Televangelists

Joel Osteen, based in Houston, Texas, is a well-known American pastor, televangelist, businessman, and author. He is famous for his weekly televised services and best-selling books. Osteen is a key figure in the prosperity theology and Word of Faith movement, focusing on spreading messages of positivity, hope, and empowerment through his teachings and publications. His influence in the religious and literary realms has positively impacted countless individuals seeking spiritual guidance and inspiration.

Jim Bakker is a well-known American televangelist who gained fame hosting The PTL Club and creating the PTL Satellite Network and Heritage USA, a Christian theme park. In the late 1980s, he was embroiled in controversy due to a hush money scandal and was later convicted of accounting fraud, resulting in imprisonment and divorce. Upon his return to televangelism, Bakker established Morningside Church, resurrected the PTL ministry, and currently hosts The Jim Bakker Show, which focuses on apocalyptic themes and promotes emergency survival products. He is also an author of books centered around faith and preparedness.

Jimmy Swaggart is a well-known American Pentecostal televangelist who serves as the senior pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is also the owner and operator of the SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN), highlighting his significant presence in the media sector. Swaggart's ministry has touched a broad audience with his religious teachings and messages, establishing him as a respected figure within the Pentecostal community and the religious world at large.

Kenneth Copeland is a well-known American televangelist associated with the charismatic movement. He founded Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. and has authored many books. Copeland is famous for his broadcast "Believers Voice of Victory" and promotes prosperity theology within the Word of Faith movement. He teaches that divine favor can bring material and financial blessings and emphasizes the idea that supporting ministries can unlock this favor.

Benny Hinn is a well-known televangelist recognized for his impactful "Miracle Crusades," drawing crowds seeking spiritual renewal and healing through faith. These large-scale events, frequently hosted in major city stadiums, are broadcast worldwide via his TV show, This Is Your Day. Hinn's ministry emphasizes spreading the gospel and enabling miraculous healings through prayer and faith. With a substantial following in the Christian community, he has established himself as a prominent figure in religious broadcasting.

T. D. Jakes is a prominent American non-denominational Christian pastor and motivational speaker known for his leadership at The Potter's House, a megachurch in Dallas, Texas. Through The Potter's Touch broadcasting platform, he delivers inspiring sermons to a wide audience. Jakes is a prolific author with numerous published books on faith and spirituality. He is also involved in film production, contributing to various projects. Overall, Jakes is recognized for his impactful preaching, writing, and media presence within the Christian community.

Franklin Graham is a prominent American evangelist and missionary actively engaged in the evangelical movement. He leads Christian revival tours, provides political commentary, and serves as the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse. Graham has been a dedicated Christian since 1974, ordained in 1982. He is known for his public speaking and writing, using his platform to share Christian teachings with a wide range of audiences.

Oral Roberts was a prominent American televangelist who played a key role in popularizing Prosperity Gospel Theology. He was ordained in the Pentecostal Holiness Church and briefly in the United Methodist church, and was considered a pioneer in the charismatic movement. Through founding the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University, he emphasized seed-faith in his preaching and reached a global audience of millions over six decades. Roberts' influence on mainstream American Pentecostalism, televangelism, and the prosperity gospel was significant, leading to both criticism and support.

Peter George Popoff is an American televangelist known for controversial practices. In 1986, he was exposed for using a concealed earpiece to receive information about audience members during religious services, falsely claiming it came from God for faith healing. After facing bankruptcy, he returned in the late 1990s, promoting "Miracle Spring Water" on late-night infomercials. Popoff referred to himself as a prophet and continued running promotions into 2024, featuring testimonials of financial gains attributed to his product.

Creflo A. Dollar, Jr. is a well-known American pastor and televangelist who founded the non-denominational Christian World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia. In addition to leading the Creflo Dollar Ministerial Association, Creflo Dollar Ministries, and Arrow Records, Dollar has become a prominent figure in the Christian community. Through his ministry work and television broadcasts, he reaches a broad audience with the message of Christianity and provides support to believers globally.

John Hagee is a prominent American pastor and televangelist recognized for establishing John Hagee Ministries, a broadcast reaching audiences in the United States and Canada. He is also the creator and leader of Christians United for Israel, a Christian Zionist group. Hagee has been a source of debate for his comments regarding the Catholic Church, Jewish individuals, and Islam. In addition, he has endorsed the blood moon prophecy, influencing his standing within the religious sphere.

Jerry Falwell Sr. was a prominent American Baptist pastor, televangelist, and conservative activist known for founding Thomas Road Baptist Church, Lynchburg Christian Academy (now Liberty Christian Academy), and Liberty University. He also co-founded the Moral Majority in 1979, a political organization aimed at mobilizing conservative Christians and influencing public policy in the United States.

