Televangelist Jesse Duplantis has asked his followers for money to purchase a brand new Falcon 7X jet so that he can "go anywhere in the world in one stop."
In a five-minute video posted on his ministry's website, Duplantis expressed his belief that preachers should be able to own jets so that they can "go on every available voice, every available outlet, to get this gospel preached to the world."
The preacher went on to show some pictures of the jets that he had purchased in the past, before revealing that he wanted to purchase a new jet.
He explained that he no longer wants to use his older jets because he "can't go at one stop." He argued that he can save more money by avoiding stops because he has his own supply of fuel.
A brand new Falcon 7X, which was first flown in 2005, costs as much as $54 million, according to Sherpa Report.
Duplantis said that he had asked God how he was supposed to pay for the new jet. The preacher claimed that God responded to him saying, "Jesse, I didn't ask you to pay for it. I asked you to believe for it."
The evangelist went on to ask his followers for money, noting that he wanted to pay for the new plane in cash. "We never ask you to give anything that me and [wife] Cathy don't give ourselves," he said, according to PJ Media.
The preacher said he believes that Jesus would be riding airplanes if He was preaching the Gospel across the globe today.
PJ Media noted that Duplantis had once described God as his "sugar daddy" and has been accused of violating tax laws to fund his extravagant lifestyle.
His plea for donations follows that of Kenneth Copeland, who asked supporters to help him pay for an upgrade to his Gulfstream V jet.
The plane, which was purchased from filmmaker Tyler Perry, was reportedly "paid in full" during Thanksgiving week.
Charlie Bollinger, a Kenneth Copeland Ministries partner, explained that the upgrades, which will cost $2.5 million, are needed to comply with new FAA standards. He went on to urge potential donors to prepare to raise $17 million for the maintenance of the aircraft.
The ministry did not disclose how much it paid for the jet but AV Buyer noted that the lowest priced Gulfstream V costs around $6 million.
In 2015, both Copeland and Duplantis insisted during a broadcast of the "Believers in Victory" program that preachers need private jets so that they can pray in privacy.
"We've got to have this! The mess that the airlines are in today. I would have to stop — I'm being very conservative — at least, 75-80, more like 90 percent of what we are doing. Because we can't get there! That's why we are on that airplane. We can talk to God!" Copeland said at the time.
