Televangelist Jesse Duplantis says God told him that he needs a new $54 million private jet to help him preach the Gospel to the world.
The fact that Duplantis already has three private jets is insufficient, according to the preacher. He needs a Dassault Falcon 7X, a three-engine airplane capable of carrying 12 to 16 passengers at speeds up to 700 miles per hour, with a range of nearly 6,000 miles.
"Now, some people believe that preachers shouldn't have jets," said Duplantis in a video that he posted. "I really believe that preachers ought to...have every able out to get this Gospel preached to the world."
"If Jesus was physically on the Earth today," he said, "he wouldn't be riding a donkey. He'd be in an airplane preaching the Gospel all over the world."
Now Dupantils did not actually ask for contributions to help pay for his new ride, which would be his fourth private jet. He just said that God told him, "I didn't ask you to pay for it, I asked to believe for it."
When I read this story, I was shocked. Duplantis' appeal was even bolder than the appeals that I heard over and over again from the traveling evangelists who my father, as a young preacher, invited to hold revival services in his little churches. I, of course, was required to attend every single one.
Another Preacher Wants to Soar
But then, I read about another preacher who was asking for donations so he can soar with the sprits. He wants a $65 million Gulfstream 650.
Holy crap, I thought, this is catching!
That guy was televangelist Creflo Dollar, who asked his congregation to donate $300 each to raise money for that airplane. While his website has been taken down following online criticism, the World Changers Church International is still accepting donations. Here's a link, in case you want to contribute.
What is it with these guys, anyway. Guess they just figure there are enough suckers out there to help them travel in style. Why should they have to fly with the riffraff, anyway?