Pastor for the people or profit?
Pastor John Gray probably most recognizable from his reality tv show on Oprah’s Own or you may know him from his viral video “2018 was designed to show you who everybody is” Instagram video that has surfaced these past few weeks, is facing a lot of criticism after buying his wife a very expensive gift.
Gray said he has saved and planned his money for years, taking money from various ventures including his second book deal and the fourth season of his OWN channel reality show.
The Lamborghini itself, starting at $200,000, was given to his wife Aventer as a token of appreciation, Gray said. The couple celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary Saturday and during the celebration, in which he presented her the keys.
Gray said it’s been a long road in 8 years, from a honeymoon where they were so broke they had to share a shrimp cocktail to being able to afford an expensive gift that his wife loved.
Gray — who has streams of income as a author, a reality television show, and a television producer — stressed that his congregation to know that the gift came independent of what the church provides his on a basis.
“I believe spiritual principles are in place for people who would intend to defraud the Kingdom of God for their own purposes,” Gray told The Greenville News between services. “I have other streams of income, and I use that to bless my wife, not from (financial) sources the church provided.”
Gray received an ovation from the congregation Sunday morning when he explained how much he loved for his wife in both services. She was on the way from her hometown of Dothan, Alabama, during the early service after leading a youth group seminar. She arrived in time for the 11 a.m. service.
“It’s important to me because there should be integrity when it comes to finances of the church,” Gray said. “It’s not the church’s responsibility for me to provide for my wife —that’s my responsibility.”
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