Ep. 429: Morningstar Dispute Settled, Bill Hwang Sentenced, and T.D. Jakes Updates

On today’s program, MorningStar Fellowship Church in South Carolina reaches a settlement with York County after a decade-long dispute over Heritage Tower—a building originally owned by Jim Bakker’s Praise the Lord Ministries. We’ll have details. And, Christian philanthropist Bill Hwang was sentenced for a $10 billion fraud. We’ll take a look. Plus, another Christian college is on the ropes. Saint Augustine’s University in North Carolina slashes its workforce by 50% in its fight to retain accreditation. But first, a week after suffering a dangerous health incident during a Sunday morning church service, Bishop T.D. Jakes updated his congregation via live video. “Many of you don’t realize that you’re looking at a miracle,” Bishop T.D. Jakes said in a live video message to the congregation on Sunday (Dec. 1). “I faced a life-threatening calamity, was rushed to the ICU unit. I had emergency surgery. Survived this surgery” He said.  The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Adelle Banks, Jessica Eturralde, Kim Roberts, Tony Mator, Paul Clolery, and Brittany Smith. A special thanks to The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.   MANUSCRIPT   FIRST SEGMENT Warren: Hello everybody. I'm Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina. Natasha: And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today’s program, MorningStar Fellowship Church in South Carolina reaches a settlement with York County after a decade-long dispute over Heritage Tower—a building originally owned by Jim Bakker’s Praise the Lord Ministries. We’ll have details. And, Christian philanthropist Bill Hwang was sentenced for a $10 BILLION fraud. We’ll take a look. Plus, Saint Augustine’s University in North Carolina slashes its workforce by 50% in its fight to retain accreditation. Natasha: But first, a week after suffering a dangerous health incident during a Sunday morning church service, Bishop T.D. Jakes updated his congregation via live video. Warren: “Many of you don’t realize that you’re looking at a miracle,” Bishop T.D. Jakes said in a live video message to the congregation on Sunday (Dec. 1). “I faced a life-threatening calamity, was rushed to the ICU unit. I had emergency surgery. Survived this surgery” He said. Natasha: What happened? Warren: Jakes, 67, an evangelist, author and business executive, suffered what his church initially called “a slight health incident” during the Nov. 24 worship service at The Potter’s House. At that time, about a dozen people rushed to his side after he lowered his microphone and was shaking in his seat. In the seven-minute video he said he would be following doctor’s orders to rest. Jakes, whose remarks were also posted on his Instagram page, said he was not in pain and is in good spirits. “I didn’t want you to be worried about me,” he told his congregation, expressing thanks for their prayers and support. “I’m trying to be obedient to what the doctor said [to] do, in terms of just taking a few weeks to just heal and recover and relax and just reflect.” Natasha: And he has a lot to reflect on these days. Warren: Yes. Lawyers for Jakes filed a defamation lawsuit the day after the medical incident, saying another minister, Duane Youngblood, had falsely accused him of attempted sexual assault. The suit linked the accusations to Jakes’ health. “Youngblood’s intentional and malicious lies have taken a substantial emotional and physical toll on Bishop Jakes,” reads the suit. Natasha: Who is Youngblood? Warren: Duane Youngblood, 57, a Pennsylvania man who Jakes’ suit notes is on parole after felony convictions for sexual ass...