65. 75. Ted Haggard was the Chiclet-toothed face of evangelism for three years as the president of the National Association of Evangelicals. Yes, Billy James Hargis was steadfast. 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 Tamara Faye Messner (ne LaValley, formerly Bakker; March 7, 1942 - July 20, 2007) was an American Christian singer, evangelist, entrepreneur, author, talk show host, and television personality. Televangelism is the religious practice in which a Christian Minister largely utilizes television broadcasting to spread his gospel. He is a frequent guest commentator on the Christian Broadcasting Network and serves on President Trumps personal legal team. 69. 83. Eugene H. Peterson A biblical scholar, Peterson has written more than 30 books including The Message Bible paraphrase, which many readers find to be more accessible and contemporary in its language than more traditional Bible translations. But his influence is felt beyond the call of invitation as well. Mike Huckabee The former pastor who served as governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007, Huckabee was a Republican primary presidential candidate in 2008 and 2016, winning the Iowa Republican caucuses in 2008. Haggard's responses to the accusations varied over the next few months, running the gamut from "I don't know who that guy is" to "I bought meth from that guy but I threw it away" to, eventually, "yeah, I did all that stuff.". Was Thatcherism Good (or Bad) for the Economy. He's the founder of the Daystar Television Network, the second-largest Christian TV network on Earth. He is notably creationist and pro-life, and attributes many of his political stances to his evangelism. In 1989, Bakker was convicted on 29 counts including mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, and sentenced to 45 years in prison. He was producing shows nearly every day and being broadcast on hundreds of channels across the world. 10. Mark Noll A historian and research professor at Regent College, Noll has studied and written about the history of Christianity and the evangelical movement in the U.S. Part of Nolls work has encouraged a more intellectual approach to evangelicalism. He's a frequent social commentator, author of a dozen books including New York Times best-seller "God's Politics," and sought-after speaker and columnist. He advised U.S. presidents on spiritual matters over the course of five decades. He began his TV ministry in the early 1970s and soon became a household name in US. Popular televangelists have faced great criticism, especially if they act as faith-healers. T.D. Billy James Hargis ran into some trouble when two members of his congregation got married and, surprise, revealed that neither of them were virgins on account of Billy James Hargis. In theory, it's a beautiful way to spread a message of faith to the masses. Joel Scott Osteen (born March 5, 1963) is an American pastor, televangelist, and author, based in Houston, Texas. 52. You know how it is. Matt Walsh A millennial blogger and nationally recognized speaker on conservative cultural issues like abortion, pornography, and LGBT issues. (Photo Credit: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) The conservative news website Newsmax.com has released a list of 100 most influential evangelicals in America, which consists of many of the biggest names in evangelical Christianity and a few surprises.. She later formed the Mourning to Joy Ministry, to help women survive post-abortion trauma. 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. When he talked, the people in his community listened. Oral Roberts Pat Boone A gospel singer who has sold more than 45 million records since the 1950s, Boone was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2003. ", 55. (No, Really, Men Can Make It Longer), China's Long, Fruitless History of Irritation with North Korea, By The Numbers: 10 Memorable Movie Accountants, Thieves Make off with Five Tons of Nutella in Germany, Bitter Pill: Why Medical Bills Are Killing Us. How to use evangelist in a sentence. Garner Ted Armstrong Dec. at 73 (1930-2003) Birthplace: Portland, Oregon Garner Ted Armstrong (February 9, 1930 - September 15, 2003) was an American evangelist and the son of Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God, at the time a Sabbatarian .more Herbert W. Armstrong Dec. at 93 (1892-1986) Birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa #10) Wayne Cordeiro is the founding pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii with over 14,500 in weekend attendance. Creflo A. Known for his baritone voice and his signature goatee, T. D. Jakes is a bishop at The Potter's House and a filmmaker, too. He was a spiritual adviser to President Barack Obama. 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. 30. Mother Angelica; Ernest Angley; John Ankerberg; Garner Ted Armstrong; Herbert W. Armstrong; Kay Arthur; David Asscherick; B. Jim Bakker; Danny Berrios; Billy Graham's songleader looks back on the groundbreaking 1948 Youth for Christ songbooka memorable combination of beloved traditional hymns and contemporary praise songs for . Rev. Yet I am convinced that it is among these weak people that the gospel is held in highest esteem. They made blood sacrifices. Robert Tilton is an American televangelist best known for his TV program Success-N-Life, which was aired in 235 American television markets during the peak of his ministry in 1991. He switched lady friends with Gary Busey. Dollar, Jr. is an American televangelist and pastor. He has written two books as part of his ministry. His show Wisdom Keys with Mike Murdock has been a hit. Max Lucado The senior minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, Lucado has written 25 best-selling books and has 100 million products in print including 80 million books that have been translated into 54 different languages. 