Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the founder and pastor of the now-defunct Pennsylvania branch of Peniel Christian Fellowship International has been ordered to pay $305,704 regarding his misuse of ministry funds.
James Collier — who, along with his wife, were the only board members for the church — transferred money donated to the fellowship into personal accounts and used it for vehicles, rent payments, and other personal expenses.
A Dauphin County Orphan’s Court Judge recently ordered payment of funds, sought by the Office of Attorney General. The $305,704 is to go toward another church/religious institution that closely approximates the religious purposes of Peniel Christian Fellowship International.
“These charitable funds were intended to further Christian ministry as outlined in the fellowship’s mission — instead, the pastor and overseer of the funds acted on his own personal greed and diverted the funds,” Attorney General Henry said. “Charitable funds must be used as they were intended, and our office plays a role in ensuring such assets and funds are not misused.”
In addition to the repayment, the Orphan’s Court ordered that Collier be removed from the church bank accounts, that the church be dissolved, and that Collier be prevented from serving on the board of any nonprofits going forward.
The fellowship was left $387,478 by the estate of a previous parishioner.
This case was investigated by Investigator Andrew McCole and was litigated by Senior Deputy Attorney General Jason R. Lewis.
Original source can be found here.