(CNN)A prosperity gospel televangelist from Louisiana says Jesus has asked him to buy a new private jet. And wouldn't you know it, Jesus has real nice taste in planes.
Jesse Duplantis, leader of Jesse Duplantis Ministries and the owner of three other private jets, is asking his followers to chip in so his ministry can purchase a brand new Dassault Falcon 7X, which runs about $54 million.
In a video recently published on his website, Duplantis says the planes get him closer to the Lord -- both literally and figuratively -- and he had a divine conversation in which Jesus asked for the new aircraft by name.
"It was one of the greatest statements the Lord ever told me, he said, 'Jesse do you want to come up where I'm at?'" the minister says. "'I want you to bleed me for a Falcon 7X.'"
By "bleed," Duplantis -- er, Jesus -- apparently meant "ask for donations." This televangelist is asking his followers to buy him a $54 million private jet
What is with the need for preachers that feel they need jets to whisk them around the world in laps of luxury that none of their followers could ever imagine? From it's Gulfstream's to a BAC 1-11, the Worldwide Church of God also "bled" its members in order for the "apostle" to fly around the world in the lap of luxury.
[Joseph Tkach, Sr. said,] “As I have often explained, we are continually looking for ways to make the various operations of the work more streamlined and efficient. It appears that there may be a significant financial advantage to selling the g-iii and buying a used, but well-maintained Boeing 727.”Later in 1988, unsuccessful in locating a 727 he liked, Mr. Tkach settled for the British-made bac 1-11. It was only $3.4 million, a price tag he said would immediately “benefit” God’s work. He wrote, “Also, the bac 1-11 has room for all our necessary tv equipment and personnel, as well as any additional necessary personnel. The g-iii, as many of you know, was extremely limited in seating and storage capacity.” says Gerald Flurry
March 23, 1987|United Press International
DALLAS -- Shortly before TV evangelist Oral Roberts launched his life-or- death plea for $8 million in new donations his ministry got back an $850,000 private jet it had loaned to a fellow evangelist.
A review of Federal Aviation Administration records by the Dallas Times Herald Sunday showed Roberts and several other evangelists are flying in luxury while they plead for donations from their followers.
The most expensive jet on record is a $13 million Gulfstream III purchased new in 1984 by Joseph Tkach`s Worldwide Church of God in Pasadena, Calif.
Others with expensive planes include Jimmy Swaggart Ministries in Baton Rouge, La.; Jerry Falwell`s group, the Lynchburg Christian Academy in Virginia; and Trinity Broadcasting of Florida.
FAA records show Swaggart owns a Gulfstream II jet valued at $3.75 million, Falwell`s group owns a $2 million Israel Westwind II, and Trinity Broadcasting has a Gates Learjet 36 with a book value of $3.75 million.
Roberts` association in Tulsa acquired its jet in December from Fort Worth evangelist Kenneth Copeland, whose International Church of the Word of Faith also owns a $1.2 million dollar Learjet.
``The main reason to have the airplane is for security for himself and anybody around him, and also getting in and out of the places he needs to be,`` said Jan Dargatz, a spokesman for the Oral Roberts Association.
COG members love to mock men like Duplantis for his tactic in conning his followers to dish out the money he is looking for, yet they turn right around and give HWA and Flurry all the money they want for their private jets. COG members never batted an eye when HWA had gold plated faucets and doorknobs installed on his jet as well as decorating it with the finest decorations available at the time.
1. Yes the church wasted money. Yes the big-boppers showered comfort on themselves. When I was a student at AC-PAS I asked the art dept. for some help with a project and was astonished to find several full-time employees working on (c.a.d) an elaborate project to emblazon designs in GOLD onto several mirrors which was part of the G3 redecorating. I think there were 6 guys working on the project. Who knows how much the remodeling project cost. I used to work at the San Jose Jet Center as a Limo driver and one wealthy businessman told me he spent over 2 million just remodeling the interior of his G3!!! Painful TruthAlso see: G-III Serves As Key Thrust Of End-time Commission
To what benefit did Herbert Armstrong's many flights around the world ever accomplish? What good did the multi-millions of dollars spent and Steuben crystal handed out ever accomplish? Other than ongoing work in Thailand by the Sexton's, there is not a single proof that any of the trips ever had a lasting legacy on the leadership or the nations he visited.
