Longtime friend remembers Jim Bakker’s generosity behind the scenes

CHARLOTTE — A longtime friend of Jim Bakker is remembering a side of the televangelist he says few people knew, including acts of generosity that often happened away from the cameras.

Russell James knew Bakker because he led the church that he called the heart of Heritage USA. James was also there behind the scenes when Bakker launched his first TV show.

James cried as he spoke by Zoom from Virginia Beach.

“I’ve lost a dear friend,” James said.

That friendship started in 1964 when Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker worked at a Virginia TV station with a then-15-year-old James.

“I ran camera on his very first TV show,” James said.

It was a Muppet show.

James reconnected with the Bakkers almost 20 years later when they owned their own network, Praise The Lord, otherwise known as PTL.

Bakker was often raising money on camera.

“A lot of things that Jim did privately, nobody knows about — secrets,” James said.

James said Bakker often shared the money with others, buying Christmas gifts for children and giving to other churches, including thousands to restore the church where James led.

“Some of those donations were doled out to help other ministries survive,” James said.

James admits Bakker made mistakes. Bakker was convicted of misuse of funds and sent to prison. James said ministers helped Bakker recover.

“I forgive him,” James said.

James said Bakker invited him to be a guest on his show in Branson, Missouri. James appeared on “The Jim Bakker Show” while celebrating Bakker’s 50 years as a minister.

The men kept in contact by email.

James said if he could talk to Bakker today, he would say the same thing Bakker often told viewers.

“I love you, Jim, and God loves you too,” James said.

James said he wishes he had more conversations with Bakker in the last five years. He hopes to attend Bakker’s funeral Monday, which will be held in Blue Eye, Missouri, near Branson. There will be a viewing at 11 a.m. followed by the service at 1 p.m.

Bakker was 86 years old.

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