Reverend Ike

Reverend Ike, formally the Right Reverend Dr. Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter II (June 1, 1935, Ridgeland, South Carolina – ), Th.B., D.Sc.L., Ph.D., Founder and Pastor of the United Church, American minister and radio evangelist.

With charisma and nerve, Reverend Ike's outrageous, outspoken style of ministry reached its peak in the mid 1970s, when his weekly radio sermons were carried by some 1700 stations across the United States, and he was among the most-recognized black figures of the time. To the surprise of many, he is still active.

From 1965, when he first formulated his "Blessing Plan", Reverend Ike's message has been a joyous celebration of the glorious power of money when that money is sent to him. His personal finances remain shielded behind tax-exempt status, but he has demonstrated his own prosperity with a fleet of Rolls-Royces (a different color for every day of the week, appointed in mink), diamond rings, expensive suits, and multiple mansions. He restored and owns the United Church in Harlem, formerly the Loew's 175th Street movie theatre.

Ike has influenced a succeeding generation of "prosperity teachers" such as Bishop E. Bernard Jordan and Atlanta's Creflo Dollar.

Quotes

• "The lack of money is the root of all evil."
• "The Bible says that Jesus rode on a borrowed ass. But I would rather ride in a Rolls Royce than to ride somebody's ass!"
• "Be proud of the way I look, because you spend $1,000 a week to buy my clothes."
• "The best thing you can do for the poor is not be one of them."