Plucking the Eagle's Wings

Spiritual Wickedness in High Places

worse than he had ever seen in America. Whether or not one agreed with Roberts' theology or his methods, the biased, negative media was intended to harm the influence of Christian television in this nation. In 1988, the media jumped on a statement allegedly made by Roberts. There were probably few in America who had not heard the report that Roberts said that God would kill him if he didn't raise money for a medical facility. These reports were distorted and, in some instances, they were outright lies. Despite over fifty years of criticism from the liberal press, Roberts maintained his spiritual and moral integrity. The Attack Against Rex Humbard As television became affordable and grew in popularity, Christian ministries saw it as the best medium for reaching the masses. In Akron, Ohio, a minister named Rex Humbard pastored a thriving congregation by the name of The Cathedral of Tomorrow. Humbard had a unique family-oriented ministry that impacted Akron and beyond. Humbard felt led to expand his ministry through television. He became one of the first people to establish a steady Christian television ministry. During this time, a man named Demos Shakarian, founder and president of the Full Gospel Businessmen International, lived in California. One evening Demos received a troubling phone call from a politician from California who lived in Washington, D.C. at that time. He told Demos that he had seen a list of major television and radio ministers who were being targeted by the Justice Department. This took place during the Nixon administration. On the list were Oral Roberts, Rex Humbard, Jimmy Swaggart (who at that time was on radio), Bill Bright, and others. Demos was troubled by the information but, at the time, had seen no direct government interference. During this time, the Full Gospel Businessmen International was a thriving organization. Demos was a close friend of Dr. Jerry Melilli, a physician from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who was a frequent speaker at the Full Gospel Businessmen's conventions. Dr. Melilli shared with me some information that he had learned from Demos Shakarian. Demos told Dr. Mellili that, when he arrived at the church, several men were leaving Humbard's office. Humbard followed with a pale look on his face. The men were from the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Rex told Demos that they had shut the

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