On this Date at MinistryWatch

Secretive Chateauroux Fellowship, Brian Houston’s plans, COVID relief fund fraud, and more.

ONE YEAR AGO: On December 17, 2024, MinistryWatch reported about the Chateauroux Fellowship and its director Christian Thomas Lee that, according to the group’s own website, the Fellowship has committed at least $5 billion in future bequests to dozens of Christian groups. Read more here.

TWO YEARS AGO: On December 16, 2023, MinistryWatch reported that former Hillsong founder Brian Houston and his wife Bobbie planned to launch a new church. Read more here.

THREE YEARS AGO: On December 15, 2022, MinistryWatch reported that two Christian ministry leaders in Florida have been arrested for their part in fraudulently obtaining COVID relief funds totaling over $8 million. Father and son, Evan and Josh Edwards respectively, were taken from their home in New Smyrna Beach on December 14, 2022. Read more here.

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FOUR YEARS AGO: On December 9, 2021, MinistryWatch reported that Bruxy Cavey, pastor at one of Canada’s largest churches, had been accused of sexual misconduct and placed on leave while the church undertook an external investigation. As of July 2024, one of the charges was stayed, and the church had suspended its services in the face of difficulty obtaining insurance. Read more here.

SIX YEARS AGO:  On December 19, 2019, MinistryWatch reported about legislation dying in congress that would have protected churches and other nonprofit organizations from having to pay taxes on some employee benefits. The Lessening Impediments from Taxes (LIFT) for Charities Act introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) in February repealed a section of the 2017 tax reform bill that requires some tax-exempt organizations to pay federal taxes on benefits like parking, meals, and transportation costs like transit passes. It has since been reintroduced, but has so far failed to become law. Read more here.