


|
This mailed solicitation from the mid '90s presents some intriguing questions. Although it includes three pieces of literature and a return envelope, it doesn't overtly identify the ministry or minister that sent it out. A page of testimonials from Christians who made big bucks thank a mysterious "Rev. Ewing," while the supposed bio section just says that the unnamed ministry started in 1951 and that "Our church has no walls, and Our parishioners are all hurting people to whom we minister by mail." (It then finishes by welcoming all faiths, "even those who do not attend any church," and reminds readers, "Don't forget to put God first with your Seed out of each check.") The return envelope is addressed to "Church and Bible Study In the Home by Mail" in Tulsa, Ok. and is stamped "THE NEXT MORNING," encircled in redno doubt a command to supplicants to get their checks in the mail soon. The literature shows all the signs of a Robert Tilton mail-out: First, a "personal" letter with supposedly handwritten notes and circled sections. Second, a "missionary magazine" that advertises a "Seed Harvest Gold Book Plan" with the disclaimer: "This ministry sells nothing neither this ministry's prayers nor miracles can be bought. This ministry's prayers are free of charge, and miracles are contingent upon the will of God. Your offerings are a form of worshipping God according to scriptures " Third, and most tellingly, a "Spiritual Billfold" with a prayer inside; recipients are instructed to "PLEASE DO THIS TONIGHT"to place their cursed wallets on the prayer (which includes the line, "Bless this wallet tonight, Lord, as this dear one sleeps with it under their pillow on this sincere prayer to You.") and then the next morning mail the "Spiritual Wallet" back to "God's 44 year-old ministry." Such tactics were Tilton's standard trade; combined with the imaginative graphics and subtext that God will give you money if you give the ministry money, it makes one wonder whether Tilton either helped create the materials or acted as the inspiration for them. Click on the items to see more!
Back to Religious Marketing
©2002 PopCult
|