The Apostasy Files

Financial issues & Go Fund Me Info

Beware of the Bereans

This page has several instances of questionable financial issues

Profile Scamming
Another Go Fund Me
More Financial Shenanigans
More Fraud Alerts
Building donation

The First Go Fund Me- July 2016

Immediately after the death of SPC Ali, Marcus started a GoFundMe campaign. He said it was for Ali’s widow and children, and indeed it was initially set up for that. But within the first day, Marcus changed the goal to be for his ministry instead, asking for a goal of $450,000. He claims he was told he was not allowed to solicit funds on behalf of another soldier. Rather than just take it down, he changed it to benefit himself. This incident was just one of many questionable financial decisions Marcus has made.

When SPC Ali drowned shortly after his baptism by Marcus in early July 2016. Marcus posted some pics with a vow to start a Go Fund Me page for Ali’s family. (More about that here) Less than 2 weeks later Marcus indeed posted a Go Fund Me page, it was initially intended for Ali’s family, but within a day or two het announced that he was instead raising $450K for himself.  The GFM page has been updated several times now with several purposes listed.

His first post when he switched the Go Fund Me to himself.

This video was posted right after he launched the Go Fund Me campaign, in response to why he did it.
Marcus Explains His Go Fund Me Campaign Update ( Marcus removed this video, perhaps he has changed his story?)

On this post he is asked why he did a GFM. In this comment is his answer:

and another response later:

He explains why he asked for over $450,000

Here are more explanations he gave:

Travel overseas

An orphanage

God told him- for a patent

For a book

For a “War”

When he was in Houston at the conference, he posted this:

Marcus claims here that the GoFundMe donations are being used for his travel to do ministry events like this.  On Sept 12, he admitted that the churches he visited paid his expenses.

He was then asked about that

Later on on the 12th he posted this update to the GFM page

Sept 12, 2016.  This post was up for less than 10 minutes. Then reposted on his public page.

And on Sept 13, this update:

After taking down his $450K Go Fund Me page, Marcus was barraged with questions about what he did with the money. On July 30, less than a month since Ali’s death, Marcus bought  a late model Dodge Charger.  He said nothing until this receipt began to circulate online.  He then claimed that he needed a car for traveling ministry, despite being in the Army and restricted from travel.    He posted a video on Facebook explaining that he did indeed use the money for ministry as he had claimed in the GoFund Me campaign.  He admitted he bought a car, and that it was for a legitimate use, because he needed the car for travel related ministry.  The car is a late model Dodge Charger, often seen in Marcus’ videos.  According to a  receipt from a Hopkinsville, KY  car dealer posted on another blog, he paid just under $30 thousand (almost exactly the amount raised in the GoFundMe). for it on July 30, just three weeks after Ali died and 2 weeks after the GoFund Me started. So that is where all the money went. Keep reading to learn how this all began.

The lack of humility, transparency and accountability shown by Marcus demonstrates a terrible witness for Christ.  The Friendly Atheist, an atheist blog with a huge audience, published 2 articles about this.

Christian Preacher Who Tried to Raise $450,000 (For No Reason) will end Campaign $30,000 richer

Christian Preacher Wants to Raise $450,00…. For What, I Don’t Know

In this video he clearly explains his misappropriation of the money

And now for some EXTREME confusion Profile scamming

originally posted in the Confusion and Controversy section of the blog

*** The investigation videos by Saiko Woods provided information from 7 women who claim to not only have been “profile scammed” but have had actual contact, even romantic affairs with Marcus Rogers. These women also mention his alleged connections to a Nigerian social media scam ring and an FBI investigation. Click here for a summary of these videos.

Ever since he first became Facebook Famous, there have been dozens upon dozens of fake Marcus Rogers profiles, and dozens of women who have claimed to have been contacted by Rogers through these profiles, always with similar stories.  The woman receives a private message from the profile owner, claiming to be Rogers, saying that they want to initiate a relationship privately, away from the spotlight of his “fame”.  The women are asked to send pictures, sometimes explicit, sometimes not.  They are complimented and told stories of needing an intimate relationship with them, someone special to confide in.  Eventually, requests for money, often “for his kids”, begin. Some even claim promises of marriage were made.

