Ep. 319: Paul Pressler Lawsuit Settles IHOP cuts ties with Mike Bickle, Taylor U. gets $30 M grant

On today’s program, the Southern Baptist Convention settles over a sexual abuse lawsuit against influential leader Paul Pressler.  Also, right before Christmas, the International House of Prayer officially cut ties with legendary founder Mike Bickle. We have details of Taylor University’s $30 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to revitalize its local community. And we also unveil our list of the highest paid Christian ministry executives in the nation. We begin today with news that identify theft charges against Memphis pastor Steven Flockhart have been dropped. FINAL THOUGHTS: As I have said before, the end of the year is the most critical time of the year for Christian ministries, including MinistryWatch, when it comes to fundraising. We needed to raise about a quarter of our budget, about $117 thousand, in the months of November and December. I’m pleased to report today that we met that goal. We still have checks coming in the mail, but it looks like we will top out at around $140,000, which is significantly above our goal. If you were able to help us reach our goal, THANK YOU. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. Four years ago, just weeks after I took over at MinistryWatch, we set a year-end goal of about $15,000. To see how we’ve grown over the past four years has been humbling and gratifying.  I’m grateful to God, and to you who read, listen to, and financially support our work. The producers for today’s program are Rich Roszel and Jeff McIntosh.  We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Bob Smietana, Jessica Eturralde, Daniel Ritchie, Steve Rabey, Kathryn Post, Rod Pitzer—and you, Warren. Until next time, may God bless you.