The child preacher who exposed a con

In 1944, Marjoe Gortner was just four years old when his parents had him ordained as an evangelical minister. He was dubbed ‘the miracle child’ and conducted his first marriage ceremony before he could barely even write. During the 1950s, he became a star turn on the American preaching circuit and attracted huge crowds for his exuberant preaching, raking in millions of dollars. Behind it all was an elaborate con and years later Marjoe went public with an expose that took him to Hollywood.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producers: Edgar Maddicott and Maryam Maruf

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(Photo: A young Marjoe Gortner giving a sermon. Credit: Still from the documentary Marjoe, courtesy Sarah Kernonchan)