Ted Haggard, whose fall into disgrace was one of the biggest news stories in evangelicalism in the last several years, is the focal point of a new documentary, Ted Haggard: Scandalous, premiering Sunday night on The Learning Channel (click here for listings).
“I hope it’s a resurrection story,” Haggard told the Colorado Springs Gazette. “I hope it encourages people to realize that no matter what you are going through, the sun will come up again.”
Haggard, former leader of the National Association of Evangelicals and a once-respected pastor, was caught in late 2006 after having a sexual encounter with a male prostitute and later revealing that he had been using crystal meth. Haggard, wife Gayle (author of Why I Stayed) and their five children have since been trying to rebuild their lives.
In a press release, TLC claims to “go inside their new world” where the Haggards are “launching a new ministry unlike any other church ever seen. The eye-opening special will the expose and follow the fascinating, compelling, emotional and controversial journey from the day Haggard announced the opening of his new ministry – St. James Church – located in Colorado Springs, the town he had been kicked out of once his double life was uncovered.”
“My family and I endured the darkest hours imaginable in the public spotlight, and have spent the last four years fighting and struggling to rebuild our lives, our faith and our family,” Haggard told. “Showing the world the new chapter of our lives will hopefully inspire others to find their own path to overcome their struggles and embrace the power of acceptance. The church is open to all, even those who have committed the darkest sins.”
It’s the second cable documentary starring Haggard. HBO aired The Trials of Ted Haggard two years ago this month.
