The financial scandal engulfing Greater Ministries International Church is expected to reach a climax soon in a Tampa federal court.

On October 4, seven Greater Ministries officials, including its pastor, Gerald Payne, and his wife, Betty, are scheduled to be tried on federal charges including fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering. They were arrested last March, and if convicted on all counts, each could face a prison term of up to 200 years and fines of up to $5.75 million.

FIRST AMENDMENT DEFENSE: Greater Ministries has operated a controversial "gifting ministry" that claimed the ability to double its donors' investments in 17 months from the profits of gold and diamond mines in Liberia and international trading in precious metals. Their scriptural basis for their promise is Luke 6:38, "Give and it will be given unto you" (CT, April 26, 1999, p. 22).

Greater's attorney, Al Cunningham, has argued that the case is about religious freedom, the First Amendment, and government persecution. "The Lord Jesus Christ regulates our body," he asserted. "If we recognize a sovereign greater than Jesus Christ, then we deny Jesus Christ."

At least $100 million was reportedly invested in the program by over 15,000 Christians, according to federal investigators. Monthly payments to these "gifters" stopped over a year ago. Greater's legal troubles have proliferated since the seven were arrested. On August 6, U.S. marshals, local police, and sheriff's deputies invaded and seized Greater's headquarters in a former Tampa bank building.

The seizure was authorized by Federal Judge Richard A. Lazzara. State authorities from Alabama and Ohio told the judge they feared assets were being taken from the building and records destroyed. Judge Lazzara appointed ...