[tgsanford]

I visited back this past summer and took quite a few photos of Heritage USA. Let me know your email and I will be glad to send them to you.

Tim

[tgsanford]

I just setup a Yahoo Group and uploaded about 25 pictures of Heritage USA as it sets today. I will also be adding some old photos as well, I invite anyone else who is interested to sign up and contribute. Go to Yahoo Groups and search for PTLHERITAGEUSA that is the name of the group.

Thanks,

Tim

[wonderbox]

Thanks so much for those pictures. They were great! I had not realized the tower was so complete. What was that pyramid shaped building. And the castle? I had never heard anything about that one either. It would be neat to see an aerial view of it with the various buildings pointed out.

[tgsanford]

The pyramid was the "home office" or headquarters for the entire PTL operation. It is now owned by Laura Ashley. There is very little written about the castle. From what I have found it was a childrens activity center, but If I am incorrect, please correct me.

[tgsanford]

I have added an overhead view of Heritage USA and I have labled the major areas. Of course there is alot that is not labled. I have added the photo to a new Album in the Photo section of the Yahoo Group that is mentioned above. Let me know if I have left anything off and I will add.

Hi All,
I am new here. Just found this while surfing. It's great to see positive stuff about the good old days! I was watching Jim on TV as far back as 1976 (that I can remember). I became a faithful partner of PTL and visited Heritage almost every summer. I was baptized by jim in the swimming pool at Heritage. Two of my friends families moved down there and worked on the grounds. I really miss it. I haven't been there since 1987. I believe alot of Christians who were involved with PTL feel that Jim got a raw deal. I have never understood why Jim would have trusted Falwell for a second. Jim Bakker and Jerry Falwell were on totally opposite sides of the spectrum. Falwell has always been Ultra Ultra conservative where Jim was not. Jim, affiliated with the AOG was Pentacostal. They were in essence arch rivals. I saw that before the scandal. I don't see how he could have entrusted it to Falwell. There were many other solid leaders he could have entrusted it to. I love Jerry Falwell as a brother in Christ. I believe he is saved and means well in his heart. But so much judging by leaders throught the whole spectrum has been done over the years. Conservatives demonized the Pentacostals and the Pentacostals looked at conservatives as "weak Christians" because they didnt believe in the gifts of the Spirit. But God had a reason for it all. I don't believe that Jim did anything wrong when it comes to Heritage. Yes, Time shares were overbooked. That was because so many people reserved them and then cancelled out on their reservations on a continuas basis. Airlines overbook their flights all the time but you dont see them hauled into court and put in prison. I believe the charges against him were a sham to begin with. From what I know of the man, He truly loved God and was never trying to cheat anyone. There are two areas where I can fault him. He admits that building Heritage became so much of an obsession to him that it became more important than ministry. And secondly that he did give into temptation with Jessica Hahn. I was appauled at how Christians, churches, and pastors have treated him over the years. If many of the men of God from Scripture were alive today, we would have had them killed by lethal injection before God could ever use them. Paul murdered//killed brothers and sisters in Christ. Would Christians make him the leader over the churches today? I doubt it. David also killed a man. Would Christians vote for such a man for president today? I don't think so. And yet he was King. Several of the disciples were imprisoned. Even though they didn't break any laws, just the "appearance of evil" would have barred them from ever ministering today. It's sad when the Church of Jesus Christ takes 15 years to forgive and restore a man. (And many Christians still don't). If my pastor kills a man in a fit of rage, should we forgive him? YES..immediatley!!!! Christ would have! If he pleas to manslaughter and gets 15 year to life and in parolled in 12 years; When he gets out should we put him back into ministry? YES...immediately!!! Christ would have !!! Restoration means "back to the orginal state".. Clean...Forgiven... and useful in God's hands!!!! Now that is for the man who has sinned. What about the one who is accused but not found guilty or what about the one who people think has done wrong but hasn't. I have seen several fellow leaders in Christendom who have been slandered by the media or by townfolk who's church boards "thought it best for them to step down" so as not to tarnish the chuirch name, when they did no worng in the first place. When Scripture advocates complete restoration to the man who does sin and repents. We have a long way to go people before we can call ourselves "Christ like".(aka Christians) Ok off my soap box. I love Jim and always will. I will support him in whatever he does because I forgave and forgot his mistakes before he ever got out of prison. Glad to find this forum!!!!

