Creflo Augustus Dollar Jr. was born on January 28, 1962, in College Park, Georgia.

Raised in a modest household—his father a police officer and his mother a cafeteria worker—Dollar’s early life was grounded in discipline and faith, though he never initially envisioned becoming a pastor.

His first dream was professional football, but a career-ending injury shifted his path toward ministry.

In 1986, Dollar founded World Changers Ministries Christian Center in the very elementary school cafeteria where his mother had worked.

The first service drew just eight people.

Yet his compelling message of faith, hope, and practical spirituality quickly attracted larger crowds.

By 1991, the ministry was renamed World Changers Church International (WCCI), reflecting its expanding reach.

Dollar’s prosperity gospel teaching—that faith, positive confession, and generous giving unlock God’s blessings—resonated deeply with many.

The construction of the World Dome, an 8,500-seat sanctuary completed in 1995 without bank financing, symbolized his ministry’s ascent.

By the mid-2000s, WCCI boasted over 30,000 members and nearly $70 million in annual revenue, with satellite churches and global broadcasts reaching audiences worldwide.

However, Dollar’s lavish lifestyle—multi-million-dollar homes, luxury cars, and private jets—sparked criticism and skepticism.

Ministry watchdogs repeatedly flagged his organization for lack of financial transparency.

A 2007 Senate investigation into televangelists probed possible misuse of tax-exempt funds; Dollar notably refused to cooperate fully, further eroding public trust.

The controversy peaked in 2015 with “Project G650,” a campaign to raise $65 million for a private jet.

Despite claims the jet was necessary for ministry work, aviation experts debunked the logistics, and public backlash was swift and fierce.

Gospel artist Kirk Franklin and others condemned the extravagance.

Though Dollar persisted in his vision, the scandal left a lasting stain on his reputation.

Personal turmoil also surfaced.

In 2012, Dollar was arrested following an alleged domestic dispute with his teenage daughter.

Charges were eventually dropped after anger management, but the incident raised uncomfortable questions about his private life and leadership.

Then came the watershed moment in June 2022.

In a sermon titled The Great Misunderstanding, Dollar stunned his congregation by declaring his teachings on tithing—mandatory giving of 10% of income—were wrong.

He urged followers to discard all previous materials on the subject, explaining that tithing was an Old Testament law fulfilled by Jesus and not binding on New Testament believers.
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He condemned the use of fear and guilt to enforce giving.

While some praised this as an act of humility and growth, many were left confused and betrayed.

Dollar refused to apologize or offer refunds for decades of teachings that had financially impacted millions.

Critics argued this reversal exposed the shaky theological foundation of the prosperity gospel itself.

Despite these upheavals, Dollar’s ministry continues, though its future is uncertain.

His story highlights the tension between faith and finance, charisma and accountability, and the human frailty behind religious authority.

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