Televangelist Jim Bakker, who spent five years in prison for a sex and money scandal involving his Praise the Lord ministry and returned to broadcasting “The Jim Bakker Show,” has died at 86, his wife announced.
“It is with a broken heart that I share that my beloved husband, Jim Bakker, went home to be with the Lord this evening,” reads an announcement from Lori Bakker on Monday (Oct. 5) on the Facebook page of the show. “For 66 years, Jim gave his life to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a pioneer of Christian television, but to me, he was my husband, my best friend, and the man I was honored to walk beside through so many seasons of life and ministry. Jim loved people deeply. He loved this ministry, and he loved the friends and partners who stood with him throughout the years. Even in his final days, his heart was still for the work of God and for the Gospel to continue reaching the world.”
Asking for privacy for the family, she added: “Jim finished his race with faith. His voice, his vision, and his legacy will never be forgotten.”
Health issues
His son, Jay Bakker, posted on Facebook on Feb. 23 that his father had been ill, saying he had “endured multiple strokes over the past few years.”
On that same day, on an episode of “The Jim Bakker Show” posted on YouTube, the elder Bakker was seeking support for his ministry as he had decades before.
“And we need you to help keep this ministry on the air,” said Bakker, identified with a chyron that said “Pioneer of Christian Television.” “Sixty years ago, I started Christian television with Pat Robertson and started ministries all over the world. … I’m back on television and I’m going to stay until Jesus come, the Lord willing, and tell you that we got to get ready.”
Read full story about Jim Bakker’s life.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by David Mark and Adelle M. Banks and originally published by Religion News Service.
