TALES OF A YOUNG `PUNK'.Byline: David Kronke Television Critic A tattooed and pierced Jay Bakker Jamie Charles (Jay) Bakker (December 18, 1975) is an American Christian pastor and the son of Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker Messner. He ministers to Revolution Church, a church he founded in 1994 in Phoenix, Arizona with Kelli Miller and Mike Wall. , whose style and approach are at complete odds with those of his father, disgraced evangelist Jim Bakker James Orsen Bakker (born January 2, 1939, in Muskegon, Michigan) is an American televangelist, a former Assemblies of God minister, and a former host (with his then-wife Tammy Faye Bakker) of The PTL Club, a popular evangelical Christian television program. , represents few people's notion of an evangelist. The young Bakker preaches a more inclusive brand of Christianity than many high-profile, fire-and-brimstone ministers. ``What a lot of people (are) saying wasn't what the Bible says,'' Bakker says. ``There's so much more about love and hope than there is about condemning and judging.'' Bakker is the subject of a Sundance Channel documentary, ``One Punk Under God'' (to be shown in December), which he discussed Tuesday in Pasadena at the semiannual Television Critics Association The Television Critics Association (or TCA) is a group of approximately 200 United States and Canadian journalists and columnists who cover television programming. They meet in the Los Angeles area twice a year, in January and July, in conferences known as Winter and Summer press tour. Bakker's father headed up the Praise the Lord ministry until he was forced to resign in disgrace nearly 20 years ago for sundry scandals, including financial improprieties that landed him in prison. ``It was terrifying ter·ri·fy tr.v. ter·ri·fied, ter·ri·fy·ing, ter·ri·fies 1. To fill with terror; make deeply afraid. See Synonyms at frighten. 2. To menace or threaten; intimidate. ; we had to move out of our houses,'' Bakker recalls. ``My friends couldn't play with me anymore. -- It was hard -- we moved all over for the first few years. I'd get in fights because some guy would ask me how my dad liked getting raped in prison.'' Bakker embraced the punk lifestyle after being placed in a program for at-risk teens. ``But I wouldn't trade (my experiences) for anything,'' Bakker insists. ``I have a better understanding of the difference between religion and faith.'' Bakker's parents were of divided minds over whether he should participate in ``One Punk Under God One Punk Under God is an original observational documentary that airs on the Sundance Channel. It focuses on the life of Jay Bakker, only son of Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Messner (formerly Bakker), formerly evangelical ministers and hosts of The PTL Club. .'' ``My mom's been all about it -- she loves cameras, believe it or not,'' Bakker notes wryly of his mother, Tammy Faye Messner Tamara "Tammy" Faye Messner (March 7, 1942 – July 20, 2007) was an American Christian singer, evangelist, entrepreneur, author, talk show host, and television personality. , a notorious drama queen. ``My father was nervous -- he said, `The church might not accept you.' Well, they never have.'' Bakker's aversion to televangelism televangelism Evangelism through religious programs on television. Such programs are usually hosted by a fundamentalist Protestant minister, who conducts services and often asks for donations. Billy Graham became known worldwide through his TV specials from the 1950s on. almost prevented him from agreeing to do the series. ``I don't see televangelism being in my future,'' he says, smiling. David Kronke, (818) 713-3638 david.kronke@dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) ``What a lot of people (are) saying wasn't what the Bible says,'' observes Jay Bakkler. |
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