₦airaland Forum

Why are all these Men-of-God always getting into debt?

Benny Hinn's Former Church to Be Sold in Foreclosure Auction

Clint Brown, the pastor of Faith World Center in Florida, televangelist Benny Hinn's former church, is holding worship services at a school with a new name for his church, as its property is set for a multimillion-dollar foreclosure auction.
The Faith World property in Central Florida, which Hinn sold to Brown, a Christian recording artist, in 2000, will be auction online next week, according to Orlando Sentinel.
The Evangelical Christian Credit Union of California had filed a lawsuit last September after the church defaulted on its mortgage, on which it owed about $9.7 million, the newspaper says.
Orange Circuit Judge Lisa Munyon ruled early last month that Faith World, which owed money to several other companies as well, be auctioned.
Pastor Brown is now holding Sunday services at Wekiva High School's auditorium with a new name for his congregation, the Judah Church.
About a decade ago, questions were raised about Pastor Brown's personal finances. His lifestyle included Rolex watches, Las Vegas shopping sprees and a 4,455-square-foot home in Alaqua Lakes, with a $7,000 monthly mortgage paid by Faith World, according to the Sentinel.
In a recent sermon at the new location, Brown told the congregation that the church had been "abused."
"Can I tell you this morning? We've been through some pain. We've been abused. … We have been lied to. We have been taken advantage of," he was quoted as telling the congregation. "The enemy, the enemy tried to stop us, tried to hurt us."
Hinn's World Outreach Center was based out of Faith World Center until 1999, when he moved it to Texas. Brown then took over the Florida property and merged with the faith-healing evangelist's local congregation.
Hinn has also been under debt.
Last year, Hinn asked supporters of his ministry for $2.5 million in donations, which he said an anonymous donor will match dollar by dollar to help him get out of debt. "God wants your ministry to be completely out of debt, and I want to plant an anointed seed that will help you take a giant step toward becoming totally debt-free!" said the anonymous man, whom Hinn called a "long-time and beloved" friend.
Although Hinn reports having several outreach ministries, including orphanages in Asia and Mexico, and relies on donations to finance his national and international "miracle crusades" and evangelistic meetings, the evangelist remains controversial among some in the Christian community for teaching a prosperity message.
Hinn, who reportedly has a net worth of $42 million, also has been criticized and investigated by numerous news organizations for his purported faith healings.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/benny-hinns-former-church-to-be-sold-in-foreclosure-auction-122794/
http://www.judah.cc/
http://www.tcpalm.com/lifestyle/nationally-known-pastor-drawing-thousands-to-st

eleojo23: The EFCC should be careful not to lose any credibility they have left in the eyes of the public.
If not, they may become 'one of those government commission that became irrelevant'

EFCC has been ineffective and irrelevant since 2008.
Not even one high profile corruption case has been successful, instead they go after the small guys engaged in monetary frauds (aka yahoo boys) for less than N1m.

I guess Hitler will be a good name...lol...

Free and easy to understand training manual for dog owners.

What has having beard to do with your faith?

A lot have been discussed on this important topic with different views all good measures.

I guess it all narrows down to personal views and experiences. In my humble case - it's a personal choice. I have been priviledged to visit other parts of the world, do business and presently involved in consulting. Things are organised and they value time-keeping very much, these two attributes are total alien to an average Nigerian. What we have in Nigeria is 'chaos raised to the power 10'.

What still strike me is that an average Nigerian have got more passion about a better Nigeria, however our politicians have a total different view point. Most of their families are based all over Europe and US. They launder the country's resources on investments in other parts of the world (US, UK, Switzerland, South Africa and the latest happening city - Dubai). If they have common cold, they are on the next available flight to Europe, yet our hospitals are glorified dispensaries. Their children all schooled in private institutions and universities, yet our various educational establishments have been reduced to mere playgrounds. Every holiday period is spent in choice vacation hotspots around the world.

Now, the question I have for the pro-camp is that, if our politicians themselves are not proud of Nigeria, how can they expect ordinary folks to be proud of the nation, where basic amenities are at a premium - light, water, efficient transportation links, security, affordable healthcare, guys these listed 5 things are not rocket science that can't be provided with the abundance of resources we have in Nigeria. Our politicians both past and present are just very wicked. At least they travel over the world and see how things are done, why can't they replicate just a fraction of these here in Nigeria.

