Controversial TV evangelist Jim Bakker suffers stroke amid lawsuit over coronavirus ‘cure’

Jim Bakker, the controversial TV evangelist
being sued after supposedly endorsing a
fake coronavirus ‘cure’, has suffered a
stroke.
His son, Jay Bakker, announced the news
on Twitter on Friday.
“I know some of you struggle with
humanizing my father, but he is also a
good grandpa and my dad,” he wrote.
“We have a complicated relationship like a
lot of folks… His life has influenced mine
as well as my work. He recently suffered a
minor stroke, your thoughts are
appreciated.”
Jim Bakker’s wife, Lori, said that he was
recuperating at home and would be taking
a sabbatical until he is fully recovered.
“We are thankful that Jim is okay, and that
he is now at home with our family,” she
wrote on the Facebook page of The Jim
Bakker Show.
“Under the guidance of medical
professionals and our Board of Directors,
Jim will be taking a sabbatical from the
show.
“Jim will be back! He is still dreaming and
hearing from the Lord, and he already has
a powerful word to deliver when he returns
to the air.”
She continued: “Jim is a Watchman on the
Wall, and we as a family are committed to
carrying his mantle by bringing more
prophets, news, updates, and more in the
coming weeks on The Jim Bakker Show.
“For many years now, Jim has been
working non-stop, working hard to bring
incredible prophets and guests to our show,
discovering and developing new products
to share, building at Morningside, and
bringing forth the message for the days
that we are living in.
“All of these projects, and the vigorous
warfare that we have experienced in the
last several weeks, have taken a huge toll
on Jim’s health.”
Bakker, 80, is at the centre of a lawsuit
filed by Missouri’s Attorney General, Eric
Schmitt, after a guest on his show, Dr
Sherrill Sellman, suggested a “Silver
Solution” product may be able to prevent
infection from some strains of coronavirus.
“This influenza, which is now circling the
globe, you’re saying that Silver Solution
would be effective?” Bakker asked Sellman.
In response, Sellman said: “Well, let’s say it
hasn’t been tested against this strain of the
coronavirus, but it’s been tested on other
strains of the coronavirus and has been
able to eliminate it within 12 hours.”
Former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has
asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed.
“Jim Bakker is being unfairly targeted by
those who want to crush his ministry and
force his Christian television program off
the air,” he said.
“The video recording of the Jim Bakker
Show clearly shows the allegations are
false. Bakker did not claim or state that
Silver Solution was a cure for COVID-19.
This case is about religious freedom.”