On This Date at MinistryWatch
Liberty faces fines, Elevation Worship ticket prices, Lakewood repays PPP loan, compensation for Franklin Graham
ONE YEAR AGO: On October 19, 2023, MinistryWatch reported that the president of Liberty University, Dondi E. Costin, said the school faces an “unprecedented fine” of $34.7 million as a result of the violations of the Clery Act identified in a Department of Education report. In March 2024, the Department of Education announced a fine of $14 million against Liberty. Read more here.
TWO YEARS AGO: On October 18, 2022, MinistryWatch reported that Elevation Worship was under fire over ticket prices topping $1,000 for its Los Angeles concert. Elevation Church, based in Charlotte, N.C., reported that it took in more than $100 million in tithes and offerings in 2023. Read more here.
THREE YEARS AGO: On October 13, 2021, MinistryWatch reported that Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church announced it would repay $4.4 million in Payroll Protection Program (PPP) funds. Osteen announced in January 2024 the church had paid all of its 20-year debt of $100 million. Read more here.
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO: On October 23, 2009, MinistryWatch reported that Franklin Graham appeared in the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s list of highest paid nonprofit executives not once, but twice. He made the list for his salary with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and again because of his salary at Samaritan’s Purse. The total compensation came to about $1.2 million. Read more here.
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