Megachurch Pastor Craig Groeschel Cuts Ties With Life Surge After Debt Pressure Allegations
Craig Groeschel, pastor of the Oklahoma based Life.Church, announced on September 29 that he is suspending his involvement with Life Surge and canceling planned appearances in Charlotte, Hartford, Tampa, and Nashville this fall. His decision follows a joint investigation by Mother Jones magazine and sports podcaster Pablo Torre into Life Surge, which hosts Christian leadership and finance events drawing a claimed 100,000 attendees a year. The investigation alleged the events pressured attendees into buying faith branded financial courses ranging from a $97 three day class to $40,000 programs, leaving some attendees tens of thousands of dollars in debt.
Former college football star Tim Tebow also announced he is pausing his appearances at Life Surge events, saying the allegations are "extremely serious" and something he takes seriously. Life Surge responded that it "does not condone using a person's religious faith, fear, or spiritual beliefs to pressure that individual into purchasing a product." Groeschel and Tebow join Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla among high profile speakers who have distanced themselves from the organization since the investigation published.
