In 1989, Bakker was convicted on 29 counts including mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, and sentenced to 45 years in prison. Moody received his call to serve God at an early age. But he's not the only one to make headlines. Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899), American evangelist, pastor and educator Twentieth century [ edit] (This list is organized chronologically by birth) Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), blind American writer of many famous hymns including "Blessed Assurance" Alexander Maclaren (1826-1910), Scottish Baptist minister 29. The show was taken off the air when ABC's Primetime Live questioned Robert Tilton's fundraising practices. He also led the Meese Commission on pornography and wrote several books about religious liberty issues. But his influence is felt beyond the call of invitation as well. Do You Approve of President Trump's Job Performance? Anyway, then he did it all again three years later and lost everything. Rich Stearns The president of World Vision U.S., Stearns runs an aid organization that works with the poor around the world to better their lives and teach them how to be self-sustaining. Jay Sekulow The attorney converted to Christianity after encountering Jews for Jesus. She is an outspoken pro-life advocate according to her Lutheran beliefs, and remains an influential voice in conservative media. donations. Joel Osteen is an American pastor, author, and televangelist. Mark Burnett and Roma Downey A married couple, Burnett and Downey are television and movie producers who have produced faith-based content like The Bible miniseries and 2016's Ben-Hur, run Lightworkers Media, the family and faith division of MGM studios, and launched Light TV in 2016, a faith-based television channel through MGM. Ken Ham A speaker and authority on biblical creationism, Ham founded Answers in Genesis ministry, which built the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. He has written several best-selling books and recently stepped down as senior pastor of Redeemer in July 2017, splitting the multi-campus congregation exponentially into several churches; he also took a seminary post to prepare future urban church planters. Roma Downey and Robert George are both devout and vocal Roman Catholics and, by any good definition, cannot be evangelicals. Asa Alonso Allen (March 27, 1911 June 11, 1970), better known as A. Warnke was sort of a big deal back in the day. Joel Osteen Age: 59 Birthplace: Houston, Texas, USA Joel Scott Osteen (born March 5, 1963) is an American pastor, televangelist, and author, based in Houston, Texas. John Piper John Piper is a very well-known preacher for his style (straight forward/not passive) and knowledge of the Bible. He was producing shows nearly every day and being broadcast on hundreds of channels across the world. One star player has been Paula White, President Trump's spiritual advisor. 23. He also established the Liberty University and later tried to revive the PTL after its leader Jim Bakker was accused of rape. 10. Jaeson Ma An Asian-American hip-hop musician, music manager, and missionary pastor, Ma has worked in the Korean music community and with documenting the gospels spread in Asia. 17. DeMoss also runs a PR firm and serves on the board of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. One of the most controversial evangelists of his generation, Angley received several criticisms for his claims and theories. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil The founder of Overflow Ministries, Salter McNeil is devoted to racial and ethnic reconciliation and is a prolific speaker and writer on these topics. Steven Furtick The lead pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, Furtick has written several books including two New York Times best-sellers: Greater and Crash the Chatterbox.. 76. 73. John MacArthur A prominent author and pastor, MacArthur has authored or edited more than 150 books including the MacArthur Study Bible, which has sold more than 1 million copies in several translations. The government started taking action in the early '90s, and Tony found himself on the wrong side of the law. Speaking to the New York Times after being fired from the company, Koper stated that her "job as finance director was to find ways to label extravagant personal spending as ministry expenses.". 39. In practice, it seems to end disproportionately in hand-tailored suits that cost as much as a down payment on a mortgage and, in more than a few cases, prison. A televangelist can have his own congregation and church (sometimes large enough to be referred to as a "megachurch"), or he can work solely through television. King is a dedicated pro-life advocate and director of Civil Rights for the Unborn. Franklin Graham A bit of a prodigal son in his youth, Franklin Graham eventually followed in his father Billy Grahams footsteps while also forging his own influential ministry through Samaritans Purse, an organization that provides disaster and humanitarian relief and also offers the gospel to millions of people around the world. Other so-called climate experts have foretold global doom and gloom for more than hal. When he talked, the people in his community listened. 