The truth is we Nigerians are the most cultured people in the world, we don't expect Nigeria to be El-dorado overnight, however all we just want is for a country that places 'high value' on its citizens. If the country can provide the 5 listed items in the preceding paragraph, I won't be surprised if 60% of Nigerians in diaspora relocating back to the country.

What kind of christianity are they practicing?

Only in the USA.

BERNIMOORE: watching immanuel TV, before the building collapse you will see those wheeled to the prophet on wheelchair, and when he touches them they either stand to jump up or some would even fall outrightly and claim to be healed! no problem with that! but then

unfortunately one would think that if these wheelchairs are not enough, SCOAN would have requested more from the LASG, so that over 130 injured at the church site would file out on their respective wheelchairs towards the great prophet, and will be jumping up and shoutinhalleluyah-immanuel, but nothing like that!

does it mean that all those over 100+ have no single faith? or do not deserve healing?

This is a prophet that will tell his members not to take drugs, but now majority of the injured are on Drip and oxygen fixed on some noses!

pls NL members educate me on why these SCOAN church members injured was allowed by the prophet to still be in the hospital and some have been evacuated to south africa for further treatment on sickbed with oxygen fixed on some, isn t this not the best time to prove how authentic his miracle was?

comments pls

I have been thinking along this line from your article.

Why are the injured been taken to the hospitals and Pst TB Joshua not at hand to heal them right away?

I guess some people will label you wrongly, for raising good questions about the unfortunate incident.

gede7744: l think because fayose is know for thuggery, d opposition is taking advantage of that to cause problem know that the blame will automatically goes to fayose

Why will the opposition want to cause problem for Fayose?

What was Fayose doing in the court at the time when the first clashes took place on Monday?

How come all these years after relatively peace in Ekiti, the opposition will now want to destroy its legacy?

Since when some VIPs were mentioned as supposed supporters of Boko haram, suddenly, the BK group starts to fall apart.

In the last two weeks, NA have found their mojo in fighting this group.

Anyways, BK still needs to be defeated.

Politicians steal so much that they should be sentenced to life imprisonment in solitary confinement, yet no justice is done.

Since when GEJ has been in power, how many politicians both in ruling and opposition parties, have been convicted and sentenced by the courts - None.

EFCC is just a toothless organisation, it should be disbanded if they are not effective.

Surely, this is the most corrupt government ever in Nigeria.

This guy has not yet been sworn in and all these are already happening.

But how come the NURTW suddenly have a voice in the last few weeks.

They have been relatively quiet in the past 4 years.

Well, the next four years will be a tough one for the indigene of Ekiti.

Shows Nigeria is a rich country if this kind of amount is been budgeted for with 6 months towards election.

Unfortunately the funds are not being used for the right reasons.

We need to stand up against this level of corruption at the next election.

aljharem: Intimidation is the way of the APC even here on Nairaland

Sir, stop being a buffoon.

It beyond believe why some folks are blaming the opposition party APC for this incident.

Why wasn't there violence in the past few years in Ekiti State, whilst APC were in charge.

This is an inter-party (PDP) disagreement go wrong.

The sharing formula from PDP didn't get to the foot soldiers, hence the NURTW leader has to pay with his life.

Politics of violence have returned to Ekiti State.

Unfortunately nothing will change...gender inequality will still continue to strive regardless of the campaign by individuals with true intention.

Crude oil in exchange for arms.

What happened to all the defence budget over the past 16 years.

A massive and detailed audit of the Ministry of Defence have to be done.

Watch out for some extremely rich politicians in the next few years.

nora544: It is the the people start to learn that this prosperity gospel is heresy and that is the same with the charismatic movement.

The people who belong to this churches are not rich and when they have no money they cannot give it to the church.

The prosperits gospel is a losing gospel.

The only country where it still works in nigeria with their rich pastors where followers lost their brain.

Very true, the prosperity gospel is a fallacy from the pit of hell which doesn't add any spiritual value to the lives of those who follow the prosperity preachers.

Lots of christians have been taken on a ride. I think it time to get back to basics of true christian living.

'Godliness with contentment is great gain'


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_E4uvFKPHk

I recommend a book by David Lee Richardson titled: 'Sunday Morning Stick Up: What your Pastor doesn't want you to know about tithes'.

Read with open mind with a bible as reference.

Congrats to the very few giving Nigeria a good name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilesanmi_Adesida

Very nice memorial.

I guess more should follow.

asalimpo: Is paula white pastoress also in this church?

Paula White is now the Senior Pastor of New Destiny Christian Centre (NDDC) in Florida.

