Televangelist Morris Cerullo, the founder of San Diego-based Morris Cerullo World Evangelism and Schools of Ministry is planning on building the Morris Cerullo International Centre Legacy Village in San Diego’s Mission Valley, complete with five-star restaurant, therapeutic jacuzzi, health spa and flower-filled prayer gardens.
Accommodations are being offered on a timeshare basis with the centerpiece of the development being the Morris Cerullo International Center whose mission according to Cerullo is, “… to equip the Body of Christ to work the works of God until Jesus comes. Through God’s plan for evangelism, the Morris Cerullo International Center will continue to train an army for God who will then be able to train others.”
Although building is yet to commence on the project potential buyers are being encouraged by Cerullo’s Web site to make reservations now by placing a $1,000 deposit.
Unlike conventional timeshares, buyers into Cerullo’s Legacy Village will be able to spend their afternoons, “… viewing the live teaching messages from Dr. Morris Cerullo along with some of the greatest preachers and teachers from around the world in the Legacy Theatre training facility.”
The project will cover 18 acres and is scheduled to be completed by mid-2017 although this is dependent on the San Diego City Council reviewing the construction plans.
Cerullo has proven to be a controversial figure and is not a supporter of LGBT equality. Cerullo’s Web site openly supports Alabama’s Chief Justice Roy Moore in his defiance of the Supreme Court over gay marriage. Cerullo’s “Prayer Targets” include, “God’s intervention in preserving Christian liberties in our nation.” This is in support of pastors who turn away same-sex couples who want to marry. (http://www.mcwe.com/prayer_target_details.php?id=6)
Cerullo’s fundraising practices have been widely criticized and his activities in the U.K. have come under particular criticism when in 1992 a young woman died after allegedly being “cured” at one of Cerullo’s rallies. According to a report in the Independent at the time Southwark coroner Sir Montague Levine, recording a verdict of accidental death, said, “It is a tragedy that she went to this meeting and thought she was cured of everything. Sadly, it led to her death.” At the time Cerullo refused to take blame for the incident and said, “I think it was a mischaracterization, a total injustice. I think conclusions were drawn too quickly. The coroner did not have evidence of the attitude of the person’s mind and he decided what he thought of the matter.”
Steve Lumbley, who runs the Web site apostasywatch.com has described Cerullo’s Web site as “… a cornucopia of wild claims and self-aggrandizement. Humble he is not.”
