[FormerPTLer]

Amazing! Had no idea there were chat rooms about Heritage. Went over and checked it out and saw Chief's posts. He knows the real story. I learned a lot about law enforcement working under him. He was a important fellow at PTL. Saw some others I remember too. Loved my time there. I am a police officer now and I owe it all to PTL.

[jimbo1234]

I love to visit this address and look at all the wonderful PTL/Jim and Tammy Ministries. Take a look:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...t&query=bakker

[JTuricik]

Given that this is the Christmas Season, does anyone have any good or inspirational stories about Christmas at Heritage USA? This would be interesting to read about. - Thankyou- JT

[teresak]

I am new to the site and really enjoyed "catching up" via the post. I was a PTL partner and never felt cheated...but as things began to unfold I fell away. I did not follow the trials and tribulations. Sadly, I know no more than what I read on these post.

After all of these years I was STRONGLY led to buy Tammy Faye's new book...I never pay full price for hard cover books!

Now I am sorry I do not know the entire story. Can someone fill me in? Tammy talks of several "right hand people" at PTL that betrayed them but does not name names. She said several went to jail for taking money.

Oh, well...I am pleased to see Tammy Faye getting her joy back. I can not imagine the strength of her and the family to face the public and disgrace...For whatever anyone thinks of them they went through the fire...and I am happy for they are at peace.

[LianneC]

I was surfing around on the web tonight and found your posting regarding Jim and Tammy Faye Baker and PTL.

I was an unwed mother at Heritage House on the PTL grounds from July 1984-Jan 1985. I was one of the first girls to stay there once it was built. Once I left I returned home to Las Vegas where I have remained. That was already 19 years ago and now I am looking for any information at all about adoption information, news articles, anything that can be remembered over the years that may help me in my search for the son I adopted out as I have medical information that should be relayed to he and his mom and dad. I would be telling a lie if I said I also want to see how he has grown and for him to see I have accomplished all the things I set out to do when I made the decision for adoption.

The information I know so far is: His adopted parents are Doug and Linda but I am not sure of the last name. Possibly McCullus, McCaullum, something along those lines and I am told I am VERY close. They have another adopted son who would be about 24-25 now his name is Andy. Doug was a pressman apprentice, soon to be journeyman in 1985. He might still be in that line of work. Doug and Linda were also foster parents for the state they live in, which I do not know, and may still be doing this at this time.

Any information from you local folks out that way would VERY helpful and much appreciated. I can be reached at cre8iv_li@yahoo.com

God Bless!

[thirddayrevival]

Hello,
I like what I see on this thread. People speaking out positively about the restoration of heritage usa. We are doing just that. We are currently seeking 10000 people to join initially in this grassroots effort to rebuild heritage usa. If you would like to be a aprt of this exciting adventure, then contact us at thirdayrevival@aol.com. We are working on a permanent web site to connect all of us and to give daily feed back. I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Sincerely,
Keith Smith

[Rick4404]

Greetings in the glorious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:

I received the below e-mail from Keith Smith. He's the gentleman who is with a group which bills themselves as "Third Day Revival." He has posted a few messages to our group's Web site previously.

It appears Brother Smith and his group is/are very serious about pursuing the former Heritage USA property. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens to see if this is truly going to happen, or if its just going to be another venture that winds up being abandoned down the road. He might be able to get 10,000 people to join him; and then again he might not. All we can do is hope and pray for the best for Smith and his group.

History tell us that the PTL ministry had millions of contributors, partners and supporters during its entire run. It seems to me, and I am no expert, that this gentleman and his group will need more than 10,000 contributors to undertake this project. Even if they found 10,000 willing souls to each give $1,000; that only brings approximately $10 million to the table. Ten million dollars wouldn't even begin to cover the costs of excavation, tearing down the unsafe buildings, etc. It was reported that Jim Bakker had said he had to raise a million dollars at least every other day to keep Heritage USA afloat.

It certainly would appear that Smith's organization could be able to restore the property to something of a regional destination, a family-oriented Christian retreat. But to bring it back to national and international prominence just like the way it was during Heritage USA's heyday is certainly going to take many years and billions of dollars to accomplish. The Bakkers of course had the PTL Club/Jim and Tammy show in which to showcase Heritage USA and an entire broadcast empire to encourage people to come on down for a visit.

A large cable television network like the former PTL Satellite Network (later known as The Inspirational Network) was is something Smith and his group very likely will not have access to coming out of the starting gate. His organization truly will be trying to rebuild things literally from the ground up. I do wish them well and will pray for them; but I must admit I have some doubts that it can be done.

Rick


Here is a copy of the e-mail I received from Keith Smith:

From: "thirdayrevival" <thirdayrevival@aol.com>
Date: Tue Mar 2, 2004 9:20 am
Subject: New Office Opening!!

Great News!!
I will be signing the lease for our new office in Ft. Mill, South Carolina. I am truly excited about what God is doing. The office will be located very close to the Heritage property.

It will give us the ability to be at the door of our challenge. When we come and when we go we will not forget the goals that are ahead. I can understand how the people of God felt as they looked at Jericho.

