Donald Lee Stewart

Last updated

Don Stewart
Born
Donald Lee Stewart [1]

(1939-10-25) October 25, 1939 (age 85) [2]
Prescott, Arizona, U.S.
DiedJanuary 24th, 2024
Paradise Valley, Arizona
Other names Apostle Stewart [2]
TitleHead of Don Stewart Ministries/Don Stewart Association
Predecessor A. A. Allen
SpouseBrenda Stewart [3]
Children4

Donald Lee Stewart (born October 25, 1939 and died January 24, 2024) is an American Pentecostal minister and purported faith healer. He is a televangelist who hosts Power and Mercy on Black Entertainment Television, [4] The Word Network, [5] and other television channels. He is the successor to the late A. A. Allen's organization.

Contents

Origins and early ministry

According to his official biography, Stewart is the youngest of six children, and at age 13, Don had developed a severe bone disease. After four major surgeries when he was 15 years old, Stewart recovered from his bone disease. [6] As of 2009, he lives in a $2.5 million home in Paradise Valley, Arizona, owned by his church, and Stewart's family receives income from his church. [7] The Arizona Republic reports that "his ministry, the Don Stewart Association, operates out of a nondescript warehouse in an industrial park near Interstate 17." [7] Stewart's son, Brendon Stewart, conducts his own "Miracle Crusades." [8] [9]

Stewart first worked with Allen, starting with "pounding tent stakes at Allen's revivals to driving a truck to preaching". [7] One of Allen's rising young evangelistic proteges during the early 1960s, along with the likes of R. W. Schambach and Leroy Jenkins, Stewart served as evangelist and secretary-treasurer of Allen's organization, [1] and "was hit with allegations of embezzlement by Allen's brother-in-law, of pocketing offerings from the revivals" in the wake of Allen's death. [7] When the controversial Allen died from alcohol poisoning as a result of an alcoholic binge in 1970, Stewart tried to clean up Allen's room before the police came. [7] After Allen's death, Stewart gained complete possession of Allen's organization, including his Miracle Valley property, and renamed Allen's Miracle Life Fellowship International the Don Stewart Evangelistic Association (and later the Don Stewart Association). [10] [11] [12]

From 1979 until early 1983, the Christ Miracle Healing Church and Center acquired land near Miracle Valley, leading to several confrontations with local authorities. The church, which had a strict and insular doctrine, and its 300 members had several confrontations with utility workers, neighbors, and eventually law enforcement, resulting in what became known as the Miracle Valley shootout. This confrontation resulted in the shooting deaths of two of its senior members and injuries to multiple sheriff's deputies. [13] [14] Immigrants from Chicago and Mississippi rioted, which resulted in the death of Therial Davis, a six-year-old. [12] The land was abandoned within a couple of weeks. [13] [15] [16] Stewart's organization had no connection to the Christ Miracle Healing Church and Center.

In 1982, Miracle Valley's main administration building and vast warehouse were set on fire by arson, which resulted in the total destruction of the facilities. [17] The main building was valued at $2 million. [18] Stewart sent multiple donation requests to some people on his 100,000-person mailing list "even though his ministry is not associated with the college and the fire damage was insured." [19] According to the press, one of his letters "gave the impression ... the fire had crippled Stewart's ministry" and another purported to include the building's ashes with a request for $200 donations. [19] Stewart faced allegations of arson from some sources. [7] His own church had issues over Stewart's financing and "questioned Stewart's fundraising techniques" before. [12] [19]

