Paul Crouch, controversial evangelical broadcaster, dies at 79

Paul Crouch, the televangelist who built what's been called the world's largest Christian broadcasting network, and created a torrent of controversy in the process, died over the weekend, the Trinity Broadcasting Network confirmed Sunday morning. He was 79.

Crouch died at his home in California on Saturday after a decade-long fight with degenerative heart disease, his grandson Brandon Crouch told The Associated Press.

"He was an incredible businessman, entrepreneur, visionary; he built something that impacted the world," he said.

Trinity Broadcast Network had reported that Crouch fell ill and was taken to a hospital in October while visiting the network's facility in Colleyville, Texas. He later returned to California for continued treatment of "heart and related health issues."

"We mourn Paul's passing and he will be greatly missed. But we know, as the old hymn reminds us, soon enough we will see him again in that great 'meeting in the air,"' the network said in a statement over the weekend.

Crouch began his broadcasting career while studying theology at Central Bible Institute and Seminary in his native Missouri by helping build the campus' radio station. He moved to California in the early 1960s to manage the movie and television unit of the Assemblies of God before founding Trinity Broadcast Network in 1973 with his wife, Jan.

They grew the network into an international Christian empire that beams prosperity gospel programming to every continent but Antarctica around the clock. The network is based in California and has 84 satellite channels and more than 18,000 television and cable affiliates as well as a Christian amusement park in Orlando, Florida.

The network, and its founders, have drawn controversy from former employees, as well as other Christian leaders for creating programming that promises if the faithful sacrifice for their belief, God will reward them with material wealth.

The ministry is registered as a non-profit and collects hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and tax-free donations a year. Critics of the organization claim that Crouch and his wife Jan have used the money to live lavish lifestyles.

Last year, their granddaughter and her husband's uncle filed lawsuits alleging $50 million in financial improprieties at the network and detailed opulent spending.

Former employees of the television station told The New York Times that the Crouch family led lavish lifestyles. They owned several homes in Texas, California, and Florida, as well as two private jets worth $8 million and $49 million. They supposedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on their two dogs, according to the Times and other news reports.

The Crouches dismissed the allegations, and their attorney said the network's spending was in line with its mission to spread the gospel throughout the world.

Despite controversy surrounding Crouch, he was able to gain significant influence over evangelical ideology.

The version of Christianity espoused by Crouch and TBN, called prosperity theology, dictates that God rewards people with material wealth for the sacrifices they've made. TBN broadcasts often suggest that if people donate to the network, God will return the favor.

Many prominent evangelical preachers signed up for shows on the Trinity Broadcasting Network over the years. The growth of TBN gave prosperity theology a far-reaching platform in the U.S. and abroad.

Crouch and his network were praised by many for spreading the gospel. He received three honorary degrees from Christian universities, including Oral Roberts University.

After his death, hundreds of condolences from evangelical preachers and followers of Crouch were posted to the TBN Facebook page.

"Few men actually change the face of the planet and shape it for future generations, leaving such a legacy," wrote prominent Eevangelical Bishop Clarence E. McClendon. "Dr. Paul Crouch, in his earthly ministry was a gentleman and a Prince, a General and a father to an entire generation of Christian leaders."

Katie Hladky, a professor of religious studies at the College of Charleston, who has studied the Trinity Broadcasting Network, said as TBN grew from a small California-based station into a global network of Christian broadcasters, the station, and prosperity theology, received more and more attention.

"TBN is just enormously powerful," she said. "Anytime you have something that powerful, you're going to see people push back."

Hladky said that Crouch was a true believer in the theology he preached, and therefore thought his family's wealth was a sign of his religiosity.

Crouch saw the money, houses, meals, and luxury transport, "as evidence that God is blessing him," she said.

Al Jazeera, with wire services. Peter Moskowitz contributed to this report.