Don Stewart (preacher)
Encyclopedia
Don Stewart is a Pentecostal minister and faith healer
. He is a televangelist who hosts "Power and Mercy" on Black Entertainment Television
, The Word Network, and other television channels. He is the successor to the late AA Allen’s organization.
home owned by his church, and his family earns hundreds of thousands of dollars from his church. The Arizona Republic
reports "His ministry, the Don Stewart Association, operates out of a nondescript warehouse in an industrial park near Interstate 17." Stewart's son, Brendon Stewart conducts his own "Miracle Crusades."
Stewart first worked with AA Allen starting with "pounding tent stakes at Allen's revivals to driving a truck to preaching". One of Allen's rising young evangelistic proteges during the early 1960s along with the likes of R.W. Schambach
and Leroy Jenkins
, Stewart served as evangelist and secretary treasurer of Allen's organization, and "was hit with allegations of embezzlement by Allen's brother-in-law, of pocketing offerings from the revivals" in the wake of Allen's death. When the controversial Allen died from alcohol poisoning as a result of nn alcoholic binge in 1970, Stewart tried to clean up the Allen's room before the police came. After Allen's death, Stewart gained complete possession of Allen's organization, including his Miracle Valley property, and renamed Allen's Miracle Life Fellowship International the Don Stewart Evangelistic Association (and later the Don Stewart Association). On the property from 1979 until 1982, nearly 300 members of a group isolated themselves with Frances Thomas professing what locals said was an "anti-white doctrine." Immigrants from Chicago and Mississippi rioted, which resulted in the death of Therial Davis, a six year old. In 1982, the group had several confrontations with utility workers, neighbors and eventually law enforcement resulting in an October shoot out where two members of the church and a deputy were killed. The land was abandoned within a couple of weeks.
That same year Miracle Valley's main administration building and vast warehouse were set on fire by arson, which resulted in the total destruction of the facilities. The main building was valued at $2 million dollars. Stewart sent multiple donation requests to some people on his 100,000 person mailing list "even though his ministry is not associated with the college and the fire damage was insured." According to the press, one of his letters "gave the impression ... the fire had crippled Stewart's ministry" and another purported to include the buildings ashes with a request for $200 donations. He was "accused by another church of committing arson for an insurance payoff." His own church had issues over Stewart's financing and "questioned Stewart's fundraising techniques" before.
cited Feed My People/Don Stewart Association among a group of organizations that "did not reply to BBB
disclosure requests." In 1993, the Washington Post reported, "Feed My People International, an arm of the Don Stewart Association (a church)" sends "Prospective donors get heart-rending letters on behalf of starving children, with virtually no facts about where and how the money is distributed. Three watchdog groups have asked for details and been turned down." In 2008 the Better Business Bureau
reported, the Don Stewart Association "did not provide requested information. As a result, the Better Business Bureau cannot determine if it meets standards."
Then in 1997, The Business Journal noted that the Internal Revenue Service
was investigating Stewart's organization for mail fraud concerning high salaries and an $8 million annual income. After an investigation, the IRS "revoked the tax exemption of the Phoenix-based Don Stewart Association." Among the reasons for the IRS revoking tax exemption was "impermissible benefits" to the Stewart family. As of 2008, according to the IRS, it is currently tax-exempted.
In 1998, the Washington Post reported, Don Stewart's "followings all but disappeared after investigations," but he has "joined dozens of other preachers to become fixtures on BET." Consequently, Stewart along with Peter Popoff
and Robert Tilton
received "criticism from those who say that preachers with a long trail of disillusioned followers have no place on a network that holds itself out as a model of entrepreneurship for the black community."
G. Richard Fisher, of The Quarterly Journal, has been critical of Stewart's prosperity theology
teachings and purported healing miracles. The national U.S. television program Inside Edition
with the Trinity Foundation
investigated Stewart's wealth and fundraising practices. In 1996, the Dallas Morning News noted that some of Stewart's fundraising letters were written by Gene Ewing
, who heads a multi-million dollar marketing empire, writing donation letters for other evangelicals like WV Grant, Robert Tilton
, Rex Humbard
and Oral Roberts
. Included in some of Stewart's fundraising letters was Stewart's green "prayer cloth" with claims that it has supernatural healing power. Stewart's television programs and website currently offer the "Green Prosperity Prayer
Handkerchief" which he claims people can use "to receive abundant blessings of financial prosperity". In a 2009 Skeptic
article, Marc Carrier wrote about Stewart's handkerchief and his financial earnings explaining the handkerchief is a "mere 17x17 cm" and came with a letter requesting a "seed faith" in the amount of "$500, $100, $50, or $30". Carrier wrote the "seed faith" request included anonymous letters linking donations to new personal wealth, which was a way for Stewart to increase donations his organization receives.
