Susan Barnett
Reporting
(CBS 3) PHILADELPHIA A man claiming to be the second coming of Jesus Christ is becoming a rich man, thanks to followers and their donations. But as CBS 3 Anchor Susan Barnett reports many people question if he is growing a church or a cult.
His name is Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, but his followers call him Apostle, Dad or simply Jesus Christ Man.
They lavish him with money and gifts, like a BMW and three Rolexes.
"When someone give me a watch or a gift, I receive it. I like them, too. They're nice,” said Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda.
de Jesus is 60-years-old, a former heroin addict and a convict.
He lives with his second wife and, from a Miami-area warehouse, he runs the "Creciendo en Gracia" (or "Growing in Grace") ministry.
His website claims followers in many places, including in Allentown, Pennsylvania
According to this self-proclaimed messiah, there is no sin, no devil.
"The devil is destroyed. Hell doesn't exist, no condemnation for the chosen ones,” de Jesus said.
Not only do his followers, mostly Hispanic, believe him, they also believe all other faiths must be destroyed.
They organize marches, like one in Miami, destroying religious books and symbols.
"What disturbs me is that he fits into the typical mold of a cult leader, total complete submission to his authority,” said Florida International University Religion Professor Daniel Alvarez.
Alvarez worries that "Creciendo en Gracia" is really a cult.
"He destroyed my family,” said Regina Albarracin.
Albarracin and her husband left the church, but their son Alvaro stayed, became a success and donated more than a million dollars.
"I know were gonna be running the whole world,” Alvaro Albarracin said.
Many others have set up businesses in de Jesus' name that pour cash into the ministry, money to fulfill the mission/
"I will be president of the biggest government that this earth has experienced,” said de Jesus.
CBS 3 called the Allentown number listed on the "Creciendo en Gracia" site. The woman who answered said they have around a dozen people who meet, but she didn't return calls for more information.
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