Saturday, December 29, 2012

Church Scandals- AT2W's Top List of 2012


It's never a joy have to report church scandals and church sex scandals on our site. We don't do it for entertainment. We do it to inform the public of what kind of things are going on in the church and what to look out for. By now, all of our new readers should be aware of the ungodly things that happen in the church. Let us continue to pray for the victims and the culprits involved.

Read more at:

Church Scandals That Made AT2W’s Top List in 2012 | AT2W

Friday, December 28, 2012

Brooklyn Teacher Accused of Sex with Girl While Wife Was Attending Church Services

vaughn mckinney, music teacher arrested for child sex abuse

A Brooklyn middle school music teacher and trumpet player bedded a teenage member of his wife’s youth choir — and even had sex with the girl while his wife was at church, officials said. Vaughn McKinney, a teacher at IS 59 in Queens, was arrested this morning on charges of rape and sexual misconduct, cops said.

Read more at:

Music Teacher from Brooklyn Accused of Sex with Girl While Wife Was Attending Church Services | AT2W

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Bishop Wiley Jackson and Family Member Indicted in Investment scheme



SCR readers, it never stops when it comes to these televangelists getting caught up in a scandal, this time it has to do with money, not sex.  Bishop Wiley Jackson, a well-known pastor of three corporate churches in the area of Atlanta has been indicted on charges investment scheme, along...

Read more at:

Bishop Wiley Jackson and brother indicted in investment scheme | AT2W

Priest James Schook Dying of Cancer But Faces Sex Abuse Trial

Rev. James Schook, 2008 file photo


A Louisville Catholic priest with terminal cancer is scheduled to go on trial next year to face charges he sexually abused two boys in the 1970s. The trial was delayed in May because doctors said there was a possibility the Rev. James Schook, who has stage four skin cancer, might not live to the end of the year.


Read more at

Kentucky Priest James Schook Dying of Cancer But Faces Sex Abuse Trial | AT2W

Friday, December 21, 2012

Pastor Travis Smith's Fate Lie in Hands of the Congregation for Past Sex Abuse Charges

Rev. Travis Smith, fate as pastor to be decided

Pastor Travis Smith's Fate Lie in Hands of the Congregation for Past Sex Abuse Charges

The Rev. Travis Smith has made a point to address his congregation about forgiveness stating:
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you," he read from the Gospel of Matthew.
It's interesting because since Pastor Smith's arrest in October on sexual abuse and statutory rape charges, which follow similar allegations from 2010, forgiveness from his congregation has become critical to his survival as its pastor.

Well, at this time there is a group of about 100 souls -- "not a bishop, nor a disciplinary committee nor national church leaders" -- who will decide Smith's future in the Southern Baptist Convention.

Unlike members of many denominations -- such as Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalian and Presbyterians -- thankfully Southern Baptists don't conform to a centralized, hierarchical structure.

The Religious News Service  reported, instead, authority resides at the local church level. And that's true even amid allegations of clergy misconduct.

So while Catholic bishops have the authority to remove abusive clergy throughout their dioceses, interesting enough, among Southern Baptists, that task falls to individual congregations. 
"When a church rallies around its pastor, there's disbelief that someone they trust could do something like this," said Diana Garland, dean of the school of social work at Baylor University, which was founded by Baptists. "It often feels so much safer to blame the victims for causing his downfall, rather than accept that the power of a religious leader has been abused."
But what happens when those circling the wagons around their pastor are also those who have to make the ultimate decision about his fate -- his career, his paycheck, his reputation?
 
