Endtime Ministries, headquartered in Plano, Texas, is a Pentecostal Christian organization established in 1986 by Irvin Baxter Jr. The ministry focuses on biblical prophecy and eschatology, interpreting contemporary global political developments as fulfillments of scripture. Baxter, a former pastor at Oak Park Church in Richmond, Indiana, founded the organization after years of study of the Book of Revelation, which he began at age 19.
Before founding the ministry, Baxter gained attention for predictions he made in the 1960s, including statements about the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall. He later connected that event to his broader interpretation of a developing “New World Order.” These ideas became central to the theology he promoted through Endtime Ministries.
After establishing the organization in 1986, Baxter expanded its reach through media. In 1991, the ministry launched a magazine and radio program, and later the television program “End of the Age.” Through these platforms, the ministry outlined its interpretation of biblical prophecy, including identifying modern nations with the “four beasts” described in the Book of Daniel, linking them to the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, and the United States. Baxter also stated that a future global conflict could result in the deaths of approximately two billion people.
Over time, criticism of the organization focused on its apocalyptic messaging and its influence on followers’ perspectives. Critics pointed to the use of specific timelines related to Armageddon and expectations of adherence to the ministry’s interpretations. The organization also framed certain government policies in religious terms. In 2006, it organized a rally opposing the REAL ID Act of 2005, describing it as the “Mark of the Beast.” These positions contributed to concerns among observers about how followers viewed government institutions and broader society.
The ministry has also faced questions about its financial practices. In 2020, despite operating as a tax-exempt nonprofit supported by donations and the sale of prophecy-related materials, Endtime Ministries applied for and received more than $300,000 through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. The decision prompted public discussion about the appropriateness of government assistance for religious organizations that do not pay federal taxes, particularly those that frequently criticize federal authority.
Later in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, Baxter made public statements describing the virus as a form of divine warning or punishment related to behaviors he considered unbiblical. He also criticized lockdown measures and supported efforts that questioned the severity of the outbreak. These statements drew national attention. In November 2020, Baxter contracted COVID-19 and died from related complications on November 3, 2020.
Following his death, leadership of the ministry continued under longtime associates, including Dave Robbins. The organization expanded its digital presence with the launch of the Endtime+ streaming service and the Jerusalem Prophecy College, an online platform focused on teaching Baxter’s approach to prophetic interpretation.
Key Sources:
Abshire, R. (2006, June 18). Ministry says Armageddon is near. The Dallas Morning News.
Genzlinger, N. (2020, November 13). Irvin Baxter, Who Preached the End Was Near, Dies at 75. The New York Times.
Webster, T. (2020, November 10). Plano televangelist who linked pandemic to premarital sex dies of COVID-19. The Dallas Morning News.