Richard Dortch, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Richard Dortch

Assemblies of God District Superintendent

Date of Birth: 15-Oct-1931

Place of Birth: Granite City, Illinois, United States

Date of Death: 15-Jun-2011

Profession: writer

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Richard W.
Dortch (October 15, 1931 – June 15, 2011) was an Assemblies of God District Superintendent for Illinois (1970–83) and an Assemblies of God Executive Presbyter (1971–1985).
Born in Granite City, Illinois, Dortch served as a pastor early in his ministerial career, and was also a missionary to Belgium (1959–1964) where he helped found and lead Emmanuel Bible Institute in Andrimont, Belgium. While pastoring in Alton, Illinois, in 1967, Dortch was elected as secretary-treasurer for the Illinois district of the Assemblies of God, serving until 1970.
He became president of the PTL Christian evangelical television network in 1983, a network typically featuring speakers affiliated with the Pentecostal movement. In 1988 he, along with other executives of PTL, was indicted on federal charges of fraud and conspiracy.
In a plea bargain, Dortch pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to eight years in prison, later cut to two and a half years.
His ministry credentials were restored by the Assemblies of God in 1991.Dortch wrote several books about personal integrity and restoration.
Until just prior to his death he hosted a long-standing two- to three-hours prayer service called "America's Prayer Meeting" on the Christian Television Network.