Televangelist Launches Fundraising Plea for $65 Million Private Jet

A well-known televangelist is attempting to raise $60 million for the purchase of one of the most coveted private jets on the market — one that he and his ministry will use to "continue to spread the gospel of grace around the world."

Pastor Creflo Dollar, founder of World Changers Church International, has launched Project G650, an effort to encourage 200,000 people to donate $300 or more so that he can purchase a jet that Business Insider recently called, the "biggest, fastest, and overall best private jet money can buy."

The Gulfstream G650 jet, which runs for around $65 million, would replace the current airplane that the ministry has been using, as it was built in 1984, and, according to a video accompanying the fundraising appeal, the plane, which Dollar has used since 1999, recently experienced serious technical difficulties that put Dollar and his family in danger.

Screen shot from Creflo Dollar Ministries website

"Recently on an overseas trip to a global conference, one of the engines failed," the website explains. "By the grace of God, the expert pilot, who’s flown with Creflo for almost 20 years, landed the plane safely without injury or harm to any passengers."

With the old airplane officially out of service, the fundraising appeal explains that it is time to replace the aircraft.

"We believe it is time to replace this aircraft so that our Pastors and staff can continue to safely and swiftly share the Good News of the Gospel worldwide," the explanation continues. "We need your help to continue reaching a lost and dying world for the Lord Jesus Christ."

Watch the video appeal here.

The G650 was called a "gold standard" in an October Business Insider report, which also said that the plane takes passengers "faster and higher than on any commercial jet" and features natural light and richer air.

Dollar, who has been criticized in the past by some for preaching prosperity sermons, regularly travels the world to speak about biblical themes. Some, though, aren't too happy about his current quest for a G650. What do you think?

(H/T: Christian Post)