When I first heard about this a few months back I thought it was a joke but clearly the joke is on me. Life here in Atlanta is much different then many realize and one of the biggest cultures and businesses in the south is the church. With that being said, I should’t be too surprised about this news however I am stunned.
Popular Atlanta pastor Creflo Dollar is the leader of one of the biggest churches in Atlanta, World Changers Church International and as Creflo looks to spread the word of God across the world, his church has agreed to fund his private $65 million dollar jet, the Gulfstream G650. Creflo Dollar originally tried to start a GoFundMe to raise the cash but after that fell short, the church was the next best option.
According to christianpost.com,
The ministry shut down the crowdfunding campaign asking 200,000 of its international supporters to donate $300 each in March to purchase the aircraft that reportedly had billionaires waiting in line to purchase one last year.
“It is our belief that this ministry is called to serve people globally — to literally change the world according to the Great Commission — and our infrastructure and operational plan reflect the worldwide nature of that assignment. Our pastors share the gospel of Jesus more than 300 times per year — in churches, arenas, venues, convention centers, stadiums and other facilities across the entire planet — and are committed to aggressive travel schedules that cannot be fulfilled via any means other than private aircraft,” said the WCCI board in a statement posted on the website of Creflo Dollar Ministries.
“A long-range, high-speed, intercontinental jet aircraft is a tool that is necessary in order to fulfill the mission of the ministry. In light of an unfortunate accident that recently resulted in the ministry’s aircraft being declared a total loss, it is our intention to purchase another airplane at a time, place and price of our choosing,” the statement continued.
It was then confirmed later in the statement that the next plane the ministry intends to acquire is the controversial Gulfstream G650.
“We plan to acquire a Gulfstream G650 because it is the best, and it is a reflection of the level of excellence at which this organization chooses to operate. We, the World Changers family, so value the lives, the safety and the well-being of our pastors and leaders that we wish to provide to them the best air travel experience possible,” said the statement from the WCCI board.
Despite the statement from WCCI, however, it might be a while before the church can acquire the G650 jet even if they are able to raise the nearly $70 million needed to purchase the aircraft, according to Gulfstream’s sales director for New Jersey, Delaware and New York, Kevin Valik.
Checkout the video below detailing the Gulfstream G650 and let us know what you think of this situation.
© 2015, Eldorado2452. All rights reserved.
