Ep. 429: Morningstar Dispute Settled, Bill Hwang Sentenced, and T.D. Jakes Updates
On today’s program, MorningStar Fellowship Church in South Carolina reaches a settlement with York County after a decade-long dispute over Heritage Tower—a building originally owned by Jim Bakker’s Praise the Lord Ministries. We’ll have details.
And, Christian philanthropist Bill Hwang was sentenced for a $10 billion fraud. We’ll take a look.
Plus, another Christian college is on the ropes. Saint Augustine’s University in North Carolina slashes its workforce by 50% in its fight to retain accreditation.
But first, a week after suffering a dangerous health incident during a Sunday morning church service, Bishop T.D. Jakes updated his congregation via live video. “Many of you don’t realize that you’re looking at a miracle,” Bishop T.D. Jakes said in a live video message to the congregation on Sunday (Dec. 1). “I faced a life-threatening calamity, was rushed to the ICU unit. I had emergency surgery. Survived this surgery” He said.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Adelle Banks, Jessica Eturralde, Kim Roberts, Tony Mator, Paul Clolery, and Brittany Smith.
A special thanks to The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
Until next time, may God bless you.
MANUSCRIPT
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, MorningStar Fellowship Church in South Carolina reaches a settlement with York County after a decade-long dispute over Heritage Tower—a building originally owned by Jim Bakker’s Praise the Lord Ministries. We’ll have details.
And, Christian philanthropist Bill Hwang was sentenced for a $10 BILLION fraud. We’ll take a look.
Plus, Saint Augustine’s University in North Carolina slashes its workforce by 50% in its fight to retain accreditation.
Natasha:
But first, a week after suffering a dangerous health incident during a Sunday morning church service, Bishop T.D. Jakes updated his congregation via live video.
Warren:
“Many of you don’t realize that you’re looking at a miracle,” Bishop T.D. Jakes said in a live video message to the congregation on Sunday (Dec. 1). “I faced a life-threatening calamity, was rushed to the ICU unit. I had emergency surgery. Survived this surgery” He said.
Natasha:
What happened?
Warren:
Jakes, 67, an evangelist, author and business executive, suffered what his church initially called “a slight health incident” during the Nov. 24 worship service at The Potter’s House. At that time, about a dozen people rushed to his side after he lowered his microphone and was shaking in his seat.
In the seven-minute video he said he would be following doctor’s orders to rest.
Jakes, whose remarks were also posted on his Instagram page, said he was not in pain and is in good spirits.
“I didn’t want you to be worried about me,” he told his congregation, expressing thanks for their prayers and support. “I’m trying to be obedient to what the doctor said [to] do, in terms of just taking a few weeks to just heal and recover and relax and just reflect.”
Natasha:
And he has a lot to reflect on these days.
Warren:
Yes. Lawyers for Jakes filed a defamation lawsuit the day after the medical incident, saying another minister, Duane Youngblood, had falsely accused him of attempted sexual assault. The suit linked the accusations to Jakes’ health.
“Youngblood’s intentional and malicious lies have taken a substantial emotional and physical toll on Bishop Jakes,” reads the suit.
Natasha:
Who is Youngblood?
Warren:
Duane Youngblood, 57, a Pennsylvania man who Jakes’ suit notes is on parole after felony convictions for sexual assault and corruption of minors, made the allegations in two recent appearances on the “Larry Reid Live” YouTube talk show. “The Abused Become the Abuser” episodes featuring Youngblood’s claims have gone viral.
The suit says a lawyer claiming to represent Youngblood sent Jakes a Nov. 15 letter demanding $6 million from Jakes after the episodes aired.
The suit includes denials by Jakes’ legal team of Youngblood’s accusations that Jakes tried to groom and sexually abuse him.
Natasha:
Jakes’ lawsuit also makes a direct link between Jakes’ medical state and Youngblood’s allegations.
Warren:
Jakes seeks compensatory damages exceeding $75,000 and also seeks economic damages “in an amount to be specifically determined at trial.”
