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| © Copyright 2015-2018 Empowering Everyday Women Ministries |
By Alice Daniels:: EEW MAGAZINE NEWS
It’s no secret that Christian ministries run off donations, tithes, and
offerings. Mega churches also tap into the reservoirs of “special
partners” to help offset the massive costs of operations, often invoking
God’s blessings and favor on those who give.
So, recently, when Dr. I.V. Hilliard, of New Light Christian Center sent
out an email newsletter requesting that partners and friends of the
ministry donate $52 each to raise the $50,000 necessary to replace
the blades on the church’s helicopter, he likely didn’t expect a media
firestorm of controversy.
But the blowup was swift and fierce.
It’s no secret that Christian ministries run off donations, tithes, and
offerings. Mega churches also tap into the reservoirs of “special
partners” to help offset the massive costs of operations, often invoking
God’s blessings and favor on those who give.
So, recently, when Dr. I.V. Hilliard, of New Light Christian Center sent
out an email newsletter requesting that partners and friends of the
ministry donate $52 each to raise the $50,000 necessary to replace
the blades on the church’s helicopter, he likely didn’t expect a media
firestorm of controversy.
But the blowup was swift and fierce.
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According to Fox News, the media outlet that broke the story, Bishop Hilliard made the claim that donators to
the helicopter fundraising effort would receive a blessing from God—maybe even their dream vehicle—within
52 days or 52 weeks of sowing their monetary offering.
Following the hullaballoo, Hilliard, who began his church in 1984 with approximately 23 members, that now
boasts more than 28,000 parishioners and counting, and six different locations, issued a statement.
The Texas mega pastor told Fox News that, the ministry “regularly make appeals to Special Partners, Members
and friends of the church for the support of various programs and services.”
He continued, “In this instance, the appeal was directed to our Special Partners and friends who are familiar
with the Biblical principles upon which we base our faith. We sincerely regret if anyone was offended by this
appeal in that it was not our intent.”
Pastor Saiko Woods of His Word, His Way Ministries in Sugarland, TX blasted Hilliard’s donation request,
telling Fox News, "I've seen this man's home. I've seen where he lives you can't tell me you don't have $50,000
you can pay out of your own pocket."
But Woods did not only focus on the Hilliard family’s more than ample financial empire, but also, zoned in on
how cases like this harm Christianity’s reputation in the world. "Gospel is the death burial and resurrection of
Jesus Christ. Not you promising money, blessings, a bigger house, a bigger car, a jet, whatever these things
might be,” he said.
“It causes people to look at Christianity and to laugh at it, or to make a mockery of it, thinking Christianity is all
about money."
On the Matt Patrick KTRH Radio Morning Show, Community Activist Quanell X, discussed his views. “If this
pastor is truly traveling all across Texas and traveling to other cities and that mode of transportation is
necessary for his ministry, I don’t have a problem with that,” he explained.
“He didn’t ask them to purchase a brand new helicopter. He only said purchase blades to help repair the one
he already has. And from my understanding, it was the church, many years ago, that bought the helicopter for
him.”
But Patrick, host of the show, retorted, “I’ve never heard of anything more ridiculous in my life! If you want new
blades for your stinking helicopter, go into your own bank account and get ‘em yourself.”
the helicopter fundraising effort would receive a blessing from God—maybe even their dream vehicle—within
52 days or 52 weeks of sowing their monetary offering.
Following the hullaballoo, Hilliard, who began his church in 1984 with approximately 23 members, that now
boasts more than 28,000 parishioners and counting, and six different locations, issued a statement.
The Texas mega pastor told Fox News that, the ministry “regularly make appeals to Special Partners, Members
and friends of the church for the support of various programs and services.”
He continued, “In this instance, the appeal was directed to our Special Partners and friends who are familiar
with the Biblical principles upon which we base our faith. We sincerely regret if anyone was offended by this
appeal in that it was not our intent.”
Pastor Saiko Woods of His Word, His Way Ministries in Sugarland, TX blasted Hilliard’s donation request,
telling Fox News, "I've seen this man's home. I've seen where he lives you can't tell me you don't have $50,000
you can pay out of your own pocket."
But Woods did not only focus on the Hilliard family’s more than ample financial empire, but also, zoned in on
how cases like this harm Christianity’s reputation in the world. "Gospel is the death burial and resurrection of
Jesus Christ. Not you promising money, blessings, a bigger house, a bigger car, a jet, whatever these things
might be,” he said.
“It causes people to look at Christianity and to laugh at it, or to make a mockery of it, thinking Christianity is all
about money."
On the Matt Patrick KTRH Radio Morning Show, Community Activist Quanell X, discussed his views. “If this
pastor is truly traveling all across Texas and traveling to other cities and that mode of transportation is
necessary for his ministry, I don’t have a problem with that,” he explained.
“He didn’t ask them to purchase a brand new helicopter. He only said purchase blades to help repair the one
he already has. And from my understanding, it was the church, many years ago, that bought the helicopter for
him.”
But Patrick, host of the show, retorted, “I’ve never heard of anything more ridiculous in my life! If you want new
blades for your stinking helicopter, go into your own bank account and get ‘em yourself.”
JUNE 20, 2013
Dianna Hobbs is on the radio
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Bishop I.V. Hilliard's Helicopter Donation Controversy:
‘We Sincerely Regret If Anyone Was Offended’
‘We Sincerely Regret If Anyone Was Offended’