Creflo Augustus Dollar, Jr. is an American televangelist, pastor, and the founder of
the non-denominational World Changers Church International based in Fulton County, Georgia,
Creflo Dollar Ministerial Association, Creflo Dollar Ministries, and Arrow Records.
Each of these enterprises is overseen by Dollar and his wife, Taffi Dollar.
Biography In 1984, Dollar received a Bachelor of Science
degree in education from West Georgia College in Carrollton, Georgia.
He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Oral Roberts University in 1998.
Dollar claims to have received the vision for World Changers Ministries Christian Center
in 1986.
He held the church's first worship service in the cafeteria of Kathleen Mitchell Elementary
School in College Park, Georgia, with only eight people in attendance and successfully
receiving over $100 in contributions from those present.
Over the years the ministry has grown rapidly and was renamed World Changers Church International.
As of 2007, the congregation has grown to 30,000 members with $69 million in revenue
for 2006.
The congregation moved from its original cafeteria location to a modest-sized chapel, adding
a weekly radio broadcast and four services each Sunday.
On December 24, 1995, WCCI moved into its present location, the 8,500-seat sanctuary
known as the World Dome.
At a cost of nearly $18 million, it is claimed that the World Dome was built without any
bank financing.
Dollar is also the publisher of CHANGE magazine, a quarterly international publication with
nearly 100,000 subscribers and The Max, a bimonthly resource newsletter for ministers
and ministry leaders.
Creflo Dollar also frequently speaks at conferences and is a best selling author.
Dollar and his wife, Taffi, have five children and live in Atlanta.
Outreach In October 2012, Creflo Dollar Ministries
purchased a new Church location in the Bronx, New York.
According to the New York Daily News, Loews Paradise Theater, now a historical landmark,
is now home to World Changers Church of New York.
Creflo Dollar has also made efforts to relieve the stress endured by the family of Greg McDowell
after his fatal shooting October 24, 2012.
He challenged church members to give by making online donations, and donating to a special
fund the church set up with the hopes of acquiring $234,000, money which would then be handed
over to the McDowell family.
On March 15, 2013, Creflo Dollar embarked on his 2013 Change Conventions.
These conventions were created as a way of celebrating the anniversary of his World Changers
church by hosting free events in six cities, including Pittsburg, Orlando and Hartford,
in which attendees would be encouraged to worship, learn, and bond.
As a part of the Change Experience, Creflo Dollar and his ministry spotlighted a local
organization in every city and made a donation in support of its service and dedication to
strengthening the community.
For example, Dollar presented a major gift on behalf of Creflo Dollar Ministries to the
Orlando Union Rescue Mission, one of Central Florida’s oldest and largest homeless service
providers, who celebrated its 65th anniversary.
The donation to the rescue mission came at a strategic time, when it will be doubled
by matching funds.
“I look forward to joining the people of Orlando in experiencing dynamic change,”
said Dollar.
“Through our time together, a Spirit-led journey awaits those seeking to improve their
lives and prevail over current difficulties.”
Every year for the past 5 years, Creflo Dollar and his ministry have provided Thanksgiving
dinners to up to 3000 families around the Atlanta area in time for the holiday.
Controversy Dollar is known for his controversial teachings
regarding prosperity theology.
He has long been criticized for living a lavish lifestyle; he owns two Rolls-Royces, a private
jet, and real estate such as a million dollar home in Atlanta, a $2.5m home in Demarest,
N.J., and a $2.5m home in Manhattan, which he sold for $3.75m in 2012.
Dollar has refused to disclose his salary and Creflo Dollar Ministries received a grade
of "F" for financial transparency by the organization MinistryWatch.
On June 8, 2012, The Fayette County Sheriff's Office filed a report claiming Dollar committed
acts of simple assault/battery and cruelty toward a child.
The report stated that his then 15-year-old daughter reported she was choked and hit by
her father, Dollar.
Dollar informed deputies that he was only trying to restrain his daughter, whom he claimed
was acting disrespectfully after he forbade her from attending a party.
He stated that while he was holding his daughter, she began to hit him.
He stated he wrestled her to the floor, spanked her and sent her to her room, according to
the report.
Dollar released a statement after the charges were filed, denying that he assaulted his
daughter.
In January 2013, prosecutors dropped charges after Dollar completed an anger-management
program.
Fayette County Solicitor General James Inagawa said Dollar paid about $1,000 in court fees
as part of a pretrial intervention program and had complied with all the conditions placed
on him to resolve the case.
Inagawa noted that the wishes of Dollar's daughter were taken into account before prosecutors
allowed the pastor to participate in the pretrial intervention program.
References
External links
Official biography World Changers Church International website
World Changers Church-New York website Creflo Dollar Sermons Delivered at Kenneth
Copeland Believers Conventions Copy of Senator Grassley's letter to Creflo
Dollar http:www.nydailynews.combronx/world-changers-church-new-york-occupy-paradise-article-1.1211185