Trinity Foundation

Victims.

Informants tell us scary stories; as victims, they have seen the worst side of religion.

The prosperity gospel gives rich people a justification for their greed, and poor people a false hope.  It robs the most vulnerable and benefits few but the well-to-do pastors. “Name it, claim it” and wealthy churches are focused inward rather than outward. Forget calling the church office, “Our ministry mandates prohibit us from helping you (financially) but we will pray for you,” is one mantra a victim heard over and over in his time of need.  Be warm, be fed sister. The victims.

Contrast.

The people who are getting rich in the name of God reveal the mystery of the universe in a strange way by showing what it is not.  Everyone who is honest with themselves knows this in their gut.

Hypocrisy.

“Look how God is blessing me.” Lovely houses on the beach, a brand-new Range Rover or electric car, and maybe even a sleek jet at one’s disposal. Whatever it is that we secretly desire to ease our struggles.  Many are frustrated, especially those connected with the prosperity gospel.  Why don’t the preacher’s words match reality?  When our eyes open, the self-seeking becomes obvious. For those setting themselves as examples, their life doesn’t match up with their words.  Hypocrisy.

Continue reading “Why Do We Investigate? …What’s up with Trinity Foundation … Hinn, the Teflon Televangelist”

(Pastor Jamal Bryant preaching at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church)

Church congregations should pay special attention when pastors use violent rhetoric in the pulpit.

During his April 21st sermon, Jamal Bryant used symbolism to compare the wild animals on the ark who were not on a leash to the people in own congregation.

“Here’s the flip side, the flip side is the people on the boat that need to thank me cuz I knew you was a rat. God, y’all ain’t saying nothing to me. I knew you was nothing but a snake and I could have killed you myself …”

After preaching the sermon, Jamal Bryant shared on Instagram a video clip of the incendiary words with an explanation:

“Self restraint is an under appreciated discipline. Some people are really blessed that you have it because you had the power to damage brands, reputations and businesses. May your reward come to you swiftly!”

Bryant and his predecessor Eddie Long have both used the word “kill” frequently in sermons. A search for the word “kill” appears 773 times in sermon videos.

Continue reading “Pastor Jamal Bryant: “I Could Have Killed You Myself””

(Photo: Pixabay)

Update: Voice of the Martyrs has been removed from the following spreadsheet. The ministry to persecuted Christians does produce a Form 990 which is available on request, but not through the IRS database or ProPublica.

Since 1998, evangelical ministries with combined assets of more than $700 million have stopped filing the Form 990 which discloses critical financial information for donors.

Media ministries are merging with churches or requesting the IRS reclassify themselves as churches or church integrated auxiliaries to avoid disclosing compensation of key leadership, legal expenses, and travel expenses because churches and similar organizations (synagogues and mosques) are exempt from filing.

In 2005, IRS Commissioner Mark Everson sent a letter to Senator Chuck Grassley claiming that because churches were not required to file an informational return, “we have little ability to monitor their operations against diversion of assets.”

The following spreadsheet features a list of 21 non-profits and trade names that are still operational along with the last fiscal year they filed a Form 990.

(Photo: Spreadsheet compiled by Trinity Foundation)

The trend may have begun with Jimmy Swaggart Ministries which merged with Family Worship Center Church in 1997. The ministry’s 990s from the mid-1990s are not available online.

After the merger, Swaggart’s church registered Jimmy Swaggart Ministries as a trade name. This allows the church to perform business and to have a bank account in the name of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.

More recently, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) filed for a group exemption which was granted in 2014. The BGEA’s final 990 covering 2014 reported $258,677 in compensation for the ministry’s president Franklin Graham. BGEA no longer discloses Graham’s compensation. Also, in 2014 Graham received $629,821 in compensation from Samaritan’s Purse, another non-profit where he serves as president.

For donors concerned about excessive compensation, it is impossible to make informed decisions when compensation information is not available to the public.

Continue reading “Keeping Secrets from Donors: Investigating the Trend of Evangelical Ministries Hiding Financial Data”

(Photo: Prophet Passion Java preaching in Atlanta)

2,700 years ago, the Prophet Micah warned that “prophets tell fortunes for money.” (Micah 3:11 NIV) The business of prophecy selling still continues in 2024.

Panganai Java, the flamboyant Zimbabwe-born but Maryland-based preacher, better known as Prophet Passion Java, finances his lavish lifestyle by preaching the prosperity gospel and charging his followers $555 for phone calls.

Passion Java is well known for wearing expensive designer clothing and driving high performance sports cars while attracting scrutiny from Prophets and Watches. His Instagram account has 7.9 million followers.

On his website Passion Java promotes one on one phone calls for $555 and discloses there are no refunds. Testimonials on the website sound similar to ads for psychics: “I had a one on one with Papa Prophet Passion in August. He prophesied that within 6 months you will have your visa. My VISA has been approved by Canadian authorities.”

According to the prophet’s website, there is a long wait to receive a call from Passion Java: “Please be advised that after registering – one on ones are based on Prophet’s schedule. The average waiting time is 5-6 weeks but can fluctuate… Thank you for waiting in a timely manner as we are experiencing high volumes of registers.”

If Passion Java makes four calls a week, he will generate over $100,000 from phone calls in a year.

Continue reading “Prophecy for Sale: “Prophets” Mimic Psychics, Charging up to $555 for Phone Call”

The January issue of the International Bulletin of Mission Research (IBMR) reports that Christian religious leaders are estimated to embezzle $86 billion in 2024.

The disturbing statistic, which is easy to overlook, appears in Table 5 of the article “World Christianity 2024: Fragmentation and Unity” under the description “Ecclesiastical Crime.”

This estimate was compiled by data scientists Dr. Gina Zurlo, Dr. Todd Johnson, and Peter Crossing at the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

IBMR has been publishing the annual estimate of ecclesiastical crime for decades. The statistic was born from the pioneering research of the late David Barrett, an editor of the World Christian Encyclopedia.

In 1983, Barrett authored the journal article “Silver and Gold Have I None: Church of the Poor or Church of the Rich?” which explored the financial state of Christian missions giving.

Continue reading “Estimate: Christian Religious Leaders to Embezzle $86 Billion in 2024”