Of course, preaching about a "strong hand from someplace" is not a gospel message or the message of a mighty "work." HWA created the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation because he was too ashamed to say he represented a church when he travelled. He claimed more doors opened for him as a Foundation member than as a preacher. Imagine leading a church that claimed to be Christ's hand-picked church that was protected through centuries from persecution to end up being too embarrassed to mention Jesus' name.
If there is no lasting legacy to Armstrong's international visits, then why did Gerald Flurry need to buy his own jet, other than for his own personal benefit and for his immediate family?
Church of God leaders have bled church members for decades for their pet projects and silly prophetic threats. From Malm and Theil to Kubik and Pack, these men milk church members dry as they claim to be spreading a gospel message. In the end, they still have not produced anything worthwhile.
They are all still too ashamed of Jesus to care any more.
43 comments:
"From it's Gulfstream's to a 747 luxury liner, the Worldwide Church of God also "bled" its members in order for the "apostle" to fly around the world in the lap of luxury."
Really? The WCG had a 747 luxury liner? I know of the Gulfstreams but never heard of a 747 owned by WCG.
They had a Falcon at one time and a BAC 111 when Tkach was the head. No 747’s
Rod Meredith used third tithe money to buy gold. When he meets Jesus, he's going to have some explaining to do.
I never realized Jesus's "ministers" needed airplanes in 2018.
IIRC, there was talk of buying a 747 for Tkach. Didnt happen though, the BAC 111 was the settling point.
Do the leaders of these groups ever sit down and figure out what members have to pay our of their budgets when paying two to three tithes? Figure it out. Someone who makes 12.00 an hour. What's left after the tithes to live on? Is it that hard to understand?
To what benefit did Herbert Armstrong's many flights around the world ever accomplish?
Politics.
AICF too was a huge waste of money which produced absolutely NO long lasting fruit of any kind. The concert series did not turn a profit, and in fact, AICG was a money pit of about $10 million a year!
I am no fan of Joe Tkach, but I will give some details. A 727 was considered but when Tkach got the figures on what it would cost to buy and operate a 727, he vetoed the idea. He wanted to sell the G-III. Someone came to him with details about a BAC-111. A broker from Porland OR, was offering a BAC-111 for 4.1 million. Tkach wanted to sell the G-III for 13 million. The deal was like this. The BAC-111 was negotiated for 3.4 million. The G-111 brought 12.75 million. So to Tkach’s credit he did see an advantage in selling the G-111 and buying a an older airplane for considerable less money. Did the church need an airplane. In my opinion absolutely NO! When Joe, jr came on the scene, he lobbied his dad to get rid of the jet. Joe told his dad many times that members would ask him “why did the church need a jet “. So I will give Joe credit, he wanted to sell the airplane. Did the Tkaches have other problems? Again we all know the rest of the story. I just thought some of you might like to know what transpired.
Another bit of WCG history. The first airplane HWA “needed” was a Falcon 10, later HWA “needed” a G-11, so the Falcon 10 became GTA’s toy. I don’t know the detail but I understand Stan Rader was involved in buying the planes and leasing them to the church. When the G 111 came out of course HWA needed the latest and greatest. The G 111 initial price was 13 million but that was for a “green” airplane. It was called green because that was the green primer coat as it was finished in. That was without interior, avionics, and paint. Once it was completed with interior, avionics, and paint, the cost escalated to approximately 18 million. As was stated earlier, nothing but the best for G 111. Gold plated buckles on the seat belts, the lion with the lamb symbol etched into the mirrors. China from Herods of London, silverware from David Orgels (spelling) of Beverly Hills. Yep, not a bad toy!
To what benefit did Herbert Armstrong's many flights around the world ever accomplish?
Let's look at it this way:
1) Use "minimal" expense to fulfill a "World Tour" to meet Heads of State.
2) Create the appearance of "Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom to All Nations."
3) Convince the sheep that the "Gospel" is being "Preached"
4) Magnify the importance of "Gospel Preaching" as a Biblical Operation.
