Evangelical Broadcaster Paul Crouch SR Dies at 79 Years Old: Preacher Was Hospitalized in Critical Condition in 2013

Televangelist Paul Crouch died at 79 years old yesterday. He co-founded the Trinity Broadcasting Network with his wife Janice in 1973 in Santa Ana, California. The company has more than 18,000 television affiliates today and runs on 84 satellite channels. In 2010, the company received over $93 million in donations.

Paul Crouch became sick and was hospitalized in critical condition early last month and his condition deteriorated quickly until he finally passed yesterday. TBN released a statement about Crouch's death. They said, "We mourn Paul's passing and he will be greatly missed. But we know, as the old hymn reminds us, soon enough we will see him again in that great 'meeting in the air.'"

The Crouch's faced criticism throughout their lives for what people called an "extravagant lifestyle." Crouch's granddaughter even went so far as to file a lawsuit against Paul Crouch over financial improprieties. She claimed that he and his wife had private corporate jets and even had 13 mansions spread around the United States that were all bought with tax free donations from viewers of their network.

TBN promotes the idea that if Christians sacrifice for their beliefs, then they will be rewarded with material wealth in due time. This idea is called "prosperity gospel," and many other organizations look down upon its preaching.

Let us know what you think about Paul Crouch and his Trinity Broadcasting Network in the comments!