Tyler Perry is stepping in with generosity and grace.
The 55-year-old Hollywood filmmaker and philanthropist has donated $100,000 to Bishop Marvin Winans’ Perfecting Church in Detroit, Michigan, just days after a viral moment from the church’s annual “Day of Giving” fundraiser sparked online backlash.
The controversy began on October 19, when Winans told his congregation to give “$1,000 plus one.” The phrasing confused some churchgoers, who took it to mean $1,001, while others thought he meant two separate $1,000 offerings.
During the service, longtime member Roberta McCoy stepped forward with her young son and donated $1,235, explaining that she was “in faith” toward the church’s building project. Winans corrected her publicly, saying, “That’s only $1,200,” and adding, “That ain’t what I asked you to do,” which drew gasps from the audience.
The exchange was captured on video and quickly spread across TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, with many accusing the pastor of publicly embarrassing the woman.
Both Winans and McCoy later addressed the moment, saying it was taken out of context. McCoy, who’s been a member of Perfecting Church since 2013, told ABC 7 Detroit, “He absolutely did not rebuke me. There was a correction because pastor gave instruction on the lines to get into.”
Winans said he called donors forward “by increments” to maintain order and prevent elderly members from standing too long. He personally apologized to McCoy after the service, and she accepted, saying she plans to stay at Perfecting Church and continue her support.
Days later, Winans shared surprising news with his congregation: Tyler Perry had reached out personally to make a significant donation.
“We have received… one person called and he said, ‘Tell my name! Because I know God is in this,’” Winans told the crowd. “Tyler Perry sent $100,000!”
According to the pastor, Perry asked for his name to be made public, saying he wanted others to know he stood with the church. Winans responded emotionally during the announcement, quoting scripture: “What the devil meant for evil, God turned it around.”
Perry’s donation inspired others to give, including COGIC Bishop Patrick Wooden and his son, who jointly donated $2,000. Supporters nationwide have since joined in, pushing Perfecting Church’s fundraising total to more than $600,000 — a significant step toward finishing its long-awaited new building.
The Perfecting Church cathedral project, launched in 2002, aims to build a 3,200-seat, 168,000-square-foot worship center. Construction stalled in 2008 during the financial crisis and only resumed in August 2024, with a new completion date set for June 2026.
For Bishop Winans, the past two weeks have been a whirlwind — but one that’s ending on a note of hope.
“What began as criticism turned into confirmation,” he told his congregation. “We’ve seen God turn a moment of misunderstanding into a miracle.”
And for Tyler Perry, the moment is another reminder of his long-standing faith and generosity. The entertainment mogul, whose net worth Forbes estimates at $1.4 billion, has a history of donating to churches and families in need.
Meanwhile, Perfecting Church calls the sudden wave of support nothing short of “a divine reversal.”
