Louisiana televangelist Jesse Duplantis caused quite a stir this week when he asked his followers to donate funds so his ministry can purchase a brand new Dassault Falcon 7X private jet. The luxury three-engine aircraft boasts a high-end entertainment system, an onboard shower, a “whisper quiet” executive cabin, and an impressive nonstop range that allows it to go further than other planes in its class.
Jesse Duplantis gestures towards photos of his three other private planes during a weekly video segment. (@jesse_duplantis / Twitter)
The Dassault Falcon 7X jet is shown in this promotional image. (Dassault Falcon)
Oh, and it also costs approximately US$54 million.
In a weekly video segment posted on his website, Duplantis explained that the jet came up during a divine conversation he had with God.
“It was one of the greatest statements the Lord ever told me, He said, ‘Jesse do you want to come up where I'm at? I want you to believe me for a Falcon 7X,’” the minister recalled.
Now, it’s not that Duplantis can’t already fly privately for his work. He currently owns three other private planes with money raised by his devout followers. It’s just that a Falcon 7X would allow the popular preacher to travel “anywhere in the world in one stop,” he explained.
“If I can do it one stop, I can fly it for a lot cheaper, because I have my own fuel farm. And that’s what’s been a blessing of the Lord.”
Duplantis justified the expense by conjuring up the image of Jesus Christ in the today’s world.
“If Jesus was physically on the Earth today, he wouldn't be riding a donkey,” he said. “He'd be in an airplane preaching the Gospel all over the world.”
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