100. He said he prayed so hard over the letters that the ink leaked into his bloodstream, and by the way that's why he needed plastic surgery, paid for by aforementioned donations. Im sure it was no small project to sift through the thousands of possibilities among the millions of Evangelicals to arrive at a mere 100. He is credited with founding the Jack Van Impe Ministries International, which strives to preach the teachings of Christ around the world. 11. Unfortunately for the reverend, that last part broughteverything tumbling down. I have now blogged for 7,063 consecutive days. His influence has been noted by Christianity Today, Reader's Digest, and The New York Times. However, he was able to salvage his image and returned to televangelism. Cameron Strang The founder of Relevant Media Group, Strang primarily publishes Relevant Magazine in print and online, which targets readers ages 18 to 39 who are interested in progressive Christian issues. Here's the list! Dubbed the Walking Bible, Van Impe had memorized most of the Authorized Version of the Bible. The personification of this phenomenon might well be Peter Popoff. Welcome to American Association of Evangelicals Biblical wisdom, true love. He fulfilled that desire by helping immigrant communities in Chicago and sharing the Gospel with whomever would listen. Soon afterward, he gave the speech where he cried a lot and asked for forgiveness. He lost. It turns out that some news just gets spread faster when you're being blackmailed for $7.5 million. He has hosted several television programs, including In Touch With Charles Stanley, leading to an induction into the National Religious Broadcasters' Hall of Fame nearly 30 years ago. Kenneth Copeland is an American author and televangelist known for his association with the charismatic movement. A. They have also been accused of greed. It is these people who protect the true and infinitely powerful gospel against the endless pretenders. And by "lost everything," we mean he's now back on TV and has his own network again. Among his other supposed accomplishments: his doctorate in philosophy, his two bachelor's degrees, and the somewhere-between-two-and-five wounds he accumulated in Vietnam. Oh, and in 2012, he was on Celebrity Wife Swap. According to Forbes, one man who began working for Angley at 18 claims that he would regularly be called to the preacher's house for "special anointings" involving personal massages and a marked lack of clothing. Jakes The pastor of the nondenominational megachurch The Potters House in Dallas, Texas, Jakes is also an author and filmmaker with a passion for womens issues and abstinence for single Christians. The story goes like this. We share news and information, stand up for persecuted believers, give True Love Awards and grow a Gideon's Army of faith. He was also accused of sexual abuse by Rev. Every year, you take the kids shopping for new shoes. His church, the Church of the Christian Crusade, spread a staunchly conservative interpretation of Christianity. 93. Luis Corts Jr. Based in North Philadelphia, Corts founded and has continued to run Esperanza, "the premiere Hispanic faith-based Evangelical network in the United States," according to its website. Alvin Plantinga Once described as Americas leading orthodox Protestant philosopher of God by Time magazine, Plantinga was awarded the Templeton Prize Laureate in 2017 for his life's work proving that philosophy and religion can coexist. The Pew Research Center estimates that about 25.4 percent of Americans, or about 62 million adults, are evangelicals. Tony Perkins The president of the Family Research Council, Perkins lobbies politicians in Washington, D.C., concerning conservative policies including traditional marriage and pro-life beliefs. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, more than 40 years later, their media empire has an estimated value of $750 million. He has authored many books, including The Late, Great Planet Earth and Apocalypse Code. The scam was exposed in 1986 and led to the creation of several works of art, including the film Leap of Faith. Falwell certainly had the resume to back up the job. He is also renowned for performing exorcisms over Skype and on calls. 14. Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. He played a major role in the spread of Pentecostalism to various parts of America. Age: 59 Bob Larson is an American television and radio evangelist. Back in the '70s and '80s, Swaggart was one of the most influential evangelical preachers in America. 39. To avoid Swaggart's potential power grab, he handed Jerry Falwell Sr. the keys to the kingdom. 82. . Michael L. Brown The conservative radio talker Brown hosts the nationally syndicated The Line of Fire and heads the Coalition of Conscience, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based Christian networking organization. His wife stuck with him, even after he was sued for allegedly going all "bad touch" on employees during mandated "quiet time.". Who are the most famous televangelists? Michele Bachmann Bachmann was the first Republican woman to represent Minnesota in Congress, and later ran in the 2012 presidential election. He also heads the Creflo Dollar Ministries, Creflo Dollar Ministerial Association, and Arrow Records. On their way to such prodigious (if also dwindling) numbers, their leadership has for decades been rocked by scandal after scandal. First, the list is pretty good. His leadership on the New York Knicks during the 2012 turnaround season inspired the nickname Linsanity from basketball fans around the world. As his ministry evolved, Moody found himself . All content Tim Challies, 2002-2023. . Sproul The writer of more than 100 books, including the highly praised The Holiness of God and Not a Chance, Sproul also hosts the widely heard radio program Renewing Your Mind. His Ligonier Ministries, which produces the show, is based in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area. The top-11 includes three who are first politicians and several others who use their influence equally in both worlds. 