That was a pretty nice house that I saw on FOX last night. Don't know what its worth in TN but up here in North NJ, considering the size of the front yard with all the trees, its worth at least $500k probably more. Do preachers make that kind of money?? Maybe she blew out the credit cards for the 10th time and just didn't want to hear it all over again.
Speculating way out of bounds.
Housing may well have been provided by the church, and, if not, you cannot compare TN and NJ real estate prices. Huge difference.
I could sell my rather large house in Texas and buy an average storage shed in NJ with the proceeds. Probably the same in TN.
It's been referred to as a "parsonage" which usually means the church owns it and the Pastor and family live in it as part of their compensation...
Also - the real estate in that part of TN is probably MUCH more affordable than NJ... ;)
Parsonage; part of the church property.
I'm from Tennessee and have visited Selmer several times (a friend lives there). This is a pretty modest, middle class home for that area. Real estate is cheap and land is plentiful there.
And just a note to those calling this church a cult: I've worshipped at this congregation and know several people who are members. These people are NOT a cult. I would say they are a typical rural southern Church of Christ. Which means fairly conservative and traditional (perhaps offensively "traditional" to some liberal types), but not controlling/cultish. They are good people who try to do what is right. And this has been a big shock to everyone. They thought highly of this preacher and his family.
That house would be about a hundred grand here in rural Tennessee.