COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Ted Haggard, who left the Colorado Springs megachurch he founded after admitting to “sexual immorality,” has asked supporters for financial assistance.
KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs said it received an e-mail from the former New Life Church pastor that said he, his wife and two of their sons would move into the Phoenix Dream Center, a faith-based halfway house in Phoenix, on Oct. 1. Haggard said he and his wife would counsel there while both pursue studies at the University of Phoenix.
Haggard is seeking a master’s degree in counseling while his wife is studying psychology.
“It looks as though it will take two years for us to have adequate earning power again, so we are looking for people who will help us monthly for two years,” the e-mail said. “During that time we will continue as full-time students, and then, when I graduate, we won’t need outside support any longer.”
Haggard left the 10,000-member New Life Church late last year and resigned as head of the National Association of Evangelicals after a former male escort accused Haggard of paying him for sex.
Mike Ware, an overseer for New Life Church, said he had not spoken to Haggard since the e-mail came out a couple of days ago. He told The Gazette of Colorado Springs on Friday that it was premature of Haggard to release the statement without first consulting the overseers.
A phone message The Associated Press left late Friday for a New Life spokesman was not immediately returned.
The Gazette reported Haggard received a salary of $115,000 for the 10 months he worked in 2006 and an $85,000 anniversary bonus before the scandal broke. Haggard’s severance package included a year’s salary of $138,000, and he collects royalties on his book titles, the newspaper reported.
El Paso County records show Haggard’s home, which has been up for sale, has a market value of $715,051.
