J. Charles Jessup

Jack Charles Jessup (March 2, 1916 – July 10, 1993) was an American revival preacher and musician. He claimed and was believed by many to have the gift of healing. Through his border blaster radio broadcasts he became well known nationally and at his peak received more than four thousand letters each day, most containing monetary donations. Dogged throughout his ministry by charges of financial and spiritual fraud, his career was ended by a 1968 mail fraud conviction.

Biography Jack Charles Jessup was born in 1916 in Gulfport, Mississippi, to Walter and Maude Jessup, as one of nine children. Jessup, his wife and brothers incorporated the Fellowship Revival Association in Fort Worth, Texas, as an umbrella organization for their personal appearances and radio work. Jessup's accounting system was non-existent, and although the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) conducted three formal investigations, he was never convicted, largely because most of the income was in the form of small cash.

Through their broadcasting and tent revivals, the Jessup brothers and Charles in particular became wealthy. As his fame and wealth increased, his fiddle player Murphy "Pee Wee" Maddux (sometimes spelled "Maddox") became his closest associate. James F. Neal acted as prosecutor. Pee Wee Maddux turned State's witness in 1967, and although he avoided jail time he regretted for years afterwards what he felt was his betrayal of Jessup. He felt until the time of his death that his human side had been the cause of many failures, but that he had been genuinely used by God. The marriage proved disastrous, as his bride was highly reluctant about sexuality, while Jessup described his own sexual appetite as "insatiable". His meetings often included demonstrations of significant physical strength. His sermons effectively utilized pathos and humor, transposing complex theology into simple stories. The Jessups denied each of the criminal and civil charges. A criminal case regarding the matter was never brought forth as the claimants refused to press charges or be interviewed by investigators. The suit posited that the Jessups were generating an income of $1,380 per day through their radio program, which was described as a "sham" designed for the personal enrichment of the defendants.

A 1954 Churches of Christ editorial stated that Jessup was considered the leading exponent of "faith-healing", but accused him of fraud and profiting luxuriously from the misery of others. The editorial detailed a Federal investigation into Jessup's financial dealings and further made vague allegations regarding Jessup's sexuality.

In his radio program he promised to pray for those who sent him letters, while at the same time encouraging those who wrote to also include some financial remuneration.

The Jessup Brothers

The Jessup Brothers were a gospel group with five to seven members, consisting of various Jessup Brothers plus Pee Wee Maddux, who performed religious music in the western-swing style. They were represented by agent Dallas Turner in association with Harold Schwartz. In addition to their singing, they were known for their instrumental prowess, and in 1957 member Darrel Jessup custom ordered a guitar billed as "one of the most radical guitars of all time", which was later owned by Charles. Members included: Byron Jessup – banjo Darrel Jessup – lead vocals, lead guitar. Jimmie Jessup – emcee Ted Jessup – vocals Pee Wee Maddux – fiddle