In the first episode of four-part documentary series Ministry of Evil, viewers are introduced to Tony Alamo and his wife, Susan, who founded the Alamo Christian Foundation in 1969. The couple, who started their careers as born-again, fire-and-brimstone televangelists, attracted a devoted following, particularly among the hippie and discontented youth of the time. However, their foundation soon evolved into a cult, with Tony and Susan wielding immense power over their congregation.
The episode, airing on BBC Four on Tuesday 9 April, explores how the Alamos gained a strong influence over their followers, who saw them as divine figures. It also sheds light on the couple’s questionable practices, including their recruitment of vulnerable young people and nomads in the 1960s, promising personal salvation.
As the episode progresses, viewers learn about the dark side of the Alamo Christian Foundation. The group begins to face allegations of abuse, labour violations, and cult-like behaviour. The episode features interviews with former members, who provide insight into the cult’s origins and the control the Alamos exerted over their lives.
With the couple’s grip on power being challenged, law enforcement closes in on them, investigating the allegations and threatening their empire. This episode sets the stage for the rest of the series, which promises to delve further into the disturbing world of the Alamo Christian Foundation and the impact it had on its followers.
Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony Alamo airs on Tuesday 9 April 2024 at 10.00 pm on BBC Four.
