Other ministries targeted by Grassley inquiry:
Benny Hinn (Grapevine, Texas)
His daily television program “This is Your Day!” is seen in over 100 countries. Hinn also conducts a miracle crusade each month. Hinn provides “healing” to people by touching them, claiming they are “slain in the Spirit.”
Eddie Long (Lithonia, Ga.)
A politically active African-American pastor for over 20 years, Long has a congregation of over 25,000. Long preaches anti-gay themes and has programs that to help gays “convert” to heterosexuality. Says God blesses people financially as well as spiritually.
Creflo and Taffi Dollar (College Park, Ga.)
The Dollars’ “Changing Your World” broadcasts are seen in over 150 countries. Creflo Dollar Ministries oversees the ministry. Dollar owns two Rolls-Royces, multiple private jets, a $2.5 million apartment in Manhattan and a mansion in Atlanta.
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland (Newark, Texas)
Kenneth Copeland publishes “The Believer’s Voice of Victory,” a monthly magazine. Since 1989, has broadcast the “Believer’s Voice of Victory” television program. He is a practitioner of the Word of Faith movement, whose belief is that if a person has enough faith, he or she will be rewarded spiritually and financially.
Randy and Paula White (Tampa, Fla.)
Started the South Tampa Christian Center in 1991, renamed the Without Walls International Church in 1997. Among their possessions were a $1.9 million jet and a $3.5 million condo in New York. In August, Randy and Paula White announced their divorce.
There are many other ministries that are conspicuously missing from this list.
LOL!! 2 of those I would have definitely guessed would show up on the list. These health-and-wealth folks conveniently forget that Jesus gave up his heavenly kingdom and finery to walk among men — he didn’t have his disciples carrying him around on a litter like royalty. He walked like every other normal person. H&W is a scam.
I do not know enough about Creflo Dollar, but the rest of these ministries are charismatic, from the “name it and claim it” school. Most of the financial and sexual scandals in evangelical ranks have come from charismatics, such as Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. However, I have no reason to believe other charismatic ministries, such as those of Joel Osteen or John Hagee. You also seldom hear of non-charismatic, evangelical ministries of people like John MacArthur, Chuck Swindoll, R.C. Sproul, or Adrian Rogers being subject to criticism for financial abuses or spending of donations on luxury items.
I’m a Christian and I’ve always had a real problem with those who are in the “ministry” having extreme wealth.
I’m surprised Mike Murdock isn’t on the list. He’s one of the “sow a seed” guys who pressures people to give more than they can afford, with the promise that God will reward them tenfold. The only two TV preachers that don’t seem to be in it for the money are Charles Stanley and James Robison.
What? No Ron Parsley?
What about Joel Osteen? I’m surprised he’s not on the list.
Garner Ted, Rex, Oral....times don’t change, only the people do.