Stewart produces many DVDs and "healing packages" in addition to his three books. His most recent book is from 2007 titled "Healing, The Brain Soul Connection" with Daniel G. Amen
, MD. In the book, Stewart says he has ADD and has a special interest in helping those mental and emotional difficulties. He also wrote Only Believe which is a history of the early Latter Rain Movement
that includes Oral Roberts
, Kathryn Kuhlman
, A.A. Allen, and Benny Hinn
. The Don Stewart Association sells many books, DVDs, and "healing/miracle" packages. Stewart's faith healing services include live video streaming, live email testimonies and prayer requests, and cell phone prayer.
In May 2009, The Arizona Republic
examined 22 charities tied to the Don Stewart Association, which claim to be independent, but with links via association employees, pastors, and their wives, parents, children and in-laws operated 16 of the 22 charities from tax years 2003 to 2005. The paper revealed Stewart's association spent the bulk of its money on salaries and expenses such as a Hummer H2
and $80,000 for a tract of farmland in Montana, purchased from the family of a hunger charity's president. Later that month Arizona's attorney general's office began reviewing its practices to decide whether any action should be taken. Following the report in September 2009, The Arizona Republic
reported St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance in Phoenix broke contact with Northern Arizona Food Bank and the Stewart Association was being investigated by the federal government. The Don Stewart Association would no longer comment to The Republic.
Operated by Don Stewart Association
Faith Healer
Faith Healer is a play by Brian Friel about the life of faith healer Francis Hardy as monologued through the shifting memories of Hardy, his wife, Grace, and stage manager, Teddy.-Synopsis:...
. He is a televangelist who hosts "Power and Mercy" on Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
, The Word Network, and other television channels. He is the successor to the late AA Allen’s organization.
Origins and early ministry
According to his official biography, Stewart is the youngest of six-children and at age 13, Don had developed a severe bone disease, but after four major surgeries when he was 15 years old "\God miraculously healed him. Currently, he lives in a $2.5 million Paradise Valley, ArizonaParadise Valley, Arizona
Paradise Valley is a small, affluent town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2005 Census Bureau, the population of the town was 14,558. Despite the town's relatively small area and population compared to other municipalities in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Paradise...
home owned by his church, and his family earns hundreds of thousands of dollars from his church. The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
reports "His ministry, the Don Stewart Association, operates out of a nondescript warehouse in an industrial park near Interstate 17." Stewart's son, Brendon Stewart conducts his own "Miracle Crusades."
Stewart first worked with AA Allen starting with "pounding tent stakes at Allen's revivals to driving a truck to preaching". One of Allen's rising young evangelistic proteges during the early 1960s along with the likes of R.W. Schambach
R.W. Schambach
R.W. Schambach is an American televanglist, pastor, faith healer, and author. His television program, Power Today can be seen on the DayStar Christian TV network aa well as over the internet in streaming podcasts.-Early life and faith:An outgoing youth, Schambach, who was born in Philadelphia,...
and Leroy Jenkins
Leroy Jenkins (televangelist)
Leroy Jenkins is an American televangelist and preacher who was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his faith healing, through the use of "miracle water". His television program can be seen on television stations across the U.S...
, Stewart served as evangelist and secretary treasurer of Allen's organization, and "was hit with allegations of embezzlement by Allen's brother-in-law, of pocketing offerings from the revivals" in the wake of Allen's death. When the controversial Allen died from alcohol poisoning as a result of nn alcoholic binge in 1970, Stewart tried to clean up the Allen's room before the police came. After Allen's death, Stewart gained complete possession of Allen's organization, including his Miracle Valley property, and renamed Allen's Miracle Life Fellowship International the Don Stewart Evangelistic Association (and later the Don Stewart Association). On the property from 1979 until 1982, nearly 300 members of a group isolated themselves with Frances Thomas professing what locals said was an "anti-white doctrine." Immigrants from Chicago and Mississippi rioted, which resulted in the death of Therial Davis, a six year old. In 1982, the group had several confrontations with utility workers, neighbors and eventually law enforcement resulting in an October shoot out where two members of the church and a deputy were killed. The land was abandoned within a couple of weeks.
That same year Miracle Valley's main administration building and vast warehouse were set on fire by arson, which resulted in the total destruction of the facilities. The main building was valued at $2 million dollars. Stewart sent multiple donation requests to some people on his 100,000 person mailing list "even though his ministry is not associated with the college and the fire damage was insured." According to the press, one of his letters "gave the impression ... the fire had crippled Stewart's ministry" and another purported to include the buildings ashes with a request for $200 donations. He was "accused by another church of committing arson for an insurance payoff." His own church had issues over Stewart's financing and "questioned Stewart's fundraising techniques" before.
