Peter Popoff
Peter Popoff is a U.S.
televangelist who has spent most of his career claiming to treat physical ailments with
faith healing. He has claimed that the power of
God works through him to cure various ailments, and many of his
crusade services have involved him working alleged
miracles by
laying his hands upon members of the audience. Popoff is also known for sending packets of
Miracle Spring Water to his viewers. The water is claimed to be a solution to physical and financial problems. He's also known for the statement about the punishment from God forthcoming, "God's gonna burn your barley fields!"
At appearances in the
1980s, Popoff routinely and accurately stated the home addresses and specific illnesses of his audience members, a feat he allowed them to believe was due to divine
revelation and "God given ability".
His actual methods were discovered in
1987 when noted
skeptic James Randi visited a show and discovered radio transmissions of Popoff's off-stage wife reading information which she and aides had gathered from earlier conversation with members of the audience.
Popoff would simply listen to these promptings with his in-ear receiver and repeat what he heard to the crowd. After tapes of these transmissions were played on the
United States TV program
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Popoff's popularity and viewing audiences declined sharply, and his
ministry declared
bankruptcy later that year.
Popoff's shows also featured audience members who were brought on stage in wheelchairs and then rose dramatically to walk without support. These were some of Popoff's most incredible healings, but what believing audience members and television viewers did not know is that wheelchairs were used by Popoff to seat people who were already able to walk.
He no longer "heals" people in this way.
Popoff wrote several paperbacks in the early '80s that were published by Faith Messenger Publications but are now out of print.
Popoff has recently appeared on late-night U.S. television as a
preacher and also in
infomercials. He has promoted his "Miracle Spring Water" as a "point of contact" for divine healing. He has also preached a form of
prosperity theology under the slogan "Go into business with God", claiming that God will make "divine transfers" into a viewer's "divine account". One infomercial states, "A divine transfer is supernatural. This is not money you're going to make from your job... God is going to supernaturally put money into your account."
Within four weeks of submitting one's address to Popoff's automated phone service, subscribers receive in the mail from Popoff (now calling himself "Prophet Peter Popoff") a three-page essay filled with elaborate biblical language and red-ink imitation handwriting. Instead of the promised "Miracle Water", included is a tiny plastic "Golden Tablet" and a "Miracle Band" (a cardboard bracelet marked simply with "JIREH",
Hebrew for "see" but sometimes translated "provide"
). Popoff purports that the "Golden Tablet" was made by God and intended to create immense wealth for the subscriber. Popoff then insists that the subscriber wear the "Miracle Band" while posting him a check for $28.30 (related to
Exodus 28:30 in some way), in order to receive further instructions on how to use the "Golden Tablet".
Popoff's infomercials can be seen late nights and early mornings on the
Travel Channel,
BET, and
Comedy Central.
He is also once again buying time on selected local stations in the US.
Nevertheless, since making his comeback to television, there have been several reports of Popoff still gaining financially from donations. Some victims have received several letters from Popoff, with each succeeding letter asking for more money than previous. A recent report from
Fox affiliate
WDAF-TV in
Kansas City revealed that Popoff's salary in 2004 was over $500,000, and his assets included a $90,000, 2006
Porsche convertible. Some reporters are urging those who have donated money to Popoff in hopes of receiving "miracles" to report to the
Attorney General in their state.
Financial details on Peter Popoff Ministries
* As of FYE 2004, Peter Popoff received
$548,167 as President of his organization.
*
36.7% of the organization's total expenses go towards fundraising and administrative expenses.
* In total the Peter Popoff Ministries raised
$16,220,066 in revenue in FYE 2004.
See Charity Navigator [
1]
*
Official site of Peter Popoff Ministries
*
A video presentation by Randi, the second half of which shows Popoff's use of an-ear radio (Windows Media format)
Youtube link*
A Christian apologetics website critical of Popoff and his teachings*
Financial Statistics on Peter Popoff Ministries, from Charity Navigator FYE 2004, Peter Popoff received
$548,167 as President of his organization.
36.7% of the organization's total expenses go towards fundraising and administrative expenses.