5) Squeeze the sheep for more money based on "The Great Commission"
6) The INCOME from the trips is far greater than the EXPENSE of the trips.
7) HWA is benefited because he gets to meet important people, a lifelong goal.
8) HWA is benefited because he gets an expensive jet to be important in.
9) The Church is benefited by increased funds from the major income arms of the Church
Bottom line: Use relative small expense which in dual form helps HWA accomplish a lifelong fantasy, and creates a perception which increases overall income. Then, concrete the importance by brainwashing sheep to believe failure of increasing income to the church will have eternal salvation consequences. The church benefited, and the life of many thousands in the church became that much more difficult - believing that when HWA ended his "World Tour" the "Gospel" was finally preached to all nations.
Of course, no true "Gospel" was preached, HWA accomplished his dream of being big and important - and actually "bought" his way into the lives of heads of states as a donor to special interests. People suffered because of this in untold ways.
To this day, Armstrongism Apologist ministers continually attempt to "REBOOT" the scam by saying that the Gospel really WASN'T preached, and they exist to do what wasn't done the first time - which actually turns out to be nothing again.
And yet, gullible people fall for it in the same way Duplantis' followers fork over money for a 57 MILLION DOLLAR jet.
And I have to add.
When I first looked at the picture I could not tell if that was Jesse Duplantis.....
... or good ol' Bob Barker.
I feel bad for Barker that he resembles Duplantis.
Because with Duplantis, the price is NOT right.
" Anonymous said...
To what benefit did Herbert Armstrong's many flights around the world ever accomplish?
Politics.
June 11, 2018 at 3:53 PM"
Can you elaborate? I've wondered about that.
The only one I've ever known to have a 747 to rival Air Force One is Rev Ernest Angley.
http://www.pbase.com/image/73615023
Now here's a plane that Jesus would want his faithful televangelists to have- eat your heart out, Gerald Flurry!
https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/airbus-harmony-cabin-design
Jesse DuPlantis is an entertaining and charismatic speaker. He came, believe it or not, from the world of rock n’ roll.
Experience taught me to avoid the fantasies indulged in by those who wished to be my spiritual guides. I had already seen way too much of that in Armstrongism. But, ol’ Jesse really took the cake when he launched into his sermon about an allegedly personal experience of his, namely being caught up into heaven and spending time touring the place and conversing with various ones. To me, that was worse than a four hour Gerald Waterhouse sermon!
Before any spiritual “leader” gets a jet, I believe free will offerings would be better spent giving a boost to the poor. Whole continents, like Africa, are being left to die. Haitian children are eating dirt cookies. If given proper opportunities, the citizens of such regions can be gradually lifted up just as we’ve watched people be lifted up through the opportunities here in the USA. To me, teaching that is much more of a prosperity gospel than setting an example of conspicuous consumption.
BB
An excellent and complimentary video is "Jason A's YouTube video"
I know watching it the other dayreminded me so much of HWA's and Flurry's selfish want for a plane to go around the globe. It just shows how mandating the Christian sheep to tithe money (e.g. 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, etc.) in truth is a lie of the Devil that only makes richer the covetous, two-faced wolves who demand the sheep never stop feeding, clothing and housing them or their insatiable desires for more of everything! SMH!
" Anonymous said...
To what benefit did Herbert Armstrong's many flights around the world ever accomplish?
I give one example out of thousands:
In the beginning of the chinese transition under Deng
-HWA visited the Chinese Diet before Billy Graham visited the people
-Rader lectured the Chinese education people
-Another former wcg top leader has been among the top 10 advisors of the Chinese government on economic reform
-wcg sponsored a major diplomatic effort in initial befriending to have the "ambassadors from shanghai" visit the White House
-during the initial tranistition phase wcg sponsored the China - Britain Chair at the University of Oxford (that is a prestigious institute of learning in Europe)
Today the Chinese are doing more investments into Africa than BB's freewill offerings ever will or the Western governments ever did. Today africa is the fastest growing economic area in the world through these investments
Does any of the above have anything have to do with a lasting legacy.