Natasha:
Next is an update from MorningStar.
Warren:
A decade-long dispute between MorningStar Fellowship Church and a South Carolina county over a building formerly owned by the now-bankrupt PTL Ministries is possibly over.
MorningStar and York County have finalized a settlement resolving all legal disputes over the unfinished Heritage Tower. The tower was part of Heritage USA, a Christian theme park founded by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker of Praise The Lord Ministries (PTL).
In 2004, MorningStar purchased part of the property, including the unfinished 21-story tower, which led to ongoing disputes with York County. In 2012, MorningStar sued the county over repair disagreements, followed by a 2018 lawsuit alleging religious discrimination.
Although the parties reached a mutual agreement to dismiss disputes in 2020, York County filed another lawsuit in 2021 after MorningStar announced plans to renovate the tower.
Natasha:
So where does that leave us today?
Warren:
The settlement agreement, signed in October 2024 by Rick Joyner (MorningStar president) and Allison Love (York County Council co-chair), states that MorningStar will dismiss all lawsuits and withdraw related FOIA requests while York County agrees to end its counterclaims.
MorningStar has 18 months to apply for a building permit to complete the tower. If they fail to obtain a license within that time frame, MorningStar must demolish the tower within nine months. Permits will be valid for 180 days, with the option for five extensions, but if they expire without action, the church must tear the tower down.
Natasha:
Let’s look at one more story before our break, what do you have?
Warren:
Two historic New Jersey churches won a preliminary injunction in federal court that blocks a policy excluding them from a funding program for historic buildings.
In May 2023, Zion Lutheran Church Long Valley and Mendham Methodist Church, represented by religious liberty public interest law firm First Liberty Institute, filed a lawsuit claiming the Morris County historic preservation board discriminated against them in its distribution of funds because of their religious function.
First Liberty’s Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys said in a press statement. “Time and again, the U.S. Supreme Court has declared that all forms of religious discrimination by the government are unconstitutional, including the denial of historic preservation grants to historic churches,”
Natasha:
How old are these churches?
Warren:
Mendham Methodist Church, dating back to 1893, is a small congregation that hosts community events such as music lessons, a jazz concert, and a thrift shop. It’s seeking funds to paint and reshingle its bell tower.
Zion Lutheran Church Long Valley was built in German Valley in 1832, and the Gothic Revival-style building has been expanded over the years to fit the needs of the congregation, which currently numbers about 100.
Zion Lutheran sought a grant to repair stained glass windows in its sanctuary.
Natasha:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, Christian philanthropist Bill Hwang is sentenced to 18 years in prison for $10 billion fraud.
I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break.
Warren:
Archegos founder Bill Hwang, formerly one of the wealthiest Evangelical philanthropists, will spend 18 years in prison for business practices that led to more than $10 billion in losses to Wall Street banks in March 2021.
In what he called a case with “no precedent,” Manhattan U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein announced the prison sentence Wednesday, November 20. The judge also added 3 years of supervised release and scheduled a December hearing to consider forfeiture and restitution payments to victims.
Natasha:
Can you remind us of the background here?
Warren:
Hwang, 60, was convicted in July of wire fraud, securities fraud, racketeering and market manipulation. Prosecutors alleged he and his former chief financial officer, Patrick Halligan, had lied to banks to secure loans they used to inflate stock prices, which then plummeted in value after Archegos defaulted on highly leveraged margin calls.
About $100 billion vanished from the stock market in a week. Banks that had given loans to Archegos lost $10 billion, while Archegos itself lost $36 billion.
While the 10-count conviction carried a maximum 200-year sentence, prosecutors only asked for 21 years due to Hwang’s “age and good works in his life.”
Natasha:
A lot of people came forward to his defense.
Warren:
The defense presented 500 pages of testimonies from character witnesses, including Grace & Mercy employees as well as dozens of Christian ministry leaders, many of whom have received funding from Hwang.
