Another Televangelist Ministry Snubs Congressional Probe As Deadline For Spending Reports Arrives

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - At least two prominent televangelist ministries are snubbing their noses at a Congressional probe into their finances, ignoring a month-old request to hand over documentation that would prove or refute charges of lavish personal spending.

IRS rules prohibit excessive personal gain through tax-exempt work. While churches are exempt from some of the reporting requirements of other nonprofit organizations, they still must ensure that donated funds are used to meet the goals of the organization and are not diverted for personal use.

However, according to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), "disturbing news coverage," along with reports provided to his staff by interested third parties, have led the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee to question whether the televangelists are in compliance.

"Considering tax-exempt media-based ministries today are a billion-dollar industry ... with minimal transparency, it would be irresponsible not to examine this tax-exempt part of our economy," he said in a statement this week.

In early November, Grassely issued requests for documentation to six Word of Faith ministries, giving them until Thursday, December 6, to comply. All of the ministries preach a "prosperity gospel," teaching that God wants believers to reap material rewards for their faith.

Only one organization - Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, MO - has so far cooperated.

A lawyer for World Changers Church International in suburban Atlanta publicly challenged the Senate committee Wednesday, saying they will have to obtain subpoenas if they wish to review church records.

Then, on Thursday, a spokesperson for World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries, both in Texas, told the Associated Press that those organizations also intend to defy the order. He added that they will issue an official response in late January.

The other televangelists have been noncommittal, although some have charged that they are victims of religious discrimination.

The other ministries under investigation include New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries, both in Georgia; Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries in Florida and Kenneth Copeland Ministries in Texas.