TV Evangelist Dismisses Investigation 'Falsehood'

'Examination' questions the 'lavish' lifestyle of Mike Murdock

Charisma News Service/March 7, 2003

A charismatic televangelist has dismissed a Texas newspaper investigation that has called into question his lavish lifestyle, biblical claims for prosperity and use of supporters' donations.

In a major three-part series it called "an examination," "The Fort Worth Star-Telegram" this week just stopped short of accusing Mike Murdock of wrongdoing in operating his Denton-based ministry. Murdock is known for his teaching on biblical wisdom and "seed sowing."

The man who "says his mission is to rescue people from poverty is living lavishly, while the ministry he founded spends most of its money on overhead," said the newspaper, noting that Murdock drives fancy sports cars, owns Rolex watches and recently purchased a jet. "Murdock makes few distinctions between his resources and those of the ministry he founded. Some critics question whether his actions are proper."

The "Star-Telegram's" 13,500-plus-word series was the result of a six-month inquiry. Three reporters and a research librarian investigated Murdock, whose weekly TV program "Wisdom Keys" is broadcast nationwide.

Details of Murdock's lifestyle and ministry were pieced together by the newspaper from documents obtained by the Trinity Foundation, a televangelist watchdog group in Dallas; local property-appraisal records; a report of a burglary at his home; interviews; and excerpts from his broadcasts and books.

The newspaper said Murdock would not agree to an interview with its reporters unless everything he said was printed verbatim.

Murdock told Charisma News Service that the series' first story -- featuring his photograph -- ran on the front page next to an article on the arrest of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"There was only one column devoted to the capture of the mastermind of the 9/11 attack and the rest of the front page focused on our ministry," Murdock, 56, said. "That told me that this wasn't just a regular story. I don't know if it was intentional, but it added to the negative tone of the story."

Murdock added that he was saddened by the attack "targeting" his ministry. "Every minister of the gospel always finds hatred, anger and false accusation from non-believers to be painful, devastating and soul searching," he said.

"Our attorneys will address the 36 discrepancies and false statements in the first article alone," he added. "I have a 14-page response that will be presented to our partners shortly."

The "Star-Telegram" examined three aspects of Murdock's ministry: how donors' money is spent, how the line between his interests and those of the tax-exempt ministry is blurred, and his biblical claims for prosperity.

Murdock's main critic in the series, which ran Sunday through Tuesday, was Ole Anthony, the founder and president of the Trinity Foundation, who claims Murdock is living a double standard.

"He tells his employees they should sacrifice, but he doesn't," Anthony told the newspaper. "He tells the viewers to buy his books and give to him, but he doesn't give. He's just another cog in the wheel [of televangelism], maximizing self-interest."

Murdock told Charisma News that several "wisdom keys dominate my heart," concerning the "Star-Telegram" investigation, which he says has been going on for several years.

"False accusation is the last step before supernatural promotion," he said. "Adversity is always the golden link to divine relationships; time reveals truth and those who attack you fear your potential. The flood of phone calls, mail, e-mails and flowers from all of my pastor-friends and partners has meant the world to me."

Murdock said the articles were "disappointing in motive, goal and falsehood."