The recent shooting at World Changers International Church in Atlanta has unnerved the congregation of megapastor Creflo Dollar. The pastor resumed services this Sunday, just a few days after a member of his church was shot and killed by another man. The pastor said that he would like church members to come together to pay the bills for the family of the man who was killed on church property, as well as cover him with prayer.
Greg McDowell was shot down last week, and his family is still in shock.
“In my book, he’s a hero,” Dollar said. “If those bullets hadn’t been trained on him, there would’ve been more people that would’ve died.”
A former employee, Floyd Palmer, has been charged in the shooting death of McDowell. According to witnesses and authorities, Palmer came into the church and calmly shot the man. He then proceeded to leave as calmly as he’d arrived. The victim was 39-years old, with a wife and children.
“The goal is $234,000,” Dollar said. “We want to completely eradicate all debts in their lives … house, cars, everything. Let’s now show the world the power of a megachurch.”
Dollar says that he would like to raise the money as soon as possible, and asked everyone in the congregation to give. Members of the church told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Dollar’s reaction was both expected and acceptable.
“It didn’t surprise me at all,” Juliet Hilton said. “He did tell us on Wednesday (night) that he was going to take up an extra offering.”
“He has a love for people,” Debbie Taylor said.
“It’s enough to have somebody torn away from you,” the pastor said. “And at the same time have to be worried about all of the debts.”
The church set up barrels to collect money from those who were willing to give. There is no word on how much has been collected thus far. The financial move by Pastor Dollar may not be all that he and the church end up paying to the family. Since McDowell was shot on church property, there may be legal liability to the church that could put the case in court as well.
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