Son of former televangelists Jay Bakker's message: Love is infinite

MOORHEAD – As a child, someone took Jay Bakker to feed the hungry. That experience changed his life for the positive, he said. But it didn’t lead him to start a food pantry.

He was called to start an inclusive ministry. He’s co-pastor of Revolution Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., which meets in a bar.

On Saturday, Bakker told hundreds of young people taking part in this weekend’s Homeless and Hungry event to allow the experience of fasting for 30 hours, sleeping in a box overnight and helping those in need to affect them for a lifetime.

“How can we build on this?” he asked. “Love is infinite.”

He encouraged the youth to be empathetic and try to end other people’s suffering, regardless of what it is.

“The world is in desperate need of people who are concerned for other people,” Bakker said.

Throughout his talk at the Bluestem Center for the Arts amphitheater, Bakker, wearing a fitted leather jacket and newsboy cap, read Scripture verses from his own Bible, fumbling while wearing the gloves someone in the crowd loaned him in the 49-degree weather.

“Fargo. Far cold,” he joked.

Bakker is the son of former televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. “Your parents and grandparents know who my parents are,” he told the participants, most between the ages of 11 and 21.

More than 500 people signed up for this year’s Homeless and Hungry event, said organizer Erik Hatch. In addition to the community worship service Saturday night at Bluestem, participants began fasting at noon Saturday, took part in service projects and a food drive, and slept outdoors overnight. There are 25 groups taking part, Hatch said, mostly churches.

On Friday, 10,000 pounds of donated items were collected at 17 area schools, Hatch said.

The event continues today with worship, more service projects, a panel discussion with people who live and work at homeless shelters, and small group breakouts led by Bakker.

Hatch said he hoped participants would feel empowered, and understand “that inclusion is the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Fargo eighth-grader Lindsey Anderson said she didn’t know who who Bakker or his parents were. She said she enjoyed his presentation and liked his message, “to not just sit here and do everything tonight, but to do better after this.”

Readers can reach Forum reporter Sherri Richards at (701) 241-5556

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