Church of Bible Understanding

  • Church of Bible Understanding created

    First started in 1971 by Stewart Trail. It was founded in Allentown. Traill underwent a conversion experience in the early 1970s in Allentown, joined a Pentecostal church from which he was expelled,
  • Name change

    He changed the name of the "Forever Family" to the "Church of Bible Understanding" in 1976
  • Trail encourages no contact with family

    Traill encourages his group members to break off contact with their families. Because he can understand the true meaning of the words of God.
  • Haitians Orphanages

    In November 2013, the Associated Press investigated claims that the church was at fault for running sub-standard housing for orphans in Haiti after the two homes the church runs received a failing grade from the Haitian agency that monitors orphanages
  • The Death of Stewart Trail

    Stewart Traill, the long-time leader of the group, died in 2018
  • Haitian fire at Orphanages

    On February 14, 2020, one "orphanage", run by the organization in Haiti, burned down, killing 15 children; two burned to death and the others died from smoke inhalation, according to a BBC World News report. The cause was alleged to be candles being lit, the facility's generator being inoperative