One other thing. I see that Jim and Lori have started a youth outreach in Branson Mo and are calling it Studio City Cafe. They will be broadcasting a new show from there and have several stations across the US agreeing to pick up the show. Does anyone have a web page for it yet? Thanks.

--Greg XStreame Youth www.xstreameyouth.com

[Rick4404]

I thotoughly enjoyed the pictures that were posted on Yahoo of many of the buildings that are on the former Heritage USA grounds. At least from the pictures, all outside shots, it appears the buildings have weathered the years for the most part well. I understand from a previous post that part of the roof of the television studio was blown off in a hurricane, and what once was the offices that housed Jim and Tammy Bakker's private offices is now being used by Laura Ashley. I also understand that the never-completed Heritage Grand Towers was also damaged by the hurricane.

As far as Jim Bakker goes and the post from XStreame Youth, I would agree for the most part. I believe Jim Bakker did not set out to defraud anyone. I believe he was simply trying to follow God's calling in his life - to be a pastor and an evangelist. I am glad to see Jim and his new wife Lori Graham-Bakker have founded a new ministry in Branson, Mo. and I wish them nothing but the best in that venture.

I am not here to cast judgement on anyone. However, I do believe Jerry Falwell's takeover of PTL/Heritage USA was done with some ulterior motives on Falwell's part. Jim and Tammy were backed into a corner and they needed to save face. Thus, they agreed to the takeover by Falwell.

It is such a shame that Falwell didn't turn PTL and Heritage USA over to another reputable Christian ministry, that could have kept Heritage USA going as an oasis of Christian love and ministry. Instead, Falwell led it into bankruptcy. There was a grass-roots effort launched to buy Heritage USA out of bankruptcy by a group known as Heritage Ministries. This group was led by the Rev. Sam Johson, who pastored the Heritage Village Church following Richard Dortch's departure/firing from PTL by Falwell. Heritage Ministries attempt was unsuccessful after they failed to raise sufficient capital to make an offer with.

I believe Heritage USA is still God's property; and one day before Jesus returns, I sincerely hope and pray that Heritage USA can be resurrected and restored to the purpose it was built. You know, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see Tammy Faye Bakker-Messner and her husband Roe launch such a campaign. Roe, of course, was the head of the construction company which built many of the buildings at Heritage USA.

[Rick4404]

I believe what got the government's attention in the whole PTL matter was the overselling of the lifetime partnerships. Dr. Richard Dortch, who was executive vice president of PTL under Jim Bakker, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and mail fraud and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud.

Those charges and others are what Jim Bakker was convicted of. The government alleged that the lifetime partnerships were deliberately oversold. It was initially intended to cap the lifetime partnerships at 50% of the occupancy of the Heritage Grand Hotel and the Heritage Grand Towers. The other 50% of the rooms available were supposed to be reserved for paying customers.

Yes, lifetime partnerships were deliberately oversold. It was hoped that not everyone would use them at the same time. There's just no way that the lodging facilities at Heritage USA could have accommodated all those people at the same time. It wasn't so much they were overbooked, but it was that they were oversold.

The government was able to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, that Bakker had deliberately defrauded those who bought lifetime partnerships, and that's why Jim was sentenced to 45 years in prison, which was later shortened on appeal. Jim served about five years in prison. Dortch pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two consecutive eight year prison terms; and he was released after approximately two years in prison.

[thirddayrevival]

I would like to see a simple poll taken on how many people would support a revived heritage if it was reopened by someone other than Jim or Tammy. And to see what people think about it being called another name. Respond if you like, I know that there are some serious consideration being given to that idea.

[Rick4404]

Thank you for your question. This thread has been going on for some time and I believe the general consensus is that we would like to see Heritage USA get raised out of the ashes; and re-dedicated and re-built for its original purpose.

I really hope and pray that someday someone or some group of means will reopen Heritage USA.