Current work
The Don Stewart Association controls "Feed My People," the "Southwest Indian Children's Fund", and "Miracle Life Fellowship International" (with offices in the Philippines). Additionally, Stewart also started the Northern Arizona Food Bank, which is operated by his association and directed by Kerry Ketcum. Stewart's organizations in the early 1990s as well as more recently have been criticized for not making its expenditures public. In 1992, USA TodayUSA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
cited Feed My People/Don Stewart Association among a group of organizations that "did not reply to BBB
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau , founded in 1912, is a corporation consisting of several private business franchises of local BBB organizations based in the United States and Canada, which work through their parent corporation, the Council of Better Business Bureaus .The Better Business Bureau, through...
disclosure requests." In 1993, the Washington Post reported, "Feed My People International, an arm of the Don Stewart Association (a church)" sends "Prospective donors get heart-rending letters on behalf of starving children, with virtually no facts about where and how the money is distributed. Three watchdog groups have asked for details and been turned down." In 2008 the Better Business Bureau
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau , founded in 1912, is a corporation consisting of several private business franchises of local BBB organizations based in the United States and Canada, which work through their parent corporation, the Council of Better Business Bureaus .The Better Business Bureau, through...
reported, the Don Stewart Association "did not provide requested information. As a result, the Better Business Bureau cannot determine if it meets standards."
Then in 1997, The Business Journal noted that the Internal Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
was investigating Stewart's organization for mail fraud concerning high salaries and an $8 million annual income. After an investigation, the IRS "revoked the tax exemption of the Phoenix-based Don Stewart Association." Among the reasons for the IRS revoking tax exemption was "impermissible benefits" to the Stewart family. As of 2008, according to the IRS, it is currently tax-exempted.
In 1998, the Washington Post reported, Don Stewart's "followings all but disappeared after investigations," but he has "joined dozens of other preachers to become fixtures on BET." Consequently, Stewart along with Peter Popoff
Peter Popoff
Peter Popoff is a German-born American faith healer and the president of Peter Popoff Ministries. He conducts revival meetings and has a national television program...
and Robert Tilton
Robert Tilton
Robert Tilton is an American televangelist who achieved notoriety in the 1980s and early 1990s through his infomercial-styled religious television program Success-N-Life, which at its peak in 1991 aired in all 235 American TV markets , brought in nearly $80 million per year, and was described as...
received "criticism from those who say that preachers with a long trail of disillusioned followers have no place on a network that holds itself out as a model of entrepreneurship for the black community."
G. Richard Fisher, of The Quarterly Journal, has been critical of Stewart's prosperity theology
Prosperity theology
Prosperity theology or gospel is a Christian religious belief whose proponents claim the Bible teaches that financial blessing is the will of God for Christians. Most teachers of prosperity theology maintain that a combination of faith, positive speech, and donations to Christian ministries will...
teachings and purported healing miracles. The national U.S. television program Inside Edition
Inside Edition
Inside Edition is a thirty-minute American television syndicated news program, first aired on CBS on October 9, 1988. It was originally similar to the programs Hard Copy and A Current Affair, but now more closely resembles a condensed version of breakfast television, exclusively with pre-recorded...
with the Trinity Foundation
Trinity Foundation (Dallas)
The Trinity Foundation is a watchdog ministry founded by Ole Anthony in 1972 and based in Dallas, Texas .Trinity has primarily investigated televangelists such as Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, Robert Tilton, W.V. Grant, pastor Edwin Barry Young, and the Trinity...
investigated Stewart's wealth and fundraising practices. In 1996, the Dallas Morning News noted that some of Stewart's fundraising letters were written by Gene Ewing
St. Matthew's Churches
St. Matthew's Churches, formally St. Matthew Publishing Inc., is an evangelical "Christian ministry". It is primarily a mail-based "ministry" with an address in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with churches in New York and Houston. In 1999 St. Matthew Publishing Inc. reported $26.8 million in revenue...
, who heads a multi-million dollar marketing empire, writing donation letters for other evangelicals like WV Grant, Robert Tilton
Robert Tilton
Robert Tilton is an American televangelist who achieved notoriety in the 1980s and early 1990s through his infomercial-styled religious television program Success-N-Life, which at its peak in 1991 aired in all 235 American TV markets , brought in nearly $80 million per year, and was described as...
, Rex Humbard
Rex Humbard
Alpha Rex Emmanuel Humbard was a well-known American television evangelist whose Cathedral of Tomorrow show was shown on over 600 stations at the peak of its popularity....
and Oral Roberts
Oral Roberts
Granville "Oral" Roberts was an American Pentecostal televangelist and a Christian charismatic. He founded the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University....
