Former New Life Church pastor Ted Haggard isn't sure how many worshipers will show up at his home for his first prayer meeting Thursday, but he can count on one loyal group to be there: the media.
He said Monday that several local and national media representatives, including some from CBS' "The Early Show," plan to converge at his Colorado Springs area home. Because of the barrage of media interest, Haggard's gathering will kick off with a press conference. No press members will be allowed to attend the prayer meeting.
"We don't want to be surrounded by paparazzi," Haggard said. But before and after the meeting, reporters will be able to talk to those who attend.
"They can say whatever they want," Haggard said. "There are no secrets."
Haggard said he's amazed by the national interest in his announcement last week that he's starting a church.
"Here I was trying to go low with this," said Haggard, who resigned as pastor of New Life Church three years ago after he admitted being a client of a gay escort in Denver.
Haggard said he expects only a handful of people to show up for the prayer meeting. But if attendance eventually demands it, he will consider moving the meetings to a larger venue in Colorado Springs.
Haggard decided last month to start the gathering after talking to friends who attended home prayer meetings, he said. He also said he wanted to worship at home because he believed he'd be a distraction if he attended a Colorado Springs church. Moreover, he said, if he left that church to start his own, the congregation might feel betrayed.
Although some people are skeptical of his plans or don't think he's ready to lead a church, Haggard also has his supporters. This weekend, he led a men's conference at Discovery Church in Carlsbad, Calif.
Organizer Jeff Lavender said Haggard was "powerful, real and authentic."
"I believe he has something important to say to Christians," Lavender said.
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