| Leader
|
Organization or organizations
|
Years in leadership
|
Current situation
|
| A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
|
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Abdullah Hashem
|
Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Agnès Callamard
|
Amnesty International
|
1995–present
|
Alive; still leads organization
|
| Ahmed al-Hasan
|
Soldiers of Heaven
|
|
Alive
|
| Alan John Miller (known as "AJ")
|
Divine Truth
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Alexander Everett
|
Mind Dynamics
|
|
Deceased
|
| Allen Noonan
|
One World Family Commune
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Allison Mack
|
NXIVM
|
|
|
| Amy Carlson (religious leader)
|
Love Has Won
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Ann Lee
|
Shakers
|
1758–1784
|
Deceased
|
| Anthony Levandowski
|
Way of the Future
|
since 2009
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Arnaud Mussy
|
Néo-Phare
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Ayah Pin
|
Sky Kingdom
|
|
Deceased
|
| Baba Simeo Lodvikus Melkio Ondetto
|
Legio Maria
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Bavua Ntinu Decantor Andrew
|
Puissance spirituelle du verbe
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Benjamin Roden
|
Branch Davidians
|
|
Deceased
|
| Bernadette Meehan
|
Wikimedia Foundation
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
|
Rajneesh movement
|
1970-1990
|
Deceased
|
| Bill Levin
|
First Church of Cannabis
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Bishop Patrick L. Frazier Jr
|
Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Bob Weiner
|
Maranatha Campus Ministries
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Bonnie Nettles
|
Heaven's Gate (religious group)
|
|
Deceased
|
| Brian Tamaki
|
Destiny Church (New Zealand)
|
|
Alive
|
| Brock Blomberg
|
California Institute of Integral Studies
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Bruce Hales
|
Plymouth Brethren Christian Church
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Cecilia Eggleston
|
Metropolitan Community Church
|
1989–present
|
Alive; still leads organization
|
| Charles Boyd Gentzel
|
Mark-Age
|
|
|
| Charles Dederich Sr
|
Synanon
|
|
|
| Charles Manson
|
Manson Family
|
|
Deceased
|
| Charles Taze Russell
|
Jehovah's Witnesses
|
|
Deceased
|
| Chris Butler (aka Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa)
|
Science of Identity Foundation
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Chris Korda
|
Church of Euthanasia
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Clare Bronfman
|
NXIVM
|
|
|
| David Berg
|
The Family International / Children of God
|
1968-1994
|
Deceased
|
| David Brian Stone Sr
|
Hutaree
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| David C. Pack
|
Restored Church of God
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| David Ekerbring
|
Word of Life (Sweden)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| David Koresh
|
Branch Davidians
|
1988-1993
|
Deceased
|
| David Lane (white supremacist)
|
Wotansvolk
|
|
Deceased
|
| David Miscavige
|
Church of Scientology
|
1986-present
|
Alive; still leads organization
|
| Dia Abdul Zahra Kadim
|
Soldiers of Heaven
|
|
|
| Dick Price
|
Esalen Institute
|
|
Deceased
|
| Dorothy Bailey
|
Amica Temple of Radiance
|
|
|
| Dorothy Martin
|
The Seekers (rapturists)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Doug Kunin
|
Eckankar
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Eberhard Arnold
|
Bruderhof Communities
|
|
Deceased
|
| Edir Macedo
|
Universal Church of the Kingdom of God
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Eduardo González Arenas
|
Edelweiss (organization)
|
|
|
| Edward Mielnik
|
Antrovis
|
|
|
| Elbert "Gene" Spriggs
|
Twelve Tribes communities
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Elijah Hong
|
New Testament Church (Hong Kong)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Elizabeth Clare Prophet
|
Church Universal and Triumphant
|
1959–2009
|
Deceased
|
| Emanuel Swedenborg
|
Swedenborgianism
|
|
Deceased
|
| Emiliano Salinas
|
NXIVM
|
|
|
| Erika Bertschinger-Eicke
|
Fiat Lux (UFO religion)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Estevam Hernandes
|
Reborn in Christ Church
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong
|
New Kadampa Tradition
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| George King (religious leader)
|
Aetherius Society
|
1954–1997
|
Deceased
|
| George Müller
|
Open Brethren
|
|
Deceased
|
| Gerald E. Weston
|
Living Church of God
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Hak Ja Han
|
Unification Church
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Hakeem Abdul Rasheed
