Jim Bakker's Son Explains Absence from Father's Funeral
Jay Bakker states he had a chance to say goodbye in person prior to his father's death.
James Charles ‘Jay’ Bakker, son of the late televangelist Jim Bakker, explained his absence from his father's funeral service, stating he had the opportunity to speak with his father and say goodbye in person before his death.
Jim Bakker died on October 5 at the age of 86. His funeral was held on October 12. Jay Bakker, who is also a pastor, shared a video on social media explaining his decision.
"A few weeks ago I was able to come out and see my pops, see Dad, and we were able to have some great conversations," Jay said in the video. "I was able to say goodbye, and I mean that’s why I’m not there today, because I feel like I got to say goodbye to him in person and that’s kind of the way I hope it would happen and it did."
Jay Bakker announced his father's death via an Instagram post. He indicated that he would discuss his decision further on his podcast and requested privacy for his mourning process.
"It’s a very difficult perspective for some to grasp and I understand the struggle to sympathize, much less give a damn," he wrote in the caption of an Instagram post. "I need the freedom to feel anger and feel loss and not have other people add their two cents. Please respect this time for me and my family."
He later returned to social media to address what he described as "liberal Christians" allegedly celebrating his father's death. "When you attack someone after they die, you’re not attacking them. You’re really going after their loved ones who probably had complicated relationships," Jay stated. "I know some of you aren’t going to give a damn about this, say, “that’s the price you pay for fame” and all that b****t. But I just want to make it clear and give you something to think about. It does hurt."
Jim Bakker was best known for co-hosting the Christian television show "The PTL Club" in the 1970s and 1980s. He resigned his ministry in 1987 amid allegations of paying hush money to silence claims of sexual assault from a church secretary. In 1989, he was convicted of fraud charges related to the misuse of ministry funds and served a prison sentence. He is survived by his wife Lori, seven children, and grandchildren. His funeral service was livestreamed.
Jay Bakker, born in 1975 to Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Messner, has previously spoken about the impact of his father's indictment for fraud when he was 12 years old, citing it as a factor that led to substance abuse. He later adopted a more liberal Christian stance and co-founded Revolution Church in 1994.
"I also shared a photo of my father hugging him a few days after his father passed away," Jay wrote in one social media post, describing their relationship as "complicated."