Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better with all of the incredible surprise guests at this grand and special occasion of Pastor Jim’s 50th Year in Ministry, they blew the lid off with a virtual parade of super stars and friends from days gone by! Pastor Jim said “they say you can’t go home again, but today I feel like I’m finally home.”
When Russ Taff came through those doors, we all thought Pastor Jim was going to lose it! He was like a little boy again, pure delight and joy danced across his face! Lori was a bit star-struck and told Russ that even when she was not living for God, there were three Christian artists she would still listen to; Amy Grant, Kathy Troccoli, and Russ!
Russ shared about the times at PTL when Pastor Jim was the first to do so many things, and how he gave so many people their start in Christian television. He told of a time when he was to sing and give his testimony but he was overtaken with stage fright. Russ said Pastor Jim gently pulled him aside and very tenderly said “Russ, just be yourself.” He said it changed his life.
Darrell Chesser (PTL cameraman/jokester/floor director), Gene Bailey (PTL student in Heritage University and then TV Producer), and Marvin Luke (Dale Hill and he traded various jobs) all told memorable stories of shenanigans, lots and lots of hard work, and always joy in the journey. Each one remarked about the work ethic Pastor Jim had (and has to this day) and the example that he set for others. Russell James returned the screws he took from the stage door that fell off when Pastor Jim made his show entrance.
Every guest remarked about how the world had changed with the inception of Christian television, and how Pastor Jim Bakker had pioneered it all. Thousands upon thousands, probably even millions of lives have been touched through the Gospel being preached over the air. Russ Taff remarked that “no wonder the hordes of hell were assigned to Pastor Jim Bakker. But, there’s a holiness and a reverence about people who have came through the battles of hell.” Pastor Jim said the only legacy he wanted to leave is to have touched souls for God.
Thirty-five years ago today, Heritage Village opened under the leadership of a visionary, Pastor Jim Bakker. We are very happy to say that the vision lives – through the lives and spirits of those who were impacted by the ministry that took place there. Much of the Christian television industry is manned and directed by Pastor Jim Bakker staffers and they are the most sought after because they were taught well and have a work ethic above the standard grade – AND they are led by the Spirit of God!
And today, we saw the favor of the Lord poured out on the ministry of Pastor Jim & Lori Bakker that was, and is, and is still to be realized. Today, revival broke out at Morningside among the movers and shakers of Gospel television! Stay tuned.
There’s something very righteous and upright about giving honor where honor is due. There’s something that comes into order in the heavens when people do what’s right – and God can bless that! God can bless it when people come together in the unity of the Spirit – and I don’t know about you – but I want to be in that number!
