[gabby]

IF GOD CHOOSES TO CONSTRUCT A CHRISTIAN RESORT ON THIS PROPERTY IT WILL BE THE FIRST OF IT'S KIND THERE HAVE WE NOT HEARD GOD'S WILL THIS AND GOD'S WILL THAT ENOUGH IN REGARDS TO THIS PLACE IS THAT NOT THE FUNDAMENTAL FLAW THE CURRENT STATE OF DEVESTATION WAS BUILT ON

[thirddayrevival]

I agree with you 100%. That is why we are going forward to pursue the property formerly known as Heritage USA. I believe that we should wait no longer. The cry has been heard and the mantle has been picked up and dusted off. We are intent on restoring, rebuilding, and re-inhabiting that property. And not only the property, but every person who was affected by it. God is in the restoration of people's lives, not buildings. But just as a hospital needs facilities...so do we. And this is the place for it to happen. It is a joy for me to see all the interested people coming together to unite for this purpose. Stay tuned for upcoming events and information which will benefit the restoration of the former Heritage USA.
God Bless,
Keith Smith

[therevkennyg]

It is amazing....I was standing in my living room and I had just turned on a video for my daughter and it had advertisements for Disney Theme parks...as I was standing there Heritage USA popped in my head and spirit. I began thinking there needed to be a place for Christian people to gather. I went to the web and did a search and found this site. I too would like to see Heritage re-built!! There is and will always will be scrutiny from the world but that cannot stop the vision. Habbakuk 2:3 says: For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

God's timing is always impeccable!!

[Travis_Nobilis]

O music guy, I think that that would be so great, and allot of other Chrisitans throughout the country have had the same vision. This tells me that there is a very high probability that God is in it. The leader must be a strong, balanced Christian figure, and must know how to delegate authority and responsibility big-time.

I recently heard Jim Bakker state on his new show that initially it cost some astronomical figure to complete all the buildings and projects at Heritage USA. I wish I could remember the figure off the top of my head but, as I stated, it was astronomical. Does anybody have this bit of information?

In Him, Travis

[dch31969]

Although the idea of a Christian retreat center is a good one, has anyone considered the possibility that perhaps it is God's desire that the property stand as a testiment that unless God build's house, its builders labor in vain?

[unoknido]

It's interesting to watch the conversation surrounding this property. I live in Australia & happened to find Heritage USA while I was searching for abandoned buildings & theme parks.

There are a few thoughts that I'd like to throw into the conversation here.

Stewardship & commercial viability:
It seems strange that the "non christian" ventures that have operated at the old site have all failed. Why? Well, it would be safe to say that it's a very expensive exercise to run a theme park & hotel complex.

The idea of a Christian utopian retreat is noble, however it is important to remember that God is honoured by profitable & responsible businesses. During it's prime - the complex employed close to 2,000. That's a lot of $$$ every day in salaries, not to mention the upkeep of the property. Was it profitable? - I guess it depends who you ask.

Certainly it was part of the PTL marketing machine. I can remember seing it on TV & wondering what this amazing place was. And it is the place in the PTL marketing machine that drew people to it. There was a certain desire to go because people saw it regularly on TV & it was constantly in their minds. Don't forget the many many times that money was requested to keep the whole complex going.

A commercially viable business doesn't rely on donations. It should have enough revenue and profit to stand on its own. It's not only business sense, but it's also biblical teaching. (pay a servant his worth, render to ceasar what is ceasar's, etc). The Bible happens to be a very good business text book

For the site to be popular & commercially sound, it needs an organisation with vision, capital resources, cash reserves, and a big marketing budget. Without those basics, I can't see any business (Christian or secular) being able to sustain an establishment as grandiose as Heritage USA was.

I look forward to seeing the developments as this discussion continues. Everyone who has the vision, share it, work together , & I'm confident that God will reveal the way it should be done.

[godskatygirl]

I want to own Heritage USA, because of the huge part it played in my life, and the fact that I feel that God has put that on my heart. I was adopted through PTL when I was two months old, my birthmother lived and worked their, and my parents invested in that place so they could take me back their as I got older. I love this place so much, and although I don't remember what it was like when it was open and running, I have been there since it closed, and I was deeply saddened by how it looked. I am still in High School, but I know what I want, and God will make a way.

[Rick4404]

Originally posted by godskatygirl
I want to own Heritage USA, because of the huge part it played in my life, and the fact that I feel that God has put that on my heart. I was adopted through PTL when I was two months old, my birthmother lived and worked their, and my parents invested in that place so they could take me back their as I got older. I love this place so much, and although I don't remember what it was like when it was open and running, I have been there since it closed, and I was deeply saddened by how it looked. I am still in High School, but I know what I want, and God will make a way.

GodsKatyGirl, I have to admire you for your ambition, as well as for your dream about owning the Heritage USA property. However, that's going to be a tall order for a girl your age. If it is God's will for you to own it, then you will become maybe the legal owner; however, I think it's pretty much agreed that the property upon which Heritage USA once stood is God's property.

[plantatree]

I was looking for hotels in the Fort Mill, SC / Pineville, NC area and came across this site. I have to say that I am so pleased to see others share the same passion for such a wonderful place.

I met my wife at Heritage USA. We lived and worked at Heritage USA. We had the opportunity to minister daily on the television program. We saw many, many lives touched by God's love through the ministry. We ministered at the Unwed Mother's Home, and on the grounds. We prayed with people in the Upper Room. So many memories, especially the times of ministry at Buffalo Park's ampitheatre.

