Jesse Duplantis
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Jesse Duplantis is an Evangelical Charismatic Christian minister based in Hammond, Louisiana, USA. This televangelist is the founder of Jesse Duplantis Ministries.
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[edit] Pre-Christian life
Duplantis, a Cajun, was born and raised in Houma, in southeasten Louisiana. He was born in July 1949. Before becoming a Christian, he played in a back-up band for rock groups[citation needed]. Jesse Duplantis abused hard drugs in the 1970's and was in debt before starting his church.
[edit] Popular Books and Sermons
He is known for telling humorous personal stories in his sermons. While some consider him entertaining, others see him as a showboating example of the worst of televangelism. Jesse Duplantis has written many books such as: "Jambalaya for the Soul", "Heaven: Close Encounters of the God Kind" as well as "Wanting a God You Can Talk To" and "God Is Not Enough, He's Too Much".
Duplantis' books have been translated into thirteen languages, including Braille, and have sold copies worldwide.[citation needed] In addition, his television broadcast can be seen on major networks in the USA such as ABC, NBC, CBS, TBN, Daystar and LeSEA. His program is also broadcast throughout Australia, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, the United Kingdom, Israel, and the Middle East.[citation needed]
[edit] Criticisms
His critics have called him an anti-intellectual bully (despite his honorary doctorate) and he has been criticized for his literal views on the Holy Bible. His most serious criticisms revolve around his views on prosperity, preaching a type of "health and wealth" gospel.[citation needed]
[edit] Worldwide Preaching Tour
Dr.(Hon.) Jesse Duplantis is an evangelist who has traveled throughout the world since 1978 preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Actually his preaching generally tends to feature long comedic sketches. He is the founder of Jesse Duplantis Ministries (JDM), which has its international headquarters in America and additional offices in the United Kingdom and Australia. As a result of his efforts, Dr. Duplantis is moderately well known in the evangelical Christian world.
[edit] Duplantis' claims about himself
Jesse Duplantis says that he is often told that he is "the only preacher my husband and kids will listen to!" While he likes to be known for his joy and his exuberant, evangelistic spirit, he likes to be "funny" but also "real."
Jesse Duplantis claims that he has always had one vision, one goal and one mission - World Evangelism.
[edit] Church founded
In 1997, he and his wife, the Reverend Cathy Duplantis, founded Covenant Church, a local outreach of JDM on the International Headquarters property in Destrehan. In recognition of his "many years of effectively sharing God's message of salvation through Jesus Christ to the world," Jesse Duplantis was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Oral Roberts University in 1999.
