Religion: An Outrageous Ministry

Jim Bakker accused of financial and sexual misdeeds

Televangelist Jim Bakker once broached the delicate subject of his finances to his huge television congregation. "You know, one time they accused me of being a wealthy man," he said. Then, looking sincerely into the camera, he told the audience that when an audit was carried out "several years ago" his net worth "came out to be $15,000."

That declaration was made in late 1985. Since then a remarkable improvement seems to have taken place in the financial affairs of Jim Bakker, 47, and his singing wife Tammy Faye, 45, former cohosts of The Jim and Tammy Show, an inspirational daily...

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