For Dr. Creflo A. Dollar, excellence is a way of life. The dynamic founder of World Changers Church International—a global ministry organization anchored by a nearly 25,000-member congregation in College Park, Georgia—insists on that standard in every area. The goal of his very existence is to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to people of every color and culture, literally changing the world one person at a time. The award-winning Changing Your World television broadcast, which first aired in 1990, now reaches nearly one billion homes on a vast network of stations in practically every country in the world.

The Organization
There are many aspects and affiliates of World Changers Church International that meet the diverse needs of people around the globe. The church arm of the ministry is situated in metro-Atlanta but has members who commute from several surrounding states, such as Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama. Dr. Dollar is known all over the world for his dynamic yet practical teaching style that impacts people in such a way that they will make the drive. Creflo Dollar Ministries (CDM) hosts annual conventions in cities across the United States and serves Vision Partners in all 50 states and in almost every country in the world.

The Social Services arm of WCCI makes a daily investment in people's lives by meeting their physical, financial, emotional and spiritual needs through some 60 programs and ministries. Some of the innovations this visionary has implemented include the Career Development Center, where people receive the information, encouragement, training and practical assistance they need to obtain and maintain suitable employment, and where some 50 percent of referrals are hired; a food distribution facility, which provides over 60 tons of food to needy families annually; and the Joseph Project, a male-mentoring program that provides a pathway out of despair for men with troubled pasts.

Dr. Dollar is the president of Creflo Dollar Ministerial Association (CDMA), a covenant fellowship of affiliated ministries that strives to assist ministers, pastors, and churches large and small in the fulfillment of their God-given visions. Members have access to a long list of benefits, support services and ministry resources designed to optimize their effectiveness, including Web site development, workshops and conferences on the "how-tos" of ministry, organizational structure and logistical support, and opportunities to network with like-minded men and women of God.

Humble Beginnings
Although he was "raised in the church," Dr. Dollar did not become born again until the summer after his freshman year in college. While visiting a Bible study on the campus of an Atlanta-based university, Dr. Dollar gave his life to Christ. It was never Dr. Dollar's desire to become a minister; instead, he planned on becoming a professional football player. "There was never any doubt that one day I would [play pro ball]," he says. "God, however, had a different course for my life. I ended up getting injured and sitting on the bench for much of my college career."

Having put his plans on hold while his injury healed, Dr. Dollar decided to witness to students on campus. "I witnessed to a guy, and he became born again. Afterward, he brought back 10 more people. Before I knew it, Ken (his best friend and college roommate) and I were running a Bible study in our dorm room." This weekly Bible study was known as "World Changers Bible Study." The teachings captivated the attention of students who were in search of answers to life's questions, and attendance quickly grew to over 100 people. One of the students Dr. Dollar led to the Lord was Taffi Bolton, who became his wife five years later. He graduated in 1984 with a B.S. in Education and promptly went to work at Brawner Psychiatric Institute in Atlanta. Dr. Dollar also has a Master’s and Doctorate Degree in Counseling. Although he was successful at counseling those in his care, Dr. Dollar knew that God had given him a clear assignment—to teach the Word with simplicity and understanding.

In 1986, a year before he left Brawner to enter into full-time ministry, Dr. Dollar officially founded World Changers Church International, then known as World Changers Christian Center. Its first worship service was held in the cafeteria of Kathleen Mitchell Elementary School with only eight people in attendance. The location held a special significance for the budding ministry, as Dr. Dollar had been the first black male to integrate the school, where his mother once worked on the staff. They adopted Proverbs 4:7 as the church motto: "...In all thy getting, get understanding” (NKJV), and Dr. Dollar perfected his gift for taking the complex language and principles of the Bible and converting them into a practical form that simplified things for the listener. Within two years, the cafeteria could no longer hold those who attended the services, so the ministry began its search for a new location. It negotiated for and purchased the former Atlanta Christian Center Church in College Park, Georgia. World Changers Christian Center held its first service in that facility in 1988.