Here is an email sent to this blog recently:

Rogers has always denied any involvement.  He states that his haters are jealous and just looking to ruin his reputation.   These profiles use the same pics that Rogers has posted, some with his ex and his kids, but often change small details like where he lives or works.

Rogers could easily have them shut down by reporting them, and sometimes they do indeed get shut down, only to have new ones appear. 

While it could be true, or not, the one thing Rogers easily could do to put an end to it is something he has never done.  He could get his account verified by Facebook, and youTube and Instagram. like most internet celebrities do.  It really isn’t hard.  He just has to provide some ID information that is verifiable, and they will provide his account with the blue check mark.  And then Facebook would also actively prevent false accounts from using his info.  What possible reason would he have to not want this when it has been such a pervasive, serious and ongoing issue? What kind of person allows pictures of his kids to be used to scam naive women out of money when it could be easily prevented?

At one point, after being pressured by followers, he said he was working on it.

Wow, 6 years and still working on it. All it takes is a valid ID

He claims that ALL the social media platforms refuse to verify his account because they are anti- God and persecute Christians and therefore they won’t verify his page.

Examples of fake profiles:

From July 2019

Many Many More Examples Here

Update June 2021
Mac Prayze, a christian You tube rapper, posted this video about being scammed by a very believable Marcus Rogers Facebook “impersonator”


New Go Fund Me, time for a new car?

Originally posted 3/12/19

Marcus has another Go Fund Me, this time without the 450K goal. Again. he appeals to a need for funds to do ministry. As of today, the page says he’s raised another $10k

Coincidentally, I’m sure, his videos appear to be filmed in a different vehicle as of late.

His last 3 “car selfie” videos seem to be taken in an SUV or truck. No more Charger, Marcus?

Here is the text from the Go Fund Me page. Still talking about enrolling in Moody Bible Institute! Even as he posts new videos about salvation by works- speaking in tongues and baptism. and still denies the trinity. (Link here for video of him laying down how to be saved.) Moody is one of the most orthodox of any Bible Schools out there. No way will they let him in unless he lies about his real theological beliefs.

Also this part:  What disability is this? He said the army discharged him due to messed up charges related to Dhaifal Ali and because of religious persecution.   What disability is this? Clearly nothing physical is preventing him from getting around. 

Don’t Panic! Read Through. Love You Guys! If you believe in what God has called me to do, help me build it! I promise you it won’t be church as usual. I made the goal $10 because anything higher will only breed negativity. I want people to sow whatever they feel led.
Mission Statement
I have been evolving and growing in my ministry for the last 5 years. I finally exited the military after 12 years in the hopes of going into full time ministry. I was scared when God originally told me to get out, but now I have no fear of what the future holds. I know God took me through this process to prepare me for what is ahead.
As many of you know I have been working around my Army schedule to preach at different churches and do street ministry. I know that God has called me back to Chicago to open a church on the North side. I look back at where I started and I have learned from many mistakes, I look forward and I can see the end picture so clear it feels like I can reach out and touch it, but the middle part where I am right now is kind of blurry. I am walking by faith and trusting God to lead me into everything He has for me. I feel the call and the pull on my heart and I don’t know how this process will go, but I know it will end in the promise land of destiny and purpose.
I am in the process of enrolling into Moody Bible Institute and I just filed my VA disability claim. Between my disability check, my YouTube revenue, and my 9/11 GI bill I will be able to pay all of my bills.
I want to start out with two Saturdays out of the month and I am looking for a building through one of my Pastor’s who does real estate. We would have people come and use their gifts like singing, spoken word, and rapping and close out the evening with a short word and prayer. Once this builds up we will expand to four nights a month and begin to move into having full church services on Sundays over time with the green light from my Pastor. I plan on doing street ministry with whomever joins us, and also recording gospel projects and many other things other than just church as normal on Sunday morning. We will have traditional midweek Bible study until we grow large enough to break down into small group meetings.
I need speaker equipment, chairs, and of course rent until I am able to purchase a building. I am hoping that my books, music, and shirts do well enough to give me the funds I need, but in the meantime the Bible says we have not because we ask not. I am not begging anyone, I just simply chose to put this up in faith and whoever chooses to sow into this vision and help me make it a reality, I pray that God gives it back to you 10 times over.