Jack Van Impe, an American televangelist, gained fame through his weekly TV show, "Jack Van Impe Presents," offering eschatological insights on current affairs from a Biblical perspective. Known as the "Walking Bible," he memorized a substantial portion of the King James Version. His program was broadcast worldwide via religious networks and commercial TV stations. Van Impe worked closely with his wife, Rexella, in their shared television ministry.

Jan Crouch co-founded the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) in 1973 with her husband Paul. Her dedication to broadcasting Christian content and active involvement in TBN's operations contributed significantly to expanding the network's reach and influence as a prominent platform for Christian programming worldwide. Crouch's efforts helped shape TBN into one of the largest Christian television networks globally, establishing her legacy as a trailblazer in religious broadcasting.

Adnan Oktar, also known as Adnan Hoca or Harun Yahya, is a Turkish Islamic televangelist and cult leader. He engaged in a massive campaign of proselytizing Westerners to Islam through vividly illustrated books. Oktar was sentenced to 8,658 years in prison for leading a criminal gang, espionage, sexual abuse of minors, and other charges. He established organizations promoting creationism and moral issues. Oktar sent unsolicited copies of his creationist book to schools and universities in France and the US. He advocated a Quran-centric interpretation of Islam and filed numerous lawsuits for defamation.

Robert Tilton is an American televangelist who was once the pastor of the Word of Faith Family Church in Texas. He became well-known for his infomercial-style show, Success-N-Life, which was widely broadcast across American television markets and brought in nearly $80 million each year at its peak in 1991. However, his fundraising methods faced criticism following investigations by ABC's Primetime Live, resulting in the show being taken off the air. Tilton subsequently made a comeback on television with a revised version of the program on BET and The Word Network.

Herbert W. Armstrong was an American evangelist who founded the Worldwide Church of God and was a pioneer in radio and television evangelism. He preached a unique combination of doctrines based on the Bible, claiming to present the restored true Gospel. His teachings emphasized adherence to the Mosaic Law, including observing the seventh-day Sabbath, dietary restrictions, and "Holy Days." Armstrong interpreted current events through Biblical prophecies, often incorporating British Israelism. He also engaged in diplomatic endeavors, referring to himself as an "ambassador without portfolio for world peace."

Hal Lindsey is a prominent American evangelical writer and television host who is well-known for his bestselling apocalyptic books, notably beginning with The Late Great Planet Earth in 1970. He is widely recognized for his assertion that the Apocalypse or end time, including the concept of the rapture, is imminent based on his interpretation of current events aligning with Biblical prophecy. Lindsey is a Christian Zionist and dispensationalist, emphasizing the belief that Biblical events are unfolding in the present day. His writings and television appearances have had a significant influence on evangelical perspectives on eschatology.

Ernest Angley was a well-known American Christian evangelist, author, and television station owner who dedicated his career to spreading the message of Jesus Christ. Starting out as a traveling Pentecostal evangelist in the early 1950s, he focused on salvation and healing. Building his ministry in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Angley reached a large audience through television programs and publications. He was admired for his charismatic preaching style and his dedication to sharing Christian teachings.

Michael Dean Murdock is an American Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter, televangelist, and pastor of The Wisdom Center ministry in Texas. He is well-known for his involvement in prosperity theology and his School of Wisdom program. Murdock gained national recognition during the PTL Club scandal and has appeared on multiple television networks. There have been questions raised about his financial practices, particularly regarding the use of donations for personal expenses. Despite these controversies, he remains at the helm of The Wisdom Center church and remains active in Christian media.

William J. Seymour was a Holiness Pentecostal preacher who initiated the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles in 1906. He preached a Pentecostal message centered on speaking in tongues as a sign of receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. His leadership during the revival and publication of The Apostolic Faith newspaper elevated his status within the young Pentecostal movement. However, his attempts to expand the revival into a larger organization, the Apostolic Faith Movement, were impeded by conflicts with other ministers, resulting in a decrease in his influence.

A. A. Allen was a prominent American Pentecostal evangelist known for his faith healing and deliverance ministry. He was a key figure in the "Voice of Healing" movement founded by Gordon Lindsay. Allen dedicated his professional life to spreading the message of faith and conducting healing services, delivering impactful sermons that attracted large crowds to his events. Unfortunately, his life was cut short by alcoholism and liver failure.

Richard Lee Roberts is a well-known American television evangelist and faith healer who has made significant contributions to the religious community. He has served as the chairman and CEO of the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and was the president of Oral Roberts University for fifteen years. Roberts has dedicated his career to spreading the message of faith and healing through various media platforms and educational institutions.

