 In 1988 when Bakker was 12 years old, his father Jim was indicted on eight counts of mail fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy and spent six years in federal prison.The trauma of his father's imprisonment, combined with the subsequent ostracism by others in the Church and religious community, led Bakker to engage in a period of substance abuse and partying during his young adult years.Bakker has advocated for an open, inclusive Christianity which embraces those with alternative lifestyles and encourages doubt and uncertainty.