Creflo Dollar

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Creflo Dollar
Dr. Dollar Casual photo.jpg
Born Creflo Augustus Dollar, Jr.
(1962-01-28) January 28, 1962 (age 51)
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.

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]

Dr.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]

Dr. 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]

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. [13]

Dr. Creflo Dollar has also made efforts to relieve the stress endured by the family of Greg McDowell after his fatal shooting October 24th, 2012. He challenged church members to give by making online donations, and donating to a special fund the church set up with the hopes of acquiring $234,000, money which would then be handed over to the McDowell family.[14]

On March 15th, 2013, Dr. Creflo Dollar embarked on his 2013 Change Conventions. These conventions were created as a way of celebrating the anniversary of his World Changers church by hosting free events in six cities, including Pittsburg, Orlando and Hartford, in which attendees would be encouraged to worship, learn, and bond. As a part of the Change Experience, Dr. Creflo Dollar and his ministry spotlighted a local organization in every city and made a donation in support of its service and dedication to strengthening the community. [15] For example, Dr. Dollar presented a major gift on behalf of Creflo Dollar Ministries to the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, one of Central Florida’s oldest and largest homeless service providers, who celebrated its 65th anniversary. The donation to the rescue mission came at a strategic time, when it will be doubled by matching funds. “I look forward to joining the people of Orlando in experiencing dynamic change,” said Dollar. “Through our time together, a Spirit-led journey awaits those seeking to improve their lives and prevail over current difficulties.” [16]

Every year for the past 5 years, Dr. Creflo Dollar and his ministry have provided Thanksgiving dinners to up to 3000 families around the Atlanta area in time for the holiday. [17]

Controversy[edit]

Dr. Dollar is known for his controversial teachings regarding prosperity theology.[9] He has long been criticized for living a lavish lifestyle; he owns two Rolls-Royces, a private jet, real estate, such as, 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.[18] Dollar has refused to disclose his salary and Creflo Dollar Ministries received a grade of "F" for financial transparency by the organization MinistryWatch.[9][19]

Dr. 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 dollars in donations (tithes, and offerings)to Dr.Dollar's ministry just before he filed for divorce.[20]

On June 8,2012, The Fayette County Sheriff's Office filed a report claiming Dr. Dollar committed acts of simple assault/battery and cruelty toward a child. The report stated that his then 15-year-old daughter reported she was choked and hit by her father, Dr. Dollar. Dr.Dollar informed deputies that he was only trying to restrain his daughter, whom he claimed was acting disrespectful after he forbid her to attend a party. He stated while he was holding his daughter, she began to hit him. He stated he wrestled her to the floor, spanked her and sent her to her room, according to the report.[21] Dr. Dollar released a statement after the charges were filed, denying that he assaulted his daughter. On Sunday, July 10, 2012, Dr. Dollar publicly addressed the criminal charges against him during his morning service; Dr. Dollar said, "All is well in the Dollar household." after which claimed he would not bring up the issue again. [22]

In January 2013, prosecutors dropped charges after Dollar completed an anger-management program. Fayette County Solicitor General James Inagawa said Dollar paid about $1,000 in court fees as part of a pretrial intervention program and had complied with all the conditions placed on him to resolve the case. Inagawa noted that the wishes of Dollar's daughter were taken into account before prosecutors allowed the pastor to participate in the pretrial intervention program.[23]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Contact Us." World Changers Church International. Retrieved on May 25, 2009.
  2. ^ "Creflo Dollar Ministries". Retrieved 2010-06-27. 
  3. ^ "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>.
  4. ^ "Creflo Dollar." Creflo Dollar. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jun 2010. <http://www.creflodollar.de/>.
  5. ^ "About Creflo Dollar". Retrieved 2010-06-27. 
  6. ^ "Figures released by megachurch". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 2007-11-11. Archived from the original on 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2007-11-17. 
  7. ^ "Dr.Creflo A. Dollar Biography." World Changers Church-New York. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jun 2010.
  8. ^ 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>.
  9. ^ 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. 
  10. ^ "The Best Thing About Evangelist Creflo Dollar Is His Audience". Retrieved 2010-06-27. 
  11. ^ "YouTube -Creflo Dollar". Retrieved 2010-06-27. 
  12. ^ "About Our Pastors Creflo A. & Taffi L. Dollar". Retrieved 2010-06-27. 
  13. ^ DANIEL BEEKMAN (December 2nd, 2012). "Iconic Paradise Theater on Grand Concourse set to begin next act as megachurch of Creflo Dollar". The New York Times. Retrieved July 7, 2013. 
  14. ^ EurPublisher (October 29, 2012). "Creflo Dollar Appeals to Parishioners to Pay Bills of Slain Church Employee". EurWeb. Retrieved July 7, 2013. 
  15. ^ Elev8 (February 6, 2013). "Dr. Creflo Dollar Announces 2013 “Change Conventions”". Elev8. Retrieved July 22, 2013. 
  16. ^ Travel and Tour World (October 9, 2013). "Creflo Dollar’s ‘Change Experience’ to Impact Thousands in Orlando Oct. 11". Travel and Tour World. Retrieved November 11, 2013. 
  17. ^ Atlanta Daily World (November 22, 2013). "Creflo Dollar’s World Changers Church International to Distribute 3,000 Thanksgiving Dinner Boxes to Local Families". Atlanta Daily World. Retrieved November 22, 2013. 
  18. ^ Kim Velsey (April 25, 2012). "Televangelist Creflo Dollar Sells Manhattan Condo (Pictures)". The New York Observer. 
  19. ^ http://www.ministrywatch.com/profile/creflo-dollar-ministries.aspx
  20. ^ Religion Dispatches
  21. ^ http://www.11alive.com/assetpool/documents/120608125907_creflo_arrest.pdf Fayette County Sheriff's Office Deputy Report
  22. ^ http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jun/10/megachurch-pastor-creflo-dollar-denies-punching-ch/
  23. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/25/creflo-dollar-abuse-charge-dropped_n_2552369.html Reuters: Creflo Dollar Abuse Charge Dropped After Pastor Seeks Anger Management

External links[edit]

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