Being able to see the strength of what they were about to conquer, while knowing that God was about to deliver it to them. It will not come without struggle, but it will come. Will you join with me in the fight? Will you be part of this movement to take back our Heritage. Not just the property in Ft. Mill, but the heritage of these United States. Our focus may seem to be selfish to others, unexplainable at times, but let it be known that we are fighting the "good" fight. Heritage USA was once a part of the moral fabric in America. That fabric has been torn and tattered. It is time we begin repairing that fabric.

Will you become a thread in that fabric. We are seeking 10,000 people to join together like strands of thread and restore the moral fabric of America. I believe that the reclaiming and the restoration of Heritage USA is part of that restoration. Our telling others will be the strength. I will have addresses and phone numbers available at
the first of the week.

Sincerely,
Keith Smith

[thirddayrevival]

Friends,
I apologize for my abscence this week. Tuesday of last week (March 9) my secretary, Kathy Hance, died. She went into open heart surgery and regretfully didn't survive the procedure. Kathy was a special lady. It was great to talk to her about heritage and see her eyes light up with anticipation. Kathy had not been long a christian. She was a good person but had no relationship with Christ. The past months were exciting for her, she began changing things in her life. The most important change was confirmed on last Friday when I received confimation of her decision to accept Christ as her personal saviour. Another life restored by the power of God. My family and I will miss Kathy, or as my 2year old son says "cappy". She was truly the first member of the restored Heritage USA. She will forever give me hope, that just talking about Heritage USA, can change lives.
Sincerely,
Keith Smith

[jamie]

Friends,

Tammy Faye will be appearing on CNN Larry King Live tomorrow night (Thursday, March 18) to reveal what is being described as a "startling personal announcement." The network has indicated that it involves a serious health issue.

Please keep Tammy Faye in your prayers as she makes this difficult appearance.

[Matt]

Originally posted by jamie
Friends,

Tammy Faye will be appearing on CNN Larry King Live tomorrow night (Thursday, March 18) to reveal what is being described as a "startling personal announcement." The network has indicated that it involves a serious health issue.

Please keep Tammy Faye in your prayers as she makes this difficult appearance.

You can read a transcript of that interview here:

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0403/18/lkl.00.html

[Rick4404]

Source: http://www.tammyfaye.com/note20040307.htm

March 7, 2004
Hello my friends,

Eight years ago I was told I had colon cancer. The day before my birthday I had surgery. It was successful and I celebrated my birthday, March 7th, with my doctors and my husband and friends at Eisenhower Hospital in Palm Springs, CA where we lived at the time.

A few days ago I learned that I once again have cancer. This time my doctors say I have lung cancer. I have three spots on my left lung. My vocal chord has been affected to the point where I have trouble speaking.

At this time I am waiting for the doctors to decide whether to operate or do chemotherapy and radiation to kill the cancer cells.

I have wrestled with the decision to share with you or just not say anything. But, you are my friends and sharing is what friendship is all about. Somehow it helps me to talk with you about it.

I ask for your prayers. The Bible says that "prayer changes things", and I truly believe God's Word.

There is a verse in the Bible that means so much to me and I am standing on God's Word. It’s found in Isaiah 41:10:

Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

I cannot say I am not scared because I am. Cancer is a scary name. But I know a name that is above all other names and that name is Jesus. Jesus is my savior and my friend and I trust Him with me. There is another verse in the Bible that is helping me right now. It says, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you".

It’s really hard to give thanks when you are frightened, but I am trying. I think the hardest 7 words I have ever spoken to God are, "not MY will but THINE be done".

I believe in God’s healing power, I believe in miracles, but I also believe that He uses doctors.

I will keep you posted as I find out what I must do next. Knowing you are there and that you care helps me so much.

I have a little frog sitting in front of me that my daughter gave me.
F-R-0-G: Fully Relying On God! Sometimes I pick him up and just give him a little squeeze.

I’m so glad to know that you are just an e-mail away, and that God is just a prayer away.

I love you,
Tammy Faye

[JACK]

IN FEBRUARY I VISITED HERITAGE USA .MY WIFE'S SISTER LIVES IN FORT MILL AND I KNEW THAT I HAD TO GO THERE, EVEN IF I HAD TO CLIMB A FENCE-LOL . THERE WAS NO FENCE, NO APPARENT SECURITY. THERE ARE HOMES BEING BUILT NOT FAR FROM THE FORMER MAIN ST. USA AND MY FEAR IS THEY WILL EVENTUALLY BULLDOZE HERITAGE. YOU CAN DRIVE AROUND PAST PLACES LIKE THE UPPER ROOM WITH THE CLOSED SIGN IN FRONT. THE THEATER IN THE ROUND WAS BEING USED AS WAS THE CAMPGROUNDS. THE TV STUDIO WAS BEING USED FOR SOMETHING, CHRISTIAN TEE SHIRTS HUNG IN THE LOBBY-HOWEVER THE BARN STUDIO ROOF NEXT TO IT IS PARTIALLY CAVED IN AS REPORTED. DESPITE THE SIGNS SAYING ARREST AND CHARGE MY WIFE AND I PARKED AT THE CAMPGROUND AND WALKED UP TO THE MAIN AREA . YOU CAN'T DRIVE THERE. THE WATER PARK WAS SURROUNDED BY WEEDS AS WAS THE LANDSCAPING AROUND THE HERITAGE TOWN . I COULD HAVE EXPLORED FOR DAYS BUT WE WERE NERVOUS ABOUT STAYING TOO LONG. MOST BUILDINGS ARE STILL LOCKED AND RESTORABLE.I NEVER GOT TO GO THERE IN THE 80'S ALTHOUGH I WATCHED THE SHOW AND WANTED TO BUT IT WAS SO FASCINATING AND SAD TO STAND IN THE WEEDS AND REMEMBER WHAT THIS ONCE WAS. TODAY WITH HIS NEW FOUND SPIRITUAL DEPTHNESS, JIM WOULD DO A MUCH BETTER JOB IN KEEPING FOCUSED. HERITAGE SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY BEFORE THEY LEVEL IT FOR HOMES !

