Pastor and activist Ole Anthony dies at 82

Ole Anthony, a small-church pastor and activist who spent years investigating the lifestyles of rich and famous televangelists, died April 16 at the age of 82.

Anthony, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, was the longtime president of the Dallas-based Trinity Foundation Inc., a nonprofit that helped people experiencing homelessness. He also ran a radio show, held Bible studies, and eventually spent years investigating televangelists.

Anthony came to fame in the early 1990s, after the Trinity Foundation’s investigation of televangelist Robert Tilton’s direct mail operation was featured on ABC’s Primetime Live broadcast. The Trinity Foundation claimed Tilton’s direct mail operation kept the checks from donors but threw their prayer requests in the trash—a claim the ministry disputed. Anthony also lambasted Tilton as someone who misused religion for profit.