Movie Prop Rentals Sues Kingdom of God Global Church Over Alleged Unpaid Stage Set Costs

Movie Prop Rentals has sued the Kingdom of God Global Church and Joshua Media Ministries, both led by self-proclaimed apostle David E. Taylor, to recover the cost of a stage set that the plaintiff says the church never paid for. The case was originally filed in Florida state court in June. The church moved it to federal court in August, and Movie Prop Rentals amended its complaint on September 9.

According to court filings by Movie Prop Rentals, the Kingdom of God Global Church approached the company in February 2020 about “designing, manufacturing, and selling a substantial stage prop configuration.” The original design cost was about $680,000, but changes requested by the church increased the budget to $1.2 million, the court documents allege. The church paid an initial deposit of $150,000 to secure materials and begin construction. The plaintiff alleges that the agreed monthly installments of $70,000 were not paid in full or on time. Honest dealing in money owed is the plain standard that these payment terms raise, a matter of accountability (Proverbs 11:1).

Movie Prop Rentals states that it continued its work despite the missed and partial payments, and that changes and additions raised the total budget to $2.2 million. In May 2021, the company “ceased construction of the stage prop due to no funding being received” from the church. It then stored the partially built set at a cost of $4,000 per month.

The company is seeking $240,000 for the cost of materials and labor for the partial construction. It also seeks $4,000 per month for storage, arguing that the prop cannot be sold to others because of its design specifications.

Earlier this year, MinistryWatch reported that the Kingdom of God Global Church had purchased an $8.3 million mansion in Avila, an exclusive and affluent area of Tampa, Florida. The home once belonged to a co-owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the neighborhood is known for star athletes and other wealthy residents.

The Kingdom of God Global Church is one of several organizations associated with Taylor. He also leads Joshua Media Ministries and Marvels in America World Healing, and he previously led Resurrection Media Ministries.

On October 12, 2021, Winters & King, a Tulsa law firm representing the Kingdom of God Global Church, sent a letter to Rich Holmes, described as a critic of Taylor. The letter demanded that Holmes “cease and desist from your unlawful use and publication of threatening and false statements and remove all media containing such defamatory remarks.” It claims that Holmes accused Taylor of leading a cult, money laundering, tax fraud, and sex trafficking. It also claims that Holmes published Taylor’s Social Security number and encouraged others to file fraud reports with the IRS against the leader.

A 2018 article in The Christian Post reported that Taylor’s ex-wife, Tabitha Taylor, claimed her former husband had engaged in extramarital affairs while they were still married. She said she was coming forward to warn and protect others from what she described as the manipulative and abusive behavior of pastors who live contrary to biblical teaching.

According to Taylor’s website, he has been in ministry for 30 years. He says he was saved after Jesus appeared to him in a dream when he was 17 years old and “radically converted” him. His daily Miracles Today Broadcast features prayers over anointed prayer cloths that people call in to receive. He also claims to have the power to heal and work miracles.

Source: Read the original report