Jim Bakker, the former televangelist who once rose to fame as one of the most well-known Christian preachers in America, has been a figure of controversy and intrigue for decades. In this article, we will explore his life, his rise to fame in the 1980s, and answer the question – is Jim Bakker still alive?
Introduction
Yes, Jim Bakker is still alive. The former televangelist and founder of the PTL Club is now 87 years old. After a highly public fall from grace in the late 1980s, Bakker has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years. However, he has been making occasional appearances on Christian TV programs and working on his memoir.
Bakker was one of the most famous televangelists of his time, reaching millions of viewers with his message of hope and salvation. His ministry came to an abrupt end when it was revealed that he had engaged in sexual affairs with several women, including some who were paid for their silence. Bakker was sentenced to 45 years in prison for fraud and conspiracy, but he was released after serving only five years.
Since his release, Bakker has kept a low profile but has remained active in the Christian community. In recent years, he has made appearances on Trinity Broadcasting Network and The Jim Bakker Show. He is also working on a memoir that is set to be released sometime in 2020.
Early Life and Career of Jim Bakker
Jim Bakker was born on January 2, 1940, in Muskegon, Michigan. His father, Everett Bakker, was a sales manager for a furniture company and his mother, Vera Bakker, was a homemaker. He has two older brothers, Robert and Richard.
Bakker attended high school in Grand Rapids and then went on to study at North Central Bible College in Minnesota. He later transferred to Fuller Theological Seminary in California but dropped out before graduating.
In 1963, Bakker married Tammy Faye Messner (then known as Tammy Faye LaValley). The couple moved to Minneapolis where they started a church called Calvary Temple. They also began working in television, hosting a show called The PTL Club (short for Praise the Lord).
The PTL Club became extremely popular and by the early 1980s Bakker was earning a salary of $1 million per year. He also owned a number of properties, including a luxury mansion and an amusement park called Heritage USA.
However, Bakker’s empire came crashing down in 1987 when it was revealed that he had paid $265,000 to former church secretary Jessica Hahn to keep quiet about an affair they had had. This led to further revelations of financial impropriety and eventually resulted in Bakker being sentenced to 45 years in prison for fraud and conspiracy.
Bakker was released from prison after serving five years of his sentence. He then divorced
The Rise and Fall of the PTL Club
In the late 1970s, Jim Bakker and his wife Tammy Faye started a televangelist ministry called the PTL Club. The couple grew the ministry into a multi-million dollar business, with a television show, a theme park, and a hotel. However, in 1987, Jim Bakker was accused of raping a woman and was subsequently convicted of fraud. He spent five years in prison, and the PTL Club went bankrupt. Tammy Faye divorced him and remarried. Jim Bakker was released from prison in 1994 and has since remarried. He now runs a small ministry in Branson, Missouri.
The Prison Sentence and Subsequent Release
After serving nearly five years of his 45-year prison sentence, Jim Bakker was released from prison in July 1994. He was then placed on probation and required to pay restitution of $1 million. In 1998, Bakker’s probation was revoked and he returned to prison for a year. Upon his release, he moved to Branson, Missouri, where he opened the Morningside Church.
Post Release Career
Jim Bakker’s post-release career has been largely overshadowed by his previous scandal. Nevertheless, he has managed to maintain a relatively low profile in recent years. He currently resides in Blue Eye, Missouri, where he runs a small bed and breakfast business. In addition, he occasionally gives public lectures on religious topics.
His Marriage to Lori Bakker
Jim Bakker was married to his first wife, Tammy Faye Bakker, from 1961 until her death in 2007. He then married Lori Bakker in 2009.
Lori Bakker is Jim Bakker’s current wife. The two met while she was working as a staff member at the PTL Club, and they were married in 2009. Lori is also a former model and actress, and has appeared on The Jim Bakker Show several times.
Is Jim Bakker Still Alive?
Yes, Jim Bakker is very much alive. The former TV preacher is now 83 years old and living in North Carolina. He is still active in the ministry and travels around the country giving speeches and preaching. He also has a daily radio program called “The Jim Bakker Show” which airs on several Christian radio stations.
Conclusion
It’s clear that Jim Bakker has had an interesting life and a career full of ups and downs. Although he is no longer the TV preacher we once knew, it appears that he is still alive, continuing to run his Morningside Church in Missouri. Whether you agree with him or not, it’s undeniable that Jim Bakker has made an impact on the world over his long lifetime. We wish him all the best for whatever comes next!
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