The most recent accusations against Smith, 42, by two different women, stem from alleged incidents in 1998, 1999 and 2005, when the women were minors. Those allegations led to what the Missouri Highway Patrol called a "lengthy investigation." Prosecutors charged Smith with six felonies, including sexual abuse, second-degree statutory rape and forcible rape.
In more detail, the crimes went like this:
In 2010, according to news reports and law enforcement officials, Smith was arrested after a 14-year-old girl, a friend of his daughter, accused him of molesting her during a fishing trip. Another girl then came forward and said Smith began having sex with her, in 2005, when she was 15. Both girls were members of his congregation.
Last year, Smith was acquitted in one case and the other was dropped. A year later, he was arrested on the current charges, which involve different girls.
Source

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Accused Bishop Joseph Walker Sex Lawsuits All Dismissed By Judge

bishop joseph walker lawsuits dismissed

Bishop Joseph Walker Sex Lawsuits All Dismissed By Judge

A judge has dismissed the claims in a lawsuit filed against Bishop Joseph Walker III of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and this includes the most recent claims that were just detailed and amended for the court with accuser Ms. Batson.

The Tennessean reports:

Former church member Valencia Batson had sued Walker, Mt. Zion and several other ministers earlier this year for alleged sexual abuse.

Many church leaders have called the allegations ridiculous in the past and Walker’s attorneys argued that the statute of limitations had passed for most of Batson’s claims and that some of the other claims in the suit were improperly filed.

At a hearing Thursday morning, Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Brothers granted a motion to dismiss the suit against Walker.
“That means the charges against Walker are gone,” said his attorney Bob Boston, of the law firm Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis.
Walker said in a statement Thursday afternoon that he was thankful for the judge’s decision.
“I am grateful to the Lord and grateful to the judge for the ruling that properly dismisses these allegations against me and my beloved Mt. Zion church,” he said. “After all the negative publicity as the other side appeared determined to try, and re-try, all of this in the media, it is obviously gratifying that the case against me has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning that it is over.”
Congregation members at Mt. Zion are also pleased with Thursday’s ruling, said Lawrence Washington, spokesperson for Mt. Zion. Washington said dealing with the lawsuit had been difficult for the church.
“Now all the accusations against the bishop and the original allegations against Mt. Zion have been dismissed,” he said in a statement. “Our faith has sustained us, and the life of our church remains strong.”
Judge Brothers also granted nonsuits against Jerry Luren White, general overseer of fiscal management at Mt. Zion, and the Rev. Michael E. Williams, pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville.
That means both are dismissed from Batson’s lawsuit but, unlike Walker, could be sued in the future.
This may be victory on one hand and if he didn't do anything wrong, Hallelujah; but what about all of the alleged mishandling of church funds? All of this came out when the sexual misconduct allegations arose. Will that be dismissed as well? We shall see.

Source

Louisville Pastor Arrested for Rape of a Teen Boy



Pastor Isrom Johnson arrested for rape

Louisville Pastor Arrested for Rape of a Teen Boy

Louisville Metro police say they've taken a local church pastor accused of sex crimes off the streets!

It's all part of the Metro Police Department's Special Victims Unit a New Albany church pastor in custody and was arrested for sex crimes with a teenage boy.
"He is a pastor at a church over in New Albany," said Sgt. Donny Burbrink, of the LMPD's Special Victims Unit. "He had been charged with a couple of counts of sodomy first."
The pastor is charged with three counts of second-degree sodomy.

The Rev. Isrom Johnson is the pastor of the Prince of Peace Baptist Church in New Albany and is accused of raping a teenage boy.

Johnson was not the only person to be arrested on this day.
Officers had dozens of warrants, but only found a handful of suspects. Police say it is still worth the time and energy they put into serving the warrants.
"It is worth it when you get to get some of the people that we've gotten tonight off the street," Burbrink said. "It makes us feel better about our job and it makes the city a little bit safer tonight."
We are happy that police were able to get several predators off the street. It's always disturbing when it comes to a member of the clergy being involved but they too must pay the price for their crimes.

Florida Pastor and School Dean Arrested for Child Abuse

Willie Demps
Florida Pastor and School Dean Arrested for Child Abuse

Report from WKRG:

We are happy the abuse was not sexual but if the pastor apparently went too far in physically disciplining a student, then this is just as bad.

Let's see what happen in the story below.

