By Marshall Zelinger
m.zelinger@krdo.com
Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mzelinger

EL PASO COUNTY – Ted Haggard can still draw a crowd.  The former New Life Church Pastor held a prayer meeting in his El Paso County home Thursday night.  110 people packed his living room.  A large amount for a home meeting, but less than one-percent of the 14,000 person congregation he used to lead. 

“I’ve had a public relations problem in Colorado Springs the last three years, you might have heard about it,” said Haggard, joking on his front driveway before people arrived.

Haggard expected between five and 20 people, but set up his home for more.  NEWSCHANNEL 13 wanted to know if people would come for religious reasons, curiosity or because of all the media coverage.

“With some people, I think the media coverage will cause them to avoid it.  I had several calls today saying, I’m going to wait three or four weeks until the media’s not interested anymore and then come,” said Haggard.  “If they come, they’re gracious and kind, if they stay away, I sure understand.” 

“I’d never been to a church.  I’m not a man of faith.  I just came here simply to hear his story from his point of view,” said Beulah resident Fletcher McClure.  “I felt like I was the only person here who didn’t know him, honestly.”

“We came out of a church of 14,000 people, so there’s going to be a lot of people who could have been right along side of us that we wouldn’t recognize,” said former New Life Church member Lisa Vanbebber.

“I think the overwhelming majority of people are here because they love Ted and Gayle,” said Albuquerque Pastor Alan Hawkins.  “I don’t think you’ll find very many lookie-loos here, I think most people are here because these people have touched their lives.”

Before the meeting, Haggard said he would read scripture and give a talk, not meant to be a sermon.  Afterwards, those who attended told NEWSCHANNEL 13 Haggard spoke out about his recent experiences in a religious context.

“People love watching somebody get up again, so they watch the crash and now there is some interest,” said Haggard.  “People love a comeback and by comeback I simply mean to be able to get up again.”

The meeting lasted about two hours.  Haggard suggested it would become a weekly event.  He said his goal was not to build it into a new church, but hinted that wouldn’t be out of the question.