Jim Bakker, one of the most prominent figures in the early era of Christian television, died at 86 after a ministry career that included national success, a highly publicized scandal and conviction, nearly five years in prison, and a decades-long return to broadcasting.

Born James Orsen Bakker on Jan. 2, 1940, in Muskegon, Michigan, he attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, where he met Tammy Faye LaValley. The couple married in 1961 and began traveling together in ministry. Bakker entered Christian television in the 1960s, joining Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network and becoming one of the early hosts of “The 700 Club.” He later worked with Paul and Jan Crouch during the early years of what became the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

In 1974, Bakker and Tammy Faye launched “The PTL Club,” short for “Praise the Lord.” The program grew into a major national Christian television ministry and made the couple household names among evangelical audiences. Bakker expanded PTL beyond television, building Heritage USA in South Carolina into a sprawling Christian retreat with hotels, shops, television studios, a church, and other attractions.

The ministry’s success ended abruptly in 1987 when Bakker resigned amid a financial scandal. A federal investigation followed, and he was convicted in 1989 on fraud and conspiracy charges. He was initially sentenced to 45 years in prison; the sentence was later overturned and reduced. He ultimately spent nearly five years in federal prison before being released in 1994.

Bakker later spoke openly about his failures. His 1996 book, “I Was Wrong,” reflected a reassessment of his earlier ministry and teachings, particularly concerning prosperity and money. After leaving prison, he rebuilt his ministry, marrying Lori Graham in 1998. The couple returned to television with “The Jim Bakker Show,” which began broadcasting in 2003. They established their ministry at Morningside near Branson, Missouri, where Bakker continued interviewing pastors, authors, and ministry leaders while discussing Scripture, biblical prophecy, current events, and the return of Jesus Christ.

His later work was markedly different from the television empire he had built through PTL. The decades following his release gave him the opportunity to remain in Christian broadcasting after his most serious personal and professional failures had already become public. Bakker’s career helped shape Christian television during a period when religious broadcasters were expanding their national reach, contributing to a format that brought preaching, worship, interviews, and religious programming into millions of American homes. His life was marked by extraordinary success as well as scandal and imprisonment, followed by a lengthy return to ministry. He was 86.