On This Date at MinistryWatch
Viewpoint-based de-banking, Hillsong whistleblower, MI church buys mansion, Josh Duggar arrested, sale of Ridgecrest Conference Center, ECFA terminates Harvest Bible Chapel
ONE YEAR AGO: On April 26, 2024, MinistryWatch reported that a ministry founder proposed a resolution to curb what was called “viewpoint-based de-banking” by Bank of America. Steve Happ, founder of Indigenous Advance Ministries, had received a letter from the bank canceling his account because he was “operating a business type we have chosen not to service at Bank of America.” Read more here.
TWO YEARS AGO: On April 27, 2023, MinistryWatch reported the release of a whistleblower document disclosing Hillsong Church’s financial details highlighted the burgeoning popularity of reciprocal honorarium practices in ministries worldwide. Findings in the Hillsong report prompted donors to question at what point giving sermons or talks is or is not part of a pastor’s job. Read more here.
THREE YEARS AGO: On April 27, 2022, MinistryWatch reported that a Michigan church paid $8.3 million for a Tampa-area estate in Florida that formerly belonged to Tampa Bay Buccaneers co-owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz and her husband. The Kingdom of God Global Church of Taylor (Mich.) secured a $4.9-million mortgage to purchase the 28,893-square-foot main house and a 2,620-square-foot guest house in Avila. Kingdom of God is led by pastor David E. Taylor, who is also the head of Joshua Media Ministries International (JMMI). Read more here.
FOUR YEARS AGO: On April 30, 2021, MinistryWatch reported that former reality star Josh Duggar was arrested by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and was held without bond in an Arkansas jail on unspecified charges. Read more here.
FIVE YEARS AGO: On April 24, 2020, MinistryWatch reported that LifeWay Christian Resources’ board of trustees authorized a recommendation for the organization’s executive team to pursue viable options for the disposition of Ridgecrest Conference Center and Summer Camps including, but not limited to, transfer or sale to SBC entities, state conventions or other external parties. In December 2020, Lifeway finalized its sale of Ridgecrest to Ridgecrest Foundation. Read more here.
SIX YEARS AGO: On April 25, 2019, MinistryWatch reported that the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) terminated Harvest Bible Chapel’s membership in its organization for “significant violations” of ECFA standards—yet three former Harvest elders say they warned ECFA President Dan Busby of serious financial and governance issues at the church six years earlier. They say instead of investigating Harvest, Busby dismissed their concerns, and continued to allow Harvest to use the ECFA seal to tout its alleged financial integrity. Read more here.
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