Ted Haggard

Ted Arthur Haggard is an American former Methodist pastor who founded New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and served as president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) from 2003 to 2006. At his peak, he led one of the largest megachurches in the country and was a regular spiritual adviser to President George W. Bush, making him one of the most influential evangelical figures in America.

His career collapsed in November 2006 when a male escort named Mike Jones alleged a three-year paid sexual relationship and methamphetamine use. Haggard resigned from his church and NAE post, admitted to some of the allegations, and went through a period of rehabilitation. In 2010, he and his wife Gayle founded Saint James Church, a Free Methodist congregation, where he continues to pastor.

Today, Haggard remains a polarizing figure. Supporters see him as a symbol of redemption; critics point to the hypocrisy his scandal exposed. His story has been chronicled in documentaries, profiles, and ongoing news coverage, and he continues to lead a small congregation in Colorado Springs as of 2026. [edit]

Ted Haggard grew up in Indiana in a devout evangelical household. He felt a call to ministry early in life and attended Oral Roberts University, where he trained for pastoral work. In 1978, he married Gayle, and the couple eventually settled in Colorado Springs.

In 1984, Haggard founded New Life Church with just a handful of members. The church grew rapidly, drawing thousands of worshippers within a couple of decades. Haggard's charisma and organizational skill turned the small congregation into a megachurch, setting the stage for his later national influence.

Before the breakthrough, Haggard also developed a network of evangelical connections, positioning himself as a rising leader. His early years were marked by a blend of pastoral dedication and political ambition, which would later define both his rise and his fall. [edit]

Haggard's breakthrough came with the explosive growth of New Life Church, which reached an estimated 14,000 members at its peak. In 2003, he became president of the National Association of Evangelicals, representing roughly 30 million members. He hosted weekly conference calls with White House officials and advised President George W. Bush, making him a key player in the religious right.

His influence was showcased in the 2006 documentary Jesus Camp, which featured him prominently. But in November of that year, Mike Jones's allegations triggered a rapid downfall. Haggard resigned from his church and NAE post, admitted to purchasing methamphetamine and receiving massages from Jones, and acknowledged an inappropriate relationship with a young male church member.

After a period of rehabilitation and counseling, Haggard returned to ministry in 2010, co-founding Saint James Church in Colorado Springs with Gayle. He later appeared on Celebrity Wife Swap in 2012 and launched a new church ministry in 2022, though he faced fresh allegations that year, which he denied. [edit]

Ted Haggard's public image is deeply polarized. To supporters, he represents redemption and the possibility of restoration after moral failure. To critics, he symbolizes hypocrisy and the dangers of religious power. His media portrayal has shifted from "most influential evangelical leader" to "cautionary tale" to "redemption narrative" depending on the outlet and era. The TLC documentary Ted Haggard: Scandalous presented his story sympathetically, while GQ's "The Last Temptation of Ted" offered a more complex portrait. He does not have an organized fandom in the traditional sense, but maintains a small following of supporters, primarily through his Facebook page and church community. [edit]

The story of Ted Haggard remains a defining chapter in modern religious history, shifting from the height of evangelical power to a global symbol of moral collapse. In August 2026, his standing within the digital ecosystem reflects this complex legacy. According to the 71st most famous person in Pastors, he holds a steady position among clergy figures tracked by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. This placement captures a figure whose name still triggers immediate recognition, not for sermons delivered, but for the scandal that dismantled a megachurch and influenced a president. The ranking measures sustained attention across media coverage and cultural consumption signals worldwide, ensuring his name persists in discussions about hypocrisy and redemption. Despite the passage of time, the narrative arc of his life refuses to fade into obscurity. Unlike pop stars who cultivate adoring crowds, Haggard has no formal fanbase or organized community of supporters. There are no fan clubs, no birthday billboards, and no dedicated forums where followers gather to celebrate his ministry. His audience is fractured; some view him as a redeemed sinner worthy of second chances, while others see only a cautionary tale of unchecked ambition. The dynamic is one of scrutiny rather than devotion. Even when he reemerged with St. James Church, the public reaction was driven by skepticism and renewed legal questions rather than the fervent adoration typical of celebrity culture. He exists in the public eye as a singular, polarizing entity whose fame is rooted in controversy.[edit]

