10/06/2026
For almost eight years, I had the privilege of serving alongside Jim Bakker as his co-host. But “co-host” doesn’t really describe what those years were. Jim became like family to me.
As life changed over the years we didn’t spend nearly as much time together as we once did. But there was a season of my life when I spent more hours in Jim’s office than I did my own.
We traveled together. We prayed together. We laughed together. We filmed thousands of hours of television together. And we talked about anything and everything.
Those years helped shape the man and minister I am today.
And one of the things I will always remember most about Jim was his grace.
I was very young when Jim brought me alongside him. I had a lot of passion and a whole lot to learn. I made mistakes. I got things wrong.
Jim gave me a safe place to fail.
He understood something that I hope I never forget: young people aren’t going to get everything right. They need someone who will believe in them enough to give them room to grow.
Jim knew how to correct without crushing you. He knew how to extend mercy. He knew how to let you get back up and keep going.
And maybe more than most people, Jim understood just how desperately all of us need grace.
Jim’s life and ministry spanned generations. He was a pioneer of Christian television and spent more than six decades preaching the Gospel and using media to reach people around the world.
His life also had chapters he never ran from.
There were incredible mountaintops, and there were very deep valleys. There were successes most people could never imagine and failures that played out in front of the entire world.
But what I believe deserves to be remembered about Jim is that he got back up.
He didn’t allow the worst chapters of his life to become the final chapters.
He spent the latter years of his ministry talking openly about his failures, about repentance, about restoration, and most importantly, about Jesus.
Jim knew the importance of a second chance better than anybody. And I think that’s one of the reasons he was so willing to give second chances to everyone else.
That is a legacy worth honoring.
Not the legacy of a perfect man.
The legacy of a man who fell, got back up, and kept pointing people to Jesus.
Tonight I am overwhelmed with memories. The conversations in his office. The laughter. The prayers. The moments before the cameras turned on and after they shut off. The long days. The crazy days. And everything in between.
I will forever be grateful that God allowed me to walk alongside Jim for that season of my life.
Jim, thank you for believing in young people. Thank you for making room for us. Thank you for the grace you showed me and so many others. Thank you for the years, the memories, and the lessons I will literally carry for the rest of my life.
Tonight I honor your life, your ministry, and the 10’s of millions of people who heard the name of Jesus because you were willing to sit in front of a camera and tell the world about Him.
