Crystal Cathedral Ministries, the Southern California megachurch known for its weekly “Hour of Power” TV show, has filed for bankruptcy court protection.

Founded by televangelist Robert Schuller in the 1950s, the church more than $40 million in debt. His daugher, senior pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman, addressed reporters yesterday:

“Tough times never last, every storm comes to an end. Right now, people need to hear that message more than ever,” she said. “Everybody is hurting today. We are no exception.”

And CNN reported this message from Schuller himself:

“I’m very proud that we’ve completed 40 years on television,” founding pastor Dr. Robert H. Schuller said. “We were America’s first, weekly televised church service and our audience today is as strong as ever. … No doubt there will always be a need for this TV ministry to continue — people need our positive message now more than ever: ‘Tough times never last, but tough people do!’ ”

For more on this story, check out the coverage from the Orange County Register, Reuters, the Associated Press, and CNN.  

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