. Included in some of Stewart's fundraising letters was Stewart's green "prayer cloth" with claims that it has supernatural healing power. Stewart's television programs and website currently offer the "Green Prosperity Prayer
Prosperity theology
Prosperity theology or gospel is a Christian religious belief whose proponents claim the Bible teaches that financial blessing is the will of God for Christians. Most teachers of prosperity theology maintain that a combination of faith, positive speech, and donations to Christian ministries will...
Handkerchief" which he claims people can use "to receive abundant blessings of financial prosperity". In a 2009 Skeptic
Skeptic (U.S. magazine)
Skeptic is a quarterly science education and science advocacy magazine published internationally by The Skeptics Society, a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting scientific skepticism and resisting the spread of pseudoscience, superstition, and irrational beliefs...
article, Marc Carrier wrote about Stewart's handkerchief and his financial earnings explaining the handkerchief is a "mere 17x17 cm" and came with a letter requesting a "seed faith" in the amount of "$500, $100, $50, or $30". Carrier wrote the "seed faith" request included anonymous letters linking donations to new personal wealth, which was a way for Stewart to increase donations his organization receives.
Stewart produces many DVDs and "healing packages" in addition to his three books. His most recent book is from 2007 titled "Healing, The Brain Soul Connection" with Daniel G. Amen
Daniel G. Amen
Daniel G. Amen, M.D. is a child and adult psychiatrist, self-help advisor, author and medical director of the Amen Clinic. He has done work in evaluating psychiatric and neurological patients with the help of SPECT scanning, especially in the area of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.-Career...
, MD. In the book, Stewart says he has ADD and has a special interest in helping those mental and emotional difficulties. He also wrote Only Believe which is a history of the early Latter Rain Movement
Latter Rain Movement
The Latter Rain, also known as the New Order or New Order of the Latter Rain, was a post–World War II movement within Pentecostal Christianity which remains controversial to this day...
that includes Oral Roberts
Oral Roberts
Granville "Oral" Roberts was an American Pentecostal televangelist and a Christian charismatic. He founded the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University....
, Kathryn Kuhlman
Kathryn Kuhlman
Kathryn Johanna Kuhlman was an American faith healer and evangelist.-Early life:Kathryn Johanna Kuhlman was born in Concordia, Missouri, to German-American parents...
, A.A. Allen, and Benny Hinn
Benny Hinn
Toufik Benedictus "Benny" Hinn הין; born December 3, 1952) is a televangelist, best known for his regular "Miracle Crusades" – revival meeting/faith healing summits that are usually held in large stadiums in major cities, which are later broadcast worldwide on his television program, This Is Your...
. The Don Stewart Association sells many books, DVDs, and "healing/miracle" packages. Stewart's faith healing services include live video streaming, live email testimonies and prayer requests, and cell phone prayer.
In May 2009, The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
examined 22 charities tied to the Don Stewart Association, which claim to be independent, but with links via association employees, pastors, and their wives, parents, children and in-laws operated 16 of the 22 charities from tax years 2003 to 2005. The paper revealed Stewart's association spent the bulk of its money on salaries and expenses such as a Hummer H2
Hummer H2
The Hummer H2 is an SUV and SUT that was marketed by General Motors under the Hummer brand. It is a large truck , while longer, heavier , and taller with room for six passengers , seven passengers in some models. The rearmost part of the H2 SUV was modified to a pickup truck bed for the 2005 H2 SUT...
and $80,000 for a tract of farmland in Montana, purchased from the family of a hunger charity's president. Later that month Arizona's attorney general's office began reviewing its practices to decide whether any action should be taken. Following the report in September 2009, The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
reported St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance in Phoenix broke contact with Northern Arizona Food Bank and the Stewart Association was being investigated by the federal government. The Don Stewart Association would no longer comment to The Republic.
Books by Stewart
- Don Stewart and Daniel G. AmenDaniel G. AmenDaniel G. Amen, M.D. is a child and adult psychiatrist, self-help advisor, author and medical director of the Amen Clinic. He has done work in evaluating psychiatric and neurological patients with the help of SPECT scanning, especially in the area of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.-Career...
, Healing:The Brain-Soul Connection Anxiety Depression ADD Don Stewart Association; 1st edition (December 21, 2007) ISBN 0980076005 - Don Stewart, Only believe: an eyewitness account of the great healing revivals of the 20th century (Shippensburg, PA: Revival Press, 1999) ISBN 156043340X
- Don Stewart and Walter Wagner. The Man from Miracle Valley (Great Horizons Company, 1971)ISBN 0910612129
External links
- Don Stewart Ministries Official Website
- Don Stewart: A life in pursuit of God's reward The Arizona RepublicThe Arizona RepublicThe Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
, May 4, 2009
Operated by Don Stewart Association