MCGI Australia Faces Regulatory Complaint Over Charity Violations

Sydney, Australia – A formal complaint has been filed with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission (ACNC) against Members Church of God International (MCGI) Australia, accusing the religious organization of serious breaches of charity law, misuse of funds, and systematic harassment of MCGI Members and whistleblowers. The complaint and supporting expose were initiated by MCGI Exiters Australia, a group composed of former members based in Sydney.

MCGI Australia, registered under ABN 26629185235 as a large charity has long claimed to operate humanitarian missions overseas. However, financial documents obtained by MCGI Exiters from Australian tax authorities paint a different picture. One of internal enrichment, vague overseas transfers, and luxury benefits granted to senior church leaders.

According to the church’s 2018 financial records, nearly $50,000 AUD was spent on rent subsidies for two ministers. $18,720 under “Employee Benefit – Bro Efren Rent” and $28,500 for “Bro Resty Rent.” An additional $65,373.79 AUD was charged as “Rent – Sydney Transient,” which whistleblowers allege is tied to a posh residential property associated with a family close to the leadership.

MCGI 2018 Financial Report

Travel expenditures also raised eyebrows. $20,781.55 AUD on domestic travel and $46,898.57 AUD on international trips.

That ballooned to $436,896.23 AUD in 2024.

“These figures paint a troubling picture of how charitable donations are being allocated, not to the poor, but to the privileged,” said a spokesperson for MCGI Exiters Australia. “The ministers live in subsidized gated community housing and travel frequently while members continue to donate sacrificially.”

The complaint points to more than just questionable accounting. Despite MCGI Australia listing countries like the Philippines, Brazil, Ghana, and Liberia as operational territories, its financial statements offer no breakdown of how aid is delivered per country. Instead, a questionable $639,690.37 AUD is listed as “Overseas Donation Expense.”

Even more concerning is the absence of any local donation activities for its members in Australia. Instead, the charity’s funds are overwhelmingly spent on internal operations:

• Food & Events – $1,064,891.62

• Ministry Expenses – $506,024.42

• Travel & Accommodation – $436,896.23

These are not signs of active public service, they're internal maintenance costs.

Together, these internal expenses, along with the overseas transfer account for more than 70% of the charity’s total spending. This raises several red flags. It suggests the possibility that funds are circulating within a closed ecosystem benefitting insiders. That activities may be inflated to justify spending, and that overseas transfers could be concealing financial outflows to affiliated entities or personal accounts.

How MCGI Cares spends the bulk of its budget as a charitable organization.

MCGI Exiters argues that this lack of transparency violates ACNC regulations regarding the management of overseas operations and donor accountability.

MCGI Australia 2024 Financial Report

In a related exposé, the Exiters published a detailed account titled “Australia is MCGI Cares’ Gangsta Paradise”, alleging that top ministers operate under a mafia-like “tribute system” where donations are collected, a cut is taken, and the rest is sent upward. The report likens the structure to racketeering under the guise of religious operations.

Further deepening the controversy, another Exiters investigation titled “MCGI is Criminally Liable for Church-Sponsored Character Assassination” alleges that Australian-based church officers have coordinated harassment, digital stalking, and reputational attacks on whistleblowers involved in exposing financial abuse.

The ACNC complaint outlines five areas of concern:

• Use of funds for private benefit

• Failure of Responsible People to act in good faith

• Improper management of overseas operations

• Erosion of public trust and confidence

• Harassment and retaliation against whistleblowers

“These actions are incompatible with the standards expected of any registered charity,” the complaint reads. “What began as a mission has become a machine, one that eats donations and rewards silence.”

MCGI Exiters Australia has called for a full investigation into the charity’s financial practices, the disqualification of its Responsible Persons if warranted, and a reassessment of its eligibility for continued charitable status.

The ACNC has not yet released a public response to the complaint.