Former Bakker Ministry Drops ‘PTL’ From Its Name

The TV ministry formerly run by Jim and Tammy Bakker has dropped the name PTL in an effort to dissociate itself from PTL’s bankrupt commercial operations.

The network ministry show formerly called “PTL Today” went on the air without a name Tuesday morning, and viewers were asked to send donations to a new entity called Heritage Ministries, not PTL.

“The address is the same, but for the first time you can write ‘Heritage Ministries’ on your checks,” Heritage Village Church Pastor Sam Johnson said in a guest appearance on the show.

Heritage Ministries must operate independently of PTL’s commercial operations, including the Heritage USA Christian theme park as of Monday, PTL trustee M. C. (Red) Benton said. PTL is trying to sell those properties to settle its debts.

“Heritage Ministries is on its own next week,” Benton said. “They’ve been learning to stand and now they have to go on their own legs.”

The television show sported a new look this week. Johnson appeared on a set featuring leather furniture and a study with a bookcase backdrop. He said the set cost less than $900. The old set was larger, had more furniture and gave the appearance of a large, informal family room.

“We’re starting brand new,” Johnson said. “We don’t have any money or any debts.”

In addition to the name change, Heritage Ministries is trying win authorization from the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization.

PTL was forced into bankruptcy after Bakker resigned following the revelation that he had a sexual liaison with church secretary Jessica Hahn and paid her to keep it a secret.

Heritage Ministries Interim President Don Edwards said the new ministry has been incorporated since May 25 and has a budget based on an expected $60,000 a day in donations.

Donations have been running well below that level for the last month, but Benton said he thought many supporters were holding back until the new ministry started.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Rufus Reynolds on July 19 gave Heritage Ministries 30 days to prove it is financially viable, Edwards said.