Church leaders say they embrace all faiths from Christianity to Buddhism and beyond. Kate Gordon, CUT's current president explains, "We have studied the root systems of all of the worlds great religions and it's no surprise, they all come from the same Cosmic law. Mystical paths are all basically getting at the same thing."

The church was founded by Mark and Elizabeth Clare Prophet who followers believe had the ability to speak directly to God and channel messages from angels and spiritual leaders from the past they call "Ascended Masters."

Gordon says it's not just church history, these are deeply held convictions CUT members feel. "We strongly believe in it. That it's a gift and for those who wish to pick it up and explore it it will improve the lives of everyone."

Members say they've faced ridicule, unfair media coverage and religious intolerance over the years. Thursday, they hope to change that tide. Gordon says rumors have always run rampant about the group. "There were stories about our sanctuaries and people imagined all sorts of weird things in them and going on, but we have sanctuaries just like all churches, just like the Catholic church. They are simply places for us to pray."

Gordon says they have a vision of their church as a source of peace and inter faith tolerance the world needs now, perhaps more than ever as conflicts over religion increasingly turn violent throughout the world. "We may all dress differently, we may have different clothes, but the basics of who we all are is the same."

As Church Universal and Triumphant's parent organization, The Summit Lighthouse celebrates 50 years, it's leaders hope the next 50 years will be greeted with a little less turmoil and a little more tolerance.

Gordon, "Our mission is to take the teachings that Mr. and Mrs. Prophet gave us and to spread them around the world and in the process raise ourselves up to become better people, more giving and loving people."

Is CUT the world's next great religion, or a cult based on the imagination of false prophets? That appears to be the ongoing question of faith in Corwin Springs.