Agape Ministries

Agape Christian Ministries was a ministry founded in the 1980s by Rocco Leo. As a child, Leo was appointed by his father as a prophet of God and claimed he received divine powers after a near-death experience when he was four. Throughout his life, he got in legal trouble for theft and running a brothel, but dedicated his life to God in prison and later started a church.

Agape Ministries wasn't particularly unique in its early years and attracted followers due to miraculous faith healings that baffled doctors. However, they became more radical as time went on. Eventually, Leo started preaching a doomsday message and told followers to donate all their money to the church and move to an island to survive. 

After authorities became aware of Agape Ministries, they raided the property and discovered the cult was stockpiling mass amounts of illegal weapons and training members to use them against police and locals. The leaders had also been planning to send members to the island, prevent them from leaving, and murder those who were disobedient, according to former members.

Some members got arrested for their involvement, but Leo, who had made millions, went on the run. He was captured about a year later and had to face over 100 charges of fraud for his actions.

Other info:

• Pastor Rocco Leo ran a brothel in the 1980s (source)

• Members who questioned Leo were believed to be possessed and damned (source p. 166)

• Agape Ministries reportedly trained members to attack the police with firearms if they ever "took anyone" and to kill all of the local natives if there was an uprising (source p. 167-168)

• Cult members stockpiled large amounts of illegal weapons in hidden compartments (source)

• More than 100 fraud charges were brought against the Leo by former members (source p. 178)

• Pastor Leo was awarded the Order of Fiji 2019 Medal for "Outstanding Contribution to Fijian Society" (source)

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