Personally, I had a Christian love affair with Jim
and Tammy Bakker of Charlotte, NC PTL's now-dubious
fame.
I cannot speak for Brother Jim, but I do wish
he had never penned the words of his book I WAS WRONG.
He was not wrong
in my absolute opinion.
He was pushed, cajoled, berated and
deeply wounded into making such a rash statement and then putting it all in
book form for all the world - "Christian" and non - to wallow
in.
So many do nothing for God and then enjoy
berating those who do, and especially if they happen to take on human
characteristics somewhere along the line.
Did Jim
Bakker do right? No, not always.
Do
I?
Do you?
You see, I
had the distinct privilege of meeting the man. Oh, he would not remember
me from among the thousands upon thousands who clamored to see him in the heyday
of PTL. I was a news reporter on a mission intent on getting the pro side
of PTL and the Bakker phenomena when it all began.
PTL (Praise The Lord) was absolutely beautiful and fascinating. It
was filled with perfection everywhere so far as architecture, decor and
esthetics. Not a blade of grass was out of place. Those who were
fortunate enough to be employed there or volunteer were just the very neatest
folks - courteous, kind and so helpful and generous.
Both Jim and Tammy Faye were busy with the television program; yet both
took time to speak at length with me. Both were delightful people also on
a mission i.e. to win souls and provide a terrific place for the Christian
community to enjoy. Their corporate heart was a beautiful and amazing
thing to see and know spiritually. Individually, they were kind, generous,
deeply spiritual people.
But, yes, years took a heavy and burdensome
toll. The ministry grew; the support grew. Matters got out of hand
for many reasons, chiefest of all, satan could not stand another ministry
showing love and touching lives.
Of course, many will say that I was bamboozled.
That is always the cry of the spiritually ignorant.
I recently saw a public television special where some
big shot Charlotte editor was bragging on the fact that "our paper brought
Bakker down."
What a proud moment for him as his colleagues grinned
and clapped.
Above it all, I heard a tear fall.
From the eye of God.
They "brought him down" for the people who had given and
invested money in condos and never got to stay for one reason or another.
Just this.
I am far from a wealthy man. I gave several
thousand over the years to PTL and, to this day, I regret not one single
penny. Not one.