*Short term goal is to find a building, put out flyers, get some light speaker equipment and start having the meetings.

*Long term goal is to open the church Firehouse, put people to work in the community, do street evangelism

*Very far out long term goal is to open a Life center, with an orphanage and private school. Crazy big dream right? If your dream does not require faith….. you are not dreaming big enough.

I know regardless of what I say this will be met with negativity by some people. My plan to eliminate some of that negativity is to be accountable to my pastors and to those who partner with me with monthly updates on the progress we are making through social media, photos, videos and maybe a email newsletter through the website www.marcusrogersministries.org. If anyone feels that I am not legit, they will simply be able to ask for the updates though social media and my website to see what progress is being made.

I am working as hard as I can on books, music, and making ways to earn money to invest myself as I have always done. If you believe in the call on my life, we ask you to support us in anyway you can. Even if you don’t have the means to sow with finances please lift me up in prayer as the enemy is always angry and trying to attack! I feel like doing anything else is a waste of time. This is what God has called me to do, and I am going after it as hard as I can.

I love you all. I appreciate you. I bless you in the name of Jesus! Fight the good fight of faith, and after you have done all that you can do….sit back and watch God work wonders in your life. There is a place that God has prepared for you. Trust the process as He prepares you for the place He has for you.
Your Brother In Christ
Marcus J Rogers


Update as of June 2021 He closed the Go fund me sometime in late 2019 or early 2020. The total collected was a little over $10,000 He bought a truck, a house and produced a rap album around this time. No money has been invested in the church other than the rental of a small hall for a couple of programs and services. He is still soliciting money for basic needs like sound equipment and for renting buildings for events. He claims repeatedly that he takes no money for travel to out of town appearances or speaking fees. His only source of income is his social media monetization, and sales of books, music and merchandise.

Also this part:  What disability is this? You said the army discharged you due to messed up charges related to Dhaifal Ali and because of religious persecution.   What disability is this? Clearly nothing physical is preventing you from getting around. 

More Financial Shenanigans

It’s been some time since we have done any updates.  It’s been much of the same old Marcus. Stirring the pot for those clicks.  He’s going to keep doing what he’s doing as long as he has his followers supporting him, and defending him no matter what. He can do no wrong!

But nonetheless, it’s perhaps time for an update just in case there might be a few who are wondering what’s up with this guy. He can spout his Oneness, numerology and prosperity heresies and if people don’t have the discernment to understand his false gospel, that’s on them.  But the financial scamming, either directly by him or on his behalf, is too egregious to be ignored.  It’s been going on since he started on Facebook, but in the past 2 weeks, a new Cashapp flipping scam has begun on his accounts.

First a little background.  Marcus, no matter how high his profile on social media becomes, refuses to have his account verified on any platform.  Most social media sites allow high profile accounts to be verified by the owners, and all use a blue check mark next to the account name to show it is verified.  It’s not hard to do.  Facebook simply requires that you provide them a legit photo ID and a website for your platform.  That’s it.  It would take all of 5 minutes.  The benefit of verification is that fake profiles would be instantly recognizable.  Facebook will instantly remove anyone using your pictures or content. and Facebook will ban these users. This is important to know.  For what it is worth, he was once asked by a commenter why he didn’t get verified to help prevent this. He said he was working on it.  That was now over 2 years ago.