|
Church of Hakeem
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Hannah Tamaki
|
Destiny Church (New Zealand)
|
|
Alive
|
| Haven Boggs
|
Living Enrichment Center
|
|
|
| Heide Fittkau-Garthe
|
Atman Foundation
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Henri Hillion
|
Monastic Order of Avallon
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Henry Prince
|
Agapemonites
|
|
|
| Hon-Ming Chen (陳恆明)
|
Chen Tao (UFO religion)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Honório Pinto
|
Assembly of God Bethlehem Ministry
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Igor Danilov
|
AllatRa
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| J. Z. Knight
|
Ramtha's School of Enlightenment
|
1977–present
|
Alive; still leads organization
|
| Jaime Gomez (also known as Michel Rostan)
|
Buddhafield (religious movement)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Jean Spademan
|
Bethel Church / Mansfield Woodhouse
|
|
|
| Jean-Paul Appel
|
Siderella
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Jerold Gliege
|
Evangelical Orthodox Church
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Jerry Williams
|
The Brethren (Jim Roberts group)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Ji Sanbao
|
Mentuhui
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Jim Jones
|
Peoples Temple
|
1955-1978
|
Deceased
|
| John Hanley Sr
|
Lifespring
|
|
|
| John Hibbert
|
Bethel Church / Mansfield Woodhouse
|
|
|
| John Morton
|
Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| John Robert Stevens
|
Church of the Living Word
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Jonás Ataucusi Molina
|
Evangelical Association of the Israelite Mission of the New Universal Covenant
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Jorge Ángel Livraga Rizzi
|
New Acropolis
|
|
Deceased
|
| Joseph Di Mambro
|
Order of the Solar Temple
|
1984-1994
|
Deceased
|
| Joseph Franklin Rutherford
|
Jehovah's Witnesses
|
|
Deceased
|
| Joseph Odermatt
|
Palmarian Catholic Church
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| João Torunsky
|
The Christian Community
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Juliano Verbard
|
Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary (cult)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Julien Origas
|
Renewed Order of the Temple
|
|
Deceased
|
| Jung Myung-seok
|
Providence (religious movement)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Katsutoshi Sekiguchi
|
World Divine Light
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Keith Raniere
|
NXIVM
|
|
|
| Kim Joo-Cheol
|
World Mission Society Church of God
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Kirby J. Hensley
|
Universal Life Church
|
1962–1999
|
Deceased
|
| Konstantin Rudnev
|
Ashram Shambala
|
|
Deceased
|
| Kurusar Lokhon Engti Hensek
|
Lokhimon
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Kōō Okada
|
Sukyo Mahikari
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| L. Ron Hubbard
|
Scientology
|
1952-1986
|
Deceased
|
| Lee Man-hee
|
Shincheonji Church of Jesus
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Lekhraj Kripalani
|
Brahma Kumaris
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Leon MacLaren
|
School of Economic Science
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Louis Antoine
|
Antoinism
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Louis Farrakhan
|
Nation of Islam
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Luc Jouret
|
Order of the Solar Temple
|
1984-1994
|
Deceased
|
| Lucien Greaves
|
The Satanic Temple
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
|
Maharishi International University
|
|
Deceased
|
| Marie-Thérèse Castano
|
International Center of Parapsychology and Scientific Research of the New Age
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Marion Pettie
|
The Finders (movement)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Marshall Applewhite
|
Heaven's Gate
|
1974-1997
|
Deceased
|
| Marshall Vian Summers
|
New Message from God
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Mary Baker Eddy
|
Christian Science
|
|
Deceased
|
| Mary Manin Morrissey
|
Living Enrichment Center
|
|
|
| María Luisa Piraquive
|
Church of God Ministry of Jesus Christ International
|
1971–present
|
Alive; still leads organization
|
| Michael A. Aquino
|
Temple of Set
|
|
Deceased
|
| Michael Leavitt
|
Landmark Worldwide
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Michael Murphy (author)
|
Esalen Institute
|
|
|
| Michel Collin
|
Apostles of Infinite Love
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Michel Potay
|
Pilgrims of Arès