The ministry continued to grow at a rapid pace over the next few years and had to hold four services each Sunday to accommodate the explosive membership growth. In 1991, World Changers Christian Center broke ground to build a new sanctuary. Four short years later, on December 24, 1995, the leaders and members of World Changers Christian Center moved into the 8,500-seat dome-shaped sanctuary now known as the World Dome. It was then that the church changed its name to World Changers Church International. Unlike any other structure in the community, this magnificent building was built by faith, at a cost of close to $20 million, and without one dollar of bank financing. To this day, the ministry continues to extol the virtues of debt-freedom, trusting God to initiate and complete new projects without the added burden of debt. The construction of the World Dome, by a growing church with only a few thousand dollars in the bank when the project began, remains a model that ministries all over the world continue to emulate, and a testament to the miracle-working power of God, when you trust Him as your Source.

The church now has a congregation approaching 25,000 people, and approximately 400 employees staff the ministry’s facilities both at home and abroad. Within the six buildings on the main campus are: a state-of-the-art television studio; a computer graphic design suite; a publishing house; a high-tech music studio; a food distribution center; a large banquet facility; commercial cooking facilities; a daycare center; a bookstore; an audio and video duplication center; and a professionally-staffed fitness facility. The spiritual growth experienced by WCCI members, employees and the hundreds of thousands of CDM partners worldwide proves that clarity and simplicity are still the hallmarks of Dr. Dollar's ministry. "Nothing blesses me quite like the testimonies of people whose lives have been changed by our ministry," says Dr. Dollar. "We have been entrusted with an awesome responsibility to share the Good News with those who need it."

A Household Name
Dr. Dollar is a much sought-after conference speaker and a best-selling author, with hundreds of books, CDs, audiotapes and videotapes in worldwide distribution. He has written books that cover a variety of topics, including debt-cancellation, healing, total-life prosperity, prayer, marriage, parenting, the Christian family and victorious living. Many of his past works, including The Anointing to Live, Understanding God's Purpose for the Anointing and The Divine Order of Faith, have been added to the curriculum of Christian colleges across the United States. His latest releases, Not Guilty, Love, Live and Enjoy Life and No More Debt! have received very positive reviews both nationally and internationally.

Dr. Dollar has also collaborated with his wife of 18 years, Taffi Dollar, on a comprehensive reference book for the 21stcentury family entitled The Successful Family. Divided into six sections with an exhaustive list of recommended resources and six corresponding study guides for individual or group study, it tackles the most common problems facing families and provides them with sound, practical solutions and proven principles for success. In addition, Dr. Dollar is the publisher of CHANGE magazine, a monthly publication with over 125,000 subscribers.

A Leader Among Men
Recognized for his cutting-edge revelation and humorous, pragmatic approach, Dr. Dollar received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Oral Roberts University (ORU) in 1998 and serves on the Board of Regents there. His teachings have enabled thousands to experience restoration, healing and financial breakthrough as a result of applying simple biblical principles to their lives.

In addition to his ministry accomplishments, Dr. Dollar has also experienced success as a businessman and entrepreneur. In 1998, he assisted his wife in establishing a gospel music record company, Arrow Records, where she serves as Chief Executive Officer. The goal of Arrow Records, whose motto is "Music that Pierces the Heart," is to promote gospel music with strong, scriptural lyrics in a variety of musical styles. Award-winning artists on the label include Canton Jones and the Changing Your World Mass Choir.

Dr. Dollar can be seen and heard worldwide via the dynamic Changing Your World broadcast, now the most popular ministry program on television. He also maintains an extensive schedule of partner meetings, conventions and speaking engagements in locations that span the globe each year. "When I see all of the people in this world who are hurting, it just motivates me to do more," he says. "The job is not done until every single person on the planet has been exposed to this gospel." With offices in the United States, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria and the United Kingdom, and several more scheduled to open in the next few years, Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is truly setting the standard for excellence in ministry, and making a mark in the lives of millions that can never be erased!