A prosperity gospel televangelist is asking disciples to "pray about becoming a partner" to his mission of obtaining a $54 million private jet.

The Louisiana-based ministry of Jesse Duplantis has already paid cash for three other private planes, but he says God told him "I want you to believe in me for a Falcon 7X."



The Times-Picayune reports that Duplantis made the pitch to his followers in the May 21 edition of his weekly video address.

Duplantis says the three-engine plane would allow the ministry to fly "anywhere in the world in one stop," reducing fuel costs while maintaining a global reach.

Duplantis explained that he wouldn't personally own the plane. Rather, the plane would be owned by the ministry and would be used by the next person to take it over after his death.

He said God instructed him to "preach the Gospel to every creature. Now how we gonna do that?" he asked.

"I can't live long enough to travel by car, or by ship, or by train, but I can do it by an airplane," Duplantis said.

He added that Jesus Christ "wouldn't be riding a donkey" today -- "he'd be in an airplane preaching the Gospel all over the world."

The Falcon 7X has a range of almost 6,000 miles and costs about $54 million new, although used ones listed online start at just above $20 million. According to Liberty Jet, a New York-based private jet operator and management company, the average annual cost of operating a Falcon 7X ranges from $1.24 million to $1.85 million.

