Pastor and leader in Christian broadcasting passes away

Pastor, televangelist, and businessman Jim Bakker has passed away.

Bakker, a pioneer in Christian television, spent his early years in ministry working with Christian Broadcasting Network. He was credited for helping to launch the 700 Club and co-founding TriBroadcasting Network. Jim and then-wife Tammy Faye Bakker later launched the PTL Club and went on to open the Christian-based theme park, Heritage USA in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Like many public figures, trouble found Bakker, and a payment to a church secretary following accusations of a sexual encounter led to his resignation from the PTL Network. A short time later, Bakker was indicted on federal mail and wire fraud charges for overselling lifetime partnerships to the Heritage USA Hotel. Convicted on 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy, Bakker was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison. Bakker held tight to his faith. His sentence was reduced, and he was released on parole after serving only five years in prison.

In 2002, Bakker and his wife, Lori, whom he married in 1998, were invited to the Branson area by a longtime PTL supporter. The following year, in 2003, Bakker returned to television when he launched The Jim Bakker Show, which was originally broadcast from the Studio City Cafe in Branson.   

The supporter who introduced Bakker to the Ozarks purchased several acres of land near Blue Eye, Missouri. The property would become the faith-based community of Morningside USA and featured a worship center that served as the production studio for Christian television programming as well as in-person worship services. The Jim Bakker Show moved from Branson to Morningside, where it continued with a daily broadcast complete with prophetic and biblical revelations, as well as end time answers. Morningside also houses a state-of-the-art media center, shopping, dining, an outdoor pool, peaceful walking trails and more.

Bakker passed away at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife, Lori, two biological children, Tammy Sue Bakker Chapman and Jamie "Jay" Bakker. Bakker and Lori also adopted five children—Maricella, Lori, Clarissa, Maria and Ricky.  

Jim Bakker will be greatly missed by his family, his fans and his many friends—in the Branson area and beyond.