I leave that to people's own judgement and it is only one example out of thousands.
I am merely replying to Connies assinine comment.
nck
And the promotion of Steuben crystal. :)
"And the promotion of Steuben crystal. :)"
Yes RSK.
That's right.
I mean it was one of the USA's best quality (export) products. The way "we" distributed them would at least have us entitled to a discount for life.
I wonder what the US trade balance shows on WCG Steuben export and Baccarat imports.
nck
A few weeks ago I came across a video of Jesse with Ken Copeland explaining to each other the necessity of personal jets to be able to preach the Gospel...
All the diatribes by preachers about why they need(or deserve) pricey things, seem to fly in the face of humility, faith, and what's in the Bible about such things.
I've come to realize that 'Prosperity Gospel' is dangerous bullshit.
(Sort of like a person on TV hawking 'secrets of wealth' when the real secret to his wealth is the profits from his slimy book- garnered by convincing people his book is what it isn't.)
Some claim that God told them to buy expensive jets. But we do know that God gave us James 1:27 . . . . defining true religion. How are they following that verse? Or the one that says,"Do good to ALL men . . ."
Well, I would have liked AICF if they had hosted Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Sly and the Family Stone, Ike and Tina Turner, and the Grateful Dead. Instead, they hosted musical guests who were only of interest to the prune juice set.
HWA was such an elitist.
BB
At least we had the Cowsill's and Hellen Reedy in the in the auditorium, both of which sent Meredith and McNair into orgasmic meltdowns of anger. College dances in the mid to late 70's also pissed off Meredith big time, Blue Oyster Cult, Sweet's - Fox on the Run, BTO, ELO, Led Zepplin, Wild Cherry and others were played at the dances. Oh, the humanity! Those were good times!
What if Modern Pop was in the Auditorium.....
If the Auditorium was used for Billboard Music Awards if they were paid a hefty sum, you think The GoGo's, Madonna, Janet or Michael, or Cyndi Lauper would have aroused the same anger in Meredith or McNair - or was it just because Led Zepplin et. al. were way on the other extreme....
I do know that hollywood stars infamously graced the AA. i remember hearing about a few incidences with the hollywood elite, one involving an usher and a cigarette.
I remember a line from an HWA letter, "They have tried to treat as 'extravagance' the purchasing of Steuben crystal - which is about the only type of art object made in this country that is fit for presenting to a king, prime minister, or other head of state..."
RSK
That is right. I believe the State Departments tradition with Steuben started with Ike dispensing them. Usually heads of state exchange cultural artifacts like "stolen bibles by the vikings", "magna chartas", "battle flags taken capture" or other fine relevant historical objects at state visits to accentuate current friendships. Of course Steuben all had symbolic meanings.
BB
I do wonder a bit about Jazz and the Jazz series in the auditorium. Of course Jazz later turned into a type of music for the finer crowd to be enjoyed in halls like the auditorium. In HWA's younger years however it was played in dark saloons by black people as a liberating force and the sound of freedom. What does this signal? That HWA hearkened to the sophisticated crowd by allowing Jazz to be played or did he enjoy the sound of "black people enjoying freedom through improvisation and communicating that sound as a token of universal liberation into the entire world? Not decided yet.
nck
This is only part of the Steuben story.
https://sunnylands.org/article/steuben-glass-collection-commissioned-to-advance-us-diplomatic-relations-with-the-far-and-middle-eas/
btw Ambassador Annenberg did almost acquire Stanley Raders first house when returning home and Stanley moved into the Church's sponsored Beverly Hills mansion.
nck
In a weak attempt to justify HWA's new jet, our local minister said that HWA ("29 going on 28") was an old man, which was apparently a problem on commercial aircraft, and there was the risk of hijack. He didn't offer any explanation as to why GTA needed a jet.
HWA didn't have the problem Jesse and Ken claim they have, God speaking them directly during the flight. As we all know, God spoke to HWA through GG Rupert, JH Allen and others...
Nck, the appeal of Jazz somehow always escaped me. Another African-American genre spoke to my soul: The Blues. Mainly, electric, Chicago Blues, starting with Muddy Waters. And then, Rock n Roll. The blues had a baby, and they called it rock n roll!