NDDC used to be pastored by late Dr Zachary Tims, who was found dead in a New York hotel in August 2011 and his ex-wife Riva Tims.

The Tims' divorced back in 2009 after 15 years of marriage.

So much is going on in all these churches, but are been kept under wraps so as not to cause a huge blow to their image.
It's all about their 'false image packaging'.

Now this is just sad, the doors of Without Walls International Church are closing, after Bishop Randy White filed for bankruptcy, allegedly. Yes, it's happened to a lot of churches, but there's no excuse for the White's. Why? Simply, because when Randy and Paula White were once married and it seemed like the church didn't suffer financial hardships. This was before the late Dr. Zachary Tims died of a drug overdose, allegedly and P. White took over his church. When Tims was alive he was allegedly a part of the board of Without Walls International Church.
During the 90's and early 2,000's era, many of you recall when the White's, Tims' and the Weeks couple were very popular on Christian television back in the day. Now, just look at what happened to the church that was once attracted so many souls to the church and millions of dollars was flowing into the former couple's ministry.

According to BayNews9.com, last March, the credit union took over the Lakeland property after the church filed for bankruptcy.

Tell us, is this what megachurches are all about, multimillion dollar franchises that shut down when there are no more funds?

http://sanctifiedchurchrevolution..co.uk/2014/09/tampa-church-plagued-by-financial-woes.html

From Bay9news:

TAMPA --
It was a full house inside Without Walls International Church Sunday morning as church members came to say goodbye.
Among those praying at the church for the last time is single mom Yolanda Monge. She said the church has helped in times of need.
“They’ve helped me financially, they’ve helped me emotionally through the ministries,” said Monge.
After 15 years of service in the once empty warehouse, Pastor Randy White said it was time to turn out the lights.
“I’m leaving a lot of great memories here," said White. "Some of the greatest experiences in my life have happened here, some of the greatest people I have met here.”
Without Walls once boasted 22,000 members and was among the fastest growing churches in the U.S.
When White divorced his wife in 2007, half its members walked away which led to a financial downfall.
Over the years, the church has taken out millions in loans, using the location and their location in Lakeland as collateral.
Last March, the credit union took over the Lakeland property after the church filed for bankruptcy.
On Friday, the church finalized its sale of the location for $14.3 million.
But all is not lost for longtime members like Yolanda.
Services for now will be held at Blake High School.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2014/8/31/tampa_church_closes.html

I came across the above articles:

What amazes me is that with all the 'prosperity gospel' being preached in these churches, why will they be declared bankrupt?

What sort of teaching are the preachers and pastors practicing e.g. 'name it and claim it', '24 hours instant debt recovery' etc....

How do the church members feel when they see before their eyes, the various men and women of God involved in so many financial atrocities?

What happened to all the various 'donations' given over the years and how are they accounted for?

Those this mean that most mega-churches are just business-ventures without effective accountability?

What name are these mega-churches giving Christians worldwide?

And many, many other serious allegations.

That's good creativity.

What has Mallam Atiku forgot to pick up in Aso Rock that he's bent on contesting for the Presidency?

I think someone should advise the Mallam to go and sit down 'jeje' and let others take the lead.

He and his Oga (Buhari) have been 'serial presidential candidates' all their lives.

Anyone else is surely better than both of them. Another fruitless journey in my opinion.

This kind of male teacher, female student shenanigans has been happening since longest time, unfortunately it will never stop.

Best advice to both male teachers: look but don't ever make the mistake of touching.

I can't believe that nothing will come out of this useless committee report.

The collapsing of the building should be treating as a criminal offence which should be investigated thoroughly.

Does this mean that those who lose their lives, have died in vain?

That's inferiority complex issue for a guy to bleach.

And they all look awful.

Exactly my thoughts.

The money is not meant for 'arms' purchase, but to be laundered in a coded way.

The Israeli guy is just a decoy. SA have said the 'two supposedly arms suppliers' are not registered or even known companies in SA.

Has anybody asked the question, if the money is meant for purchasing arms, why isn't any one of the many 'presidential jets' (10 as at last audit) be used for this purpose?

There are other ways to buy arms in the international market.

This is a money laundering attempt done wrong.

Yet the National Assembly haven't got the guts to investigate this big corruption scandal.

We have to vote out this inept government that keeps staggering from one corrupt allegation to the next.

Property plus unemployment is a bad combo for Nigerian youths.

No wonder our youths can't organise a simply revolution because the politicians have pocketed them.

Which means they can't make simple, intelligent discussion in the current political climate.