In a YouTube video from inside his mega-church, televangelist Creflo Dollar blasted critics of his short-lived donation campaign to raise $65 million for a new jet.
“If I want to believe God for a $65 million plane, you cannot stop me,” Dollar told his followers. “You cannot stop me from dreaming. I’m gonna dream until Jesus comes.”
Dollar’s comments at his World Changers Church International were made about a month after his campaign to buy the jet made headlines.
On a web page devoted to Project G650 — as in the top-of-the-line Gulfstream 650 — Dollar urged donations so that he and his team could safely spread the word of Jesus around the world.
The donation website was later taken down. But while it was up, the website devoted to the fundraiser said Dollar’s current plane, built in 1984 and purchased in 1999, has logged 4 million miles. One of the engines failed on a recent trip, but the experienced pilot was able to land safely and no one was injured, Dollar’s ministry said.
That plane is now grounded and the repairs it would require to meet FAA guidelines would be costly, Juda Engelmayer, ministry spokesman, told The AJC.
Dollar, instead, wanted the new 18-seat jet, which in 2014 won aviation's most prestigious honor, the Collier Trophy, and is considered the best and fastest high-end corporate jet ever built. It's the mode of travel for world governments, the very top echelon of business executives and likely the richest of the rich, aviation experts told The AJC. There is no cargo space for thousands of pounds and food and supplies.
In his videoed sermon, Dollar said if critics were upset about a $65 million jet, wait until life is discovered on Mars. Then, he said he’ll need a billion-dollar spacecraft to preach the gospel there.
“I dare you tell me I can’t dream,” Dollar said. “I dare you tell me that I can’t believe in God. If I find Jesus, I’m going to look at Jesus until it comes to pass. Because with God all things are possible, to him that believes.”
About the Author
