On This Date at MinistryWatch
Gateway sued over tithe funds, Awana serving children globally, Duplantis asks for money to ‘speed up’ Christ’s return, and more.
ONE YEAR AGO: On October 7, 2024, MinistryWatch reported that a class-action lawsuit was filed against Gateway Church in federal court by members who were concerned about the stewardship of the money they contributed. Read more here. Find our reporting about Robert Morris/Gateway Church here. 
TWO YEARS AGO: On October 16, 2023, MinistryWatch reported that while Awana still exists at 8,100 local churches across the country, only 10% of the children discipled through Awana are in the United States. It is reaching 5.7 million children across the world each week. Read more here.
FOUR YEARS AGO: On October 7, 2021, MinistryWatch reported that Louisiana televangelist Jesse Duplantis said during a fundraiser for fellow evangelist Kenneth Copeland’s ministry that the reason Jesus hasn’t returned is because people “are not giving the way God told them to give.” Speaking as part of Copeland’s four-day “Victorython” fundraiser, Duplantis urged viewers that giving more money was a way to “speed up the time” of the second coming. Read more here.
Access to MinistryWatch content is free. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. To make a donation, click here.
FIVE YEARS AGO: On October 13, 2020, MinistryWatch reported that Bruce Smith announced on Facebook he was no longer President/CEO of Wycliffe Associates, the Bible translation organization. In fiscal year 2019, the ministry reported about $49 million in revenue. Neither Smith nor Wycliffe Associates announced the reason for his departure, though it followed nearly a year of scrutiny by MinistryWatch that resulted in fresh questions about Smith’s leadership and the practices of the Bible translation ministry. Read more here.
SIX YEARS AGO: On October 10, 2019, MinistryWatch reported that Pride for Parents, a pop-up store built around the Christmas season, restored dignity through “reciprocal exchange” where donated toys and clothes are sold, not given away, at significantly reduced prices. Read more here.
