• Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas, a $20million organization and prosperity gospel pioneer. Questions were raised about thetransfer of church assets to a for-profit company, Security Patrol Inc., a $1 million loanfrom Gloria Copeland to the group, and a "personal gift" of more than $2 million given toKenneth Copeland to mark the ministry's 40th anniversary.A Copeland spokeswoman released a statement saying the ministry is working on aresponse to Grassley's letter, follows all laws and best practices governing churches andreligious nonprofit groups, and "will continue to do so."• Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga. Grassley's letter asks for records on private planes, boardmakeup, compensation and donations and "love offerings" to visiting ministers. In astatement, Dollar called his ministry an "open book" and said he would cooperate. Healso questioned whether the investigation could "affect the privacy of every communitychurch in America."• Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas, is asked about use of a private jet, a home in Dana Point, Calif. and"layover trips" while traveling on ministry business. Hinn did not respond to requests for comment.• Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie LongMinistries of Lithonia, Ga., was questioned about his salary, a $1.4 million real estatetransaction and whether he, and not the board, holds sole authority over the organization.Long plans to fully comply with the Senate's request, and his church has "severalsafeguards" to ensure transactions comply with laws governing churches, according to astatement from Long's spokesman.• Randy and Paula White of the multiracial Without Walls International Church and PaulaWhite Ministries of Tampa, Fla. are asked about home purchases in San Antonio, Texas,Malibu, Calif., and New York, credit card charges for clothing and cosmetic surgery andthe reported purchase of a Bentley convertible as a gift for Bishop T.D. Jakes, a prominent Texas preacher and televangelist. An e-mail to a spokeswoman for Jakes wasnot immediately returned.In a statement, Randy and Paula White declined to comment on specifics, saying theyneeded time to review the letter with their lawyers. But the Whites called the Grassleyletter "unusual, since the IRS has separate powers to investigate religious organizations if they think it's necessary."Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar all sit on the board of regents for Oral RobertsUniversity, which is mired in a financial scandal of its own.The Senate Finance Committee has chided secular nonprofits for governance and
Leave a Comment
I’ve been there, that’s why I am here. Exactly who does have a right to question Copeland about where the money goes? Copeland put on a exhalent performance at his latest ministers conference, visible at http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/copelan... , in which has now gotten the attention of people all across the USA, and abroad. If I didn’t personally know better, one would actually think he cares about the protection of all his followers (partners),that pour money into his ministry. Requesting a summery of my mothers (Bonnie Parker) contributions, a long time partner of KCM, we like Grassley got little or no response. (Request viewable at http://sis359.blogspot.com/ ). If their partners aren’t entitled to this privileged information, even though they are funding this lavish lifestyle KCM has grown very accustom to, nor is the Senate entitled either, then who is? The IRS perhaps? Are the teachings of the Prosperity Gospel message being misconstrued? Do we, any of us, have a valid argument, or the right to ask for these records ? I believe with all my heart, we should let the ones affected most by this money making scam have a say in determining the answer to those questions.. “ I had a home“, “I had a life“, “I had faith“, “I had a family“, “I lost a loved one“, “I have no clue what the truth is anymore!” “I will never trust any form of religion.” these are merely a handful of endless testimonies coming to light nationwide. Ranging from all walks of life, their heartbreaking testimonies can be found throughout the web, yet inconceivably, victims are being labeled as fools, ignorant, and basically downright blind for not seeing the truth behind the Prosperity Gospels falsehoods. ” Being only human, our quest for health and wealth, regrettably does lead some in the wrong direction. Promises and guaranties, made by the Prosperity Gospel ministers, give people that have not obtained these blessings on their own, a second chance at achieving their goals in life. An important discovery I made while reviewing testimonies, revealed the fact numerous victims had very little knowledge of the Prosperity Gospels dark side. These unfortunate victims, appear to be equipped with only a small portion of the web of deceit these ministers weave . Picture yourself being raised in a small country town, with a population of only a few hundred, the closest city, only a population of only a few thousand. Computers, internet, cable, satellite TV, and other high tech gadgets are not needed or desired. You are living a simple , solemn life you wouldn’t trade for any amount of cash. After your working day is done, you gladly remove your shoes, kick back in your easy chair, and relax without a care in the world for a while. After flipping on the TV to view the local evening news broadcast, you are reminded to give thanks that you don’t have the worries that accompany life outside the safe haven of your home, and your community. Religion is your safeguard, your faith is strong, and you have no doubts about the truth behind your sacred beliefs. This was my life, before KCM. Prosperity Gospel ministers enter the homes of many victims though a thirty minute Sunday morning worship service on a local broadcast station. Growing up in Jigger La., truly located in the middle of nowhere, I can testify to the fact that we only received on a clear day about three or four channels at most. Warnings of dangers associated with Prosperity Gospel ministries, made by critics, ministers, and victims go unheard, therefore tragically for many, when the realization of this scam is discovered it is already to late. Family’s have lost their homes, lifesavings, and some even their lives due to the Prosperity Gospels misleading doctrines. Unfortunately my mother was not one of the lucky ones, her confidence, and faith in this false Gospel, ultimately cost her, her life. After more than a decade of programming her mind to believe and think the Prosperity Gospel way of life, she lost her battle with cancer. By refusing medical attention, she sealed her fate, but the programming she had acquired from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland proved strong all the way to her last breath. A diary she left behind revealed the horrific tale of her life from 1992-2002, the top of each page titled with Kenneth Copeland, Gloria Copeland, or BVOV. Some mistakes in life we can not undo, and good intentions don’t always go as planed, these victims are simply following misleading promises of health and wealth. The use of miraculous healing confessions, and newly found wealth testimonies, are their sales pitch, sadly my mom among many other are proof that their sale pitch works. The possibility these Mega churches were misusing finances for personal luxuries is what brought this scam to the publics attention, not the loss of life, the financially bankrupt, and numerous homeless victims they have been left in the