I have prayed on several visits there that God would raise it back to life, greater than ever, if it be His will. I'm glad to see that others share that vision.

[bigdog1974]

Whatever happened to the Upper Room that was at Heritage USA? I remember spending some time there in prayer when I was younger. Does anyone know if they ever built the castle they had planned to make the world's largest Wendy's?

[scottj]

Hello Fellow Christians,

I am delighted to see that other Christians are interested in the resurection of Heritage USA. I have never been to Heritage USA but I am greatly interested in seeing it rise once again from the ashes. I currently live on the west coast. If any fellow Christians out there have any pictures to send me of what the current conditions look of the grounds, I would appreciate it. I would also like to know what current buildings exist, how many, and what the varied conditions are. I would also like to know what remains if any of the television studios.

I firmly believe that anything is possible if God is willing to let it happen. With everyones prayers, I believe that Heritage USA can rise once again. Psalm 4:3 God hears every prayer. Thank you again for your help.

God Bless, Scott
scottj360@netzero.com

[bigdog1974]

I just vistied yahoo and they have a forum that's titled PTLHeritageUSA. They have several pictures posted in their forum that includes pictures of the current status of most of the buildings and tv studios.

[Rick4404]

Originally posted by bigdog1974
Whatever happened to the Upper Room that was at Heritage USA? I remember spending some time there in prayer when I was younger. Does anyone know if they ever built the castle they had planned to make the world's largest Wendy's?

A private group is presently working on restoring The Upper Room at what was Heritage USA. I think they're working in coordination with the Narrow Way Productions ministry which is using the amphitheater for its theatrical productions on the former Heritage USA property.

[thirddayrevival]

It has been a while since I visited these sites and was wondering
what the lastest thing that was on people's mind. I am curious to
know who thinks Heritage will be restored. Not, if it is God's will,
I know it is God's will. I want to know your opinion on the good or
bad of the restoration of Heritage USA. Doesn't it excite you to know
that it is going to happen. Or maybe it frightens you. I don't know.
Both are valid sides to be on. One could reason either side. But what
do you sense God is about to do with the place. I believe you know
how I feel.

Sincerely,
Keith Smith

[Rick4404]

Originally posted by thirddayrevival
It has been a while since I visited these sites and was wondering
what the lastest thing that was on people's mind. I am curious to
know who thinks Heritage will be restored. Not, if it is God's will,
I know it is God's will. I want to know your opinion on the good or
bad of the restoration of Heritage USA. Doesn't it excite you to know
that it is going to happen. Or maybe it frightens you. I don't know.
Both are valid sides to be on. One could reason either side. But what
do you sense God is about to do with the place. I believe you know
how I feel.

Sincerely,
Keith Smith

I read Keith Smith's message. It has been posted on several Heritage USA related group sites on Yahoo and over on The Idea Web. I have a few questions about Smith and his organization. First of all, if he and his organization are so intent on buying and restoring the former Heritage USA property; then why haven't they gone public with their plans?

I think it would be best for them to get everything out into the
open, rather than operate under the cloud of secrecy they have been operating under. Smith and his organization need to be ready for intense scrutiny by various entities including quite possibly, scrutiny by various government agencies. Everyone concerned will want to make certain that the mistakes of PTL are not repeated.

Please don't get me wrong here. Keith Smith and his organization may very well be God's anointed to carry forth this task. If they are, praise the Lord! I wish them well and will pray for them. On the other hand, we musn't just automatically rally around Keith Smith's group like a flock of blind sheep. We must truly believe in our hearts that Keith Smith and his organization's motives are completely honest and forthright. I am NOT for a minute saying they're not; but
it is a question that needs to be settled in many people's minds and spirits nevertheless.

We must examine for ourselves every last detail he and his group may bring to the table. Good questions must be asked. He will have to earn the trust of the church as a whole, the body of Christ, and convince us that this project will be a worthwhile investment of our time and money in advancing the gospel message.

He will also have to win over a very skeptical media, as well as non-believers from all walks of life. Once the story gets out about his group's interest in the property, the local Charlotte media members will have a feeding frenzy and be scrutinizing every last possible detail. The subjects of PTL, Heritage USA, and the Bakkers have certainly become lore, particularly in the local Charlotte region.

This is a story that just won't go away.We have learned there are
several media members who visit sites such as this one to try and get information. The story will quickly snowball into a national one; with wire service coverage, network news coverage, the whole nine yards. Smith and his group need to be ready to stand up to that kind of scrutiny or the media will bury him.

I would be very remiss if I did not remind all of us that we need to be very cautious when looking at information such as this. It seems to me that if the owners, Malaysian United Industries (MUI) were even interested in selling the property on which Heritage USA stood, they would have sold it by now to the first bidder who had the cash. I must say that I have my doubts that MUI even intends to sell the property; and that they've just been stringing interested buyers along and setting them up for a major disappointment. At least that appears to have been their mode of operation. This merely is just my take on things, but it certainly seems that's what has been going on.

It's all about the real estate and MUI obviously does not care
anything about the buildings. The buildings for the most part are
beyond repair from what I have been able to learn. A new owner would probably be wise to tear the buildings down and start from scratch. Given property values these days; I am guessing a potential buyer would need a boat load of cash, $100 million or more, to buy the former Heritage USA property.

I want to thank everyone who has participated in this discussion by posting your thoughts, comments, etc. This forum has certainly brought about a very helpful and useful dialogue. I hope it can continue. May God bless you all.

In Christ's love and concern,
Rick