Interesting to find this page. Occasionally I search the net for details on Heritage. In 1981 I was an intern in the TV production program they had down there. It was a good time; I knew a lot of great people but have lost touch with most. My roommate worked in drama and both of us were janitors part time to earn extra money. Being a janitor was a really easy job as people were in general very clean. I’d like to know what ever happened to the intern records that disappeared when the ministry went bust.

Couple of things I remember. One was that people jumped when Jim spoke. I used to do a lot of work (as a free intern) in set design and special effects. One night at about 2AM I get a call from one of the production guys, saying that the set shop was a mess and had to be cleaned up. Well, it was a carpenter’s shop. Seems that Jim was walking through the day before and remarked that the floor was messy. Everyone panicked and worked through the night to organize the shop.

Another time we were directed to make a model of the earth, 10’ across. Worked all night on it, like a 26 hour day, and it was never used.

We also made a bigfoot outfit for some reason, we took it out with a couple of guys and had him run across the street in front of some retirees as they were driving.

It’s true that there was little crime on the property. One time I had to come out of the lake with SCUBA gear on for a shoot. One of the satellite control guys loaned me some of his gear, leaving it outside at the general store all day until I picked it up. Would have been easy for someone to steal it but no one touched it.

I also was an employee of PTL--Waterpark lifeguard--it was an interesting place to be in the 80's. It was nice and safe--kind of like a Utopia for Christians. I would like to find the old shows on video as well---can anyone help?? williamsky@juno.com

It saddens me to read about one of my favorite places in the world. When I was stationed at Charleston AFB, S.C., I would drive up to Heritage USA on a regular basis to enjoy some crime-free and godly relaxation. My main interests were the daily Bible lessons taught by such men as J. Don George of Irving, Texas, Richard Dortch and others. I especially enjoyed the services at Heritage Fellowship Church. The music lead by Rev. Paul Ferrin was the best and the preaching by Uncle Henry and others inspired me to be a better person. I would LOVE to see Heritage USA reclaimed for Christ once again. Please don't mis-understand me. I do feel cheated by what happened. I was a donor and felt robbed. The good times outweighed the bad, however.

[Rick4404]

I was also a "PTL Club Partner" and gave donations on a regular basis. I had stopped doing so about a year before the Jim Bakker-Jessica Hahn scandal broke. I would characterize my feelings as I was disappointed yes, but cheated no. I was never able to come down to Heritage USA for a visit, though I would have dearly loved to. I would also love to see the rebirth of Heritage USA for Jesus Christ. Surely there must be an individual or group of individuals of means that could make an offer to the current owners of what is now called the Regent Park property and reclaim it as the oasis of Christian love that was Heritage USA. I wouldn't even mind seeing Jim Bakker come back, but to have him extremely held accountable as an employee of whatever organization would be formed as the lead organization of the new Heritage USA. No more million dollar mansions, gold-plated water faucets, air conditioned dog houses, etc. He would be paid a salary to be the host of a television program like the PTL Club was; and perhaps be the pastor of a newly-organized church if one did organize there.

Does anyone know how to get in touch with Jim Bakker?

[Rick4404]

Originally posted by kmedlin
Does anyone know how to get in touch with Jim Bakker?

Jim, of course, has remarried and the last time he was interviewed; he said he and his new wife were living in California somewhere. I understand that he's preached at the Los Angeles International Dream Center as a guest. Perhaps Pastor Matt Barnett's staff there might be able to point you in the right direction. Their website is: http://www.dreamcenter.org. Hope this helps.

Jim is no longer at the Los Angeles Dream Center. He and Lori now live and serve in Vernon, Florida. You can write to him at:

Jim Bakker
PO Box 567
Vernon, FL 32462


He currently has 2 new ministries:
Camp of Hope (www.campofhope.com) and
Global Christian Broadcasting (www.jimbakker.tv)


Tammy Faye and Roe Messner live in Matthews, North Carolina. Tammy Sue and Jamie Charles ("Jay") also live in North Carolina. Tammy Faye does occasional promos for the National Flea Market Association, and she is involved in the national gay pride movement. She appears at gay pride events in different cities when she can. Most days, however, she stays home and takes care of grandchildren James and Johnathan (Tammy Sue's sons). Roe Messner works as a construction consultant.

I've noticed several postings about how wonderful it would be to bring the old Heritage USA back to life. In fact, that's one of Tammy Faye's biggest dreams -- she still cries when anyone talks about the possibility of doing it. If there's one thing Tammy Faye is NOT, it's a quitter. I wouldn't put it past her! She convinced Roe to leave California and move to a modest home in North Carolina two years ago. She's been a wonderful grandmother to James and Johnathan, but personally, I think she's got some pretty big plans up her sleeve!

