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Televangelist Releases Financial Documents
ATLANTA -- An Atlanta minister has released his church's finances in response to a Senate investigation into alleged financial wrongdoing that targets him and five other well-known televangelists.
The Rev. Creflo Dollar's World Changers Church International took in $69 million in 2006, according to a financial statement released to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Dollar said his salary comes personal investments, including businesses and real estate ventures. But he said the church gave him a Rolls Royce, which he uses largely for special occasions.
"Without a doubt, my life is not average," he said. "But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong."
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, launched his investigation this week after he received tips about preachers who ride in Rolls Royces and have purportedly paid $30,000 for a conference table.
Grassley sent letters to the half-dozen Christian media ministries earlier this week requesting answers by Dec. 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.
The letters also were sent to faith healer Benny Hinn, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Texas, David and Joyce Meyer of Missouri, Randy and Paula White of Florida and Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga.
Dollar said while he understands the senator's worries, he questioned the investigation's focus on religious groups.
He is among the religious leaders who preach the "prosperity gospel," the teaching that God will shower faithful followers with material riches. But he said he uses only his personal finances to pay for his luxuries.
"When I want a nice car, I use my own money to get the nice car and not the money of the church," Dollar said. "My lifestyle does not come out of the church's bank account."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Televangelist Releases Financial Documents
ATLANTA -- An Atlanta minister has released his church's finances in response to a Senate investigation into alleged financial wrongdoing that targets him and five other well-known televangelists.
The Rev. Creflo Dollar's World Changers Church International took in $69 million in 2006, according to a financial statement released to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Dollar said his salary comes personal investments, including businesses and real estate ventures. But he said the church gave him a Rolls Royce, which he uses largely for special occasions.
"Without a doubt, my life is not average," he said. "But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong."
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, launched his investigation this week after he received tips about preachers who ride in Rolls Royces and have purportedly paid $30,000 for a conference table.
Grassley sent letters to the half-dozen Christian media ministries earlier this week requesting answers by Dec. 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.
The letters also were sent to faith healer Benny Hinn, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Texas, David and Joyce Meyer of Missouri, Randy and Paula White of Florida and Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga.
Dollar said while he understands the senator's worries, he questioned the investigation's focus on religious groups.
He is among the religious leaders who preach the "prosperity gospel," the teaching that God will shower faithful followers with material riches. But he said he uses only his personal finances to pay for his luxuries.
"When I want a nice car, I use my own money to get the nice car and not the money of the church," Dollar said. "My lifestyle does not come out of the church's bank account."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