Current work and controversy

The Don Stewart Association controls "Feed My People," the "Southwest Indian Children's Fund", [20] and "Miracle Life Fellowship International" (with offices in the Philippines). [21] Additionally, Stewart also started the Northern Arizona Food Bank, which is operated by his association and directed by Kerry Ketcum. [22] [23] The expenditures of Stewart's organizations in the early 1990s and more recently have been subject to criticism for a lack of transparency. [20] [24] [25] [26] In 1992, USA Today cited Feed My People/Don Stewart Association among a group of organizations that "did not reply to BBB disclosure requests." [27] [28] In 1993, The Washington Post reported, "Feed My People International, an arm of the Don Stewart Association (a church)," sends "Prospective donors get heart-rending letters on behalf of starving children, with virtually no facts about where and how the money is distributed. Three watchdog groups have asked for details and been turned down." [20] In 2008, the Better Business Bureau reported that the Don Stewart Association "did not provide requested information. As a result, the Better Business Bureau cannot determine if it meets standards." [29]

Then, in 1997, The Business Journal reported that the Internal Revenue Service was investigating Stewart's organization for mail fraud concerning high salaries and an $8 million annual income. [30] After an investigation, the IRS "revoked the tax exemption of the Phoenix-based Don Stewart Association." [31] Among the reasons for the IRS revoking the tax exemption were "impermissible benefits" to the Stewart family. [31] As of 2008, according to the IRS, it is currently tax-exempted. [32]

In 1998, the Washington Post reported that Don Stewart's "followings all but disappeared after investigations," but he has "joined dozens of other preachers to become fixtures on BET." [33] Consequently, Stewart, along with Peter Popoff and Robert Tilton, received "criticism from those who say that preachers with a long trail of disillusioned followers have no place on a network that holds itself out as a model of entrepreneurship for the black community." [33]

G. Richard Fisher, of The Quarterly Journal, has expressed concerns about Stewart's teachings on prosperity theology and healing miracles. [1] The national U.S. television program Inside Edition with the Trinity Foundation investigated Stewart's wealth and fundraising practices. [1] [34] In 1996, The Dallas Morning News noted that some of Stewart's fundraising letters were written by Gene Ewing, who heads a multimillion-dollar marketing empire and writes donation letters for other evangelicals like WV Grant, Robert Tilton, Rex Humbard, and Oral Roberts. [35] Included in some of Stewart's fundraising letters was Stewart's green "prayer cloth," with claims that it has supernatural healing power. [35] Stewart's television programs and website currently offer the "Green Prosperity Prayer Handkerchief" which he claims people can use "to receive abundant blessings of financial prosperity". [36] [37] In a 2009 Skeptic article, Marc Carrier wrote about Stewart's handkerchief and his financial earnings, explaining the handkerchief is a "mere 17x17 cm" and came with a letter requesting a "seed faith" in the amount of "$500, $100, $50, or $30". [38] Carrier's "seed faith" request included anonymous letters linking donations to new personal wealth, which was a way for Stewart to increase the donations his organization receives. [38]

Stewart produces many DVDs and "healing packages" in addition to his three books. His most recent book is from 2007, titled Healing: The Brain-Soul Connection with Daniel Amen. [39] In the book, Stewart shares that he has ADD and is interested in helping those who experience mental and emotional difficulties. [40] He also wrote Only Believe, a history of the early Latter Rain Movement that includes Oral Roberts, Kathryn Kuhlman, A. A. Allen, and Benny Hinn. [41] The Don Stewart Association sells many books, DVDs, and "healing/miracle" packages. [42] Stewart's faith healing services include live video streaming, live email testimonies and prayer requests, and cell phone prayer.

In May 2009, The Arizona Republic examined 22 charities tied to the Don Stewart Association, which claimed to be independent but with links via association employees, pastors and their wives, parents, children, and in-laws operated 16 of the 22 charities from tax years 2003 to 2005. [43] The paper revealed Stewart's association spent the bulk of its money on salaries and expenses such as a Hummer H2 and $80,000 for a tract of farmland in Montana, purchased from the family of a hunger charity's president. [44] Later that month, Arizona's attorney general's office began reviewing its practices to decide whether any action should be taken. [45] Following the report in September 2009, The Arizona Republic reported St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance in Phoenix broke contact with Northern Arizona Food Bank and the Stewart Association was being investigated by the federal government. [46] The Don Stewart Association would no longer comment to The Republic. [46]