[Rick4404]

I have been doing some praying and thinking about the current state of affairs at what was Heritage USA. I have come up with some points to ponder. I claim these to be just my own personal opinions, and I DO NOT claim these words to be prophetic words from the Lord.

There could very well someday be a point in which everything that could ever possibly be said about what was PTL and the former Heritage USA will have been said. There isn't much news concerning what was PTL and Heritage USA, other than for the sale of some of the property at Regent Park, and then of course the shocking news that Tammy Faye Messner has lung cancer. Please keep that dear lady of God in prayer, as she has said the cancer is inoperable.

There are undoubtedly lots of people out there who really want to see Heritage USA revived. But at some point the talk is going to have to turn into action. Any restoration of the property must in God's timing and wisdom and not ours. I very much doubt that any group which would take on the restoration could restore it to the way it was under Jim and Tammy Bakker's leadership, nor should they. The window of opportunity appears to be closing more and more as every day passes. Eventually, the owners will have piece-mealed more and more of the property away that there will be nothing left for us or anyone to discuss.

Despite Jim and Tammy's shortcomings, I truly believe they were God's anointed to be carrying the mantle of leadership at Heritage USA and PTL. Yes, the argument could be made that Heritage USA was Jim's vision and Tammy was along for the ride. It's just so sad that when everything became public and Jim had his moral failure; things just started to collapse around them in one big hurry.

God has forgiven Jim and those who served with him, but its such a shame that his peers weren't so quick to forgive. I would agree with the point which was made before, it sort of boiled down to jealosy, etc. among Bakker's peers. Hardly Christ-like actions among certain people, who I will not name here, but God knows who they are.

Now we see the beautiful park that was Heritage USA just going further and further into ruin. I think that Morris Cerullo and his organization were on the right track when they tried to resurrect Heritage USA, but now it seems they don't want anything to do with it, as evidenced by INSP's apparent purchase of another site to build their new television studios and ministry center. As much as I hate to think about it, perhaps it would be the proper thing just to give what was Heritage USA a proper Christian burial. It seems there is no one who is genuinely interested in making a go of it.

The Third Day Revival/Revolution group that we have heard about can take a stab at it if they wish. However, for them or any organization, it will be a huge endeavor that's for sure. Sorry to ramble on like this, but I think perhaps the time has come that reality needs to be faced.

I realize that reality is often hard to think about. I have no intention of offending anyone. I would love to see Heritage USA reborn, but its just looking more and more doubtful. I fully intend to continue with our group and join with you in our prayer efforts.

Thank you for allowing me the time to share my thoughts. God bless you all.

[JACK]

I would have to agree that it is a very long shot that Heritage will reopen. I would love to know what the current plan and timetable is from the current owner. One posting in the yahoo group said that this year the Grand, Towers and water park may be demolished. I wonder if thats true. I would give anything to take a complete tour before that happened. Of course Jim is building a new TV ministry with his new wife in Branson . You can watch the show on the net replayed at 1am East Coast time on TCTONLINE.COM . I still believe if a weathy investor came to Jim and said lets reopen Heritage he would take it to prayer. Todays Jim Bakker is a much more mature saint it seems and would not go ahead if God was saying No. it is just ashame to visit the remains and remember what it once was. Of course Jim is 64 now. Roe. the genious behind Heritage is still building buildings but what he did to Jim seems indefensible. They are friends again however which is a testimony of God's grace working in Jim . Morris does not have the Charisma to reach people's imaginations the way Jim did. God bless Tammy as she undergo's radiation this month ! I look forward to speaking to you Rick and all others interested in Heritage. JACKSTER20032003@YAHOO.COM

[JTuricik]

Rick, Jack, and all,

You are both speaking wisdom here. How does one know if Gods timing is ever going to be there? It seems that if the right person would come forward, whether it be Keith Smith or Morris Cerullo, they would need some sort of "inside track" or "inside Inoformation", along with funding inplace, and alot of fortitude to make this all work. It is a real estate transaction, and a tremendous renovation project together. Quite an undertaking for anyone or any group.- JT