Some notable contributors were Kevin Palau, head of the Luis Palau Association; Mark Labberton, retired president of Fuller Theological Seminary; Ed Morgan, former head of The Bowery Mission; and Catherine Jackson, founder of prison ministry Defy Ventures.
However, the judge struggled to reconcile two seemingly very different versions of Bill Hwang and weigh his positive legacy against the catastrophic damage done by Archegos, insisting his good deeds did not erase his serious crimes.
At the hearing, Hwang apologized to all who “suffered” as a result of the collapse, but stopped short of admitting guilt. He plans to appeal the conviction.
Natasha:
Next, a lawsuit against Asbury.
Warren:
A former student who suffered severe injuries at Asbury University in Kentucky last year has filed a lawsuit for negligence, breach of contract, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Isabella Willingham was found unconscious in her room in November 2023 with cuts, bruises, and other injuries. Even her acrylic nails had been ripped off. She stopped breathing on her own for 23 minutes.
Natasha:
Do they know what happened?
Warren:
During a phone call with Willingham on November 27, 2023, her mother said Willingham began to lose focus and said that her head was hurting, for which her roommate had given her medication, ostensibly ibuprofen. Then the phone call ended abruptly and the mobile location services associated with Willingham’s phone also ceased,
Willingham then received a call from Asbury stating that Willingham had suffered a seizure, fallen out of her bed, and was being transported to the hospital.
However, when her parents arrived at the hospital after driving from Ohio, they said Willingham looked like she’d been beaten. They claim that sheriff’s department officers told them Willingham appeared to be the “most egregious case of domestic abuse they had ever seen.”
Because of her severe injuries, Willingham remained in the hospital for two weeks. Medical tests to determine if Willingham had been sexually abused have not yet been provided, the lawsuit states.
Natasha:
The Willinghams were not satisfied with how the university handled the incident.
Warren:
According to Willingham’s father, Asbury waited more than a week after the incident to notify the student body. The school also sent an email asking for information, but only sent it to the girls in Bella’s dorm rather than the entire campus.
And months later, the family still hadn’t received any new information.
According to the court documents, Asbury knew or should have known that there had been reports of criminal and/or inappropriate activity in the area. Willingham asserts she was the victim of “kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault, battery, and potentially sexual abuse (pending the outcome of [the medical] test for same) by one or more Unknown Assailant(s).”
Because it required Willingham to reside in the residence halls at the university, the lawsuit asserts that Asbury breached its contractual duty to secure its premises and to ensure the safety of students from the criminal acts of third parties.
Well-known attorney Boz Tchividjian, who represents victims of sexual abuse, is one of the lawyers representing Willingham against Asbury.
Natasha:
In our next story, a rising star in the church music leader world is now facing more than 30 felony charges.
Warren:
Zachary Radcliff, 29, son of well-known Oakwood Church senior pastor Frank Radcliff, was originally arraigned on October 20 for 11 charges. A bond for $3 million was set, which does not appear yet to have been paid.
On November 25, a proceeding revealed over 20 additional charges. The charged offenses listed on the Michigan courts website date back 10 years to June 2014.
Radcliff is charged with multiple felonies, including first degree criminal sexual conduct, aggravated child sexually abusive activity, criminal sexual conduct with someone under age 13, and internet communication with others to commit a crime. At least some of the charges carry potential life prison terms and a lifetime of electronic monitoring.
Natasha:
According to the elder Radcliff, Zachary was “terminated from his job, without pay effective Saturday, October 12.” He had served at the church for almost eight years, the elder Radcliff told MinistryWatch in October.
Natasha:
And a California Pastor Pleads Guilty to Abuse
Warren:
A California pastor arrested last year for allegedly molesting a minor has pleaded guilty to forcible rape and child molestation. The plea now involves 19 charges and five underage victims.
Last December, MinistryWatch reported on the arrest of Victor Manuel Hernandez-Pineda, 54, after the victim (who is now an adult) told her parents that Hernandez had sexually abused her when she was a child.
Hernandez was the pastor at Iglesia Pentecostes Movimiento De Gloria, a church for Central American immigrants in Richmond, California, at the time of his arrest.