Since his early days, there have always been fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram.  They come and go.  The spelling of his name varies.   His personal info varies, but they always use his pictures, some even including his kids.
Here is one that came up in a search today-


There have been many reports over the years of women who say someone claiming to be Marcus has contacted them by PM through these profiles, often insinuating romantic interest, and asking for money.

Someone sent this email to us several months ago

Often you find these women in the comments on his posts, and most are usually ignored or deleted by Marcus.  Once or twice in the past, Marcus responded, saying that they are imposters using his celebrity to scam others. And that’s all he has to say.  He does not report them.  He rarely issues warnings to ignore them and he will not get his account verified to stop them once and for all.

On March 28th, 2020 Marcus posted a video  (now deleted) asking for prayer requests and Cashapp ID’s.  He said he felt led to bless someone so he asked his followers to post their Cash app Id’s on a public social media platform, and sadly hundreds gladly did so. Also in the comments were at least a dozen comments that claimed that they got large amounts of cash through various Instagram account users using Cashapp.  Most were in bold face type.  Although clearly they weren’t talking about Marcus, they raved about how it’s not a scam and how easy it was to get lots of free money from someone on social media.  This could be happenstance, random people just sharing their great news, but how likely is that?  In the past 2 days, comments have appeared all over his social media stating that they have been contacted by someone claiming to be Marcus, wanting a small deposit to secure a larger gift in return. This is called Cashapp flipping and is a small scale version of that ridiculous old email scam where a prince in Africa needs you to send him $200 so he can wire you his million dollar fortune and share it with you.

Here’s a few of these comments. Timestamps on posts reflect captures today.
From Youtube

From his Instagram

From a now deleted twitter account


Could these all be someone impersonating him?  Sure. It’s possible.  But it’s been going on for years in different forms, and he will not take one moment to get verified to stop it.  Does he not care that people are scamming his followers?  Why would he be so foolish and reckless as to ask for Cashapp ID’s in public when he could have asked for PM’s instead?  He just made 100’s of people vulnerable to being scammed for no good reason.

Come on Marcus, Just get verified.  It’s easy and it might not prevent all of this mess, but it would sure help, a lot.  Why wouldn’t you? This is not a good look for your ministry.

January 9, 2021 UPDATE
Another Cashapp soliciting video today

March 8, 2021 UPDATE- Oh look it’s been deleted.  Keep reading below, this video was similar to the last time he did this. Unfortunately, he deleted that video as well.

December 2021- still happening

Dec 2021 once again soliciting cash ap id’s. No comment about who received his blessing

More Fraud Alerts

originally posted September 16, 2021

If you are considering donating to Marcus Rogers Enterprises, Inc but haven’t yet. please read this first. When we say Marcus Rogers is a scammer, we are not exaggerating or repeating unfounded speculation. Below are two recent incidents.

Remember the family that Marcus posted about in July? The one that needed the emergency donations to put them in an extended stay hotel? He made 2 posts about it and said he would post a receipt. He never said another word about it. No posted receipt as promised. Ever wonder what happened?



That family contacted this blog to update the situation. Turns out, they were at one time a part of Firehouse. The father played their keyboard for their services. They made a generous donation to the music ministry before a financial hardship hit.

So Marcus leapt into action for them, not donating to help them himself. No, he said in the second post that “money is tight starting the church” But surely many generous supporters were moved to help and there was a great financial gift that helped get them back on their feet, right?

That family never saw a dime. ZIP ZERO NADA. When they realized that he had used them, they contacted this blog to find a way to share the truth.

Here is the text of the email received by us. If more details are provided we will share them with permission if appropriate.

Not a penny went to the family, even though they had donated more what was collected before financial crisis hit.