[thirddayrevival]

Let us no longer push the task of rebuilding the property to someone else. I am going to start a grass roots campaign to rebuild Heritage USA. Starting now, until we have an official website established, we will start getting people aware of the project by referring them to this thread. The first thing we will do is start people thinking and talking about it again. Stirr up the ideals and dreams of what Heritage was all about. A place where families can go and be in a total christian enviroment. The web site is already in progress and I will look forward to hearing great things. Let be the start of a national revival in America.

[Rick4404]

Restoring and reopening Heritage USA certainly will be a tall order. I know that there are lots of people who are hoping and praying that someday Heritage USA will be reopened. However, there is nothing too big for our Lord. If it is His will that Heritage USA be reopened, then it will happen. You seem to be a person of great vision and that's very important in taking on a project of this magnitude. May God bless your efforts.

The first thing you'll have to do is win over the local churches there in the Charlotte-Fort Mill area. Those churches were truly at "Ground Zero" when the Bakker-Hahn scandal broke and then PTL/Heritage USA eventually collapsed. Then you'll have to win over civic and government leaders, lawmakers. A lot of networking will have to take place with the movers and shakers there in the local area. A lot of animocity and bitterness among some of the locals there will very likely have to be worked through.

At least as a courtesy, Roe and Tammy Faye Messner should be consulted. They live in nearby Matthews, N.C. Perhaps Jim and Lori Bakker should be consulted too. They have launched a new ministry in Branson, Mo. The Bakker children, Tammy Sue Bakker-Chapman and Jamie Charles (Jay) Bakker should also be consulted. Tammy Sue and her family live there in the Charlotte area and I believe it was mentioned earlier that Jay lives in the Atlanta area. It is unknown whether any of them would be interested in having a part in your vision of restoring and reopening Heritage USA.

Most of all, the people of God must pray. We certainly pray that your efforts will be successful and that the Regent Park property which it is now officially referred to, will one day soon be restored to its original purpose. This was to be for a place where God's people could come to relax and enjoy themselves in a wholesome and godly environment. It was also a place for ministry, teaching, worship and praise and a place of restoration and Christian enrichment. There were many things going on there; all designed to minister to everyone who would avail themselves of those opportunities.

The property certainly is God's property. No secular business that has been located there since the folding of Heritage USA has succeeded, except for maybe Laura Ashley, which is using the pyramid building for office space. The Radisson Hotel chain tried and failed at turning the place into a secular resort.

[Enriki]

Jim & tammy were & are as phony as all of the TV preachers. I was very glad they failed, as they were doing mans work not Gods. If one gets sucked into believing these money & fame loving people you deserve to git ripped off. May all these phony preachers rot in hell

[Rick4404]

Originally posted by Enriki
Jim & tammy were & are as phony as all of the TV preachers. I was very glad they failed, as they were doing mans work not Gods. If one gets sucked into believing these money & fame loving people you deserve to git ripped off. May all these phony preachers rot in hell.

I honestly believe the Bakkers didn't intend to defraud anyone. I believe Jim Bakker has truly repented and he has been restored. His time in prison really made him take a good look at himself. He has come out a new man! He and his new wife Lori Bakker have started a new ministry in Branson, Mo. called Studio City Cafe and TV Network.

I agree that money, fame and power can and will corrupt anyone. The problem with the PTL wasn't so much Jim and Tammy. Rather, I believe the problems were a result of some of the people they surrounded themselves with. Their "inner circle" so to speak.

The Bakkers made a lot of poor personal decisions. They were living way, way beyond their means. I don't think anyone can dispute that. I've heard all about the air condititioned dog house and the gold plated water faucets. We'll not go there.

God has forgiven Jim and Tammy. We should as well. Jim, Tammy and their children have all moved on with their lives. Tammy married Roe Messner after she divorced Jim. Roe and Tammy live in a community near Charlotte. Jim married Lori Graham, one of Billy Graham's daughters. Tammy Sue lives in the Charlotte area with her two children. Jamie Charles Bakker, who prefers to be called Jay Bakker, is a youth evangelist in the Atlanta area.