VO

Beside the freeway that runs past Miami airport there is a typical north American  mall and car park.  There is a subway chain, a bakers chain, a burger bar chain. And next door to all this,  there is the Ministry of Grace, whose leader it claims, is  none other than God on Earth, the second coming of Jesus Christ. 

Maria

Today we are coming to receive God's word.  As it comes straight out of Jesus Miranda's mouth. 

VO

This is the man who is creating so much fuss. Jose Luis de Miranda, a former drug addict and Puerto Rican jail bird. Jesus is back, and with his own cable channel reaching over 30 countries, his followers have leant the doctrine that they say, proves he is Christ.

Jose Luis de Miranda was born from a man and a woman, but the being that is inside of him is Christ, the spirit that was in the body of Jesus of Nazareth.

VO

Growing in Grace is one of the fastest growing and most controversial cults in Latin America. It is also now in Canada, Spain and Germany.

Its leader has recently come under intense media criticism for his virulent attacks on the Catholic Church, his millionaire lifestyle and the vast amounts of money being made.

VO

His Wednesday night sermon was about to start and the warm act preluding the arrival of Jesus began.

VO

Finally I saw Miranda but was unable to get close to him with his bodyguards. Eventually he took the stage.

Jose Miranda

Crowd

Why can you all see and recognise the Lord in front of you?!

Because you have the Spirit that sees that Lord!

Otherwise you cannot see it.

The Others claim: Where is the Lord? Is he here?

Here! Here!

VO

Miranda gave a 15 minute sermon on the gospel of Paul, telling the audience only they had the knowledge that let them know Christ was back.  And then, protected by his bodyguards, the man Jesus was off.   It was clear he was not giving an interview tonight.

Professor Daniel Alvarez is a local academic who has looked closely at Growing in Grace and its leader.

Prof Daniel Alvarez

I would consider it a cult because not even David Koresh, one of the most famous cult leaders, or Jim Jones Guayana, not even at their height did they attribute to themselves the titles of God in the flesh, or Jesus Christ or incarnations of Paul.  So he has absolute control over the minds and hearts of his followers. Once you get to that level, that level of control, then I say you have transition from a mere evangelical leader with a big ego, with a mega church and a lot of money, you have essentially transformed yourself into a pro-typical cult leader.

Woman singer in Church

I swear by you!!

VO

It is clear that Jesus de Miranda has huge control over his followers.  Many of the leaders of Growing in Grace have left their families, and even divorced their wives for other women chosen personally by Jose Miranda.  The Albracenes' son Alvaro is one of the most prominent leaders.

Juan Albarracin

My son changed like day to night. Now he claims were are not his parents. And that his real father is that gentleman that calls himself ‘Papa'.

Regina Albarracin

My son even told me that I wasn't his real mother. That purely I was an instrument used by God. As a mother I wasn't worth anything.

Still to Add.

Once members of Growing in Grace themselves, Juan and Regina gave much of their own earnings to the Church.

Juan Albarracin

These are receipts of cheques I put into his Church.

- How much in total?

 - $40,000 dollars.

VO

And it is not just in Miami that Jose de Miranda inspires such devotion.  I travelled to a convention in Costa Rica, one of the few Latin American countries who have not refused him entry, to see the man in action.  Outside some of his supporters were getting ready - and they had an unusual way of showing their love for him.

Follower of Church

It's the certainty of knowing that Christ is amongst us. And to carry his sign is the most amazing thing I have done.

VO

Miranda recently tattooed 666 on himself, the infamous biblical number which he says has been misinterpreted. In their thousands, his followers flocked to the tattoo parlours to follow suit.

Jose Miranda

Just like Adam sinned, the rest were born sinners. And just like Christ died, the rest are born without sin.

-         Daddy we Love You!!!

VO

Such adulation, however, is not shared by all.  Back in the United States, Miranda is facing lawsuits from his ex wife and an IRS investigation into his taxes.

VO

Finally I was granted an exclusive meeting with Jose de Miranda and travelled to his house in a gated community on the outskirts of Miami.

Jose Miranda

My father was an alcoholic, this pushed me into drugs and crime. I spent time in prison. Then, in 1973, Christ the Resurrected, the one existing in the inaccessible, appeared in front of me and enlightened me. All his glory got inside me. The next day I was a new person.

VO

By Miranda's side was Alvaro Albarracin - the son who had denied his parents for Growing in Grace.

Alvaro Albarracin

When I saw and heard him, I fell in love with him. I fell in love with his voice, his face, and his way of being. I said this man I will follow always.

-         And your family?

-         My family was also once involved in this Church. But when I gave up my second business, they became jealous of all my donations. And it was obvious that they didn't believe in him.

Jose Miranda

Its difficult to be with me. Its difficult to believe I am Jesus Christ. None of my brothers believe in me. They think I am a fake prophet, that I am possessed. Or that I am a businessman using all this to get rich! All kinds of interpretations.

-         Will you die one day?

-         No! I cannot die. Imagine, the main character in the story cannot die! It would be a paradox.  I will be transformed, so will my Church. I will never face death.

VO

Jose de Luis Miranda is certainly a fascinating cult leader. I don't believe his intention is harmful and that he has plans, like other US cult leaders, to lead his followers to a violent end. 

The real climax to this story, I suspect, will be in the form of IRS investigations and personal lawsuits rather than in a bloody shoot out or Miranda ascending into heaven. 

The moment, though, it seems that this Christ has found his paradise on earth.

Jose Miranda

I really enjoy life. For me, everyday is like a weekend! Everyday is Saturday or Sunday. Everyday is a perfect day for me.