Books by Stewart

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faith healing</span> Prayer and gestures that are perceived to bring divine intervention in physical healing

Faith healing is the practice of prayer and gestures that are believed by some to elicit divine intervention in spiritual and physical healing, especially the Christian practice. Believers assert that the healing of disease and disability can be brought about by religious faith through prayer or other rituals that, according to adherents, can stimulate a divine presence and power. Religious belief in divine intervention does not depend on empirical evidence of an evidence-based outcome achieved via faith healing. Virtually all scientists and philosophers dismiss faith healing as pseudoscience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benny Hinn</span> American-Canadian evangelist (born 1952)

Toufik Benedictus "Benny" Hinn is an Israeli-born Palestinian-American-Canadian televangelist, best known for his regular "Miracle Crusades"—revival meeting or faith healing summits that are usually held in stadiums in major cities, which are later broadcast worldwide on his television program, This Is Your Day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aimee Semple McPherson</span> Canadian-American evangelist and media celebrity (1890–1944)

Aimee Elizabeth Semple McPherson, also known as Sister Aimee or Sister, was a Canadian Pentecostal evangelist and media celebrity in the 1920s and 1930s, famous for founding the Foursquare Church. McPherson pioneered the use of broadcast mass media for wider dissemination of both religious services and appeals for donations, using radio to draw in both audience and revenue with the growing appeal of popular entertainment and incorporating stage techniques into her weekly sermons at Angelus Temple, an early megachurch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creflo Dollar</span> American pastor (born 1962)

Creflo Augustus Dollar, Jr., is an American pastor, televangelist, and the founder of the non-denominational Christian World Changers Church International based in College Park, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Dollar also heads the Creflo Dollar Ministerial Association, Creflo Dollar Ministries, and Arrow Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oral Roberts</span> American religious leader (1918–2009)

Granville Oral Roberts was an American Charismatic Christian televangelist, who was one of the first to propagate Prosperity Gospel Theology. He was ordained in the Pentecostal Holiness Church from 1936 until his transfer to the United Methodist church in 1968, a controversial relationship that ended in 1987 when his credentials were revoked. He is considered one of the forerunners of the charismatic movement, and at the height of his career was one of the most recognized preachers in the US. He founded the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University.

Peter George Popoff is a German-born American televangelist, charlatan, debunked clairvoyant, and faith healer. He was exposed in 1986 by James Randi for using a concealed earpiece to receive radio messages from his wife, who gave him the names, addresses, and ailments of audience members during Popoff-led religious services. Popoff falsely claimed God revealed this information to him so that Popoff could cure them through faith healing.

Robert Tilton is an American televangelist and the former pastor of the Word of Faith Family Church in Farmers Branch, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. At his ministry's peak in 1991, Tilton's infomercial-style program, Success-N-Life, aired in all 235 American television markets and brought in nearly $80 million per year; it was described as "the fastest growing television ministry in America."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William M. Branham</span> American Christian minister (1909–1965)

William Marrion Branham was an American Christian minister and faith healer who initiated the post-World War II healing revival, and claimed to be a prophet with the anointing of Elijah, who had come to prelude Christ's second coming; some of his followers have been labeled a "doomsday cult". He is credited as "a principal architect of restorationist thought" for charismatics by some Christian historians, and has been called the "leading individual in the Second Wave of Pentecostalism." He made a lasting influence on televangelism and the modern charismatic movement, and his "stage presence remains a legend unparalleled in the history of the Charismatic movement". At the time they were held, Branham's inter-denominational meetings were the largest religious meetings ever held in some American cities. Branham was the first American deliverance minister to successfully campaign in Europe; his ministry reached global audiences with major campaigns held in North America, Europe, Africa, and India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathryn Kuhlman</span> American evangelist (1907–1976)

Kathryn Kuhlman was an American Christian evangelist, preacher and minister who was referred to by her contemporaries and the press as a 'faith healer'.

