Editing Word of Faith Fellowship (section)

=== Brazil ===
The Associated Press found that the churches in [[Brazil]] also have the same practices as the Spindale church. Former members claimed that a move by Verbo Vivo and its members was intended to keep them away from the rest of the world. The church and the area where members lived were both surrounded by high fences. In 2009, two of the pastors quit, accusing the church of "[[brainwashing]]". A committee of the [[Minas Gerais]] state legislature held hearings. John Martin described practices as "guidelines and not prohibitions". Both churches lost many members. For the Associated Press investigation in 2017, over three dozen former members were interviewed and many reported being afraid of what the church would do if they spoke out. Some needed therapy. While the changes in Brazil happened slowly, they were drastic. Some young people were taken to the United States and allegedly required to work at the church or companies owned by members. Some young people were told not to contact their families. One of the rules in Brazil was the banning of [[soccer]]. Former students reported being isolated and shouted at for bad behavior.<ref name=Brazil>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ap-us-church-brazil-instills-fear-splits-families-48828251|title=AP: Brazilians detail abuses by US church, shattered lives|last1=Prengaman|first1=Peter|last2=Weiss|first2=Mitch|last3=Mohr|first3=Holbrook|via=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|publisher=Associated Press|date=July 25, 2017}}</ref>

Three former members said in 2014 to a U.S. Attorney that Brazilians brought to the United States were not paid for their work, while Americans working with them were paid, and that they were beaten if they disobeyed. One former member who left the church in 2016 also said his passport and money were taken away.<ref name=Slaves>{{cite news|url=http://wspa.com/2017/07/24/brazilians-funneled-as-slaves-by-spindale-church-ex-members-say/|title=Brazilians funneled as slaves by Spindale church, ex-members say|last1=Weiss|first1=Mitch|last2=Mohr|first2=Holbrook|last3=Prengaman|first3=Peter|via=WSPA-TV|agency=Associated Press|date=July 24, 2017}}</ref> The federal investigation found no such evidence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/us-attorney-announces-closing-investigation-after-last-defendant-involved-unemployment|title=U.S. Attorney Announces The Closing Of An Investigation After Last Defendant Involved In Unemployment Insurance Benefits Scheme Is Sentenced Today|date=2019-09-27|website=www.justice.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref>

Pastors of the Rhema church told {{lang|pt|[[Folha de S.Paulo]]}} that the claims were "many lies and distorted facts."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://wspa.com/2017/07/27/brazil-church-rejects-word-of-faith-abuse-claims-detailed-in-ap-stories/|title=Brazil church rejects Word of Faith abuse claims detailed in AP stories|agency=Associated Press|via=[[WSPA-TV]]|date=July 27, 2017|access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref>

Labor prosecutors sued to shut down the Rhema church. In a March 1, 2018 labor court filing in [[São Paulo state]], prosecutors suggested they had evidence of beating and forced labor in the Rhema church.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/world/article204433284.html|title=Brazilian prosecutors sue to shut church over forced labor|last1=Prengaman|first1=Peter|last2=DiLorenzo|first2=Sarah|last3=Weiss|first3=Mitch|work=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|publisher=Associated Press|date=March 9, 2018|access-date=March 23, 2018}}</ref> The case was summarily dismissed in the church's favor, with the judge's finding.