People

By Guy D. Garcia

Jim and Tammy Bakker's surprise return to Heritage USA last week had all the markings of a media resurrection. Ending their Palm Springs, Calif., exile, televangelism's best-known couple flew to their house in the exclusive Tega Cay, S.C., 30 minutes from PTL headquarters, and held a nighttime press conference. Asked about their chances of ever returning to the financially troubled ministry, Bakker told reporters, "It will take a miracle. But we believe in miracles." Then Tammy fulfilled a promise she made two weeks ago and kissed the ground. Next day the Bakkers made a brief appearance at Heritage USA, emerging from a Mercedes limousine to mingle with a crowd of several hundred supporters. "We're going back on TV," said Bakker. "We have - about five considerations right now." PTL is obviously not one of them. "We kind of wanted to say goodbye to it all," said Bakker, who nevertheless let it be known that he would take back his old job should Fundamentalist Preacher Jerry Falwell, who succeeded Bakker as head of PTL, have a change of heart. On Friday Falwell's PTL ministry filed for reorganization under Chapter 11, citing $71 million worth of debts owed to 1,400 creditors. "The ministry is not in the buildings," said Bakker. "If the buildings are gone, I can preach in the streets if I have to." He just may. Falwell gave the Bakkers three days to move out.

With reporting by David E. Thigpen/New York, with other bureaus