Anyway, hope this helps!

[Rick4404]

No, it would not surprise me at all to see Tammy Faye lead the charge of rebuilding and restoring Heritage USA. I mean, she is married to Roe Messener, whose now-defunct construction company built many of the buildings at Heritage USA including the Heritage Grand Hotel, the Heritage Grand Towers and the Main Street shopping promenede which connected the hotel to the towers. A quitter she certainly is not. I was a little surprised to read the post about her involvement in the national gay pride movement, however. Most pentecostal Christians tend to stay as far away from those issues as possible; let alone be involved in them. Thanks for posting Jim Bakker's mailing address in Florida. I wonder if he answers any mail he receives personally?

I stay there this weekend, didnt even know anyhthing about it until I asked someone why everything around us was abandandon, And he told us that it had formely been owned by Jimmy Bakker.. I just happend to run across it on the web and called and set up for the weekend at the Chalet houses which are right by what used to be the buffalo depot. They are cabins that face the lake really nice!! But i would like to know what it looked like before does anyone know of a web site that i can find that on...

Does anyone know how I can get some photos of the Tega Cay home that Jim and Tammy Bakker used to own. I know that the house is no longer there and burned, but I am hoping there are some photos somewhere. I know that the address was 8022 Kitridge Bay Lane. Does anyone have any Info? I have contacted Tammy Faye, she no longer has the photos and suggested I go to Jim for them, but he is not responding to my messages.

Always,

Jessie Odell
Palm Beach Florida

Does anyone feel there is hope that Heritage USA will someday be resurrected? My wife and I attended the Narrow Way production there and it was fantastic. It is so sad to see the grounds unused and neglected. What would it take to bring this back to life and would the people support it? I would be interested in hearing from anyone.

The company that currently owns it is asking 13,000,000.00 . We would love to see it reopen as well. I am affraid the only way to come up with that kind of money and to restore it to what it was would be to get another ministry started with many people that have the same vison of seeing it all come back to life. Many of the PTL partners would donate to see it reopened as well. It is a shame. We presented the Maylasn company that owns it with what we thought was an offer they could not refuse. They are paying for little security, things keep getting vandalized, and it's costing them. I am sure they are using part of it as a tax shelter as well. Our apporach was to allow us to reopen the park for them. They would have to pay us nothing, in return after it opened and profits made would be shared, and of course with the larger portion going to the owners of the property, since it's there property anyway. They never really gave a straight answer. They did say they liked the idea, but at the time had several offers on the property, and would get back to us. Well that was 4 months ago... I agree though it is something that needs to be reopened and given back to the people. It was a wonderful dream, one of the few places you could vacation and turn your kids loose and not have to worry about someone hurting them, or something being stolen. Maby someday.

Always,

Jessie Odell
Palm Beach Florida

I read your post with great interest. I also was an intern there in 1981 and was involved in tv production along with special effects. Many of the things you describe I was involved with, such as the gorilla costume. I helped make the costume and the mask for that. I was also involved with Alan from satellite engineering setting off the nightly fireworks.

Email me and let me know how to get in touch with you.

Bob Bostic
bobbostic@msn.com

Hi there Bob,

I just droped you an email. Hope it finds you well. I am looking forward to talking with you. I was not an employee at PTL, however Tammy Messner and I are friends. I truly would as many others would love to see the place reopened. Despite what all took place there, and I am sure we will never know the whole truth, it was a great Idea, and one that needs to be reborn. I look forward to talking with you Bob. God Bless!

Always,

Jessie O.
Palm Beach Florida

[Rick4404]

I was reading the posts concerning the Malaysian company which owns the property which Heritage USA once stood on, wanting $13 million. Wow. I'm not sure what property values there are worth, but it would have to be more than $13 million for just the land alone. Has anyone gotten ahold of David and Morris Cerullo there in Charlotte to see if their ministry might have any interest? It is my understanding what is now the New Inspriational Network (INSP) on cable TV and satellite was telecasting as the PTL Satellite Network, later becoming The Inspirational Network. I also read somewhere that Roe Messner and Tammy Faye Bakker-Messner live in North Carolina. From what I have seen on this thread, I wouldn't have a moment of doubt that Tammy would love to be involved in a resurrected Heritage USA in some capacity. God bless you folks in your attempts to purchase the property. I pray that if it is God's will that you will be successful. You are right in that a major ministry will have to either be relocated to the property or started in which to enable the New Heritage USA to once again become what it was intended; an oasis of Christian love. Has anyone contacted the South Carolina and North Carolina District Offices of the Assemblies of God? Not so much to find out if they'd be interested in forming a church there; but to make certain that any and all past hurts or wounds involved with the downfall of Jim Bakker and PTL have been resolved.