Rick Wiles Pleads for $1 Million to Launch 24 Hour Christian Patriotic News Network
Fresh off his controversial defense of an as yet unrealized Florida tent church project, Rick Wiles on Monday announced an urgent need for $1 million that would allow him to fulfill his dream of a 24 hour Christian news network to compete head to head with CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. Wiles specifically targeted wealthy elderly listeners telling them that they should consider sending him a large donation before they pass away in order to help save the country from a communist takeover.
Actually guys our dream, our vision is to create a 24 hour Christian news network on the level of Fox News, CNN and MSNBC, (guest : `sounds great`) and I mean go head to head with these guys, (guest: `we'd love to help`) and that's our dream, that's our vision.
Somebody out there is sitting on a lot of money. There`s somebody, I just believe this, I believe there's somebody, and you're getting up in years, and you might be in your 80's or 90's and you're sitting on a nest egg of millions of dollars, and hmm and you need to look at what's happened to our country. You're getting closer & closer to going home to be with the Lord & you're going to leave behind a country that has been turned into a Communist hell hole, and hmm and you've got the opportunity whoever you are, you've got the opportunity to do something.
A million dollars - a million dollars would give us the money that we need to launch this type of a network, and it could be done.
Trunews broadcast for Monday 8-17-09, 45.58 - 47. 03 minutes
Wiles emphasized the urgency of his plea again near the end of the broadcast
We better begin pouring our wealth and our resources into a movement immediately or its over - it's over - it's finished - it's done. Your children, your grandchildren will live in a Communist hell hole and that's where we're at right now.
And if somebody is listening to me right now and whether you're up in your years or not, but if you.... if you are a patriot of the level of George Washington and the founding fathers and you have it in your resources that you could give a million dollars, then do it - do it - it has to be done. This is life and death for the United States of America, and we need.... this ministry, Trunews with one million dollars we could launch a 24 hour Christian patriotic news network that would challenge the lies and the deceptions of the Obama communists....
Trunews broadcast for Monday 8-17-09, 51.01 - 51.59 minutes
In June, Wiles was accused by a former associate of raising money under false pretenses when he used Ezra 1:4 to request $250,000 from his listeners to purchase and equip a large tent which he claimed would be used to preach repentance to America 7 days a week. That project was first mentioned on the March 12, 2009 Trunews broadcast. During that broadcast Wiles claimed that a large tent had been ordered and paid for and would be ready within 30 days. By August no tent had been erected and questions regarding the project were being directed to Mr. Wiles from his supporters. During the August 3rd Trunews broadcast Mr. Wiles attempted to put these concerns to rest with his interview of Mr. Charles Harrison, president of Del Tents in Williamstown Kentucky. Mr. Harrison assured listeners that the tent was under construction in his plant and would be ready by August 31 at the latest. During the interview Mr. Wiles said he was aiming for an early October start date for the project. (See our previous report on Rick Wiles here > Rick Wiles Responds to Allegations of wrongdoing)
Based on the Monday 8-17 broadcast, however we are left to wonder if Rick Wiles still intends to launch the tent church in October as promised or will there be yet another delay. At the 45.58 minute mark, Wiles tells his guests that he plans to be traveling in the weeks and months ahead.
Well listen, I'm going to be doing some traveling in the weeks & months ahead, if you guys are available maybe you can substitute for me and help me get a break.
If you are a supporter of Rick Wiles and Trunews maybe you should ask him some questions before you send him your million dollars. Perhaps some questions like these would be appropriate.
1. Are you still planning on starting the tent church in October?
2. Have you acquired the necessary local permits for the tent?
3. When will site preparation begin on the land to be used for the tent?
4. When will the tent actually go up?
4. Have you hired the staff you said you needed to assist you with this project?
5. Have you lined up the television coverage you said would be necessary to broadcast this tent revival to the nation?
6. Who will be preaching 7 days a week at the tent church? Do you at least have a tentative list of preachers who have agreed to participate?
7. Can you explain to us under which portion of the IRS code does Trunews qualify as a tax exempt organization?
Mr. Wiles owes his supporters some answers. Hopefully he will be more respectful and honest with his listeners and donors than he was with me. Before I posted this article I emailed Mr. Wiles and respectfully asked the questions listed above. You may read his response below
Apostasywatch recommends that supporters withhold donations to Trunews until Mr. Wiles is willing to answer these questions in a specific manner. In addition we would caution all Christian ministries against appearing on the Trunews broadcast until answers are forthcoming.
From: Rick Wiles rick@trunews.com
Subject: RE: A few questions
Date: 08/19/2009 12:58 PM
To: admin@apostasywatch.com
Mr. Lumbley,
Could you show me your badge number? Obviously, I am dealing with a self-appointed cop.
Rick
From: admin@apostasywatch.com [mailto:admin@apostasywatch.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 12:27 PM
To: rick@trunews.com
Subject: A few questions
Mr. Wiles,
After listening to your broadcast of Monday August 17, I noticed you told your guests that you would be traveling in the weeks and months ahead. Based on that I have a few questions.
1. Are you still planning on starting the tent church in October?
2. Have you acquired the necessary local permits for the tent?
3. When will site preparation begin on the land to be used for the tent?
4. When will the tent actually go up?
4. Have you hired the staff you said you needed to assist you with this project?
5. Have you lined up the television coverage you said would be necessary to broadcast this tent revival to the nation?
6. Who will be preaching 7 days a week at the tent church? Do you at least have a tentative list of preachers who have agreed to participate?
7. Can you explain to us under which portion of the IRS code does Trunews qualify as a tax exempt organization?
I very much desire to be fair to you about this matter. During your August 3rd broadcast you weren't very specific as to the dates for the tent church project. Now you are requesting $1M for a 24 hour news channel. It seems to me that your listeners and donors deserve some answers about the tent project first.
Again, if you have addressed these questions specifically in writing or by audio simply direct me to the link and I will gladly report your response to our readers.
Sincerely,
Steve Lumbley
www.apostasywatch.com
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Steve Lumbley 2009 www.apostasywatch.com