84. Al Gore was by no means the first. The founder of the John Hagee Ministries and the Christians United for Israel, John Hagee has also established the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas. The Cranks' ministry also operates a YouTube channel with more than 100,000 views and 3,000 subscribers. Shane Claiborne A leader in the New Monasticism movement and a founder of the Simple Way community in Philadelphia, Claiborne advocates for nonviolence and service to the poor and wrote the book The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical.. But he's not the only one to make headlines. Paula White Often called President Trump's spiritual adviser, the multicultural megachurch pastor in Florida hosts the television show Paula White Today. White also chairs the evangelical advisory board for President Donald Trumps administration, and she delivered the invocation at his inauguration, becoming the first clergywoman to ever pray the invocation at a swearing-in. He has penned several bestsellers, such as Absolute Power, andis also known for his controversial concepts, such as the blood moon prophecy. Osteen's televised sermons are seen by over 7 million viewers weekly and over 20 .more Kirk Cameron Age: 52 Allen enjoyed a large following and was one of the first evangelists to develop a national television ministry. Rick Warren The founder and senior pastor of Saddleback Church, a megachurch in California, Warren became a household name with the release of his book The Purpose Driven Life, which sold more than 32 million copies and is widely billed as one of the best-selling nonfiction hardcover book in history. 26. Because he totally used to be a satanist. Oral Roberts was an American televangelist who was ordained in United Methodist churches as well as the Pentecostal Holiness. These 100 people undeniably wield tremendous influence over American Christianity. Willie Robertson The CEO of Duck Commander, Robertson also produced and starred in the A&E show Duck Dynasty, where his family talked openly about their faith and prayed over family dinners in between conducting business and participating in other fun antics. A. Allen B Henry Babers Susan Hammond Barney Robert Barron Rifqa Bary controversy Elder Charles D. Beck David K. Bernard W. E. Biederwolf Arthur Blessitt Philip Bliss William Boardman F. F. Bosworth Edward McKendree Bounds Brady Boyd Ralph J. Boyd John Warren Branscomb Jerry Bridges Vonette Bright Jamal Harrison Bryant Andy Crouch The former executive editor of Christianity Today, Crouch has written for major news outlets like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal as well as authored several books on faith and culture. 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. Fourth, it shows Americas unique conflation of evangelicalism with politics. 1. In May 2018, the famed television minister put out a call to action. Copeland, a Texas evangelist, came under fire for a viral "Inside Edition" video in which he defended his three private jets. Life was a hoot and a holler for Haggard. Graham opposed racial segregation in the 1950s, integrated his services, and worked to dismantle the black and white divide in America's church. 42. 17. 41. List of famous televangelists (also known as "TV evangelists"), with photos where possible. Bill Hybels As the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek megachurch in suburban Chicago, Hybels has created an association of churches around the country and a publishing arm that provides books and teaching materials by him and several other of the churchs pastors. The kicker was his conviction on 10 counts of transporting girls as young as 8 across state lines for the obvious, evil reason. Joel Osteen is an American pastor, author, and televangelist. 87. Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox. It sometimes seems that theres no scandal bad enough, no denial deep enough, and no heresy terrible enough to keep people outside the bounds of evangelicalism. (Their criteria was simple: They chose people who share a common belief in the holiness of scripture and the centrality of faith in Jesus Christ for their lives.). 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. Televangelism. Alan Sears As general counsel of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal advocacy group, he has won many lawsuits on behalf of conservative Christians. Warnke was sort of a big deal back in the day. While Wise was winning gold in Sochi, he and wife Alexandra caught the attention of the world for becoming parents barely into their 20s and for how they spend their off-time as youth ministers. ( See the full list of original contributing editors .) 1. Haggard wound up disgraced and ejected from his church. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full List Influential Evangelicals Rick Warren Howard and Roberta Ahmanson David Barton Douglas Coe Charles Colson Luis Cortes James Dobson Stuart Epperson Michael Gerson Billy and Franklin.