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{{Short description|Evangelical minister}}
{{Notability|date=March 2009}}
'''Rick Joyner''' heads ] (also known as MorningStar Publications and Ministries), which he cofounded with his wife Julie Joyner in 1985.<ref>{{cite web ]
| title = About MorningStar Publications and Ministries
| url=http://www.morningstarministries.org/Groups/1000012510/MorningStar_Ministries/About/About.aspx
| accessdate = 2009-02-13 }}</ref> He is also the founder, executive director, and senior pastor of ] based in ], ].


'''Rick Joyner''' (born 1949) is an American public speaker and author. He founded ] with his wife in 1985.<ref>MorningStar Ministries, , Official Website, USA, Retrieved June 18, 2017</ref>
==Biography==
Rick Joyner converted to Christianity in the early 1970s, and his ministry began following a period of spiritual renewal in his life, during which he wrote a number of books based on his assertion of a three-day prophetic revelation and vision of the state of the church and impending ] events.


== Morningstar Ministries ==
A church he led during the late 1970s in the ], ], area broke up around 1980. Joyner resumed ministry later in the decade; some web sites say he resumed ministry around 1987.
Joyner was born in ],<ref name=negativity>{{cite news|title=Negativity Scene:Bias Affected Ruling, Leader Says|publisher=Winston-Salem Journal|date=September 7, 1999|author=Stolberg, Mary |page=A1}}</ref> and grew up in ].<ref name=prophecy/> With his wife, Julie, he founded MorningStar Ministries in ], in 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newreleasetoday.com/authordetail.php?aut_id=876|title = Rick Joyner Author Profile &#124; Biography and Bibliography &#124; NewReleaseToday}}</ref>


By the mid-1990s Joyner was president of MorningStar Publications, located at that time in ].<ref name = ChapmanCO940602>{{cite news|title=NFL Star Will Bring Message of Hope|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|date=June 2, 1994|page=1A|author=Chapman, Dan}}</ref>
He is closely associated with evangelist ], former leader of the Lakeland Outpouring. In March 2009, he announced his role guiding the rehabilitation of Bentley.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}}


By 1994, Joyner appeared in news reports<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/06/19/bible-built/|title = Bible Built}}</ref> regarding his participation in plans to build a biblical theme park, in particular, with ], who had been unsuccessful in his attempts to purchase the Heritage USA theme park property.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reggie White Envisions Religious Theme Park Near Charlotte|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|date=February 7, 1999|author=Chandler, Charles|page=1H}}</ref>
He is married to Julie Joyner and has five children: Anna, Aaryn, Amber, Ben, and Sam.


The ministry hosts multiple conferences annually, with Christians from across the country and globe attending.
==MorningStar school==
He also oversees MorningStar's University, Fellowship of Ministries, and Fellowship of Churches. He edits ''The MorningStar Journal'' and ''The MorningStar Prophetic Bulletin''. The purpose of his ministry is the biblical mandate of {{bibleref|Matthew|24:45–46}} as well as a commitment to equip future leaders and work in relationship with current leaders to prepare and strengthen the church for the ]. This organization has several branches in North Carolina: ], ], ], and ].


In 1997 Joyner purchased 320 acres of land in ], near ] and moved the headquarters of MorningStar there from Charlotte.<ref name=prophecy>{{cite news|title=Ministry Based on Prophecy Sees Place in Wilkes County|publisher=Winston-Salem Journal|date=December 20, 1997|author=Railey, John|page=B9}}</ref>
==Books==
Joyner is also a well-known author of more than thirty books, including his best-selling ''The Final Quest'' series published by ]. He is a highly sought-after speaker at international conferences. A number of his books are about the ] ministry in the modern church, including several books ('']'', ''The Final Quest'') based on heavenly revelations he claims to have received himself, always stressing that no prophetic revelation can contradict scripture.


