| Mike Murdock | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michael Dean Murdock April 18, 1946 Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Occupation | evangelist, pastor, author |
| Years active | 1965-present |
| Website | |
| Official Website | |
Michael Dean Murdock (born April 18, 1946 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States) is a televangelist and pastor of the Wisdom Center ministry based in Fort Worth, Texas. Murdock preaches around the world and is best known for his promotion of prosperity theology. He often preaches with Benny Hinn and has also preached with Tammy Faye Bakker. Additionally, he hosts the Wisdom Keys with Mike Murdock television program.
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Murdock was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana to J.E. and Willie Murdock, and has one sister, Deorah Murdock-Johnson, who works for his ministry.[1][2] In 1964, Murdock graduated from LaGrange High School in Lake Charles.[1] He attended Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, but dropped out after three semesters in 1966.[1] In 1989, he received an honorary doctorate from the unaccredited International Seminary in Florida and "seminary officials declined to comment on how they select the recipients of honorary doctorates."[1]
In 1966, Murdock married Linda Lormand and they adopted a boy, Jason, in 1979.[1] That same year on October 4, 1979 the couple divorced.[1]
In addition to preaching, Murdock is known for his publications and songs.[3] According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Murdock "exaggerates his accomplishments" and Murdock says "he has written 6,000 songs, which would rank him among the world's most prolific songwriters."[1] Using his own statements since 1976 means he would have written "an average of 300 a year."[1] The newspaper reported, "Murdock has registered 76 songs with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and Broadcast Music Inc., according to unofficial data kept on those groups' Web sites. Murdock does not make clear how many of his songs are published."[1]
In 1973, he established the Mike Murdock Evangelistic Association and he began preaching throughout the country. In 2003, the association had $14.56 million in revenue and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram ran a series about Murdock giving association money to family and his family sitting on the association board.[2][4] The Associated Press reported, Murdock "asks followers to give money to help the poor spends more than 60 percent of its funds on overhead, including his salary, and only a tiny amount on helping the needy."[5] Murdock refused interviews and previously declined to answer questions about money.[6] The next year the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported "he has started a church and the law allows him to keep his financial records behind closed doors."[7] In August 2004, the association purchased the International Faith Center in Haltom City and changed its name to The Wisdom Center, which it operates as a church.[7]
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.[8][9] The PTL later declared bankrupcy and Bakker went to prison for fraud related to his ministry.
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. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported, "One secret to Murdock’s success as a televangelist is his ability to make people feel a special bond with him."[10] During his broadcasts Murdock asks for people "fifty-eight dollars a month just for 12 months," telling them "Give God four seasons."[11]
On January 28, 2011, Trey Smith, a student of Murdock's and friend Murdock's son Jason, released a book entitled "Thieves" critical of Murdock's ministry.[12] Smith has appeared on "Bob Enyart Live," Bruce Collins with Jesse Ventura, and other media to discuss the police report, his experiences, his allegations of Murdock's excessive lifestyle, sexual affairs and the details of stealing Murdock's safe.[12] In July 2011, D Magazine, a large North Texas news and entertainment publication, ran all of chapter one of Smith's book as a headlining article.[12]
Mike Murdock is the author of several books, including The Leadership Secrets of Jesus, Secrets of the Richest Man Who Ever Lived, "The Uncommon Leader," and The Law of Recognition.