A local pastor, Willie Demps, who is also an administrator of a local Christian Academy, was arrested yesterday after a student accused him of punching her several times in the leg for misbehaving and paddling her on two other occasions.
Pastor Willie Demps, 69, was arrested at S. L. Jones Christian Academy after an interview with deputies about the incidents.
Demps was accused of Child Abuse after a student told her grandparent that she had been paddled by Demps last week for misconduct. The student then came home limping and told her Grandparent that Demps had punched her thigh several times after an altercation on the bus with another student.
Deputies contacted Demps at the school where he provided deputies with a statement.
After all parties were interviewed and observing the physical evidence, Demps was placed under arrest for three counts of Child Abuse and placed under a $3,000.00 bond.
The child’s injuries were not life threatening.
We know that paddling is still allowed in some schools and churches but there's a fine line when doing so because the parents and student may not want this from someone else. Pastors and teachers have to be careful and know their lmits.  Also, punching a child while paddling is not acceptable. Punching is a form of fighting and is abuse!

Get this: Corporal punishment is allowed in Florida public schools and the DOE said they do not oversee private school policies. This is why the pastor felt he had the right to do so.

Source

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Associate Pastor Clarence Tyrone Taylor arrested by A Child Predator Unit

Clarence T Taylor

Lancaster County Associate Pastor Clarence Tyrone Taylor arrested by A Child Predator Unit

Fox 43 News has provided details of a crime committed by so many but its especially disturbing when a member of the clergy is doing the preying on our youth.

Here's the story below and how this case is being used to get parents more involved in what their children are doing online.
Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested an associate pastor from Lancaster County accused of using Facebook and text messages to sexually soliciting a 15-year old boy, along with sending a nude photo to the boy.
Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendant as Clarence Tyrone Taylor, 26, of 442 Manor St., Columbia.
Kelly said that Taylor allegedly made suggestive comments to several young people in his congregation, prompting parents to approach the pastor of the church. In response to those complaints, the pastor contacted Lancaster County Detectives and the Lancaster City Police Department, who forwarded the case to the Attorney General’s Office because of the specialized investigations performed by the Child Predator Unit.
According to the criminal complaint, Taylor used Facebook to contact a 15-year old boy from his church – telling the young man that he was “cute,” commenting on his appearance and suggesting that they spend more time together. Taylor also allegedly encouraged the boy to contact him via cell phone and to delete all messages between them.
Over the course of several days, Taylor allegedly engaged in a series of text message conversations – sending an explicit nude photo to the boy, requesting similar photos in return and suggesting that they meet for sex.
Taylor was taken into custody on Thursday, December 13th, and is charged with:
  • one count of solicitation to commit sexual abuse of children
  • a second-degree felony punishable by up to ten years in prison
  • and a $25,000 fine
Associate Pastor Taylor is also charged with:
  • one count of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene and other sexual materials and performances)
  • and one count of criminal use of a communications facility
Both charges are third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

He is staying in the Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail and prohibited from having any contact with the victim.

Here's some great useful information for us all to adhere:

Kelly urged parents to regularly discuss Internet safety and security issues with their children, including the importance of telling a trusted adult if someone engages in inappropriate online activity, such as:
  • Sexual discussions.
  • Sending or requesting nude photos or explicit videos.
  • Sharing links to pornography.
  • Trying to arrange face-to-face meetings.
Additionally, Kelly said parents and other caregivers should also monitor how kids are using the Internet, including:
  • Checking the websites they use frequently.
  • Searching the social networking sites they visit.
  • Asking them to show you their online profiles on Facebook and other websites.
  • Discussing the items they may be posting online.

Source

Friday, December 14, 2012

The Catholic Church Sex Scandal: Wants to Redact Making Church Leaders Names Public | AT2W



It's really unbelievable but after years of legal twists and turns, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is set to make public the confidential personnel records of all priests accused of molesting children. Victims said the files would provide accountability for church leaders who let pedophiles remain in the ministry, but unfortunately and conveniently, the documents have been 'scrubbed' of those identities, which many regard as the most important information.

