FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2007
Prayer Palace spokespersons respond to Toronto Star allegations
March 19, 2007, TORONTO – Prayer Palace’s 2005 Annual Report, prepared by an independent Chartered Accountant, show that $825,000 was paid in salaries to over 25 Prayer Palace staff and that over $1.5M was spent on missionary work, community outreach programs, drama productions, children and youth programs, subsidization of Prayer Palace’s Cathedral Christian Academy school tuition fees and various church planting endeavours, and much more, which is far more than the $9,443 reported by the Star which was merely a designation to Red Cross for tsunami and hurricane relief.
“Both the physical needs and spiritual needs of an individual are important to us and this is why the Prayer Palace has always played an active role in the community,” according to Frank Fernandes, a member of the Prayer Palace board of directors. “The fact is, Prayer Palace and Pastor Paul Melnichuk have received awards of recognition from practically every level of government for their charitable works both in Canada and the United States.”
In 1992, Paul Melnichuk was awarded The Commemorative Medal in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada by the Governor General of Canada and on the occasion of Pastor Paul Melnichuk’s 60th birthday, Mel Lastman, Mayor of North York honoured him with this statement: “The service you have provided to our community and the faith that you have instilled in your many followers around the world are worthy of the highest commendation. Your spiritual leadership is a gift that you willingly share with anyone in need.”
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Frank Fernandes and Dave Ramnath (members of The Prayer Palace board of directors) are available for interviews. To schedule an interview contact:
Peter Turkington
Direct Phone: 905.901.9218
Email: pturkington@stratcommsolutions.ca
