TENNESSEE
The Tennessean
Holly Meyer , USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
March 24, 2017
A controversial Williamson County ministry that has been scrutinized as a cult appears to be moving to Dickson County.
Wayne Jolley Ministries, Inc. purchased about 3 acres of undeveloped land on Highway 96 in the city of Burns, according to property records from the Dickson County Register of Deeds. The ministry paid $85,000 for the property east of the city of Dickson.
The sale happened in late 2016, just over a year after a Christianity Today report revealed serious concerns with how the late Wayne Jolley treated the members of The Gathering International, a small church group connected to his ministry. Former members told the magazine that Jolley’s ministry took their money, ruined families and covered up accusations of physical and sexual abuse.
A sign on the land says “Future Home of: The Gathering International.” …
In early May 2016, the Secretary of State’s Division of Charitable Solicitations, Fantasy Sports and Gaming fined the ministry $5,000 for “unfair, false, misleading or deceptive acts and practices affecting the conduct of solicitations for contributions.”
The complaint that prompted the state’s investigation into the ministry accused Wayne Jolley Ministries of misusing charitable donations, including for a radio ministry with grossly overstated reach. It also drew attention to substantial renovations to a Williamson County residence owned by the late pastor. The Gathering International congregation met in the home.
The state also stripped the ministry of its church status due to a tax issue. Since the ministry files a Form 990 with the IRS, Wayne Jolley Ministries no longer qualifies for the “bona fide religious institution” exemption and needs to register with the state under the Tennessee Charitable Solicitations Act.
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