Hernandez-Pineda’s final sentencing is scheduled for February 27.
Natasha:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch Podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
What’s up first?
Warren:
Facing mounting debt and accreditation concerns, Episcopal-affiliated Saint Augustine’s University has eliminated 136 staff—about half its total workforce.
The Triangle Business Journal reported the cuts were made as part of an emergency plan by the historically black liberal arts school in Raleigh, North Carolina, to become compliant with its accreditation agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The plan slashed 37 full-time faculty positions, 32 adjunct faculty positions and 67 other staff positions. The school also reported eliminating several “under-enrolled” programs in the effort to reduce its operating budget by $17 million compared to the previous fiscal year.
Last December, SACS announced it would remove SAU’s accreditation. A failed appeal in February seemed like the end for the university as it moved all classes online to cut costs. Then in July, SACS reversed course, keeping SAU on probation and giving it more time to become compliant.
Natasha:
What’s next?
Warren:
The ability of the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury to designate a nonprofit as a terrorist supporting organization and yank its exempt status got one step closer to reality with the House of Representatives passing Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act (H.R. 9495).
The vote was 219 to 184.
The legislation would allow the Secretary of the Treasury discretion, without requiring the disclosure of evidence, to deny an organization its tax-exempt status.
Natasha:
There are concerns about this bill.
Warren:
The Council on Foundations, Independent Sector and the National Council of Nonprofits together issued a strongly-word denunciation of Section 4 of H.R.9495 and its predecessor, H.R.6408. “This legislation includes language that creates confusion while providing the executive branch with expansive new authority that could be abused.”
The fear is that nonprofits providing humanitarian assistance in conflict zones, even when operating under Office of Foreign Assets Control authorizations, could be subject to losing their exempt status.
Natasha:
Next is MinistryWatch’s List of “Shining Light” Christian Ministries
Warren:
At the end of each year, MinistryWatch publishes a list highlighting those ministries in our MinistryWatch 1000 Database that are what we call “Shining Lights.”
Qualifiying as a MinistryWatch “Shining Light” means that a ministry must have earned the top scores in three categories: financial efficiency, transparency, and donor confidence.
Because our criteria is so rigorous, only 18 of the more than 1000 ministries in our database qualified as “Shining Lights” for 2024. They are truly the best of the best when it comes to transparency, accountability, and financial efficiency.
This year’s list includes eight ministries that are new “Shining Lights.” Ten received the “Shining Light” designation last year. You can find the whole list on our website – just go to MinistryWatch.com
We hope this list will serve as a guide to you as you approach your year-end giving. In other words, we hope you will support these ministries.
Natasha:
And, who did we feature in the Ministry Spotlight this week?
Warren:
Revenue and expenses for Opportunity International, a global poverty-fighting nonprofit, dropped significantly over the last 5 years. Its Donor Confidence Score also recently fell to 58— an “Exercise Caution” designation.
According to its website, Opportunity International “helps those living in poverty build sustainable incomes, educate their children, improve their farms, and build brighter futures for their families.”
From 2019 to 2023, the organization’s overall revenue fell from $74.7 million to $40.9 million. Its expenses also dropped from $68.9 million in 2019 to $44.3 million in 2023. These changes are explained, in large part, by Opportunity International’s decision to begin a divestiture of its banking operations in 2015, which we had previously reported on here at MinistryWatch.
Natasha:
But that’s not the only reason for the drop in score.
Warren:
The organization also lost points from its Donor Confidence Score (DCS) because it is not a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. The DCS is also impacted by CEO Atul Tandon’s salary. Part of the MinistryWatch DCS includes a requirement that a CEO’s salary be “within one standard deviation of the median compensation.” Currently, Tandon makes $662,408.
Natasha:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
Year end fundraising. Please be generous.
Giving Tuesday update.
Natasha:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Adelle Banks, Jessica Eturralde, Kim Roberts, Tony Mator, Paul Clolery, and Brittany Smith.
A special thanks to The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
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