A conservative Christian church whose pastor reportedly pressured men into non-consensual homosexual acts.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Nondenominational
Founded: 1970s
Location: Australia, United States, and other countries
Christian Assemblies International (CAI) is an Australian-based charity organization and religious group, registered as Christian Assemblies Europe International, with operations in Australia and several other countries. Its European headquarters is located in Stirling, Scotland, registered as the Scottish charity Christian Assemblies Europe. This organization, which identifies itself as a Pentecostal Church, was founded by Scott Williams and officially registered as a charity in Australia in 1994. CAI traces its origins back to the 1970s in Feldafing, Germany, under the leadership of Williams, who initially worked as a teacher at Ballarat East High School.
Over the years, CAI has been a subject of controversy and criticism, particularly surrounding its founder Scott Williams. In 2009 and more extensively in 2014, following a four-year investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, CAI has been widely accused of being a cult. These allegations pointed towards abusive practices, financial exploitation, and severe manipulation by Williams, who proclaimed himself as the “anointed one” of God and preached about the imminent end of the world to justify his demands and control over his followers. It was reported that Williams enforced a regime where members were expected to donate significant amounts of money, and failure to do so led to investigations, fines, or accusations of not being devout enough. Williams also leveraged his authority to exploit members for labor, demanding renovations on his property portfolio under threats of severe punishment for non-compliance.
One of the most shocking aspects of the controversy surrounding CAI involved allegations of sexual abuse. Williams reportedly targeted young men to join the church, insisting on the necessity of deep connections among men, beyond those with their wives. It is further reported that he conducted naked massage sessions among up to 80 men at a time, concluding with non-consensual sexual acts, which he claimed were needed for spiritual reasons. The exposure of these acts and the subsequent legal actions against Williams culminated in public scrutiny and criticism of CAI’s practices under his leadership.
Following the public exposure of these issues and the death of Williams in 2015, CAI underwent a leadership change in September 2018. Two senior pastors were appointed to lead the church, and in 2019, a message was recorded and shared with former members. This message acknowledged past wrongdoings, offered former members an opportunity to discuss their experiences with the new leadership, and committed to changes in the group’s practices.
Christian Assemblies International continues its operations under new leadership, with a focus on moving away from the controversies of its past. The transition aims to redefine the organization’s public image and internal practices, striving for a more positive and community-focused direction.
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