Richard W. Dortch (October 15, 1931 – June 15, 2011) was an Assemblies of God District Superintendent for Illinois (1970–83) and an Assemblies of God Executive Presbyter (1971–1985). [1] Born in Granite City, Illinois, Dortch served as a pastor early in his ministerial career, and was also a missionary to Belgium (1959–1964), where he helped found and lead Emmanuel Bible Institute in Andrimont.
While pastoring in Alton, Illinois, in 1967, Dortch was elected as secretary-treasurer for the Illinois district of the Assemblies of God and served until 1970. He then was elected to serve as Illinois District Superintendent, a position that he held until he resigned in 1983 to work at PTL.
He became Executive Vice President of the PTL Christian evangelical television network in 1983, a network typically featuring speakers affiliated with the Pentecostal movement.
In 1988 he, along with other executives of PTL, was indicted on federal charges of fraud and conspiracy. In a plea bargain, Dortch pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to eight years in prison, later cut to two and a half years. [2] [3] His ministry credentials were restored by the Assemblies of God in 1991. [4]
Dortch wrote several books about personal integrity and restoration. Until just prior to his death he hosted a long-standing two- to three-hours prayer service called "America's Prayer Meeting" on the Christian Television Network.
References
- ^ "History". Illinois District Council Assemblies of God. 2009. Retrieved 2007-05-17.
- ^ "Bakker Aide Receives 8-Year Fraud Sentence". New York Times. August 25, 1989. Retrieved 2007-05-17.
- ^ "Prison Sentence of Top Aide To Bakker Cut to 2½ Years". New York Times. April 26, 1990. Retrieved 2007-05-17.
- ^ Blind Spot, Christianity Today, July 1, 1991.
External links
- Leadership Journal Blind Spot July 1, 1994 Dortch's ministry credentials restored
- The Voice of Prophecy, "Praising God from the Penitentiary", October 8, 2001
- The New York Times Ex-TV Evangelists Are Ousted as Ministers May 7, 1987
- The New York Times Headliners; Facing Judgment December 11, 1988
- The New York Times Bakker Aide Receives 8-Year Fraud Sentence August 25, 1989
- The New York Times Prison Sentence of Top Aide To Bakker Cut to 2½ Years April 26, 1990
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- 1931 births
- 2011 deaths
- American Assemblies of God pastors
- American people convicted of fraud
- American religious leaders
- American television evangelists
- American members of the clergy convicted of crimes
- People from Granite City, Illinois
- Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government
- Protestant religious leaders convicted of crimes
- Writers from Illinois
- Finance fraud in Pentecostalism
- Crime stubs
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