Read more at:

The Catholic Church Sex Scandal: Wants to Redact Making Church Leaders Names Public | AT2W

Victory Christian Center Employee Gets 55 Years for Sex Crimes Against Minors

chris denman sentenced


Victory Christian Center Employee Gets 55 Years for Sex Crimes Against Minors
Wow! That's a serious and stiff sentence but when y0u read below what the young suspect said about his crimes, you wouldn't want him back on the street either.
Tulsa World reports:
A former Victory Christian Center employee, Chris Denman was sentenced Wednesday to 55 years in prison after pleading guilty to several sex crime charges involving three underage girls.
Chris Denman, 20, was sentenced by Tulsa County District Judge Bill Musseman to:...
Read more at AT2W!

Megachurch Pastor Sued By Couple for $6.6 Million, Says He Had Sex With Man's Wife While in Marriage Counseling

pastor dale lee mcfarland of radiant church, sued for having sex with man's wife

Megachurch Pastor Sued By Couple for $6.6 Million, Says He Had Sex With Man's Wife While in Marriage Counseling
Pastor Dale Lee McFarland is known for his role in the "Purpose Driven Church" movement. He left his position as a Microsoft executive to start a megachurch in Arizona and travel the world with evangelist Rick Warren.
McFarland's congregation, Radiant Church in Surprise, Arizona received the Church Health Award from Purpose Driven Ministries and had grown to be one of the largest Assemblies of God churches in the country.
It all came to an interesting halt when earlier this year, a couple in the church filed a lawsuit, Courthouse News reports, alleging McFarland told the wife to have sex with him with "God's approval" and divorce her husband.
Derek and Jody Gallagher claim McFarland "breached his duty as a pastor and counselor when [he] began manipulating a vulnerable Jody for his personal, perverted sexual pleasures."
World Net Daily reported:
The Gallaghers' sordid story includes charges McFarland told Jody her husband was "dangerous" and convinced her to change her home's locks, sent her salacious and pornographic messages, exchanged nude photographs with her and manipulated her into having sex with him in the church building, even while he was offering the couple marriage counseling.
The Gallaghers, who are reportedly still married and seeking counseling elsewhere, are suing McFarland, Radiant Church Assembly of God and the Arizona District Council of the Assemblies of God in Maricopa County Court for:
  • $6.6 million
  • claiming breach of fiduciary duty
  • intentional infliction of emotional distress
  • negligent infliction of emotional distress
  • and other claims.
McFarland, meanwhile, is no longer employed at Radiant Church, and in fact, the church has scrubbed all mention of him from its website.
While this has occurred, many of whom had their reservations about the Purpose Driven movement and its founder, Rick Warren, are now renewing their criticism.
 
rick warren purpose driven life

As many may know, Rick Warren, the founder and pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., is also the author of "The Purpose Driven Life,"  and claimed to be the best-selling nonfiction book in world history, next to the Bible.
But Warren's critics have claimed his Purpose Driven ministry emphasizes only doing good, while dodging the kind of biblical repentance that is needed for a person - or a pastor - to have their life transformed by Christ. The Purpose Driven Church model, or PDC, discounts the fear of the Lord, Warren's critics say, while encouraging pastors to become "masters" of their churches instead of servants.
James Sundquist, author of "Who's Driving the Purpose Driven Church?" is one of the voices in a new video by producer Elliott Nesh called "Church of Tares," which asserts Warren has built his organizations upon secular business management philosophies rather than the foundation of Jesus Christ, resulting in "a great compromise of the Great Commission."
"In all fairness to Rick Warren, there is no direct connection between him and what this pastor is being sued for regarding sexual exploitation," Sundquist told WND. "But there is an indirect connection in that Purpose Driven pastors are pastor as master and [are taught] psychotherapy and enforced covenants, [which can be] used to exploit a vulnerable member. McFarland's struggles are not unique to Purpose Driven churches, but PDC is a template for abuse."
"The fear of the Lord and the wrath of God and the total depravity of man are either not taught at all or are watered down in Warren's PDC programs, so that church growth formulas and seeker-sensitive people are not offended," Sundquist continued. "Now all of the right sermons on fear of the Lord and the wrath of God could be preached and adultery could still happen, but ... if these things are not preached, how can we be surprised that these things happen in a church?"
Church Scandal Report's Take: We just want to know when will some of the women in counseling with the pastors stop falling for the lies? If they are in counseling for their marriage issues, don't they know that sleeping with the pastor will create another issue? Doesn't a sound minded and adult person know that God would never approve of this? Do they have something in their hearts before seeking the pastor's help? We are not blaming the women per say but an adult woman knows right from wrong and can they really call themselves victims? The pastor can still very well be called out on his actions but the women need to stop falling prey or allowing the acts to occur. This does not please God.