In 2004 MorningStar purchased part of the ] complex (originally established by ] and ] in ], ]) for $1.6 million.<ref name=former>{{cite news|title=Former PTL Land Goes to Ministry|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|date=September 29, 2004|author=Tribble, Sarah Jane |page=1Y}}</ref> The complex has been renamed Heritage International Ministries Conference Center.<ref>{{cite web | author = HIMCC Staff | date = December 25, 2016 | title = Heritage | location = Fort Mill, SC | publisher = Heritage International Ministries Conference Center (HIMCC) | url = http://www.heritageconferencecenter.org/about_us/ | work = HeritageConferenceCenter.org | access-date = 25 December 2016 | archive-date = 10 January 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170110061100/http://www.heritageconferencecenter.org/about_us/ | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Heritage+International+Ministries+Conference+Center/@35.0604132,-80.912073,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x95aee40d1105862a!8m2!3d35.0604132!4d-80.912073|title = Heritage Conference Center · 375 Star Light Dr, Fort Mill, SC 29715}}</ref> Joyner also promotes the Kingdom Business Association which is located in the same complex.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kbabiz.com/about-us/|title = About Us}}</ref>
'''''The Final Quest''''' is the first book in a three book series written by Rick Joyner. First published in 1997, the book is written from the perspective of the author relating a series of open visions that he experienced. The book has been firmly accepted by some yet firmly rejected by others. This is due to the many characteristics that make it controversial among circles of conservative Evangelical Christians. Much these controversies stem from the fact that Joyner claims to have been transported to heaven and to have had extended conversations with Jesus as well as with past Saints. The book speaks of ] and an impending 'civil war' within the church where the true and faithful Saints continue forward and those who are deadweight fall away. It also speaks of the 'throne room' where Joyner saw saints in different positions, some as 'foolish virgins' who resided far back from the throne, and others as 'overcomers' who were on thrones near the throne of Jesus. It became obvious to Joyner that many of those he considered great Christian leaders on earth were actually the least in the sight of God, and some who he considered to be 'nobodies' were actually the greatest kings in God's kingdom. Joyner saw a man who Joyner considered had 'gone off the rails' in his teaching, sitting on a great throne in the highest part of the throne room. This man is believed to be the late ] (although Joyner does not mention his name, his description of the man makes this obvious).


Christ's Mandate for Missions (CMM) merged with MorningStar Missions in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eaglemissions.org/about/morningstar-missions/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326214533/http://eaglemissions.org/about/morningstar-missions/ |archive-date=2012-03-26 |title=MorningStar & CMM {{!}} EagleMissions}}</ref>
Some wish that Joyner had written the book as fiction so that the book could be marketed to a larger audience and avoid many of the controversies surrounding it, however others (including the author) say that the author can not lie about what happened to him. Joyner wrote that he is not totally sure that the conversations that he had with past Saints actually were real people, or if they were a representation of them.


==Advisory and other leadership roles==
Morningstar publishes a Prophetic Journal edited by Joyner quarterly, and his ministry is also known for their conferences and ] music.
Joyner has been a part of the ] and an advocate for the ] and has been considered a leader in the movement since he published ''The Harvest'' in 1989, in which he predicted there would soon be a prophetic movement and a separate apostolic movement.<ref>The Harvest, pages 60-67 {{ISBN|978-1-59933-104-1}}</ref>
In the mid-1990s Joyner was one of the all-male members of the international advisors-at-large to the evangelical Christian women's organization ].<ref>{{cite book | author = Griffith, R. Marie | year = 2000 | title=God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission | location = Berkeley, CA | publisher=University of California Press | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=odo6DdE4uHIC&pg=PA151 | isbn=9780520926172 | page=151 | access-date = December 24, 2016 }}</ref>


Joyner is also the founder and president of the Oak Initiative.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theoakinitiative.org/board-members#.WVW5TOvytEY|title = Board Members &#124; the Oak Initiative}}</ref> The non-profit organization is for Christians who desire "to Unite, Mobilize, Equip, and Activate Christians to be the salt and light they are called to be by engaging in the great issues of our time from a sound ]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theoakinitiative.org/our-purpose#.WVfy1evytEY|title = Our Purpose &#124; the Oak Initiative}}</ref>
==Heritage USA==
In 2004 MorningStar purchased part of the ] complex (originally established by ] and ] in ], ]), including the Heritage Grand Hotel, which is being refurbished as a conference center and ministry base. The complex has been renamed ] or '''H.I.M.'''<ref>{{cite web
| title = Heritage International Ministries - History
| url=http://him.morningstarministries.org/history.htm
| accessdate = 2009-02-13 }}</ref>