Ted Haggard founded New Life Church with just a handful of members in 1984, growing it into one of America's largest megachurches before his fall. He authored several books, including The Jerusalem Diet and Dog Training, Fly Fishing, and Sharing Christ in the 21st Century. A striking irony defines his legacy: despite his vocal opposition to same-sex marriage, his career collapsed over allegations of a paid sexual relationship with a male escort. This contradiction made his story a permanent touchstone in debates about religious hypocrisy. In 2012, the absurdity of his public life deepened when he appeared on Celebrity Wife Swap, trading spouses with actor Gary Busey's household. A subsequent accuser noted that Haggard had "really thought he was invincible" before his world unraveled. The cultural mythology surrounding him centers on two specific moments of deception. The first occurred in October 2006 when he resigned from the National Association of Evangelicals after admitting to drug use and a sexual affair. The second, more damaging event happened in January 2009 when he admitted to a second relationship with a man, directly contradicting his earlier denials and the initial investigation fueled by false testimony. These events form the enduring lore of his career: a high-profile fall from grace involving moral failure and systematic lying. While he appeared in the documentary Jesus Camp in 2006, that moment served as a platform for influence rather than a viral legend. Later TLC coverage focused on his attempt at restoration, reinforcing the narrative of a fallen icon whose life serves as a warning about the fragility of public morality.[edit]

Ted Haggard has been married to Gayle Haggard since 1978. Gayle stood by him through the 2006 scandal and has been a public defender, appearing with him on The Oprah Winfrey Show and in the TLC documentary Ted Haggard: Scandalous. The couple has five children. In 2010, they co-founded Saint James Church together, a Free Methodist congregation in Colorado Springs. Their marriage has remained intact despite the challenges, and they continue to live in the Colorado Springs area. [edit]

Ted Haggard is closely associated with his wife Gayle Haggard, who co-founded Saint James Church with him and supported him through the scandal. Mike Jones, the male escort who exposed the 2006 allegations, also remains linked to his story. Brady Boyd succeeded him as pastor of New Life Church. He also appeared on Celebrity Wife Swap with actor Gary Busey. [edit]

Ted Haggard has been married to Gayle Haggard since 1978. Their marriage has endured through the 2006 scandal, his removal from ministry, and his subsequent return to pastoral work. Gayle has remained a public defender, appearing with him in interviews and co-founding Saint James Church with him in 2010.

From approximately 2003 to 2006, Haggard had paid sexual encounters with Mike Jones, a Denver-based male escort and masseur. Jones went public in November 2006, saying he felt morally compelled to expose Haggard's hypocrisy given Haggard's vocal opposition to same-sex marriage. Haggard initially denied the allegations but later admitted to some sexual encounters with Jones and to purchasing drugs.

Haggard also admitted to an inappropriate relationship with a young male member of New Life Church, which was revealed during the 2006 scandal investigations. In 2022, former members of St. James Church alleged further misconduct, which Haggard denied. As of 2026, Haggard remains married to Gayle, with no public evidence of separation or divorce. [edit]

Public financial information about Ted Haggard remains limited, with no major celebrity net worth sites publishing verified figures for him. During his tenure leading New Life Church, he reportedly earned a substantial pastoral salary, though specific numbers were never publicly disclosed. His book royalties from titles including The Jerusalem Diet and Dog Training, Fly Fishing, and Sharing Christ in the 21st Century provide modest income streams. His role as pastor of St. James Church likely provides a modest salary as well. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, his net worth stands at $1 Million as of 2026. This estimate reflects his continued work in ministry, book sales, and speaking engagements. The exact figure remains speculative without credible published sources, but this assessment aligns with his modest public presence and ongoing ministerial activities.[edit]