New Orleans-based Jesse Duplantis says he wants a Falcon 7X to enable him to travel anywhere around the world without having to refuel en-route.
In his regular This Week With Jesse video series, he said: "You know, I've owned three different jets in my life; just burning them up for the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Now, some people believe that preachers shouldn't have jets.
"I really believe that preachers ought to have every available voice, every available outlet to get this gospel preached to the world."
The 68-year-old leader of Jesse Duplantis Ministries purchased a Citation 500 aircraft in 1994, a Westwind 2 in 2004 and a Falcon 50 in 2006.
Explaining why a higher calibre plane is needed, he explained: "We believe in God for a brand new Falcon 7X so we can go anywhere in the world one stop.
Pointing to a picture of his Falcon 50, Duplantis added: "People ask, can't you go with this plane? Yes, but I can't go it in one stop.
"If I can fly it in one stop, I can fly it a lot cheaper because I have my own fuel for it.
"This one here, I have to stop and then you pay those exorbitant prices for jet fuel all over the world."
According to the private jet website Sherpa Report, a Falcon 7X costs $54 million and needs $1.3 million to fund its upkeep each year.
Without mentioning why commercial airlines were not a practical option for his ministry, Duplantis added: "I really believe that if Jesus was physically on the earth today, he wouldn't be riding a donkey; he'd been in an airplane preaching the gospel all over the world."
Commenting on Premier's News Hour, Graham Nicholls from the Affinity group of evangelical churches in the UK urged people not to be too quick to judge Duplantis but to consider the logistical demands of his ministry.
But, he added: "I think in this case, it does seem [as though Duplantis is] so distancing himself from ordinary people and it's such a large sum of money to be used that it does just seem to me a little bit excessive..."
Click here to listen to Premier's Alex Williams speaking with Graham Nicholls at Affinity:
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