Christian Rapper Calls Out Prosperity Preachers
A new song released by Christian rapper Shai Linne calls out Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Paul Crouch, and other prosperity preachers by name. In "Fal$e Teacher$", Linne criticizes twelve prominent teachers for preaching a false religion he dubs "selfism". He raps, "Jesus is not a means to an end, the Gospel is He came to redeem us from sin / And that is the message forever I'll yell / If you're living your best life now, you're heading for hell." Read more at WORLDmag.com.
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The most persistent challenge facing the ministry is finding and securing the financial resources required to support the programs and day-to-day operations of the ministry. The ministry has been blessed by the support of the founders and other like-minded individuals. Their generous contributions have permitted the ministry a base of operation and laid the groundwork; however, there is a need to find additional sources of support in order to maintain and expand the ministry's scope.
Thank you for your interest to pass on wisdom, understanding and discernment to others.
Court Documents from TBN's Whistleblower Granddaughter Released
The Orange County Register Newspaper has been closely following the developments regarding TBN. Recently, it obtained
court documents in a case involving Brittany Koper, the Crouch's granddaughter, just prior to them being sealed
and published them on its website. These documents include internal TBN memos, receipts and reports from TBN's accountants
detailing improper and likely illegal acts. In our opinion, it is likely the leadership of TBN will ultimately be
replaced as a result of these revelations and some of the leadership team could possibly spend time behind bars. While the
wheels of justice grind slowly, they do tend to grind finely. It may take quite some time before new leadership is appointed,
but it will be near impossible for TBN's leaders to successfully defend themselves from IRS and FCC regulators. Accordingly,
we call on leaders in the evangelical community to begin to prepare to assemble a new leadership team that could be
presented to the regulators as a replacement. TBN is an attractive asset to the global church, therefore serious efforts should
be made to preserve it and manage it in accordance with laws and regulations. Under stronger evangelical leadership, TBN
could win more souls to Christ, effectively disciple millions with legitimate Christian teaching and bring honor to the
Lord. We believe it would be wise for a new, respected leadership team to be assembled now and presented to the IRS and
FCC as an alternative to other outcomes which would see the church lose control of this strategic asset.
The court documents containing the info noted above can be found at: http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/05/20/tbn-extravagance-read-internal-memos-for-yourself/155188/. We urge readers to looks over these documents themselves as well
as some of the other reporting done by the Orange County Register on this subject. Some of the most damaging elements
contained within the 180 pages include the following:
1. Widespread abuse of ministry funds by TBN directors including having the ministry pay for numerous personal
expenses. Lavish meals, motorcycles and home remodeling were just a few of the expenses charged to the ministry.
Brittany Koper claims she was told to invent business reasons for these many personal expenses to cover up the actual
personal use of ministry funds.
2. Double billing TBN for some of these personal expenses.
3. The transfer of as much as $50 million over the course of a decade to the Crouch family.
4. The use of TBN's two jets for personal use.
5. Matthew Crouch's for-profit film production company received millions from TBN with little to show for it but
an extravagant lifestyle lived by Crouch and his family.
6. Numerous threats made to Koper and her husband for her whistleblowing activities.
7. A report from TBN's external accountant detailing how the ministry and its leadership were at risk from IRS fines
including this conclusion:
"Areas with the greatest exposure include:
Unreasonable Compensation
Personal Use of the Organization's Assets
Use of the church's credit card for personal expenses
Excessive Spending"
TBN's Dysfunction on Full Display in New York Times Article
Due to family conflict within the ministry's controlling Crouch family, new information about the extent of financial abuse of donor funds has come to light. We again strongly urge donors to TBN to prayerfully consider withholding their giving until such time as new leaders and a new board of directors are brought in to clean up this very troubled and dysfunctional ministry.
Generals International Loses Non-Profit Status
Generals International has lost its non-profit designation from the IRS as a result of its failure to file its IRS Form 990 for three consecutive years. Obviously, donors who have been supporting this ministry, or were considering doing so, should look for other ministries more worthy of their donations.
African Children Welfare Association Loses Non-Profit Status
African Children Welfare Association has lost its non-profit designation from the IRS as a result of its failure to file its IRS Form 990 for three consecutive years. Obviously, donors who have been supporting this ministry, or were considering doing so, should look for other ministries more worthy of their donations.
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