Creflo Dollar has been taking some heat after reports emerged that he was asking his supporters to donate towards a $65m private jet. 

Despite the intense flak, though, the Atlanta, Georgia, megachurch pastor remains defiant.  

In his appeal issued last month, the leader of World Changers Church insisted the plane was for evangelistic ministry purposes and to replace his old jet, which was no longer serviceable.

The Gulfstream G650, he claimed, would allow the church's pastors and staff to "continue to safely and swiftly share the Good News of the Gospel worldwide".  

However, he cancelled the appeal after the fundraiser - which was asking supporters to donate $300 each - whipped up a media storm.

His critics included gospel artist Kirk Franklin who suggested in a blog post that the real motive behind Dollar's desire for the jet was greed.

"When a pastor wants people to buy him a private plane while a missionary in Somalia bathes children with sores, that's a shortage of character. When I camouflage my 'greeds' to look like 'needs', that's a shortage of character," said Franklin. 

Dollar, who has been accused of promoting the prosperity gospel in the past, dismissed his critics during a sermon at his church on Sunday.  

He claimed that the backlash against his appeal for funds was really an attempt by the Devil to discredit his ministry. 

Creflo Dollar blames the Devil for discrediting his ministry

"The enemy has got to discredit the voices of faith, and grace and truth, because he don't want you to know that you can walk on the water if you can look at Jesus," Dollar said.

"Let me tell you something about me believing in God: I can dream as long as I want to. I can believe God as long as I want to. If I want to believe God for a $65 million plane, you cannot stop me. You cannot stop me from dreaming. You can't stop me from dreaming! I'm going to dream until Jesus comes!"