==Controversy==
Joyner's organization often has been confused with Morning Star International, a denomination of churches led by founder Rice Broocks. Hence Broocks' organization recently changed its name to ].
In 1998 Joyner's MorningStar Ministries was grossing $7 million a year, and that year it was denied a religious property tax exemption by the North Carolina Department of Revenue for an airplane, four tracts of vacant land, and two residential houses — one that Joyner lived in and one where ] lived and had a recording studio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dornc.com/taxes/property/decisions/scans/wilkes/Morningstar%20Publications%2098PTC168,%20COA.pdf|title = NCDOR}}</ref> Department director John C. Bailey said, "ith MorningStar there are a lot of tracts with costly improvements that affect tax liability significantly... If we did not limit exemptions, it would increase the burden on people, like you and me, who own homes that are not affiliated with any group." MorningStar appealed the Department of Revenue's denial.<ref name=taxhaven>{{cite news|title=Tax Haven on Earth? Religious Groups Add Voices to Growing Chorus Seeking Exemptions|publisher=Winston-Salem Journal|date=September 7, 1999|author=Stolberg, Mary | page=A1}}{{full citation needed|date=December 2016}}</ref>{{update after|2016|12|25}} Also, Joyner's MorningStar Fellowship Church filed a $20 million lawsuit against York County, South Carolina, over the unfinished 21-story hotel on their property that ] had started in the 1980s. MSFC filed an appeal of Judge Hall's ruling that "MorningStar has not provided substantial evidence to back up its claims." The building has never been finished and the county found the church in default after they missed a deadline to show their ability to fund the project.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldonline.com/news/local/article12342179.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801071511/http://www.heraldonline.com/news/local/article12342179.html |archive-date=2015-08-01 |title=MorningStar appeals ruling on Fort Mill tower {{!}} The Herald}}</ref>


Controversy has also accompanied Joyner's support for Canadian revivalist ]. Bentley has claimed that God heals the sick, and sometimes even raises people from the dead in his meetings—including three people in Pakistan<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/controversial-evangelist-todd-bentley-claims-3-raised-from-dead-in-pakistan-crusade-152907/|title = Controversial Evangelist Todd Bentley Claims 3 Raised from Dead in Pakistan Crusade| date=18 December 2015 }}</ref>—reports of which were carried by Morningstar TV<ref>{{cite web | author = MorningStar Ministries Staff | date=September 28, 2015 | title=Three People Raised From the Dead in Pakistan | website=] | format = excerpt of full video | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZSBT8fd-f0 | access-date=2015-12-14}}</ref><ref name="MorningstarTV">{{cite web|author=Bentley, Todd|display-authors=etal|url=https://www.morningstartv.com/harvest-fest/three-people-raised-dead-pakistan |title=Three People Raised From the Dead in Pakistan | date=September 25, 2015 |publisher=morningstartv.org | access-date = December 14, 2015 }}</ref> which is part of Joyner's ]. ABC's ''Nightline''<ref name="ABCNews070908">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/FaithMatters/story?id=5338963&page=1|title=Thousands Flock to Revival in Search of Miracles |author1=Kofman, Jeffrey |author2=Yiu, Karson |author3=Brennan, Nicholas | date = July 9, 2008 | publisher=ABC News | access-date= July 7, 2008}}</ref>{{verification needed|date=December 2016}} reporting concerning the "Lakeland Revival," before his marital problems became news, stated that "Not a single claim of Bentley's healing powers could be independently verified."<ref name="Lake">{{cite journal | author = Lake, Thomas | date = June 30, 2008 | title = Todd Bentley's Revival in Lakeland Draws 400,000 and Counting | journal = ] | url = http://tampabay.com/news/religion/article651191.ece | access-date = December 13, 2015 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080704145551/http://www.tampabay.com/news/religion/article651191.ece | archive-date = July 4, 2008 }}</ref> However, the ''Charlotte Observer'' reported on the same series of meetings, "The revival's media relations staff has tried to document healings. They e-mailed the ''Observer'' information on 15 people reportedly healed, providing phone numbers for each and noting that 12 had received medical verification. The ''Observer'' contacted five, plus three whose names were not provided, including Burgee. Each said God had healed them through, or related to, Bentley and the Lakeland services."<ref>{{cite journal | author = Chandler, Charles | date = June 19, 2008 | title = Tattooed Preacher Says God Heals Through Him | journal = ] | url = http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article8988545.html | access-date = December 24, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Pantagraph ap article">{{cite news | author = Reed, Travis | date = July 28, 2008 | title = Florida Revival Drawing Criticism—And Thousands of Followers | agency = ] | location = Bloomington, IL | work = ] | url = http://www.pantagraph.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/florida-revival-drawing-criticism-and-thousands-of-followers/article_0fe92491-afdd-51ee-9ccf-2f2d39d3b52a.html | access-date = December 13, 2015 }}</ref>
==Selected Books==
*''Two Trees in the Garden'' Morning Star Publications, 2006, ISBN 978-1929371556
*''Delivered from Evil''
*''The Apostolic Ministry''
*''The Prophetic Ministry'' Morning Star Publications, 2006, ISBN 978-1929371884
*Final Quest Series:
**''The Final Quest'' Morning Star Publications, 2006, ISBN 978-1929371907
**''The Call'' Morning Star Publications, 2006, ISBN 978-1929371891
**''The Torch and the Sword'' Morning Star Publications, 2006, ISBN 978-1929371914
*''Shadows of Things to Come''
*''The Harvest'' Morning Star Publications, 2007, ISBN 978-1599331041
*''The Power to Change the World: The Welsh And Azusa Street Revivals'', MorningStar Publications, 2006, ISBN 9781929371723


