Kingston students prime target for cult on the rise

Kingston students have reported being stopped by ‘recruiters’ for an organisation described as a cult outside Penrhyn Road campus and in Kingston town centre.

The World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) has been labelled a cult by mainstream Christians due to what they say are its controlling practices and problematic beliefs.

Third year dance student, Prisca Ntumba Ngalula, was stopped outside the Town House by two recruiters in October.

“They spoke to us about God the Mother and they spoke about how there’s a female God alongside God.

“They showed me and my friends scriptures which insinuated that there are two entities.

“I’m quite an open-minded person, but I am a Christian so I found it a bit offensive as this is something I’ve never heard before,” she said.

The recruiters then asked if Ngalula wanted to attend a Bible study session which she declined.

The Mother God

WMSCOG was started in South Korea in 1964 and has since amassed a worldwide following of over 3m people.

The church believes in what they call the Mother God, a female equal but separate entity to God, unsupported by Biblical scripture.

They further believe that this Mother God is an actual elderly woman living in South Korea, who was married to one of the Church’s founders.

According to students who have been approached, the recruiters have a prepared pitch, a Bible with highlighted passages and a PowerPoint on their phones which explain their beliefs.

Rory Kinniard, a leader at Cornerstone Church in Kingston, said that WMSCOG is “trying to deceive people” and that we should be clear in calling their organisation a cult.

Preying on young women

The recruiters primarily speak to young women and have been targeting the university for years.

Abena Boakye, a fourth year Pharmacy student, said she spoke to the recruiters in her first year of university.

“A girl approached me as I was leaving uni and asked if I knew about God the Mother.

“I said no but she continued and invited me to a bible study which supposedly was held, which I declined because the situation seemed off.

“She seemed uncomfortable which made me uncomfortable as well,” she
said.

A Kingston University spokesperson said: “The University has had no reports of any members of the World Mission Society Church of God being on any of its campuses.

“If students have any concerns about information or behaviour of individuals or groups on campus, they should report this to security in the first instance.”

According to students who have been approached, the recruiters have a prepared pitch, a Bible with
highlighted passages and a PowerPoint on their phones which explain their beliefs.
Rory Kinniard, a leader at Cornerstone Church in Kingston, said that WMSCOG is “trying to deceive
people” and that we should be clear in calling their organisation a cult.
The recruiters primarily speak to young women and have been targeting the university for years.
Abena Boakye, a fourth year Pharmacy student, said she spoke to the recruiters in her first year of
university.
“A girl approached me as I was leaving uni and asked if I knew about God the Mother. I said no but
she continued and invited me to a bible study which supposedly was held, which I declined because
the situation seemed off. She seemed uncomfortable which made me uncomfortable as well,” she
said.
A Kingston University spokesperson said: “The University has had no reports of any members of the
World Mission Society Church of God being on any of its campuses. If students have any concerns
about information or behaviour of individuals or groups on campus, they should report this to
security in the first instance.”