The identity of the out-of-state mystery buyer for Tyler Perry’s Buckhead estate has been revealed: Evangelist David Turner’s purchase of the 17 acre estate made history as the most  expensive real estate transaction in Atlanta history at $17.5 million in May 2016.  According to the Buckhead Patch , Turner,  a former businessman made his fortune in the specialty food business before becoming an evangelist and starting David Turner International Ministries. He purchased the Tyler Perry estate after feeling that “God told him to come here and buy the house” according to Buckhead.com.

An evangelist purchasing an expensive home isn’t new news around the South. Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria purchased a $10.5M home in the River Oaks neighborhood of Houston Texas in 2010  according to Houston.CultureMap.com.

Joel Osteen’s River Oaks home // photo credit houston.culturemap.com

Atlanta.Curbed.comAtlanta.Curbed.com reports that  Atlanta  pastor Creflo Dollar lives on a sprawling 183 acre estate in Fayette County Georgia. The home was originally built in 1996 but has been renovated and expanded in recent years to include multiple wings and over 17,000 square feet. Dollar is also said to own an apartment in NYC valued at $2.4 million dollars.

Steven Furtick’s Waxhaw, NC home //photo credit: worshipideas.com

On a slightly less grand scale is Charlotte, NC pastor Steven Furtick who built a 16,000 square foot gated estate in Waxhaw, NC. One of the largest homes in the metro area with 5 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, it has a tax value of $1.6 million and sits on 19 wooded acres. The 33 year old pastor lives in the home that he has described as “a gift from God” with his wife Holly.

T.D. Jakes Texas-sized estate // photo credit info celebrityhomes.com

In Dallas, Bishop T.D. Jakes lives in a 15,000 square foot home in Ft Worth Texas, purchased in 2004 for $5.575 million. The property features a private lake, swimming pool and tennis court. Founder of The Potter’s House Ministry, Jakes is an author  has also been involved in the Christian film industry as a producer, actor, and writer. In an interesting connection, Tyler Perry directed and adaptation of one of T.D. Jake’s books- small world!