Where Is Disgraced Pastor Naasn Joaqun Garca Now?

Publish date: 2024-05-08

Naasón Joaquín García's church, La Luz de Mundo (LLDM), has been one of the fastest-growing megachurches in recent decades. While its headquarters are in Guadalajara, LLDM has temples throughout Mexico and in Chile, the mainland United States, and Alaska (per the Anchorage Daily News). While precise statistics cannot be determined, the church has claimed to have around 5 million followers worldwide according to El Pais. It presents itself as a restoration of the original teachings of Jesus Christ (per the Desert Sun) and its unusual temples have attracted notice and followers.

But LLDM has long attracted controversy too. It was founded in 1926 by one-time shoe vendor Aarón Joaquín González. The Guardian, covering the release of the HBO documentary "Unveiled," reported that González demanded 10% of his followers' income and that he targeted the most vulnerable in the state of Jalisco where he operated. His son, Samuel Joaquín Flores, took over LLDM in 1964 and faced suspicion throughout his tenure. His lavish lifestyle raised eyebrows, it was said he controlled all facets of his congregation's everyday lives, and he faced accusations of rape and coercion.

No charges were ever brought against Flores, who died in 2014. The leadership of LLDM passed to his son, García, and some victims of the church have said that they were abused by both father and son according to WBUR.

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