A controversial religious movement led by Brother Stair, known for its expansive shortwave radio outreach and apocalyptic predictions.
Overcomer Ministry, founded by Ralph Gordon Stair, known as Brother Stair, was a Christian new religious movement headquartered in Walterboro, South Carolina. Established by Stair, born on May 3, 1933, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the ministry became notable for its global outreach through extensive radio broadcasting. Utilizing a variety of media platforms such as shortwave radio, satellite, and internet streaming, Brother Stair’s broadcasts reached a vast audience across continents including North and South America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Israel, Russia, and India.
Brother Stair’s teachings were centered on apocalyptic prophecies and millennial predictions, earning him the self-proclaimed title of the “Last Day Prophet of God.” He predicted significant world-changing events at the turn of the third millennium and controversially declared that if a divine intervention did not happen before the year 2000, he would renounce his faith. His other notable predictions, such as a nuclear confrontation in 1988 and that Ronald Reagan would not complete his presidency, failed to materialize, leading to widespread skepticism about his prophetic claims.
The ministry’s operations were primarily funded by listener donations, allowing it to maintain a significant presence on up to 120 terrestrial AM and FM radio stations in the 1990s, though this number dwindled to about 25 by 2007. A surge in donations around 2016 enabled the ministry to buy extensive broadcasting time, making it one of the most expansive shortwave broadcasts in history, with expenditures amounting to approximately $1.5 million.
Despite its religious outreach, the ministry was fraught with controversies, particularly concerning Brother Stair’s personal conduct. In 2002, at the age of 69, Stair faced charges of criminal sexual conduct with two young women from his congregation. He pleaded guilty to lesser charges of assault and battery and served 77 days in custody. His legal troubles continued and in 2017, Stair was again arrested on multiple counts including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, and burglary, claiming these acts were “God’s will.” Released on a $750,000 bond in 2018, he returned to broadcasting shortly thereafter.
Brother Stair passed away from heart failure at the age of 87 on April 3, 2021, in Canadys, South Carolina. His death marked the end of his direct leadership, but the ministry continues to air his recorded teachings, maintaining his posthumous presence in the movement. The future of Overcomer Ministry remains uncertain as it navigates the aftermath of its founder’s contentious legacy and the impact of ongoing legal challenges.
image via Find a Grave
