Derick Dillard asking for donations on GoFundMe now, continues Jazz Jennings criticism
Fans of Counting On‘s Derick Dillard can rest assured that the reality star is doing everything within his power to ensure that you can send him your money! After multiple attempts to raise funds to pay for his tuition to a “one-year ministry residency” were shut down by a charity website, apparently because Derick isn’t a charity, he has passed his virtual hat over to GoFundMe.com where he has upped his fundraising goal more than 50%.
“BIG NEWS!” Derick exclaims in the GoFundMe campaign description. “I am currently serving through a program at my home church, called the Cross Church School of Ministry! I am so excited about this incredible opportunity for further ministry development, and I would like to invite you to share in this excitement with me.”
If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is essentially the same as Derick’s previous campaign description on Pure Charity. The only difference is that Derick is now currently enrolled as opposed to it being something that was going to happen in the near future.
The rest of the description is identical as well, except for Derick’s optimistic addendum explaining where all the cash he raises above the $10,000 goal will go. “Anything raised beyond my goal will go to help other students in the Cross Church School of Ministry program,” he says.
The campaign has already raised $2,699 towards his goal, but $2,694 of that was by a single anonymous donor immediately after the campaign was launched. (Was that you Jim Bob?) If you don’t want to have to go through the effort of doing the math, that means that Derick has received one other donation for $5 so far.
One of the major criticisms of Jill and Derick’s fundraising over the last few years is transparency as naysayers demand that the couple reveal exactly where the funds are going. It seems Derick has heard the complaints as he responded on Twitter by revealing that there is transparency — once you donate:
Yes, we try to be as transparent as possible so that all donors know exactly how the funds are being used. Donors can also contact us (by correct contact info) w/ any questions or concerns they might have. We have tried to use the utmost care in communicating this to our donors.
Meanwhile, as mentioned in his GoFundMe campaign, Derick has started his residency, which is in conjunction with the University of Arkansas. He and Jill recently posted family photos from the University’s campus, and the Dillards were also recently in Washington, D.C. on a trip that included a tour of the White House. The trip was with the Cross Church School of Ministry, so perhaps Derick and his fellow residents (is that what they are called?) were there to bring awareness of the Gospel to President Donald Trump?
Here is a photo of Derick and Jill in front of The Supreme Court steps:
Anyways, if you are looking to help fund Derick’s trips to the White House and Northwest Arkansas (according to his fundraising campaign description), then head over to GoFundMe and send them Dillards your dollar dollar billards! (That super clever slogan will be my donation to the cause.)
In other Dillard news, Derick has doubled down on his criticisms of transgender reality star Jazz Jennings. Here are some of his recent conversations from Twitter — where he has changed his user name from @Derick4Him to @DerickMDillard:
DERICK: I pity Jazz, 4 those who take advantage of him in order 2 promote their agenda, including the parents who allow these kinds of decisions 2 be made by a child. It’s sad that ppl would use a juvenile this way. Again, nothing against him, just unfortunate what’s on tv these days.
TWEETER: Derick I understand that you may think your way is the highway, but I’ll go ahead and say it outright: you are a hateful person. I mean it from the bottom of my heart. You have absolutely no respect for anyone that is not just like you.
DERICK: I think it’s important to have a mature discussion. I am just expressing my concerns, as a Christian. The beauty of the world is that everybody is not like me.
TWEETER: I can respect your views (although I don’t agree) on trans people but, personally, I think what people are most upset about is that she is a child. I’m sure you know that there are Duggar forums where viewers talk about the show. We talk about your views but we do not bully anyone on the show. We dont comment about the appearance or gender identity of ANYONE on that show. It was just really hurtful what you said to Jazz. I mean TLC had to release a statement and you really don’t see what you did wrong?
DERICK: Never bullied anyone, just said I didn’t agree with what is being propagated on tv. I’m expressing my view of what should be treated as reality; if I say I feel like I am Nepali, that doesn’t make me so.
DERICK: Also, has anyone looked into whether a child is capable of making that kind of decision. We can’t vote til we’re 18; our brains aren’t fully developed til around 25
DERICK: Jazz is being taken advantage of, as part of a larger agenda. I really have nothing against the kid and wish him all the best in life. I just hate seeing him used this way.
DERICK: My way is not the highway, but I do use the Bible as my lens for viewing the world. We all need Jesus Christ and he really is our only salvation
TWEETER: If I may express my view, I think it wrong to force your children to go to church and force them to learn about the Bible before they are old enough to make that decision for themselves.
DERICK: I raise my children the best way I know how, just as any good parent should. Is it good for government to “force” kids to go to school before they are old enough to decide what they feel about it?
DERICK: Once my kids are old enough, they can choose for themselves, just as kids choose for themselves whether they want to continue to pursue their education.
TWEETER: I really dislike using children as examples (especially your kids, so please do not take this as me attacking them or anything) but would you be okay if one of your kids came out as trans, gay, or an atheist?
DERICK: I will always love my children, and others, no matter what.
TWEETER: okay cool. I’m glad we had this discussion. If I may ask one more question: I do understand where you are coming from, but can you see where I am coming from? Like, can you see what I am trying to explain and why I (and others) are upset?
DERICK: think too often people make judgements without thoughtful understanding of the facts of a situation. Rash responses are never good. It’s not wrong for someone to gently explain their views of something. Freedom of speech w/ mutual respect are healthy practices we have in the US
UPDATE – TLC has since announced that Derick has been fired from Counting On, and the networks cites his statements on Jazz Jennings in their announcement!
I will wrap up this post with Derick’s version of embracing the YOLO life mantra in his caption for a quote graphic from German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
