When I first became a Christian in 1978 there were no Christian radio or TV channels in Canada, but we did receive the PTL (Praise the Lord) Club hosted by Jim Bakker and his wife, Tammy Faye, from America. This was at the height of its popularity and so I was “privileged” to watch the entire Bakker saga play out in the news through the years. Now I revisit it again to discover what was the conclusion of the matter.
The PTL Club (1974-1989) was a hugely popular American TV show originally out of Charlotte, NC that eventually became the flagship TV program to the "PTL Satellite Network".
1978 was also the same year the Bakkers opened their Christian Theme Park in Fort Mill, North Carolina.
Heritage USA opened in 1978, and by 1986, it attracted nearly 6 million visitors annually and employed around 2,500 people. The facilities included the 501-room Heritage Grand Hotel, the attraction Main Street USA, an indoor shopping complex, the Heritage Village Church, Upper Room, a 400-unit camp ground, the Jerusalem Amphitheater, conference facilities, King's Castle, skating rink, prayer and counseling services, cable television production studios, Bible and evangelism school, visitor retreat housing, staff and volunteer housing, timeshares and the Heritage Island water park and recreational facilities.
It was the third-largest theme park by attendance, behind only Disney and Universal.
Then scandal hit when church secretary, Jessica Hahn, came forward to accuse Jim Bakker of Sexual Assault and then paying her off to keep her quiet.
The subsequent months and years included many convoluted twists and turns (which I will mercifully spare you of) as bit by bit people came forward to tell their various stories.
It all came down to it being uncovered that Jim Bakker was selling time shares for vacations at Heritage USA which far exceeded what was actually available.
Also for using millions in ministry money for personal use
He was convicted of multiple counts of Fraud and Conspiracy sentenced to 45 years in prison for which he served 8 years.
Tammy Faye said she was completely clueless as to all the shenanigans that were going on (which everyone had no trouble believing) so she escaped any prosecution.
After Jim went to jail, Tammy Faye quickly divorced him and remarried Roe Messner, who was one of the builders of Heritage USA.
She later became an advocate for the LGBTQ before dying of cancer in 2007.
Jessica Hahn went on to become a bit of an “actress” after posing in pornographic pictures for Penthouse magazine.
In December 2017, Hahn disclosed that she was married to Frank Lloyd (a film stuntman), who is no longer active in show business. He has since filed for divorce. She lives quietly on a ranch north of Los Angeles.
As for Heritage USA, I had planned to show you photos of it in ruins, but there are few available because, fot the most part, it doesn't exist anymore. Most of the land was sold and is now other buildings. (But there are still a few older YouTube videos of people touring the ruins if you care to see)
And what became of Jim Bakker?
After getting out of prison he wrote a book called, "I Was Wrong", which sold extremely well and in which he admitted NOTHING. He got remarried to Lori and they had a son named Ricky.
Now at 85 years old, Jim Bakker is still alive and on YouTube with "The Jim Bakker Show" where he sells (I kid you not) food in a bucket to Apocalyptic End Times preppers.
I think I've exhausted all I want to say on this matter, 😓 (whew),
but I'm sure Jesus will have MUCH more to say about it on Judgment Day, when he takes issue with all involved for their various roles in *ripping innocent people off, *twisting the Bible and making a mockery of God's Holy Word, and *doing everything possible to shred His name and *making the Lord, God Almighty a laughing stock.
The Truth with Love,
Always Laura-Lee
Okay it's cringe time, people❗️
SHORT compilation of Jim Bakker selling his food in a bucket.
Jim Bakker's Food in a Bucket YouTube video
Tammy Faye singing, "We Are Blessed" (her signature song) on the PTL Club at the height of its popularity.
"We Are Blessed" by Tammy Faye Bakker MESSner.
My previous blog post, "God’s Divine Judgment Hit List"