8. Josh McDowell An author and speaker, McDowell has written and co-authored 150 books, including Evidence that Demands a Verdict, named one of the most influential books on Christian thought in the last 50 years by World Magazine. Sixth, there are a few clear misses. The author of bestsellers such as Wisdom for Winning and Dream-Seeds, he has also writte the Topical Bible series and released gospel tracks. Not his anti-labor union manifestos or the fact that he'd light up a room with his smile when you brought up segregation or his connection to a series of bombings in the 1960s. 72. He kept going, and now does infomercials selling his patented Miracle Manna, a guaranteed cure for, according to Popoff, basically everything. The $1.3 million in church funds that an IRS investigation found redirected to the Bakkers' personal accounts couldn't take Jim down, but CNN reports the alleged hush money payment of $279,000 to cover up the rape of his secretary certainly pushed the "pause" button on his success story. Comprising nearly a quarter of the U.S. population, evangelicals are a diverse group drawn from a variety of denominational . A sentence reduction later, Bakker was paroled in 1994, and it wasn't long before his cherubic face was once again warmed by studio lighting and the liberal application of pancake makeup. 87. Ernest Angley was an American evangelist, television station owner, and author. In no other nation would so many leaders be so clearly connected with politics. American Evangelicalism seems to defy unity, let alone hierarchy. Regarded as one of the precursors for the charismatic movement, Roberts was one of the most recognized and controversial preachers of the 20th century. Things get creepier the more you read about the Alamos. Cameron now appears in Christian films and has commented on political and societal issues as well as participating in several ministries, including his own TV series "The Way of the Master. After his father's demise, Armstrong became the voice of the church's radio program The World Tomorrow, which was aired around the world. Arthur Cole Blessitt (born December 31, 1937) is an American celebrity evangelist, Morman, and retired Army warrant officer. 22. This becomes obvious when one compares a televangelist's often opulent lifestyle, especially when compared to traditional men of the cloth: the kind not found on this TV evangelist list. These 100 people undeniably wield tremendous influence over American Christianity. TIME's list focuses on those whose influence is on the rise or who have carved out a singular role, By David Van Biema, Cathy Booth-Thomas / Dallas, Massimo Calabresi and John F. Dickerson / Washington, John Cloud and Rebecca Winters / New York and Sonja Steptoe / Los Angeles More , TIME takes a look at some of the most influential Evangelicals in America More , A look inside the struggle over the Christian conservative agenda More , A photo-biography of the celebrated evangelist More . 44. 33. Lamb's story is a familiar one. He is still on the YWAM Global Leadership Team. Al Gore was by no means the first. F. Scott Fitzgerald famously noted that "there are no second acts in American lives." 96. They made blood sacrifices. Yeah, praying for people would be a bummer. He stepped down from CT earlier this year to work with the John Templeton Foundation. Osteen's televised sermons are seen by over 7 million viewers weekly and over 20 million monthly in over 100 countries.He is the author of ten books which have been ranked number one on The New York Times Best Seller list. He has tackled many tough issues from predestination to homosexuality. Despite suffering a paralyzing injury that made her a quadriplegic at age 17, Tada's lifelong spirit and faith has made her an inspirational model. Negative, captain. 