Honestly, I don’t like “the sophisticated crowd”. Never did. I relate more to the every day working people who have always been the backbone of our country, and their life experiences. Your Rothchilds and Rockefellers are miles away from that, and envisioning them on their yachts listening to Dave Brubeck or Miles Davis is something to which I could never relate. Peter Fonda and Steppenwolf would be more my speed if I had to be on a yacht. The closest I ever came to that was a Blues Cruise, out of Long Beach, featuring John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers whose protege guitarist was the brilliant Coco Montoya at that time.
Anyhoo, there was never any basis for me to bond with or relate to HWA or his ideas or politics. He never rose above slavemaster, foisted off upon me by my parents. When his prophecies failed (regardless as to whether you choose to call him “newscaster”), it was all too easy to simply relegate him to the garbage dump. He did not cause my love for the Blues. Somehow, I related to that genre nearly as soon as I became cognizant of music. But it’s totally appropriate that a completely different kind of slave found at least some relief from all of the oppression through a deeply felt expression of music. As Eric Burdon once sang, “They can’t take away our music.”
BB
Dang, I love your excellent way of expression yourself.
Nck
HWA referred to popular nightclub music in the twenties as "dirges" and "barely music" in his autobiography. He did not specify the genre in question though, so I dont know what he found so dirgey. :)
There is actually a type of song in rock, jazz, and blues that is sometimes referred to as a dirge. It’s basically a one chord song with all manner of improvisation played around that chord.
John Lee Hooker made a career out of such songs in the Blues genre. Most pop songs revolve around three chords, so it really stands out when there are more or fewer.
BB
Wayne Turgeon let it be know to the members that his wife-thing (Flurry's daughter-princess) went to a spa. Who the hell can afford that? I knew church members who slept on the subway and others who couldn't pay the rent. Some family. In a real family there is no such disparity.
They had rap in the twenties? Go figure.
Those who don't like the spoiled elites should listen to Patrick Slattery's podcast.
Denny is on break, but the indefatigable NO2HWA keeps soldiering on.
In the "Festival of Music 1984" video, HWA not only said "Dirge" but "moan" and that the music went "over and over and over and over and over" again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWaYoJcd8zg
Reference Point 1:17 in video.
Some of you guys were never converted; you never had your heart in it in the first place. Why did you go to church in the first place? Must have been pissing your pants in fear of the GT. Maybe some of you are psychologically damaged due to your own hypocrisy, rather than due to anything Herbert did.
I reckon I've seen enough pictures of store fronts and street signs to last me a coon's age.
Hahah that could have only been the blues. Nothing beats the old barbershop quartet I guess. Lots of singin' stead of talkin' to n lectrical geetar.....
The roaring twenties and the interbellum youth response in some places were more lewd than ancient rome.
The 1850's cog church bulletin warned about "the skating rink". Wonder what transpired there.
Of course old granny may was corrected by the church council for smokin a pipe. Who wouldnt for enjoyment, in the midst of the Dakotas with all them wanderers around.
Nck
I think this discussion completely summarizes the wcg experience.
A kinky state of the art gold plated GIII from the outside, inside people working on ancient typewriters, preparing writings on print, music being played on tape recorder still. While Michael Jackson was scoring his mega hit supported by the first music video, we enjoyed shows with a barbershop quartet. "Shaggy" Casey Kasem on American Forces Radio vs Radio Luxembourg (Station of the Stars) in "Culture Wars" next on your program.
nck
I think this discussion completely summarizes the wcg experience.
A kinky state of the art gold plated GIII from the outside, inside people working on ancient typewriters, preparing writings on print, music being played on tape recorder still. While Michael Jackson was scoring his mega hit supported by the first music video, we enjoyed shows with a barbershop quartet. "Shaggy" Casey Kasem on American Forces Radio vs Radio Luxembourg (Station of the Stars) in "Culture Wars" next on your program.
Don't forget to add the layer of "kookiness":
Big Beak. "The Button The Button Oh No I Pushed the Button" "boinngg" "BOOM". (FOT YA 1984 VIDEO)
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