Doug Perry was born in Missouri in 1967 and spent part of his childhood in Mexico in a missionary family. He later returned to Missouri, earned a master’s degree in education, and built a business in Kansas City. On November 23, 2004, he described a turning point in which he prayed to oppose Satan regardless of personal consequences. After this, he left his business career and spent time without stable housing as part of a religious commitment. He later established a homeless shelter and food pantry, which developed into the Fellowship of the Martyrs community.
The group does not identify as a church or ministry, instead presenting itself as a gathering for Christians pursuing self-sacrifice and the rejection of personal will. In its teachings, a “martyr” is someone who takes up their cross daily, seeks to embody the spirit of Christ, and remains willing to lose personal possessions and status for their faith. Perry presents this approach as a return to earlier Christian practice that he argues has been diluted in modern institutions.
The group’s theology emphasizes non-conformity to broader society and draws on passages such as Romans 12:1–2 to support ideas of personal sacrifice. It presents a critical view of contemporary Christianity, which Perry describes as overly institutional. The Fellowship also teaches an apocalyptic outlook, including the belief that the Kansas City region may serve as a refuge during a future crisis, and that members should prepare for the end-times Tribulation.
The Fellowship initially operated in Liberty before relocating in 2015 to a 67-acre property in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. The site includes mobile homes and a subterranean cave system used for communal living. The organization also runs a thrift store, food pantry, and community storehouse, relying on private donations rather than government funding. By 2024, the group reported distributing millions of pounds of food through volunteer efforts. It also uses an online video channel to share teachings and maintain outreach.
As the organization expanded, it drew criticism from former members and outside observers. Concerns have focused on communal living arrangements and the level of authority held by Perry. Some former participants also pointed to the group’s practice of accepting individuals with criminal histories, mental health challenges, or substance use issues into a shared environment. In one case, a member was later arrested and charged by federal authorities in connection with a plan to attack churches in Oklahoma.
Public attention increased following the experience of James Todd, a computer programmer who moved his family from Houston to join the Fellowship after viewing Perry’s online content. After several months, Todd reported that the environment had a negative effect on his family. He said his wife began reporting auditory experiences she viewed as spiritual and decided to leave the marriage and form a relationship with another member. Todd left the property with his children, leading to a custody dispute and allegations of kidnapping. Perry disputed these claims, stating he was not responsible for the breakdown of the marriage, and a Missouri court later dismissed the charges.
The Fellowship of the Martyrs continues to operate in Missouri.
Key Sources:
Banks, K. (2015, August 19). Liberty church group causes a stir in rural Clay County over tiny eco-friendly village plans. WDAF.
Horansky, A. (2013, February 26). Houston father says he lost family to dangerous cult. KHOU.
Horansky, A. (2013, February 27). Faith-based community founder responds to cult allegations. KHOU.
Perry. D. (2011). Fellowship Of The Martyrs.