90. A Christian Post piece from late 2019 outlined some of his current financial struggles: his Boeing 747 has been on blocks for two years, since the six-figure repairs that it needs are currently out of Angley's reach, financially speaking. Michele Bachmann Bachmann was the first Republican woman to represent Minnesota in Congress, and later ran in the 2012 presidential election. Johnnie Moore A speaker, communications expert, and frequent guest at the White House, Moore has advocated for persecuted Christians and was one of the first to identify ISIS as a threat. He was made the senior pastor in 2006 but resigned from his position in 2008. Charles Stanley The founder and president of In Touch Ministries and senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, of the Southern Baptist Convention for more than 40 years, Stanley has written more than 60 books, some of them best-sellers. How to use evangelist in a sentence. These are in no particular order. She initially gained notice for her work with The PTL Club, a televangelist program she co-founded with her then-husband Jim Bakker in 1974. The personification of this phenomenon might well be Peter Popoff. The kicker was his conviction on 10 counts of transporting girls as young as 8 across state lines for the obvious, evil reason. Although Herbert W. Armstrong's teachings have remained popular over the years, they have also been criticized by the greater Christian community and former followers. However, he was able to salvage his image and returned to televangelism. He was poised for a comeback in 2009 when HBO produced a documentary on his return to the righteous path, but wouldn't you know it, more allegationsof the abusive variety popped up. On their way to such prodigious (if also dwindling) numbers, their leadership has for decades been rocked by scandal after scandal. Joyce Meyer, founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, host of "Enjoying Everyday Life" TV and radio show, bestselling author of more than 100 books. Tim Keller Redeemer Presbyterian Church, which Keller founded in 1989, is a bit of anomaly, as no one would expect to find a "megachurch" in the heart of New York City. Mike Pence The former Indiana governor was chosen by Trump to be his vice president in large part for his traditional Christian conservatism. 16. Beth Moore As founder of Living Proof Ministries based in Houston, Texas, Moore's video-based Bible studies and books have helped thousands of women learn how to live by evangelical Christian principles. Steven Curtis Chapman With five Grammys and a record-breaking 58 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, Chapman is recognized as one of the most prolific singers in the contemporary Christian music genre. Find out more about the greatest American Televangelists, including Joel Osteen, Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, Kent Hovind and Jimmy Swaggart. Let's get to know some of the richest pastors in America. He now heads both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse. Vote Here Now. Howard and Roberta Ahmanson This wealthy financier couple has funded faith-based projects including intelligent design research, many Christian higher learning institutions, and other prominent Christian organizations. 26. When Susan died in 1982, Tony had her body on display for six months, with his congregants performing a constant vigil over the corpse so it would come back to life. Joel Osteen Encouraging people to believe that God will bless them in big ways, Osteen's messages are televised to more than 7 million viewers each week and 20 million each month in more than 100 countries. Joel Osteen is an American pastor, author, and televangelist. The resulting backlash was split. All content Tim Challies, 2002-2023. David and Steve Green This father-and-son founder and president, respectively, of Hobby Lobby operate close to 600 craft store locations in the U.S., which are closed on Sundays for religious observance. Remember the Alamos. Oral Roberts He has also been honored twice by Russia for humanitarian work done there over many years. Matt Walsh specifically denies the label. Peter Popoff is a German-born American faith healer, debunked clairvoyant, and televangelist. 82. A. Allen, was a minister with a Pentecostal evangelistic healing and deliverance ministry. He is one of the most popular televangelists in the world, with his televised sermons being watched by millions of people every week in over 100 countries, including 10 million viewers in the US alone. If you've ever been at a cheap hotel, flipping through channels in the middle of the night, you've probably seen Marcus Lamb's work. Priscilla Shirer A Bible study teacher, speaker, and author who travels and speaks at conferences around the U.S. and the globe, Shirer's book Fervent was a companion to the popular Christian film War Room, in which she appeared. 30. He is also executive editor of The Christian Post and president of Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. What's the deal? Alert:If You Collect Social Security, Please Read This Critical Information . In 1993, Humbard was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Jennie Allen A Bible study teacher and author of several award-winning books, Allen also founded the IF: Gathering conferences to equip women for ministry. For example, how does Al Mohler get left off the list? And what about some of those silent, faithful people who wield tremendous influence from behind the scenes? Unfortunately for the reverend, that last part broughteverything tumbling down. A satanic preacher.