Present in over 170 countries, including the United States, South Africa, Portugal, and Japan, the corporate side of the church has an estimated number of 10 million followers and over 10,000 temples worldwide. It utilizes a massive media presence, with up to six daily meetings to help spread the word of God, according to Edir Bezerra Macedo, the controversial self-proclaimed leader and bishop of the organization, who promises blessings in exchange for 10% of your salary. Not bad for a former cashier at the Rio Lottery, who founded the church in 1977.

 

While on one hand, the Universal Church is fueled by fanaticism (promises of healing from illnesses and immediate relief from suffering), on the other hand, its assets are obviously of great benefit to numerous organizations. So far, the Holy Empire of the Church includes TV Record (one of the four largest television networks in the country), 21 smaller stations, 88 radio stations, a newspaper, a record label, various banks, construction companies, private health clinics, a professional football team, acres of land, and real estate scattered around the world.

 

Their vision is also expanding to include a line of food products (from farms for the organization itself to food processing factories), a contract with Sony for CD production, and now also the possibility of becoming internet service providers. With fingers in so many profitable pies, the organization is highly diversified and highly profitable. Estimated at over $1 billion annually, profits are also tax-exempt due to its status as a religious entity.

 

The top executives of the organization, who are the main leaders of the church, travel by private jets, drive luxurious cars, and dress in expensive tailored suits, rather than modest habits. Because they seem more like politicians than pastors, it makes sense that 18 members of the church hold positions as ministers and deputies in the government of Brazil. With representations in the highest echelons of the country, perhaps they can put an end to the numerous cases of theft that have been occurring on church properties recently.