Asa Alonso Allen, better known as A. A. Allen, was an American Pentecostal evangelist known for his faith healing and deliverance ministry. He was, for a time, associated with the "Voice of Healing" movement founded by Gordon Lindsay. Allen died of alcoholism and liver failure in a coma at the age of 59 in San Francisco, California, and was buried at his ministry headquarters in Miracle Valley, Arizona.

Prosperity theology is a religious belief among some Charismatic Christians that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them, and that faith, positive scriptural confession, and giving to charitable and religious causes will increase one's material wealth. Material and especially financial success is seen as an evidence of divine grace or favor and blessings.

Walter Vinson Grant Jr. is an American televangelist whose ministry has been based in the Greater Dallas area.

St. Matthew's Churches, formerly St. Matthew Publishing, Inc., is an evangelical Christian ministry. It is primarily a mail-based ministry with an address in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with churches in New York City and Houston. In 1999, St. Matthew Publishing Inc. reported $26.8 million in revenue. In 2007, it reportedly earned $6 million a month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Oyakhilome</span> Nigerian pastor (born 1963)

Christian Oyakhilome, known as Pastor Chris, is a Nigerian pastor, televangelist and president of LoveWorld Incorporated a Christian ministry based in Lagos. He is the founder of Christ Embassy, a large congregation with branches in several countries, and the author of the daily devotional Rhapsody of Realities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Roberts (evangelist)</span> American evangelist (born 1948)

Richard Lee Roberts is an American television evangelist and faith healer who serves as the chairman and chief executive officer of the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association. He previously served fifteen years as the president of Oral Roberts University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miracle Valley, Arizona</span> CDP in Cochise County, Arizona

Miracle Valley is a census-designated place in the southern portion of Cochise County in the state of Arizona, United States. It lies approximately 17 miles to the southeast of the city of Sierra Vista, along Arizona State Highway 92. The population of Miracle Valley as of the 2010 U.S. Census was 644.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. L. Osborn</span> American pastor

Tommy Lee "T.L." Osborn was an American Pentecostal televangelist, singer, author and teacher whose Christian ministry was based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In six decades as a preacher, Osborn hosted the religious television program Good News Today.

Robert William “R.W.” Schambach was an American televangelist, pastor, Word of Faith minister of the Word and author. His television program, Power Today, can be seen on the DayStar Christian TV network as well as over the internet in streaming podcasts.

The Miracle Valley shootout was a confrontation between members of the Christ Miracle Healing Center and Church (CMHCC) and Cochise County law enforcement that occurred in Miracle Valley, Arizona, on October 23, 1982. A variety of incidents with law enforcement in 1982 culminated when a large group of church members confronted local sheriff's deputies and state law enforcement officers attempting to serve bench warrants for the arrest of three members of the church. In the ensuing melee, two church members were killed and seven people were injured. One church member and one law enforcement officer died later, both deaths possibly due to injuries sustained that day.