Edir Macedo is a prominent Brazilian evangelical bishop, writer, and billionaire businessman known for founding the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG). He is the owner and chairman of Record, the third-largest television network in Brazil, which he acquired in 1989. Macedo has played a significant role in the media industry through Grupo Record, which he established after purchasing the network. His professional endeavors have solidified his influence in both the religious and business sectors in Brazil.

Robert Anthony Schuller, an American author, televangelist, and pastor, was a minister on the Hour of Power television program broadcast from the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California for over thirty years. He held the position of senior pastor from January 2006 until his resignation in November 2008. Following his resignation, he has maintained his ministry through Robert Schuller Ministries, utilizing various mediums to reach a broad audience with his message.

James Robison is a prominent American televangelist who established and heads the Christian relief organization Life Outreach International. Over a span of many years, he has been committed to promoting the Christian faith through TV programs and outreach initiatives. Robison's focus on humanitarian causes and aiding the less fortunate has been a central theme of his career. Through Life Outreach International, he has made a significant impact on countless lives and serves as an inspiration for others to join in helping those in need.

Rod Parsley is a prominent American Christian minister, author, television host, and evangelist recognized for his leadership at World Harvest Church in Ohio. Serving as the senior pastor, he leads a large nondenominational congregation and a sister campus in Indiana. Parsley is also the founder and chancellor of Valor Christian College and serves as the president of The Center for Moral Clarity. He has spearheaded various organizations such as Breakthrough, the Bridge of Hope missions group, and The Women's Clinic of Columbus, demonstrating his dedication to Christian advocacy and outreach. In addition, his media ministry and online streaming channel deliver spiritual content to a broad audience.

Garner Ted Armstrong was an American evangelist who became well-known for his work with the Worldwide Church of God, a Sabbatarian group that emphasized observing the Sabbath. He succeeded his father as the host of The World Tomorrow radio program, which later transitioned into a television show. Armstrong's broadcasts stood out from other religious programs due to their combination of news and biblical insights. His distinct message and approach made him a notable figure in the religious media sphere.

Rex Humbard was a well-known American television evangelist recognized for his program, Cathedral of Tomorrow, which gained extensive popularity by broadcasting on more than 600 stations. His engaging preaching approach, along with his use of music and technology, drew a significant following. Humbard devoted his ministry to sharing the Christian message with a wide audience through television, establishing himself as a key figure in religious broadcasting. His influence on the realms of evangelism and television ministry was notable throughout his professional journey.

Irvin Baxter Jr. was a well-known American Oneness Pentecostal minister, author, and biblical scholar who founded Endtime Ministries, a Christian organization dedicated to sharing his interpretations of Christian eschatology. He hosted the popular program "End of The Age," focusing on biblical prophecy. Before starting Endtime Ministries, he was a pastor at the Oak Park Church. Baxter's career was characterized by his commitment to spreading his perspectives on Christian teachings through different channels, leaving a lasting influence on the religious community.

Amr Mohamed Helmi Khaled is an Egyptian Muslim activist and television preacher known for his popularity in English-speaking countries. Dubbed "the world's most famous and influential Muslim television preacher" by The New York Times Magazine, he was also recognized as one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time magazine in 2007. Khaled's message resonates with many Muslims seeking a simplified understanding of Islam, appealing to a wide audience with his accessible approach to the religion.

Billy James Hargis was an influential American Christian evangelist recognized for his successful Christian Crusade ministry during the 1950s and 1960s. He promoted anti-Communist and segregationist beliefs through more than 500 radio stations and 250 television stations. Additionally, Hargis established a radio station, monthly newspaper, and college in Tulsa, Oklahoma to further his ministries. Despite facing accusations of sexual misconduct in 1974, he persevered in publishing his newspaper, authoring books, and continuing his evangelistic work until his partial retirement.

Bob Larson is a well-known American radio and television evangelist who serves as a pastor at Spiritual Freedom Church in Phoenix, Arizona. He is recognized for his critical writings on rock music and Satanism, demonstrating his firm stance on spiritual issues. Larson is a respected figure in the religious community and has gained prominence through his work as an author and media personality. He uses his platforms to share his beliefs and teachings with a broad audience.

Lori Bakker is a well-known American televangelist, author, and motivational speaker recognized for her commitment to promoting positivity and spiritual well-being. She is the founder of 'Lori’s House,' an organization that provides assistance to pregnant women and individuals affected by abortion. Bakker co-hosts 'The Jim Bakker Show' with her husband, offering spiritual guidance to their audience. Her transformation from a challenging past to a purpose-driven life dedicated to aiding others reflects her strong desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those requiring support.