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Minoru Harada
|
Soka Gakkai
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Mirjana Spoljaric Egger
|
International Committee of the Red Cross
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Naasón Joaquín García
|
La Luz del Mundo
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Nancy Salzman
|
NXIVM
|
|
Alive
|
| Neville Cooper
|
Gloriavale Christian Community
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Noel Stanton
|
Jesus Army
|
|
Deceased
|
| Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II
|
African Theological Archministry
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Oberto Airaudi
|
Federation of Damanhur
|
1975–2013
|
Deceased
|
| Ock Soo Park
|
Good News Mission
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Olivier Fenoy
|
Cultural Office of Cluny
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Pai Seta Branca
|
Valley of the Dawn
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Pastor S.O Oladele
|
Christ Apostolic Church
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Patricia Paulsen
|
Sunburst (community)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Paul Baumann
|
Methernitha
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Paul Erdmann aka Love Israel
|
Love Family
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Paul Nthenge Mackenzie
|
Good News International Ministries
|
|
|
| Paul P. Harris
|
Rotary International
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Paul Wei
|
True Jesus Church
|
|
Deceased
|
| Pauline Sharpe
|
Mark-Age
|
|
|
| Peter H. Gilmore
|
Church of Satan
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Philip Berg
|
Kabbalah Centre
|
|
Deceased
|
| Prem Rawat
|
Elan Vital (organization)
|
1966–present
|
Alive; still leads organization
|
| Purodhā Pramukha
|
Ananda Marga
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Ra Un Nefer Amen
|
Ausar Auset Society
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Rashad Jamal
|
University of Cosmic Intelligence
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Raël
|
Raelian movement
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi
|
Messiah Foundation International
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Robert Earl Burton
|
Fellowship of Friends
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Roland T. Hunt
|
Amica Temple of Radiance
|
|
|
| Ruben Ecleo Sr.
|
Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association
|
|
Deceased
|
| Ryan Ringnald
|
Church of Wells
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Ryuho Okawa
|
Happy Science
|
1996-2023; 1986-1996
|
Deceased
|
| Sam J. Wibberley
|
Bethel Church / Mansfield Woodhouse
|
|
|
| Samuel Chang-Woo Lee
|
University Bible Fellowship
|
|
|
| Samuel Oshoffa
|
Celestial Church of Christ
|
|
Deceased
|
| Sarah Barry
|
University Bible Fellowship
|
|
|
| Shin Ok-ju
|
Grace Road Church
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Shoko Asahara
|
Aum Shinrikyo
|
1987-1995
|
Deceased
|
| Shukri Mustafa
|
Takfir wal-Hijra
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Simon Kimbangu Kiangani
|
Kimbanguism
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Simon Mokoena
|
Tyrannus Apostolic Church
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Sofía Betancourt
|
Unitarian Universalist Association
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Sri Aurobindo
|
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
|
|
Deceased
|
| Steve Morgan
|
The Network (group of churches)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Sun Myung Moon
|
Unification Church
|
1954-2012
|
Deceased
|
| Thomas Schaller (Chair, Board of Elders)
|
Greater Grace World Outreach
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Tore Tvedt
|
Vigrid (Norway)
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Victor Barnard
|
River Road Fellowship
|
|
|
| Wallace C. Halsey
|
Christ Brotherhood
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Warren Jeffs
|
FLDS Church
|
2002-present
|
Alive; still regarded by followers as leader
|
| Wayman O. Mitchell
|
Potter's House Christian Fellowship
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Werner Erhard
|
Erhard Seminars Training
|
|
|
| William Irvine (Scottish evangelist)
|
Two by Twos
|
|
Deceased
|
| William R. Ferguson
|
Cosmic Circle of Fellowship
|
|
Deceased
|
| William Sowders
|
Gospel Assembly Churches
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Yogi Bhajan
|
3HO
|
|
Deceased
|
| Yoo Jae-yeol
|
Tabernacle Temple Church
|
|
|
| Younus AlGohar
|
Kalki Avatar Foundation
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
| Yvonne Trubert
|
Invitation to Life
|
|
Alive; listed here as current leader
|