And then there is this lady. She gave a generous donation, read some comments about Marcus and researched them. She immediately changed her mind and asked for a refund. After not getting a response, she asked him on a public post. Being upset, her comments were emotionally intense. Marcus then made a separate public post with her picture calling her a Karen and stating she was demon-possessed. He then deleted that post and made another insinuating she had accidentally donated to a scammer account and was mad that he wouldn’t take responsibility for her error. He also tried posting “proof” that she had been bullying him unfairly She has updated this blog about her situation. Below are screenshots showing:

Marcus attempts to claim hewas bullied
Marcus implies she messed up
Proof sha made a legit donation
FB comments explaining marcus calling her names
Recap email from the woman

Whether under these circumstances Marcus is legally obligated, or not, to return a donation is for a court to decide. But as a Body of Christ we can plead with Marcus to be generous and merciful, to make a gesture that restores peace and trust in the eyes of the watching public and to honor the wishes and well being of this woman, who will no doubt feel the sting of her large donation much more than Marcus, who has raked in exponentially more than this amount in 4 weeks in donations alone. It would definitely increase his perception of being above reproach at a relatively small cost to him. Could it be he is afraid of other donors having second thoughts? Keep watching to see where all this leads.

Readers, this blog has covered many instances of Marcus and his financial improprieties, from Go Fund Me misappropriation, Cashapp flipping, and failing to prevent fake profile fraud.

A word about the profile scamming-it is likely not all imposters. Marcus can conveniently hide behind the other scammers out there to do some scamming of his own. We have documented several cases of this with DM’s from women who report that Marcus Rogers conned them via a fake profile. There are two that had reasonable evidence that their interactions with the real Marcus Rogers were legitimate. We do not have their permission to publish their info. They wish to remain anonymous for personal reasons. Others are hard to tell as there is no way to confirm that their donations were made to Marcus Rogers or an imposter. But when Marcus was kicked out of the Army, the charges against him included domestic abuse and financial scamming of several women online.

Saiko Woods interviewed several women who had credible testimonies of being used, scammed and lied to, including the woman who reported him to the FBI for check fraud. Several witnesses report he has connections to someone in Africa that helps him run social media profiles. More info here.

We will note yet again that Marcus Rogers does not get his social media accounts verified. This would virtually eliminate the confusion over the fake profiles. Based on his years long history of financial impropriety, the logical conclusion is that he is very likely a part of the problem and indeed participating. While there is always room for doubt, no one reading this would be wise to ignore the ongoing patterns of all of the above.

Did he lie about the purchase of the building?


Article published in August 2022- Church that owned the building stated that they donated the building to him.
Anyone familiar with Marcus Rogers knows he has issues. Marital issues, doctrinal issues, emotional issues, financial issues,. But he also has a fiercely loyal following, people who will not allow their much admired leader to be criticized. People who gave sacrificially when Marcus posted videos last summer about his “dream church” – an abandoned building in Chicago up for sale for only $650,000. Today’s question is, how will these people feel finding out the building was apparently donated to Marcus? Marcus denies this claim but there are many questions raised that indicate it is true.


Note: On July 31, a YouTube creator posted a video about this topic. The video named the church that donated the building. The next day, the church was flooded with harassing and threatening phone calls from Marcus Rogers’ supporters. Out of concern by the creator, the video was taken down. Out of this same concern, we will refer to this church as “Donor” Though this info is public information, we ask that no one contact this church at this time.

First a quick summary of the timeline, We have covered these events earlier in this section of our blog.

A big “thank you ” to Mr Church Donation!!!

Marcus has presented his supporters with the premise that he raised $550,000 and used it to buy a building to house his church and a school. But according to public records, there are some serious discrepancies with this premise

A search of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds reveals that the building was sold to Marcus Rogers for $10.00. Ten dollars.

Official deed documents often show a “nominal consideration” clause that indicates that a binding contract has been entered and a legal exchange has occurred. It is not always accurate, but we will explain that in this case, the nominal amount is actually more than Marcus paid.

To further support this, the detailed info on the Cook County Recorder of deeds page shows that total consideration for the transaction was $0.00


I searched other similar church properties in Chicago, and they all showed a legitimate property sale value.


Additionally, we have confirmed this with two phone conversations with two representatives of the church that donated the property, (we will refer to them as Donor) who both confirmed that they did indeed donate the property to Firehouse, and that not even $10.00 was paid.

