Smith
Rebekah Branham Smith
Betty Collins (Phillips)
Spoken Word Publications
William Branham Evangelistic Association
Voice of God Recordings
Jehovah Jireh Foundation
Tucson Tabernacle
Christ Community Church
Sarah Branham De Corado
Eddy Corado
Raymond (Junior) Jackson