Mike Murdock

Mike Murdock
Born Michael Dean Murdock
(1946-04-18) April 18, 1946
Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation evangelist, songwriter, pastor, author
Years active 1965-present
Website official website

Michael Dean "Mike" Murdock (born April 18, 1946) is an American Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter, televangelist and pastor of The Wisdom Center ministry based in Haltom City, Texas. Murdock preaches around the world and is best known for his promotion of prosperity theology. He hosts the School of Wisdom with Mike Murdock television program.

Life and work

Murdock was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to J.E. and Willie Murdock, and has four sisters. In 1964, Murdock graduated from LaGrange High School in Lake Charles.[1] He attended Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, but left after three semesters in 1966. In 1989, he received an honorary doctorate from International Seminary in Florida.[1]

In 1966, Mike Murdock married Linda Lormand (married from 1966–1979) and they adopted a boy, Jason, in 1979. On October 4, 1979 the couple divorced. Linda Lormand Murdock was given custody of Jason following the divorce. Mike Murdock later received full custody of his son.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that he had registered 76 songs with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, according to unofficial data kept on those groups' Web sites.[1]

In 1973, prior to his divorce, he established the Mike Murdock Evangelistic Association and began preaching and fundraising throughout the country.

In 1989, as a pastor on The PTL Club, Murdock gained national attention during the PTL scandal when he asked viewers to donate to Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker claiming they helped broken marriages and people.[2][3] The PTL later declared bankruptcy and Bakker went to prison for fraud related to his ministry.

In 1999, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Murdock refused interview requests and had previously declined to answer questions about money.[4]

In 2003, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram ran a series about Murdock giving association (donor-raised) money to select family members who were on his association's board.[5]

On March 3, 2003, the Associated Press reported Murdock asked followers for money to help the poor but spent more than 60% of donations on overhead, including his salary, and only a tiny amount (reported to be "legal minimums of 1% to 3%") on helping the needy, or any other 'public interest'.[6]

In 2004, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Murdock "has started a church and the law allows him to keep his financial records behind closed doors." In August 2004, the association purchased the International Faith Center in Haltom City, Texas, and changed its name to The Wisdom Center, which it operates as a church.[7]

On March 22, 2012, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Murdock's home, assessed at $1.5 million, was for sale.[8] The 9,943 sq ft 25-room home with built-in wine cooler located on 6.89 acres at 2010 Whitebridge Rd., Argyle, TX 76226 was first listed for sale on Realtor.com on November 29, 2011 for $3.2 million and then subsequently on September 4, 2013 (MLS 12020088) for $2.7 million.[9] According to public records, Murdock also was the owner of 2013 Whitebridge Rd.[10]

Murdock has appeared on TBN, CBN, BET, INSP, WORD, Daystar Television Network and other television networks, and his weekly television program, Wisdom Keys with Mike Murdock. Murdock is a Founding Trustee on the Board of International Charismatic Ministries along with the late Oral Roberts.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Darren Barbee, "Behind the Hype: Mike Murdock exaggerates his accomplishments and cites dubious statistics," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 4, 2003
  2. ↑ "Bakkers Ask for $1 Million Defense Fund," Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug 1989
  3. ↑ "Jim, Tammy Bakker Return To Television," Harlan Daily Enterprise, 3 Jan 1989
  4. ↑ "Ministry's practices questioned," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Jan 1999
  5. ↑ Ministry gives money to Murdock’s relatives," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 3, 2003 | "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-10-17. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  6. ↑ "Evangelist Spends Most Charitable Donations on Himself," Associated Press, March 3, 2003 | http://www.twcnews.com/archives/tx/austin/2003/03/02/evangelist-spends-most-chairitable-donations-on-himself-TX_63283.old.htm%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  7. ↑ "Televangelist Mike Murdock moves financial books behind closed doors," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dec. 15, 2004 | "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  8. ↑ "Poverty-hating Haltom City televangelist Murdock's $1.5 million mansion for sale - Watchdog Bytes". blogs.star-telegram.com. Retrieved 2016-11-04.
  9. ↑ "2010 Whitebridge Rd, Argyle, TX 76226 - Home For Sale & Real Estate - realtor.com®". realtor.com®. Retrieved 2016-11-04.
  10. ↑ "Property valuation of Whitebridge Road, Argyle, TX: 2000 (Biily J Dalton), 2001 (Linda Szydlik), 2004, 2005, 2008 (Mary L Ribb), 2009 (Paul J Ezzo & Patricia A Ezzo), 2010 (Michael D Murdock), 2013 (tax assessments)". www.city-data.com. Retrieved 2016-11-04.
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