Read more on the specific details of the case HERE.

Attorney General Eric Holder to Launch Global Alliance Against Child Sexual Abuse Online | AT2W

eric holder and global alliance against child sexual abuse

Attorney General Eric Holder and European Union (EU) Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström launched the Global Alliance Against Child Sexual Abuse Online at a ministerial conference on Dec. 5, 2012, in Brussels. The initiative aims to unite decision-makers all around the world to better identify and assist victims and to prosecute the perpetrators.

Read more at:

Attorney General Eric Holder to Launch Global Alliance Against Child Sexual Abuse Online | AT2W

Thursday, December 13, 2012

President Obama Signed the Child Protection Act of 2012


President Obama Signed the Child Protection Act of 2012 Which Doubles Prison Terms

On the afternoon of Dec. 7, 2012, the President signed H.R. 6063, the Child Protection Act of 2012, in the Oval Office of the White House.

The Child Protection Act of 2012 doubles prison terms from 10 to 20 years for certain offenses.

The BCCourier.com reported:

The bipartisan legislation safeguards young victims of child pornography, sexual abuse and sex trafficking by strengthening the law enforcement officers' ability to protect victims and witnesses and apprehend perpetrators...

Read more at AT2W!

Nigeria's Pentecostal Preachers Justify Expanding Ministries By Owning Private Jets

Nigerian Preachers and Private Jets

Nigeria's Pentecostal Preachers Justify Expanding Ministries By Owning Private Jets

Nigerian Pentecostal preachers have long been accused of living extravagantly but purchasing private jets has come to be the next target of the controversial topic.

The president of the Christian Association of Nigeria is being scrutinized for receiving an extravagant private jet to justify his need to preach across the globe.

The Christian Today reported:
The multi-million dollar jet—a 10-seater with a range of 3,900 nautical miles—was presented to Ayo Oritsejafor by members of his congregation, Word of Life Bible Church in the oil-rich Delta state city of Warri. The gift celebrated the pastor's birthday and his 40th anniversary in ministry. The Bombardier Challenger jet is worth nearly US $5 million.
nigerian preachers and private jets

Oritsejafor  serves as president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and he joins a growing list of preachers with private jets in the West African nation, which is Africa's largest oil producer.
We can list a few below:
  • David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Ministries owns three Gulfstreams (plus a Learjet) worth almost US$100 million.
  • Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, also owns a private jet.
  • The flamboyant founder of Christ Embassy Church, Chris Oyakhilome owns a jet as well.
Nigerian Preachers and Private Jets

News statistics say:
Nigeria's wealthy have spent US$6.5 billion on private jets in the last five years, making it Africa's biggest market for private planes. The number of privately-owned aircraft rose by 650 percent between 2007 and 2012, up from 20 to 150 planes at an average cost of US$50 million.
While these Nigerian preachers live fat off the land, many of their members and Christians alone in Africa remain poor. This has raised concerns amongst the Christian community.

