SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) – An interview with a guest speaker has caused a stir on social media. A controversial ‘End Times’ pastor’s comments have now been viewed more than 3.5 million times on TikTok.

First Alert Investigator Beth Warden tells the story of the questions raised and an expert’s answers.

Previous story: Controversial ‘end times’ speaker shares message to Alliance

Shahram Hadian had his second speaking engagement in Sioux Falls earlier this summer. Before her return, Beth arranged an online interview.

A final question provoked a surprising reaction.

The majority of the interview focused on Pastor Shahram Hadian’s journey and the topics covered at his upcoming event.

“I’ve been a pastor now for 21 years, of course, and like I said, our ministry has been around since about 2010, so yeah,” Hadian said.

But things changed when Beth asked if the church was a nonprofit and if the information was on its website.

Beth hoped to see if there were tax returns, if there was a board of directors, and how the finances were managed.

“508(c)(1)(a), non-profit church,” Hadian said.

“Okay, can you give me those details so I can confirm it?” » asked Beth.

“There is nothing to confirm. We’re… It’s on our website. I don’t know how that’s relevant to our conversation,” Hadian replied.

“Well, I want to know what you do with the money,” Beth explained.

“That’s not, that’s, that’s, that’s your concern?” We are a ministry. We are a ministry,” Hadian replied.

“People misuse ministry money all the time. So yeah, it’s very relevant,” Beth said.

“It’s under ‘about us.’ If you think we are misusing the ministry’s money, then it seems you are blaming us,” Hadian said.

“No, I’m not,” Beth said.

“I would be careful about this accusation. You are very accusatory. I think you’re not hearing your own tone,” Hadian said.

“I’m just looking for connection,” Beth said.

Asking a nonprofit about its status and where to find the information is a standard journalistic question.

“I am a pastor. I have a church in Tennessee. This ministry is non-profit in nature,” explained Hadian.

Beth spoke with nonprofit consultant Michael Wyland. He confirmed that churches can be in a different nonprofit class if they choose.

“As a church. You are not required to apply for tax exemption. You can start a church and operate it tax-exempt without ever notifying the IRS that you are doing it and you are within the law,” Wyland explained.

“Can I just say I’m a church? Doing podcasts on religious issues, meeting with people for coffee once a week, accepting an offering and, just, can I just have the money?,” Beth asked.

“Yeah. Yes,” Wyland said.

Some churches choose to register as a nonprofit organization, especially those that receive grants, to show how finances are spent.

When churches choose not to be transparent about finances, it can lead to disappointment among those who support a ministry.

Beth contacted Hadian twice and asked if he would consider joining an organization like the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, which could review and accredit a finance ministry and church council.

There was no response at the time of publication.

In South Dakota, 18 departments are choosing transparency by registering with ECFA, including Lifelight Communications.

Josh Brewer wants those who support the ministry to have confidence in how their donations are used.

“Accountability is extremely important, not just for donors, but on a broader scale. How we represent Christ and as a ministry. It’s biblical,” Josh said. “If something went wrong, people would call me a lot.”

Brewer said the Billy Graham evangelical organization establishes a code for their ministry that Lifelight and other ministries and churches also follow, designed to guard against lying, pride, sexual misconduct and financial abuse.

The viral video has sparked comments from viewers who hope for more transparency with the country’s churches.

“Nothing about what we’re doing is absolutely legal, and that’s the last thing I’ll say about it,” Hadian said in the interview.

Beth also asked Hadian if ministry donations finance her Tennessee home, valued at $1.3 million in an area where the average home price is about $400,000. There was no response.

Wyland said churches have wide latitude in how ministry offerings and donations are spent.

“Often it’s more about ‘I like this person.’ I like their message. I like the way they make me feel,’” Wyland said.

Although there is no “About Us” on their website, there is a page where they declare themselves a non-profit organization and a “free church”.

Hadian didn’t just make waves in South Dakota. In Washington state, he spoke at a sidewalk church service outside a Spokane Planned Parenthood. The Church later had to pay nearly $1 million in legal fees and a fine for interfering with patient care.

After speaking in Sioux Falls, Hadian spoke in Rapid City and several locations across Minnesota. There are no upcoming events planned at churches, according to the Truth in Love ministry website.

There are only online services scheduled twice a week.

Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.