Jesse Duplantis (born July 9, 1949) is an Evangelical Charismatic Christian minister based in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., and the founder of Jesse Duplantis Ministries.
In May 2010 Lee Zurik, a reporter for Fox 8 News reported on the excesses of Jesse Duplantis's life style. A mansion is being constructed in Destrehan, Louisiana and is reportedly owned by Jesse Duplantis Ministries. Many area residents are angered and dismayed by what has been called an excessive display of wealth. Most members of his congregation do not seem to have a problem with his giant mansion or his Falcon 50 jet.As of July 2010, Mr. Duplantis is under investigation by The Trinity Foundation. They do seem to have concern about his lavish mansion and his use of the Falcon 50 Plane.
According to the Fox 8 news Website "In 2009, Jesse Duplantis Ministries plane took a 17 day trip to Hawaii. The plane hopped from island to island. We spoke to one airplane operator who has the same jet as Duplantis. By his calculations, this Hawaii trip cost his ministry $40,000. That includes the cost of gassing up, flying, and storing the plane in Hawaii for 17 days.Records show, in early March, he took an 11 day Hawaii trip this year too.(2010)Jesse Duplantis Ministries jet has also taken 11 different trips to Las Vegas" because of business reasons.
Jesse Duplantis, raised as a Catholic and a Cajun, was born on July 9, 1949 and spent his childhood in Houma, southeastern Louisiana. A member of the band "Summer Wine," he performed under the stage name "Jerry Jaxon," earning a living as an opening act and back-up band for rock groups. Duplantis also performed as a heavy metal replacement guitarist for several high profile bands on tour. During one music tour, his focus was redirected from music to evangelism after hearing Dr. Billy Graham speak about salvation and Jesus. The irony and humor of being converted to the faith in a hotel bathroom was never lost on Duplantis, as evidenced by the unique humor laced throughout his empirical perspectives concerning theology and life. Dr. John Hagee once introduced him as "The Apostle of Joy" on an international TBN broadcast and the phrase quickly became as synonymous as a professional title or name. In full-time evangelistic ministry since 1978, Duplantis often uses his talent for music and comic performing in his evangelistic organization. In the book "Close Encounters of the God Kind" Duplantis reveals numerous facts concerning (a) his daily relationship with God, (c) the reality of eternity, (d) perspectives on Heaven and (e) the depth of the compassion, forgiveness and love God has for humankind.
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. Dr. Duplantis is known for (a) his Prosperity Gospel message (b) his joy for prosperity and heaven on earth, (c) an exuberant, evangelistic spirit (d) for teaching a memorable mix of strong preaching especially dealing with becoming prosperous while here on earth and (e) sharing hilarious life lessons. He preached his first sermon in 1976 and went into full time Evangelistic ministry in 1978. He is the founder of Jesse Duplantis Ministries (JDM), which has its International Headquarters located in America with additional offices in the United Kingdom and Australia. In 1997, he and his wife, Cathy Duplantis, founded Covenant Church, a local outreach of JDM on the International Headquarters property in Destrehan, Louisiana.
Covenant Compassion Center (CCC)
In the fall of 2005, Covenant Compassion Center was opened at the JDM International Headquarters in response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. JDM and the Covenant Compassion Center provided shelter for hundreds of relief workers, rented homes for displaced Katrina victims, provided finances for displaced people and churches in addition to distributing a spectrum of necessities inclusive of food, water, clothing, hygiene and household items. In early 2006, Dr. Duplantis was invited to become the first Louisiana Director of Christians United For Israel. He states, "CUFI has asked me to be the Louisiana Director, and it’s an offer I’ve accepted. I believe that Christians like us should stand for Israel and the Jewish people." Jesse Duplantis Ministries
Christians United for Israel (CUFI)
Duplantis was part of a diverse group of Christian leaders which met in San Antonio February 7—8, 2006 to form Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a national organization to support Israel, chaired by John Hagee.
Ministry Vision
The JDM official website states: "Jesse Duplantis Ministries is an evangelistic ministry dedicated to reaching people and changing lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our vision is world evangelism and our desire is to see God bless everyone in every way." Jesse Duplantis Ministries Dr. Duplantis' books have been translated into thirteen languages, including Braille, and are distributed worldwide. As a result of his efforts, Dr. Duplantis is moderately well known in the Christian world, especially since he can be seen on the internet via webcasts, a variety of Christian television stations such as the Trinity Broadcasting Network, Daystar, and LeSEA, in addition to secular networks inclusive of the ABC, NBC and CBS. His program is also broadcast throughout Africa, Australia, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, the United Kingdom, Israel, and the Middle East, because of the Trinity Broadcasting Network.
