The Richest Pastors In The World

While most pastors are widely appreciated for being the spiritual leaders in communities across the country, but there’s some out there that are just getting down right rich off spreading the gospel. Not only do they mislead their flock, but they’re in it for the money.

Not every pastor is like this obviously, but it seems to be the ones with the largest congregations and the biggest platforms that take advantage of this – and the people deserve to know who’s preaching for dollar signs.

The son of the famous Billy Graham, Franklin Graham has taken up his father’s mantle. During the economic downturn, he got compensation of over $1.2 million, which caused a controversy. His net worth now sits at about $10 million.

Bill Moyers, through his friendship with Lyndon B. Johnson, rose to prominence before becoming a minister. He’s made over $20 million, just from taxpayer money, and refuses to disclose his income.

Richard Rossi was once called the “Pastor to the Stars.” He’s very artistically and musically inclined. In 1994, his wife was found injured on the side of the road and he was convicted of aggravated assault, yet he still has a net worth of over $1 million.

Paul Cain’s career started in the 1940’s in Europe at the Voice of Healing Revival, and includes work for the CIA, drunken accusations and conflicts between his teachings and actions. He preaches in Santa Maria, CA. His net worth is between $1-5 million.

You’ve probably heard of Jimmy Swaggart before. Jimmy was on TV in the 80’s making serious money with his weekend TV preaching telecast. His prostitution and sex scandals did not stop him, but they did slow him down a bit. He has a whopping net worth of $67 million.

Charles Stanley started In Touch Ministries which is shown on hundreds of radio and television networks worldwide. As of 9 years ago, it makes $73 million per year, and his own net worth still sits at $1.5 million.

R.C. Sproul started his church in the 70’s, but completely skipped doing TV and went straight for online in 2012. His opinion on how much pastors should be paid: “Pay him well enough that he is able to give with great generosity.” His net worth is estimated at $2 million.

Jack Van Impe has had a TV show, called Jack Van Impe Presents, airing for over 60 years. His foundation supposedly makes over $2.5 million, which qualifies as his net worth, but his salary is apparently $150,000.

Billy Graham is one of the most popular pastors in the world and has advised more presidents than any other. It’s estimated that over 2.2 billion people have seen him on TV in the last 60 years, and his net worth shows it – landing him over $25 million.

Joel Osteen fell into the family business when he took over as pastor from his father, and is now the most popular mega pastor in America! He is worth over $40 million, but that’s nowhere near his wife, whose net worth is valued at $100 million!

Kenneth Copeland has been one of the most viral and controversial pastors in the last decade. His antics include convincing people they could pray away Covid-19, failing to make good on an earthquake fundraiser for Haiti, and claiming exemption on his $3.6 million jet. His seed faith has made him extremely wealthy, and he’s known to use most of his $26.5 million in net worth on himself.

Ernie Fletcher is a Baptist minister, doctor and a former politician. He is worth over $3 million (mostly from politics) and almost lost his medical license when he signed a death warrant as Governor of Kentucky.

Leroy Jenkins is an internationally recognized televangelist… as well as a convicted arsonist and a con-artist. He once married a 77-year-old lottery winner shortly before she died, and courts refused to grant him the winnings. His net worth stood at $4 million before his passing in 2017.

Tony Campolo used to be a spiritual adviser and is an active member in social issues unlike most famous ministers. He has appeared on many TV programs, and is also a professor of sociology at Eastern University. His net worth lies at $4 million.

John MacArthur is an evangelist who has done well for himself. He started The Master’s Seminary (a theological school) in 1986 where he is president and has over 150 books to his name, including bestsellers. He has a net worth of over $12 million!

Kay Arthur had an early life full of sin, but eventually turned herself around and founded Precept Ministries International with her second husband. She makes about $100,000 a year from the ministry and her husband makes $160,000 as CEO. Her net worth sits at $5 million.

Almost everyone in America has heard of Al Sharpton. Al started preaching when he was 4, was ordained at 9 and fought for civil rights alongside Jesse Jackson. He is worth about $5 million and now appears more in politics news than actual religious work.

Chris Okotie is a famous Nigerian televangelist who ran for president three times (and lost). He has a degree in law, but was also a pop musician. He likes to spend the money he makes from preaching on flashy cars! And that’s what you can do when your net worth exceeds $7.5 million!

Peter Popoff was born in Germany right after World War II, then moved to California at a young age and became a minister as a young adult. His claims of curing ailments were revealed to be a hoax, and after a decade break, he came back to preaching and scamming. His net worth is still $10 million.

Like Al Sharpton, you know Jesse Jackson. Jesse started as a politician and a civil rights activist. He even ran for president in 1984 and 1988! Jesse has been a minister since 1968 and got his Master of Divinity in 2000. He also has a net worth of $10 million.

Ed Young followed in his father’s footsteps when he became a minister. His ministry is now part of the Ed Young Television Network which has helped raise his net worth to about $11 million! He’s also armed with his Master’s in ministry.

Ernest Angley is currently 99 years old and became a Christian at the age of 18 in 1939. He literally preached his way from rags to riches and now owns a cathedral, accompanying restaurant he refused to pay workers at and television station! Oh, and a Boeing 747SP, thanks to his net worth of $15 million.

Kirk Cameron is the famous actor from the 1980s who starred in the TV show Growing Pains. After the show, Kirk became a radical Christian and has produced and starred in a plethora of religious movies. He is a huge proponent of Creationism, and has a net worth of $20 million!

Louis Farrakhan is the head of the Nation of Islam and is one of the most controversial figures inreligion. He led the Million Man March on Washington D.C. in 1995. He also was a staunch adversary to Malcom X, and had allegations thrown against him for having complicity in his murder. His net worth is $3 million to this day.

John Danforth is another politician turned pastor who served over 19 years in the senate and was the US ambassador to the UN from 2004-2005. He also partly owns the St. Louis Blues hockey team, giving him a net worth of over $30 million!

Robert Tilton was basically one of the creative minds that invented the televangelism of the 1990s. His show made over $80 million a year, but after an investigation, it was found that he had exploited vulnerable people. His popularity has sharply declined! He still has a net worth of over $50 million, though.

When George Foreman had a near-death experience in 1977, he found God. He decided to take a break from boxing and became a minister. He even preached on street corners. He’s worth over $250 million, but most of it is from boxing or the Foreman Grill.

Pat Robertson used to be a Baptist minister too, but he’s now a businessman. He founded the Christian Broadcasting Network and has anywhere from $200 million to $1 billion!

Rick Warren has a megachurch in Lake Forest, California that’s one of the largest churches in the country. He donates 90% of his income to charity and lives off of the rest. He was featured at President Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009, and has a net worth of $25 million.

Creflo Dollar is based out of Atlanta, GA, and is one of the most popular and flashy pastors in America! After he lost his Gulfstream Jet, he asked his parishioners to pay for a new one, valued at $66 million. People were not happy with the scam, but he’s still worth $27 million.

Charles E. Blake is a bishop who preaches to the residents of South Central L.A. While his flock makes an average of $28,000 a year, he rakes in a hefty $900,000 himself!