The Church of Bible Understanding (first known as the Forever Family) was founded in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1971 by Stewart Traill (1936–2018).
[3][4] Traill underwent a conversion experience in the early 1970s in Allentown, joined a Pentecostal church from which he was expelled, and began teaching Bible and developing a following.
The group had a communal lifestyle, with Traill maintaining that only he can understand the true meaning of the words of God.
In 2017, the stores funnelled $6.8 million to the Church of Bible Understanding, according to the nonprofit's tax filing for that year.
"...Even though they claim in IRS filings to be spending around $2.5 million annually, the home for boys and girls was so dirty and overcrowded during recent inspections that the government said it shouldn't remain open.