Donor had acquired the property via a donation in March of 2020, from the former church, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, which had dissolved several years prior. It was explained by both parties we spoke to that Donor had no interest in investing one million plus dollars to repair this building, especially with zoning issues that were not resolvable. They just wanted to be done paying insurance and utilities on a building that had been abandoned for ten-plus years.

After talking to Marcus, Donor agreed to donate the church. Donor wanted to see the church continue ministry in the neighborhood. Their understanding was that Firehouse was trying to raise money to meet the selling price. Knowing that the building would need approximately $1 million in repairs, Donor said they would be glad to donate the property and that Firehouse should keep donations for repairs. Donor expressed surprise and disappointment to learn that Marcus told his donors that he paid $550,000 and was asking for $700-900K more for repairs.

Marcus’ only responses so far were a couple comments on social media. In the comments on a post now deleted, he claimed that he could “prove” he paid $550,000 and showed an MLS listing. The $550,000 sale price on MLS is not an accurate record of the amount paid. The MLS prices do not reflect any buyer or seller concessions made. A price has to be entered to close the listing, and the Donor representative said that the $550k number would serve as a property value for insurance purposes.

Another unanswered question- The denomination that the original church belongs to gives their guidelines for the assets of dissolved churches:

CCM – Guidelines for Constitutions and Bylaws of Lutheran Congregations – Page 9– Revised November, 2012

10.2 In the event that the congregation dissolves, all property shall be disposed of by the final voters
assembly for the payment of debts and all just claims against the congregation, and any and all
surplus and all rights connected therewith shall be conveyed to and become the property of the
District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

In accordance, the Donor church’s Constitution reflects this as well.

((Donor)) Lutheran Church – Constitution May 18, 2014 | R e v i s e d 4 | P a g e
B. Dissolution
In the event that the Congregation dissolves, all property shall be disposed of by the final Voters
Assembly for the payment of debts and all just claims against the Congregation, and any and all surplus
and all rights connected therewith shall be conveyed to and become the property of the Northern
Illinois District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

The guidelines above, while specific to the LCMS denomination, are implemented because both federal and Illinois law state that proceeds from the sale of assets of a dissolved non-profit must go to another non-profit. (US Code Title 26) Non profits are also forbidden from making an excess profit on any transaction. Maybe it’s all cool but it seems like a loophole was exploited if Marcus actually paid $550,000. That is a huge profit for Donor church on a property that was donated to them by law.

According to Home Disclosure.com, this property has two title transfer transactions on record. The first was a transfer from Trinity Lutheran to Donor church in February 2020. The second is a transfer from Donor church to Firehouse in December 2021. Both transactions show a sale price of zero. We know the first was a legally required donation and the legal records reflect this. If Marcus paid $550,000 it should be reflected here.

There is also an ownership description of “heirs”. I’m no legal expert but my research on this term indicates a special warranty deed might have been a bad idea.

I reached out to both the Donor church and the Northern Illinois District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for more information. The District referred me to the Donor church for more information. The Donor church did not respond to my request for clarification. The Executive director who signed the deed from Donor to Firehouse is no longer with Donor church as of July 2022.

Furthermore, in June, almost a year since the church fundraising was first presented, Marcus posted this- a request for money to buy a neighboring house, to be used as a halfway house.

Sounds very much like them same scenario- I want to pay all cash, oh please help me buy this, for the homeless! (What about the school?) This time, before opening wallets, lets hope his supporters have enough sense to ask more questions.

We believe Marcus should be accountable to his donors. Donors should be able to ask and receive answers to questions like these:



Marcus Rogers preaches a false gospel for financial gain. If you donate to him, he is laughing all the way to the bank, and you will have to answer for why you choose to donate to the work of Satan when you have been warned abundantly. If you have been scammed by Marcus Rogers please feel free to send us any pertinent info. Your privacy will be respected as it is in this article.

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