Global Outreach Developments Int’l is a high-control group (CULT).
Founded by cult leader Gregg Garner and based in Nashville, TN
In a blog post last summer they (Gregg Garner and Laurie Kagay) tried to sweep genuine accusations and lived experiences under the rug by labeling us a “hate group”.
We Speak Up Because We Care
We do not use the word “cult” lightly or to provoke.
We use it based on specific patterns recognized by psychologists, sociologists, and former high-control group members across the world.
These patterns don’t vanish just because an organization is accredited or legally cleared.
Regulatory compliance does not equal spiritual health, ethical leadership, or freedom of thought.
We will not be silent.
“We write this letter not as a ‘hate group,’ as your recent public statement suggests, but as a collective of former members, family members, friends, and concerned individuals who have been deeply impacted by the practices of GOD International and The Institute for Global Outreach Developments International.
We are not anonymous enemies—we are your friends, your children, your siblings, your former students, your former colleagues. We are people who have seen, heard, and experienced troubling patterns that demand attention and honest reckoning.”
UPDATE: On July 28, 2022, the charges of theft and TennCare fraud were dismissed in court.
Watch our Hotline update to understand why the dismissal of these two charges has no impact on our mission of exposing the truth behind GOD Int’l and the ongoing abuse of power by Gregg Garner, the leader of this high-control group.
This group has been engaging in questionable activity for 18+ years while simultaneously operating several successful businesses in the Nashville, TN area.
Gregg Daniel Garner and Tara Garner
G.O.D. founder (Gregg Garner) and his wife were arrested on 3/16/2021 and charged with TennCare (Medicaid) fraud and theft of services.
Charges against them alleged they failed to report their income from businesses they owned or co-owned, including Hopewell Family Care, Califarmia food truck and Music City Handymen (AKA: MCH Nashville).
The income would have disqualified members of their family for TennCare healthcare insurance benefits. As a result, TennCare paid more than $18,000 in fees and claims for healthcare services for their children.
The fraud charges are class D felonies and the theft of services charges are class C felonies. The case is being prosecuted by District Attorney General Glenn R. Funk of Davidson County.
“For more than 25 years, according to several of his own websites, Gregg Garner has been trying to convince the world that people are too materialistic, too concerned with achievement and not enough people are willing to obey God.
‘Drop the drive to be successful, to do something great,’ he said in posted transcript. ‘Just obey.’”
— Meyer, H. and Sharon, K. (2021, March 25). Global Outreach Developments founder Gregg Garner and his wife indicted on TennCare fraud charges. Tennessean
OPTICS: they are masters of illusion.
Gregg Garner officially founded Global Outreach Developments International (G.O.D.) in 1996. It is now headquartered in the Hopewell neighborhood of Old Hickory, TN (right outside of Nashville).
Comb through all of their websites and you’d be convinced these folks are doing nothing but good in the world. Colorful, high-quality imagery from far away places. People smiling and serving others. They are exceptionally skilled in digital marketing and have engineered their brand to make you feel this way.
But what really happens behind closed doors in the compound-like community they live in?
G.O.D. has a long history of preying on young and impressionable minds who sincerely want to do good in the world. Gregg is openly considered a prophet by members of the organization. But as anyone who has made it out of the cult knows...he is wildly manipulative. So many people have sacrificed far too much for the profit of his “vision”.
“You get mentally and spiritually deconstructed, lulled into submission because you are too tired and hungry to function at a normal level”
— Ex-Member of G.O.D.
“At first glance it looks like a wholesome Christian community but if you barely scratch the surface you will see that it’s actually quite toxic and sinister.”
— Ex-Member of G.O.D.
“May the truth continue to come out, and may the lies and manipulation be exposed. I hope that more people will speak up, and that Gregg Garner’s influence and reach will be completely cut off.”
— Parent of a former Academy for GOD student
“We were never involved in their organization, but had our children in their affiliated school for a year. Truly terrifying and bizarre stuff happened and we saw tons of red flags that indicated they were indeed a cult.”
— Parent of a former Academy for GOD student
“The cult practices sleep deprivation, working insane hours, always giving and giving more money and more volunteer hours to the organization. If you are familiar with the HBO documentary ‘The Vow’ you will see the same methodology used to control well-meaning people.”
— Ex-Member of G.O.D.
Has your life (or the lives of your loved ones) been negatively impacted by G.O.D. and/or Gregg Garner?
If you have any information regarding G.O.D., Gregg Garner, Hopewell Family Care, or any other affiliated businesses/entities…
We want to hear your story.
Join the dozens of folks who are finally speaking out and sharing the truth.
Do your own research and come to your own conclusions. We do not claim to state facts, but rather to provide a platform for those to share their experiences based on many years of interactions and personal relationships with Mr. Garner and G.O.D. members.