Creflo Augustus Dollar, Jr. is a televangelist, pastor, and the founder of the non-denominational World Changers Church International based in Fulton County, Georgia.[1] Creflo Dollar Ministerial Association (formerly called International Covenant Ministries), Creflo Dollar Ministries, and Arrow Records.[2] Each of these enterprises is overseen by Dollar and his wife, Taffi Dollar.
| Creflo Dollar | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | Creflo Augustus Dollar, Jr. January 28, 1962 United States |
| Residence | College Park, Georgia |
| Occupation | Pastor |
| Spouse(s) | Taffi Dollar |
| Website | |
| www.worldchangers.org | |
Creflo Augustus Dollar, Jr. is a televangelist, pastor, and the founder of the non-denominational World Changers Church International based in Fulton County, Georgia.[1] Creflo Dollar Ministerial Association (formerly called International Covenant Ministries), Creflo Dollar Ministries, and Arrow Records.[2] Each of these enterprises is overseen by Dollar and his wife, Taffi Dollar.
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Biography[edit]
In 1984, Dollar received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from West Georgia College in Carrollton, Georgia.[3] He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Oral Roberts University in 1998.[4]
Dollar claims to have received the vision for World Changers Ministries Christian Center in 1986.[5] He held the church's first worship service in the cafeteria of Kathleen Mitchell Elementary School in College Park, Georgia, with only eight people in attendance and successfully receiving over $100 in contributions from those present. Over the years the ministry has grown rapidly and was renamed World Changers Church International (WCCI). As of 2007, the congregation has grown to 30,000 members with $69 million in revenue (gross cash collections) for 2006.[6] The congregation moved from its original cafeteria location to a modest-sized chapel, adding a weekly radio broadcast and four services each Sunday. On December 24, 1995, WCCI moved into its present location, the 8,500-seat sanctuary known as the World Dome. At a cost of nearly $18 million, it is claimed that the World Dome was built without any bank financing.[7]
Dollar is also the publisher of CHANGE magazine, a quarterly international publication with nearly 100,000 subscribers and The Max, a bimonthly resource newsletter for ministers and ministry leaders.[8] Creflo Dollar also frequently speaks at conferences and is a best selling author.[9][10][11] Dollar and his wife, Taffi, have five children and live in Atlanta.[12]
Controversy[edit]
Dollar is known for his controversial teachings of prosperity theology.[9] He has been criticized for his lavish lifestyle as he owns two Rolls-Royces, a private jet, a million dollar home in Atlanta, a $2.5m million home in Demarest, N.J., and a $2.5m home in Manhattan,[9] which he sold for $3.75m in 2012.[13] Dollar has refused to disclose his salary and Creflo Dollar Ministries received a grade of "F" for financial transparency by the organization MinistryWatch.[9][14]
Dollar was subpoenaed during divorce proceedings between heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield and Holyfield's second wife, Janice Itson, after Itson alleged that Holyfield had donated $7 million to Dollar's ministry just before he filed for divorce.[15]
Outreach[edit]
In October of 2012, Creflo Dollar Ministries, after a long and tedious location search, purchased a new and stunning Church location in the Bronx, New York. For a change, the new location is one of the world’s most renowned theaters. According to the New York Daily News, Loews Paradise Theater, now a historical landmark, is now home to World Changers Church of New York.
References[edit]
- ^ "Contact Us." World Changers Church International. Retrieved on May 25, 2009.
- ^ "Creflo Dollar Ministries". Retrieved 2010-06-27.
- ^ "2/10 Creflo Dollar – Winning the War in your Mind ." Download Christian. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jun 2010. <http://www.download-christian.com/?p=147>.
- ^ "Creflo Dollar." Creflo Dollar. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jun 2010. <http://www.creflodollar.de/>.
- ^ "About Creflo Dollar". Retrieved 2010-06-27.
- ^ "Figures released by megachurch". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 2007-11-11. Archived from the original on 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
- ^ "Dr.Creflo A. Dollar Biography." World Changers Church-New York. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jun 2010.
- ^ Dollar, Creflo. "Real Life. Practical Solutions. CHANGE Magazine. A Creflo Dollar Ministries Publication." Real Life. Practical Solutions. CHANGE Magazine. A Creflo Dollar Ministries Publication. Creflo Dollar Ministries, 2000-2008. Web. 23 June 2010. <http://interactive.creflodollarministries.org/magland.asp?site=CDM>.
- ^ a b c d Michael Luo (1006-01-15). "Preaching a Gospel of Wealth in a Glittery Market, New York". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
- ^ "The Best Thing About Evangelist Creflo Dollar Is His Audience". Retrieved 2010-06-27.
- ^ "YouTube -Creflo Dollar". Retrieved 2010-06-27.
- ^ "About Our Pastors Creflo A. & Taffi L. Dollar". Retrieved 2010-06-27.
- ^ Kim Velsey (April 25, 2012). "Televangelist Creflo Dollar Sells Manhattan Condo (Pictures)". The New York Observer.
- ^ http://www.ministrywatch.com/profile/creflo-dollar-ministries.aspx
- ^ Religion Dispatches
External links[edit]
- Official biography
- World Changers Church International website
- World Changers Church-New York website
- Creflo Dollar Sermons Delivered at Kenneth Copeland Believers Conventions
- Copy of Senator Grassley's letter to Creflo Dollar
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