Gideon Para-Mallam, regional secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, said such preachers are setting bad examples.
"This represents another minus to Christianity in a country riddled with much corruption," he said. "We are simply displaying the rottenness of what has become of Nigeria. It is so sad."
Nigerian Preachers and Private Jets

Even Jeremiah Gado, president of the 3 million-strong Evangelical Church Winning All, agrees. "Having a private jet is a distraction and an indication of the lack of unity in the body," he said.
But Oritsejafor defends the gift, maintaining that his private jet is a necessity and not a luxury. "Sometimes, my schedule is so complicated," he said at a press conference.
"Now, I can move. I can even go and come back home. It is a bit more convenient for me, and I suspect that this is one of the reasons a lot of these other preachers have planes."
Arrogantly, he adds that we have more to witness in the area of preachers with jets.
 "They ain't seen anything yet! More of us will yet buy and maintain our jets because, by the mercy of God, we have been given the wisdom to do so."
Church Scandal Report's Take: They are doing business/church as usual and it's not much different than what they do here in the states. If a megachurch pastor can get a private jet to do his traveling in and the church pays for it, there's not much that can be done. But when will the church realize that sometimes their pastor is living too well and they continue to suffer although they constantly give to the church? We have to start having an open eye to this scenario and stop funding the pastor's extravagant lifestyle when they can barely eat every week.

Watch this video and see how one preacher was seen in hell begging to get out because he had defrauded the church out of money. This is someone's out of body experience that taught them a lesson as well.


Source

Church Shooting: Pennsylvania Man Shoots and Kills Ex-Wife During Church Service

Gregory Eldred church shooting

Church Shooting: PA Man Shoots to Kill  Ex-Wife During Church Service

This will be the third church shooting we've heard of in the past 2 months. What a shame this has to go on, especially at church.

An elementary school music teacher walked into a church in the middle of Sunday services, walked down the middle of the aisle and fatally shot his ex-wife as she sat in a pew, police said.

Gregory Eldred, 52, is the man who committed the sinister deed in the middle of church services.

Eldred is charged with:
  • first-degree murder
  • simple assault
  • terroristic threats
  • and reckless endangerment after allegedly shooting of his wife.
Eldred shot and killed his estranged wife Darlene Sitler, 53, twice.

She served as organist and choir director of the First United Presbyterian Church.

CBS News reports:
Witnesses told police they saw Eldred pacing outside the 180-year-old church before the service and that other members of the congregation grabbed Eldred after the shooting took place around 11:30 a.m., and held him until police arrived. No one else was injured in the incident.
Trooper Michael Knight told the Bradford Era newspaper that Eldred, who has taught at the borough's elementary school.
In addition to Sitler's church duties, she also taught music at the Northern Potter Children's School for the past 30 years. The school borders the district where her ex-husband taught.
We pray for the victim's family and loved ones during this time. We pray the suspect gets the help he needs.

Source

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Former Pastor Arthur A. B. Schirmer to stand trial in first wife’s death

 

This is very sad, this man who once stood in the pulpit preaching the Word of God must stand trial for murder, once again.   District Judge Kim Wolfe allegedly has discovered ample evidence against the former pastor, Arthur A. B. Schirmer.  After being found guilty in the death of his second wife, Betty Jean Schirmer who was in a staged car accident, he now will be stand trial for...

Read more at:

Former Pastor Arthur A. B. Schirmer to stand trial in first wife’s death | AT2W

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Former Pastor of First AME of L.A. Sued for Conspiring to Keep Control of Church Business

pastor john j hunter and wife denise hunter sued

Former Pastor of First AME of L.A. Sued for Conspiring to Keep Control of Church Business