The Donald J. Trump Foundation was a New York-based tax-exempt private foundation formed in 1988 by Donald Trump and dissolved by court order in 2018 after various legal violations came to light.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Finances, Fraud and False Teaching – The Troubled History of Don Stewart". Trinity Foundation . 2002. Archived from the original on May 15, 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  2. 1 2 "Don Stewart Calendar". Don Stewart Association. 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Send Now Prosperity". Don Stewart Association. 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. ↑ "Power and Mercy TV Schedule". Don Stewart Association. 2009. Archived from the original on December 25, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Power and Mercy: Don Stewart". The Word Network . 2008. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  6. ↑ "The Story of Don Stewart". Don Stewart Association. 2009. Archived from the original on February 21, 2001. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Anglen, Robert (May 4, 2009). "Don Stewart: A life in pursuit of God's reward". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved December 18, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Don Stewart Crusades". Don Stewart Association. 2009. Archived from the original on September 25, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Don Stewart Calendar". Don Stewart Association. 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  10. ↑ Burgess, Stanley M.; van der Maas, Eduard M., eds. (2002). The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing Co. p. 312.
  11. ↑ Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing Co., 1988), p. 832.
  12. 1 2 3 Randi, James (1989). The Faith Healers. Prometheus Books. p. 88. ISBN   978-0-87975-535-5.
  13. 1 2 "Deputies relive shootout at Miracle Valley". KOLD-TV . February 6, 2009. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  14. ↑ Hillinger, Charles (October 1, 1981). "Black Church Vs. White Pentecostals". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  15. ↑ "'New season' for Miracle Valley". Arizona Daily Star . February 8, 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  16. ↑ "Miracle Valley 10 freed pending trial". Chicago Tribune . November 30, 1982. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Arson Could Be Cause". Kingman Daily Miner . September 22, 1982. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Lack of water hurt firefighting". Kingman Daily Miner . September 13, 1982. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  19. 1 2 3 "Prescott native hopes ashes will help rebuild his ministry". The Daily Courier . November 5, 1982. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  20. 1 2 3 "Be Wary of Religious Charities That Avoid Financial Disclosure". Washington Post . February 14, 1993. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  21. ↑ "Miracle Life Fellowship International". Don Stewart Association. 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  22. ↑ "Ready for Winter" (PDF). Northern Arizona Food Bank. 2006. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  23. ↑ "Don Stewart Association (Northern Arizona Food Bank)". Manta. 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  24. ↑ "Charity pitch requests cash but makes no promises". The Toronto Star . November 26, 1990.
  25. ↑ "Funds Eaten Away; Feed My People". The Mirror . January 12, 2006. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  26. ↑ "Penman & Greenwood Investigate: Beware: Storm over Brolly". The Mirror . March 24, 2005. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  27. ↑ Kalette, Denise (February 3, 1992). "Watch where you make donations". USA Today .
  28. ↑ Quinn, Jane Bryant (December 28, 1992). "Lighting the Amen Corner". Newsweek. p. 50.
  29. ↑ "Don Stewart Association". Better Business Bureau . 2008. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  30. ↑ Balzer, Stephanie (October 17, 1997). "Church boss denies probe". The Business Journal.
  31. 1 2 Ringle, William M. Jr. (September 22, 1997). "Church loses tax exempt status". The Business Journal. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
  32. ↑ "Search for Charities, Online Version of Publication 78". IRS . 2008. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  33. 1 2 "White Preachers Born Again on Black Network; TV Evangelists Seek to Resurrect Ministries". Washington Post . September 3, 1998. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  34. ↑ Meagher, Matt (March 1, 2000). "TV Evangelist". Inside Edition.
  35. 1 2 Swindle, Howard (March 10, 1996). "Mailbox ministry: Direct-market evangelist brings in millions lawyer says it all goes back into his mission". Dallas Morning News . Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  36. ↑ "Green Prosperity Prayer Handerchief". Don Stewart Association. 2009. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  37. ↑ "Calendar". Don Stewart Association-Philippines. 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  38. 1 2 Carrier, Marc (2009). "Prophets and Losses: The Peter Popoff and Apostle Stewart Guide to Personal Riches". Skeptic . Vol. 14, no. 4. pp. 38–42. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  39. ↑ Stewart & Amen 2007
  40. ↑ Stewart & Amen 2007 , introduction: vii, x, & xi
  41. ↑ Stewart 1999
  42. ↑ "Store". Don Stewart Association. 2009. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  43. ↑ Anglen, Robert (May 3, 2009). "Network of charities". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved December 18, 2009.
  44. ↑ Anglen, Robert (May 3, 2009). "Follow the cash: Charities spent bulk of it on salaries, expenses". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved December 18, 2009.
  45. ↑ "Attorney general reviewing charities' practices". KSWT-TV . May 10, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  46. 1 2 Anglen, Robert (September 27, 2009). "Feds look into group of charities". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved December 18, 2009.
Operated by Don Stewart Association
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.