Joyner's public relationship with Bentley began when he appeared on stage in Lakeland with other church leaders to ] Bentley.<ref name=revivalalliance>{{cite web|url=http://www.bjm.org/regarding-todd-bentley.html |title=Public Statement on Todd Bentley from Revival Alliance | author=Revival Alliance Staff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121223353/http://www.bjm.org/regarding-todd-bentley.html |archive-date=November 21, 2008 }}</ref> After Bentley's divorce from his wife in 2008,<ref name=FiledforSeparation>{{cite journal | author = McMullen, Cary | date = August 12, 2008 | title = Evangelist Bentley, Wife File for Separation | website = TheLedger.com | location = Lakeland, FL | publisher = Gatehouse Media | url = http://www.theledger.com/news/20080812/evangelist-bentley-wife-file-for-separation | access-date = December 23, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="freshfire.ca">{{cite web | author = TFFM Board of Directors | date = August 15, 2008 | title = From the Board of Directors | location = Abbotsford, BC, CAN | publisher = The Fresh Fire Ministries (TFFM) | url = http://www.freshfire.ca/ | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080820120744/http://www.freshfire.ca/printpage_content.php?id=1065 | archive-date=August 20, 2008 }}</ref><ref name=bappress>{{cite journal | author = Roach, David | date = August 19, 2008 | title = Faith Healer Todd Bentley Separates From Wife, Draws Criticism From Charismatics | journal = ] | url = http://www.sbcbaptistpress.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28727 | access-date= December 13, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090112112017/http://www.sbcbaptistpress.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28727 | archive-date = 2009-01-12 }}</ref> Joyner decided to oversee the process of "restoring" Bentley along with ] and ].<ref name="charismamag.com">{{cite web | author = Gaines, Adrienne S. | date = March 10, 2009 | title = Todd Bentley Remarries, Begins Restoration Process | url = http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/news/20004-todd-bentley-remarries-begins-restoration-process | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314061716/http://charismamag.com/index.php/news/20004-todd-bentley-remarries-begins-restoration-process | archive-date=March 14, 2009 | access-date = December 23, 2016 }}</ref> Joyner made the announcement of the remarriage on March 9, 2009.<ref name="morningstarministries.org">{{cite journal | author = Joyner, Rick | date = 2009 | title = Todd Bentley Begins Restoration Process | journal = MorningStar Ministries | format = Special Bulletins | url=http://www.morningstarministries.org/Articles/1000045589/MorningStar_Ministries/Media/Special_Bulletins/2009/Special_Bulletin_17.aspx | publisher=Morningstarministries.org | access-date=December 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/20005-the-tragic-scandal-of-greasy-grace |title=The Tragic Scandal of Greasy Grace |author=Grady, Lee |date=March 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102193600/http://charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/20005-the-tragic-scandal-of-greasy-grace |archive-date=January 2, 2010 }}</ref> He also released a statement as to why he chose to be a part of the restoration.<ref>http://www.freshfireusa.com/writings/view/172-SPECIAL-BULLETIN-Todd-Bentley-Restoration {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>
⚫ ==References==
⚫ {{Reflist}}


There has also been some controversy about Joyner joining the Knights of Malta (]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theknightshospitallers.org/index.html|title = Knights Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights of Malta - The Ecumenical Order}}</ref> Joyner released a long statement explaining who they are and why he joined.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.morningstarministries.org/about/questions-and-answers/knights-malta-rick-joyner#.WVV9yOvytEY|title = Knights of Malta Rick Joyner|date = 13 June 2017}}</ref>
* "God's Lightning Rod" by Cedric Harmon. ''Charisma'' April 2001