The oldest black church in Los Angeles, First AME Church of L.A. has filed a lawsuit against its former pastor John J. Hunter, his wife Denise for refusing to relinquish control of the church's nonprofit organizations.
There's a 14-page lawsuit, which was filed last Tuesday by the First African Methodist Episcopal Church. It is filled with allegations against the Rev. John J. Hunter and his wife, accusing the couple and other leaders of "holding dictatorial control over [the church] ... for their own personal gain -- both financially and for self-aggrandizement." (Read entire court document here).
The Los Angeles Times reported:
The bishop who oversees AME churches in the western United States abruptly transferred Hunter to a church in San Francisco in late October. But that church took the rare step of rejecting Hunter. On the day he was supposed to deliver his first sermon, church members physically blocked him from taking the pulpit.
Now Hunter is fighting to regain his position as pastor at First African Methodist Episcopal. He continues to live in the posh Encino home that the church pays for while the new pastor, the Rev. J. Edgar Boyd, lives in a hotel and is not receiving a salary. Hunter's wife is also refusing to relinquish control of the church's nonprofit organizations, according to the lawsuit.
The suit says Hunter's wife has come up with an elaborate scheme to maintain control:
The lawsuit alleges that Denise Hunter orchestrated a "coup" to seize control of the nonprofits that she ran "as her own personal fiefdom." Federal tax records show the nonprofits have assets worth several million dollars.
One day after Hunter was moved from the Los Angeles church, Denise Hunter filed documents with the California secretary of state's office, appointing herself the corporations' new "agent for service," allowing her to act on behalf of the organizations, according to the state agency.
The lawsuit alleges that she removed all the corporations' files from church offices and told 100 employees that she — not the new pastor — was the chief executive. Since then, she has denied the church access to the financial records, the lawsuit states.
"She recently admitted to Pastor Boyd that her coup is designed to sever any supervision, control and influence" of the church and its parent over the corporations, the lawsuit states.
As a result, the church has asked a court for an immediate injunction barring the Hunters from access to corporation facilities, records and funds. The church also asked for a court-appointed receiver to take control of the corporations.
Hunter defended his wife's actions, saying she was simply completing long-planned changes.
"There was a vision to separate the corporations and church before I became pastor," he said. "Nothing illegal or wrong is done here. Everything is proper."
Hunter has a hefty and scandalous past with sexual harassment, a civil claim that was settled for an undisclosed amount, IRS internal audit found he charged $122,000 in jewelry, family vacations and clothing to the church's credit card. He later agreed to a nine-year repayment plan.
His pastoral benefits have included:
  • a generous salary during his tenure
  • lived in a $2-million home
  • and drove a Mercedes-Benz paid for by the church.
His wife, Denise Hunter's benefits included:
  • earned $147,000 a year running nonprofit organizations connected to the 19,000-member congregation, First AME of L.A.
Pastor Hunt defends he and his wife's actions by stating:
"There was a vision to separate the corporations and church before I became pastor," he said. "Nothing illegal or wrong is done here. Everything is proper."
AT2W's Take: We are not sure if we can believe Pastor Hunter. We believe exactly what the courts found: they conspired to keep control of the church's financial records. Isn't it pretty convenient how they maintained control after they moved from their home and transferred to the church in San Francisco? Did they know ahead of time that the S.F. would reject him? Also, what about the current pastor of First AME of L.A? He's not being paid a salary because of their control which is downright evil.
The church was never intended to be a place where it wall all about politics and money. What about God's intended mission for them to go after and seek souls for the kingdom? God surely is not pleased with this and He will have the last say in this matter. We feel for those caught up in His wrath because it is coming!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Church Shooting: Florida Mega Church Gunman Shoots Woman Then Kills Himself Outside Church

church shooting: pastor henry fernandez of faith center church in florida

Church Shooting: Florida Mega Church Gunman Shoots Woman Then Kills Himself Outside Church

Here we go again with gunshots ringing at a church service. This time its at the well known preacher's Florida church, Faith Center Church in Sunrise led by Pastors Henry and Carol Fernandez. It seems like we can't get to the end of the year without more violence happening at the church, of all places!

Read the report by NBC News:
A Florida church service ended in tragedy Sunday afternoon when a man shot a woman multiple times, then killed himself outside the building, authorities and witnesses said.
Hundreds of congregants were exiting the sanctuary at Faith Center Church in the city of Sunrise just before 1 p.m. ET when the man began opening fire at the woman, possibly his ex-girlfriend, Sunrise police said.

pastor henry and carol fernandez, faith center church in florida


Even though the armed assailant shot the woman several times, she managed to drive away, according to Sunrise police spokeswoman Officer Michelle Eddy. The shooting victim drove around the parking lot, where others found her, police said.
Also inside the vehicle was her 12-year-old daughter, but the girl was unharmed, police said.
The armed man shot himself at the crime scene, police said. He was taken to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Eddy said. The wounded woman was taken to Broward Health, police said. Her latest condition wasn't available.
Police are still investing the scene for more details on tragic incident.

