HINESVILLE, Ga. - The House of Prayer Christian Church has long been under scrutiny from federal authorities and former members who describe it as both a scam and a cult.

According to federal indictment from earlier this month , the church was set up to exploit and drain veterans' benefits, including education money and VA loans.

One former member, a veteran like many the church has recruited through the years, is recalling his experience.

"If you leave the church, you will go to hell," are words that echo through Gregory Ward's mind.

He made the decision to leave the church in 2018.

“They closed us out from the world," Ward said. "We didn’t know anything that was going on.”

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