Joyner is a promoter of the ] theology known as the ] or Seven Mountains of Influence, which advocates the need for Christians to be involved in leadership in the seven ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.morningstartv.com/prophetic-perspective-current-events/church-planting-and-seven-mountains|title=Church Planting and the Seven Mountains {{!}} MorningStar TV|website=www.morningstartv.com|date=26 April 2017|language=en|access-date=2019-05-22}}</ref> Joyner promotes the ministry of ] who teaches on the Seven Mountains theology; MorningStar Ministries carries a long list of materials by Wallnau.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.morningstarministries.org/biographies/lance-wallnau#.WVqWB-vytEY|title=Lance Wallnau Biography {{!}} MorningStar Ministries|website=www.morningstarministries.org|access-date=2019-05-22}}</ref>
http://www.morningstarministries.org/Groups/1000047651/MorningStar_Ministries/Media/VIDEO_MorningStar_2/VIDEO_MorningStar_2.aspx

In March 2021, Joyner urged Christians to own weapons to prepare for what he believes will be an inevitable civil war in the United States against those who he says stole the 2020 presidential election from the Republicans.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fearnow |first1=Benjamin |title=Pastor Rick Joyner Urges American Christians to Prepare for Civil War |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/pastor-rick-joyner-urges-american-christians-to-prepare-for-civil-war/ar-BB1eEiVx?ocid=BingNewsSearch |access-date=22 March 2021 |publisher=Newsweek |date=17 March 2021}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
In April 2013, Joyner and his daughter, Anna Jane Joyner, a climate change activist and founder of ], participated in the ] documentary '']'', a nine-part series focused on ]. In the fourth episode, celebrity ] follows Anna Jane as she tries to persuade her father, a ], to change his mind about global warming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://planetsave.com/2014/04/01/coal-climate-connection-hit-tv-screens-nationwide/|title=Coal--Climate Connection To Hit TV Screens Nationwide {{!}} PlanetSave|website=planetsave.com|date=April 2014|access-date=2019-05-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scu.edu/environmental-ethics/environmental-activists-heroes-and-martyrs/anna-jane-joyner.html|title=Anna Jane Joyner|last=University|first=Santa Clara|website=www.scu.edu|language=en|access-date=2019-05-22}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Rick and his wife, Julie, have five children: Anna, Aaryn, Amber, Ben, and Sam.<ref>The back cover of "The Harvest, 20 Year Anniversary Edition"</ref> All of his children disagree with his political views.<ref>{{cite news | last =Kristof | first =Nicholas | title =He's a Famous Evangelical Preacher, but His Kids Wish He'd Pipe Down: The Rev. Rick Joyner has called on Christians to arm themselves for civil war. But his children would be on the other side. |newspaper =] | location= | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =March 27, 2021 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/27/opinion/sunday/evangelical-rick-joyner-family.html | accessdate =March 27, 2021}}</ref>

== See also ==

* ]
* ]

⚫ ==References==
⚫ {{Reflist|2}}


==External links== ==External links==
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Latest revision as of 14:20, 22 September 2024

Evangelical minister
Rick Joyner

Rick Joyner (born 1949) is an American public speaker and author. He founded MorningStar Ministries with his wife in 1985.

Morningstar Ministries

Joyner was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. With his wife, Julie, he founded MorningStar Ministries in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1985.

By the mid-1990s Joyner was president of MorningStar Publications, located at that time in Charlotte, North Carolina.

By 1994, Joyner appeared in news reports regarding his participation in plans to build a biblical theme park, in particular, with Reggie White, who had been unsuccessful in his attempts to purchase the Heritage USA theme park property.

The ministry hosts multiple conferences annually, with Christians from across the country and globe attending.

In 1997 Joyner purchased 320 acres of land in Wilkes County, North Carolina, near Moravian Falls and moved the headquarters of MorningStar there from Charlotte.

In 2004 MorningStar purchased part of the Heritage USA complex (originally established by Jim Bakker and PTL in Fort Mill, South Carolina) for $1.6 million. The complex has been renamed Heritage International Ministries Conference Center. Joyner also promotes the Kingdom Business Association which is located in the same complex.

Christ's Mandate for Missions (CMM) merged with MorningStar Missions in 2009.

