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Christianity Today, July, 2009 |

Family Ties

Facing lawsuits and an FBI probe, Angel Food's story bears warnings about family-run mega-ministries.

Christopher Quinn | posted 6/16/2009 09:10AM

Joe Wingo failed to foresee the cloud he would hang over his family and his nonprofit, Angel Food Ministries in Monroe, Georgia, when he brought his wife and two sons in to help run it.

He wanted them ...

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Gene Scarborough

Posted: June 19, 2009 9:06 PM


Hey, folks, they make almost as much as mega-church pastors!! Empty and flamboyant religion is the thing of our day--The Pharisees would be proud!! Tithes of the first fruits, Temple money, promises of doing your religion for you, having the best seats and a "Dr" title to show respect seem to never die. Check out Jesus' take on such things in Matt. 23--it is pretty clear!

luther marvin walters

Posted: June 17, 2009 4:45 PM


my daddy told me 56 yrs ago "there is a sucker born every minute and 2 to take him". now its more like 7.

Rodney

Posted: June 17, 2009 11:09 AM

I refuse to pass judgment on this until all the facts are in. I have read many articles on Angel Food as our church participates in this ministry. Too many of the articles are biased and opinion based, not fact based. I would appreciate continuing articles on this situation with fair, unbiased details so we can determine if our ministry should continue to be partnered with Angel Food. I must add, AF has helped us minister to and help many families, especially in this struggling economy. I hope that the business decisions - right or wrong - will not allow the enemy to collapse a vital ministry to many in need.

Arizona Guy

Posted: June 16, 2009 8:35 PM


How does one rationalize $500,000 salaries EACH from a non-profit? Not throwing stones, I really, really don't understand that mindset.

Jim, Canada

Posted: June 16, 2009 4:27 PM


Who's kidding whom? Don't tell me that people smart enough to develop a $140-million-a-year BUSINESS are not able to distinguish 'profit' from 'non-ditto'. Chuck the book at them - perhaps they need the law to explain to them what sort of 'ministry' they are pursuing and what manner of 'vision' is directing them!

Do not make my Father's house a house of trade

Posted: June 16, 2009 3:42 PM

Cultural context of the whipping episode isn't similar to "indulgences" and is in many ways similar to instances in the church/"para church" organizations making a profit out of religion. By profit is meant any gain from buying and selling. The sacrificial system though is similar to indulgences but there were some who directly engaged in trade. Trust the ESV translation that Jesus is saying do not make my Father's house a house of "trade". The word "trade" is referring to buying and selling. This is not to put any blame on those who are unfortunate enough to have to rely on the trade. Geography of that time prohibited many bringing their own animals for sacrifice and it was easier for people to rely on the sellers. Just as it is easier for churches to "buy" cheap goods for distribution rather than calling for regular freewill collections. The apostles had donations without ever fattening their wallets. Furthermore, a prophesy: No merchant in the kingdom. That is what Jesus said to me.

Patty

Posted: June 16, 2009 3:35 PM

Last month was our church's very first distribution as an angel food host site. This month our orders are up 44% over the previous month. We are getting phone calls and emails from all over our city thanking us for providing this ministry. Angel Food is a blessing to many, and it has brought our church members together for a purpose in ministering to our community. AFM has been extremely helpful and attentive to every question we've had. When I reported a shortage of an item, I received an immediate phone call. I could not ask for better service! I don't think a $500,000 salary is completely out of line for a company that does $140,000,000 worth of business. What I do think is that there are a lot of people who think someone is "unqualified" because they do not have the appropriate credentials (e.g. MBA degree) -- and they can't bear the thought that someone "beneath them" is making more money than they are. Sounds like sour grapes to me. I don't see anything criminal here.

NW	Posted: June 16, 2009 2:28 PM


Thanks Alison for making that story clear. The Bible is so often misinterpretated. I am so sorry about the Angel Food Ministry. I believe there is a need for such a ministry during these times of financial distress. I will keep that family in my prayers.

Auntie

Posted: June 16, 2009 1:28 PM


I think you may find this happens more than most people know.

alison

Posted: June 16, 2009 1:18 PM

Sad, sad story - a great idea that went wrong. HOWEVER, I'm distressed by people here and at other posts who so badly misuse the John passage. That story is not about money changing hands in the temple, but about the people who were "selling" animals fit for sacrifice to people who came to the temple to make a sacrifice and making a huge profit off of it. In this passage, the problem was about WHAT they were selling and that they were extorting people who had come to the temple to make a sin offering before God. Almost like selling indulgences.

Joseph

Posted: June 16, 2009 12:37 PM


Did I read that right? A "half-million dollars each" ? No wonder the IRS is investigating.

Do not make my Father's house a house of trade

Posted: June 16, 2009 12:27 PM

John 2:14-16 (English Standard Version) 14In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16And he told those who sold the pigeons, "Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade."

Carolee

Posted: June 16, 2009 12:22 PM

Oh no! I pray this gets worked out soon. My family and I have ordered thru Angel Food and the quality has been excellent, especially the fresh fruits. We have also placed orders and paid, giving the receipts to needy families anonymously. All they had to do was to go pick it up. It's been a blessing to us and a great mission opportunity. Now with the economy in the quicksand, Angel Food is needed more than ever. Let's all band together and pray that the investigators get on task and quickly and if any adjustments need to be made, that they are made immediately so the dream of the Wingo Family can get back on track. I can only imagine how easily one could get snared in "red tape" when Angel Food generated such a huge response.

Dave Allen

Posted: June 16, 2009 12:16 PM

I pastor a church that has been hosting Angel Food for over 4 years. The ministry itself (discount groceries) has value; but dealing with AF from our standpoint (a customer/client) has been frustrating. We get emails from the Wingos that are defensive rather than transparant--I'll probably get one Thursday telling me not to believe the "lies" in this article. AF does not tolerate criticism well, even though criticism may be constructive and honest; there is seems to be a circle the wagons attitude in customer relations when a complaint is brought. Our concerns and problems from 18 months ago still exist because AF can't admit they need to make changes. Joe Wingo has been used by God to do a great thing--too bad he's allowed all this to happen before admitting he needed to make changes. And why did we get an email asking us to vote for Joe Wingo for a "pastor of the year" award?

Kim	Posted: June 16, 2009 12:12 PM


I pray that the lessons learned are valuable tools to keep this organization going in the future. I've ordered from them before and was well pleased. What I knew I wouldn't use, I gave to others who would. This ministry helps so many people who couldn't have as much food otherwise.

Ed	Posted: June 16, 2009 11:41 AM


Half a million dollar salaries?!!! Each?!!! Some people have no conscience.

Dorothy Miller

Posted: June 16, 2009 11:13 AM


Thanks for publishing this story. I was particularly interested because I ordered quite a few groceries from the Angel Food Ministries last month. I have to admit I was disappointed when I picked it up, but figured it was my fault for not making sure of what I ordered. I picked it up at a church in Brighton, CO. and everyone was very nice. I feel sorry for that family.

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