Reverend Creflo Dollar asks for $60m in donations for G650

Gulfstream G650ER

Atlanta-based pastor Reverend Creflo Dollar, head of World Changers Church International, caused uproar recently when he asked 200,000 of his followers to donate $300 each, so he could buy a Gulfstream G650 private jet.

Dollar, who posted a five-minute video on his church’s website, says that he needs the plane so that “World Changers Church International can continue to blanket the globe with the Gospel of grace.”

In its online appeal, the church says that its Gulfstream III (tail number N103CD) – which it says has already flown four million miles – recently suffered an in-flight engine shut-down. Although nobody was hurt in the incident.

“Due to this recent incident coupled with the 31 years the airplane has been in service, 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. We need your help to continue reaching a lost and dying world for the Lord Jesus Christ.”

ALSO SEE: Gulfstream III N103CD comes off runway at Biggin Hill

The jet also had a minor mishap at Biggin Hill Airport in London late last year, when the aircraft came off the runway during its take-off roll.

As of Sunday 15 March the online appeal page has been removed, although the main World Changers’ church donation website remains live.

However, Dollar may not have done his maths correctly. Even if 200,000 people donated $300 as requested, the multi-millionaire pastor would still need to find an extra $5 million to afford the $65 million list price for a brand new Gulfstream G650.