In today’s supersized praise-worthy episode, MFFI uncovers the scandalous stories behind the rise of megachurches and explains how a few ambitious, unscrupulous grifters turned piety into profit and faith into a financial formula. From the pulpit to the bank vault, explore the controversial rise of these religious empires and the charismatic leaders who plunder the pockets of their congregations. ~ In this episode:   Just How Mega is a Megachurch?  Gigachurches The Business of Faith Lakewood and Joel Osteen The First Megachurch (1861): Charles Spurgeon and the Metropolitan Tabernacle The First American Megachurch: Foursquare Aimee Semple McPherson The Prosperity Gospel Oral Roberts Vanco Payments Kenneth Copeland, Demon-Face World Changer's Church Creflo Dollar and Project G650 The United States Inquiry in the Tax-Exempt Status of Religious Organizations Deep Dive: Hillsong Church Frank Houston and the Hills Christian Life Center Brian Houston, Ned Flanders of Evil Geoff Bullock, Darlene Zcheck, and the Hillsong Band "The Church I See"  The Rise and Fall of Carl Lentz and Hillsong NY Accusations and Confessions The Fall of Frank and Brian ~ Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON ~ Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD ~ Join the Midnight Masses! Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas.  And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word!  Midnight Merch  ~ Leave an Audio Message! ~  Instagram ~ Podcast Website ~ Episode Transcript