IV Hilliard Speaks Out About Helicopter Repair Donation Controversy: ‘I
Was Amazed At The Persecution’
Was Amazed At The Persecution’
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| © Copyright 2013-2014 Empowering Everyday Women Ministries |
By EJ Garrison:: EEW Magazine News
After controversy hit the fan over Houston, TX pastor Dr. I.V. Hilliard of New Light Christian Center’s request
for $52 faith seeds to repair the church’s helicopter blades, the mega pastor is finally speaking out. “I was
amazed at the persecution,” he writes in an e-communication sent to supporters Friday, July 19.
In it, he attempts to explain his side of the highly sensationalized story that caused major backlash, while
also requesting further donations, and sharing “miracle” testimonies of those who have already supported
the effort.
“It was a simple project appeal and very similar to appeals I’ve made in the past,” he argues in the lengthy
email with the subject heading “Maybe That's Why The Devil Fought This So Hard.”
Hilliard continues, “I was amazed that the letter caused such a buzz and was taken out of context and
caused persecution from people who never read the letter.”
Although the prosperity preacher issued an official statement of apology to Fox News during the height of
the controversy, he claims, “The buzz and persecution did not shake me, our church or our partner base
because in reading the simple letter, not the twisted commentaries, it was plain to see nothing was out of
order.”
Though numerous media outlets disagreed with what some reporters said appeared to angry members of
the faith community to be a sheer profiteering scheme, Hilliard refused to discuss the matter with news
reporters.
“I declined to go on interviews to explain the Spiritual principle of sowing and reaping to a non Spiritual
audience because the Scripture instructs us not to do such,” he says. “God promises to vindicate us when
we are persecuted and I have always trusted Him to do so.”
Though Hilliard very well seems to be believing God for vindication, he is also pleading his own innocence of
any wrongdoing by explaining the initial e-newsletter that caused the big blowup. “There was never the
bogus promise of receiving your dream mode of transportation in 52 days or 52 weeks,” he says, quoting 2
Corinthians 9:7-8 as evidence that God promises some sort of return for giving in support of ministry.
Hilliard adds that “the Spirit of God” told him to encourage “those who would give to this project to release
their faith for godly favor to assist them in the coming days to help them in securing transportation or a
transportation upgrade.”
About the definitive timeline he cited for the manifestation of their supernatural vehicle release, he says this:
“The target of 52 days or 52 weeks manifestation of this favor would be up to the individual because faith is
always an individual matter.”
Pastor Saiko Woods of His Word, His Way Ministries in Sugarland, TX blasted Hilliard’s donation request,
telling Fox News, "I've seen this man's home. I've seen where he lives you can't tell me you don't have
$50,000 you can pay out of your own pocket."
Woods also added that the "Gospel is the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not you promising
money, blessings, a bigger house, a bigger car, a jet, whatever these things might be.”
After controversy hit the fan over Houston, TX pastor Dr. I.V. Hilliard of New Light Christian Center’s request
for $52 faith seeds to repair the church’s helicopter blades, the mega pastor is finally speaking out. “I was
amazed at the persecution,” he writes in an e-communication sent to supporters Friday, July 19.
In it, he attempts to explain his side of the highly sensationalized story that caused major backlash, while
also requesting further donations, and sharing “miracle” testimonies of those who have already supported
the effort.
“It was a simple project appeal and very similar to appeals I’ve made in the past,” he argues in the lengthy
email with the subject heading “Maybe That's Why The Devil Fought This So Hard.”
Hilliard continues, “I was amazed that the letter caused such a buzz and was taken out of context and
caused persecution from people who never read the letter.”
Although the prosperity preacher issued an official statement of apology to Fox News during the height of
the controversy, he claims, “The buzz and persecution did not shake me, our church or our partner base
because in reading the simple letter, not the twisted commentaries, it was plain to see nothing was out of
order.”
Though numerous media outlets disagreed with what some reporters said appeared to angry members of
the faith community to be a sheer profiteering scheme, Hilliard refused to discuss the matter with news
reporters.
“I declined to go on interviews to explain the Spiritual principle of sowing and reaping to a non Spiritual
audience because the Scripture instructs us not to do such,” he says. “God promises to vindicate us when
we are persecuted and I have always trusted Him to do so.”
Though Hilliard very well seems to be believing God for vindication, he is also pleading his own innocence of
any wrongdoing by explaining the initial e-newsletter that caused the big blowup. “There was never the
bogus promise of receiving your dream mode of transportation in 52 days or 52 weeks,” he says, quoting 2
Corinthians 9:7-8 as evidence that God promises some sort of return for giving in support of ministry.
Hilliard adds that “the Spirit of God” told him to encourage “those who would give to this project to release
their faith for godly favor to assist them in the coming days to help them in securing transportation or a
transportation upgrade.”
About the definitive timeline he cited for the manifestation of their supernatural vehicle release, he says this:
“The target of 52 days or 52 weeks manifestation of this favor would be up to the individual because faith is
always an individual matter.”
Pastor Saiko Woods of His Word, His Way Ministries in Sugarland, TX blasted Hilliard’s donation request,
telling Fox News, "I've seen this man's home. I've seen where he lives you can't tell me you don't have
$50,000 you can pay out of your own pocket."
Woods also added that the "Gospel is the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not you promising
money, blessings, a bigger house, a bigger car, a jet, whatever these things might be.”
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JULY 19, 2013
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