Advisory and other leadership roles

Joyner has been a part of the Apostolic-Prophetic Movement and an advocate for the Fivefold ministry and has been considered a leader in the movement since he published The Harvest in 1989, in which he predicted there would soon be a prophetic movement and a separate apostolic movement. In the mid-1990s Joyner was one of the all-male members of the international advisors-at-large to the evangelical Christian women's organization Aglow International.

Joyner is also the founder and president of the Oak Initiative. The non-profit organization is for Christians who desire "to Unite, Mobilize, Equip, and Activate Christians to be the salt and light they are called to be by engaging in the great issues of our time from a sound biblical worldview."

Controversy

In 1998 Joyner's MorningStar Ministries was grossing $7 million a year, and that year it was denied a religious property tax exemption by the North Carolina Department of Revenue for an airplane, four tracts of vacant land, and two residential houses — one that Joyner lived in and one where Don Potter lived and had a recording studio. Department director John C. Bailey said, "ith MorningStar there are a lot of tracts with costly improvements that affect tax liability significantly... If we did not limit exemptions, it would increase the burden on people, like you and me, who own homes that are not affiliated with any group." MorningStar appealed the Department of Revenue's denial. Also, Joyner's MorningStar Fellowship Church filed a $20 million lawsuit against York County, South Carolina, over the unfinished 21-story hotel on their property that Jim Bakker had started in the 1980s. MSFC filed an appeal of Judge Hall's ruling that "MorningStar has not provided substantial evidence to back up its claims." The building has never been finished and the county found the church in default after they missed a deadline to show their ability to fund the project.

Controversy has also accompanied Joyner's support for Canadian revivalist Todd Bentley. Bentley has claimed that God heals the sick, and sometimes even raises people from the dead in his meetings—including three people in Pakistan—reports of which were carried by Morningstar TV which is part of Joyner's Heritage International Ministries. ABC's Nightline reporting concerning the "Lakeland Revival," before his marital problems became news, stated that "Not a single claim of Bentley's healing powers could be independently verified." However, the Charlotte Observer reported on the same series of meetings, "The revival's media relations staff has tried to document healings. They e-mailed the Observer information on 15 people reportedly healed, providing phone numbers for each and noting that 12 had received medical verification. The Observer contacted five, plus three whose names were not provided, including Burgee. Each said God had healed them through, or related to, Bentley and the Lakeland services."

Joyner's public relationship with Bentley began when he appeared on stage in Lakeland with other church leaders to lay hands on Bentley. After Bentley's divorce from his wife in 2008, Joyner decided to oversee the process of "restoring" Bentley along with Jack Deere and Bill Johnson. Joyner made the announcement of the remarriage on March 9, 2009. He also released a statement as to why he chose to be a part of the restoration.

There has also been some controversy about Joyner joining the Knights of Malta (Russian tradition of the Knights Hospitaller). Joyner released a long statement explaining who they are and why he joined.

Joyner is a promoter of the dominionist theology known as the Seven Mountain Mandate or Seven Mountains of Influence, which advocates the need for Christians to be involved in leadership in the seven spheres of cultural influence. Joyner promotes the ministry of Lance Wallnau who teaches on the Seven Mountains theology; MorningStar Ministries carries a long list of materials by Wallnau.

In March 2021, Joyner urged Christians to own weapons to prepare for what he believes will be an inevitable civil war in the United States against those who he says stole the 2020 presidential election from the Republicans.

In popular culture

In April 2013, Joyner and his daughter, Anna Jane Joyner, a climate change activist and founder of Good Energy, participated in the Showtime documentary Years of Living Dangerously, a nine-part series focused on climate change. In the fourth episode, celebrity Ian Somerhalder follows Anna Jane as she tries to persuade her father, a climate change denier, to change his mind about global warming.

Personal life

Rick and his wife, Julie, have five children: Anna, Aaryn, Amber, Ben, and Sam. All of his children disagree with his political views.

See also

References

  1. MorningStar Ministries, About MorningStar Ministries, Official Website, USA, Retrieved June 18, 2017
  2. Stolberg, Mary (September 7, 1999). "Negativity Scene:Bias Affected Ruling, Leader Says". Winston-Salem Journal. p. A1.
  3. ^ Railey, John (December 20, 1997). "Ministry Based on Prophecy Sees Place in Wilkes County". Winston-Salem Journal. p. B9.
  4. "Rick Joyner Author Profile | Biography and Bibliography | NewReleaseToday".
  5. Chapman, Dan (June 2, 1994). "NFL Star Will Bring Message of Hope". The Charlotte Observer. p. 1A.
  6. "Bible Built".
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