Click here to read more.
UPDATE on Dec. 10, 2012 at 2pm CST:

The victim shot at the church is Denise Miller.
Miller, 48, remains hospitalized at Broward General following the shooting at Faith Center Church at 5555 Northwest 95th Avenue, Sunrise Police spokesman Michelle Eddy said. She's reported to be in stable condition.
Miller was shot several times but managed to drive away in the church's parking lot where she was later found. Her 12-year-old daughter was inside her car but escaped unharmed, police said.
The gunman of the church shooting is Kelvin Adams.
The 56-year-old Kelvin Adams, shot himself at the scene, Eddy said. He was taken to Broward Health Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Adams is believed to possibly be Miller's former boyfriend, police said.
News reports say no one else was injured at the scene.


Pastor James Burton Accused of Child Molestation of Young Girl for Over 2 Years

James Burton

Pastor James Burton Accused of Child Molestation of Young Girl for Over 2 Years

The pastor of a Fort Wayne church, James Burton was arrested on four felony charges of child molestation on last week. Pastor James Burton, 50, of Greater Faith Baptist Church is accused of inappropriately touching a girl who was a foster child in his care. Police said the incident happened between June 2009 and early this year, reports a Fort Wayne news website. Court documents said that the girl told a school employee about the molestation. The young girl said it started when she was six or seven years old.  

FortWayneHomepage.net reports details from the court documents:
THE PAPERWORK PAINTS A VIVID PICTURE OF SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE HE FONDLED AND TOUCHED THE GIRL. IT SAYS BURTON ALSO HAD THE GIRL PERFORM INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL ACTS ON HIM. DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHORITIES SHE SAID SHE DID AS SHE WAS TOLD BECAUSE, QUOTE, " I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO GET ME BACK, LIKE WHOOP ME OR SOMETHING." COURT DOCUMENTS SAY THE MOLESTATION EVEN HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO CHURCH. WE COULDN'T GET A RESPONSE FROM THE CHURCH TODAY, IT WAS CLOSED AND WHEN WE CALLED THE CHURCH'S PHONE NUMBER, WE GOT A MESSAGE THAT SAID THE PHONE LINE HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED. THE COURT DOCUMENTS SAY WHEN BURTON TALKED TO POLICE HE TOLD THEM HE WOULD TAKE THE CHILD TO CHURCH BUT HE DENIED ALLEGATIONS OF HAVING ANY SEXUAL CONTACT WITH HER. SHE SAID SHE TOLD THE TEACHER BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T WANT THE ABUSE TO HAPPEN TO HER SISTER TOO.
Pastor Burton's initial hearing was held Thursday, December 7 at 8:00 a.m. Watch video here as well!  
Source

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Orlando's Summit Church Pastor's Suicide Note Found While Affair Exposed and Domestic Violence Allegations

Isaac Hunter

Orlando's Summit Church Pastor's Suicide Note Found While Affair Exposed and Domestic Violence Allegations

Isaac Hunter is the senior pastor of Summit Church. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Hunter has issued his resignation after his downward spiral of violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicidal thoughts, according to a domestic violence petition filed Friday.

“I currently fear for my life and the lives of our three children,” Rhonda Hunter wrote in a petition for a temporary restraining order against her husband. “Isaac is unstable and has demonstrated erratic behavior, alcohol abuse, and fits of rage.”

The Orlando Sentinel reported circuit Judge Roger J. McDonald granted his wife Rhonda Hunter's petition the same day it was submitted. The order bars Isaac Hunter, 35, from the couple's home in Winter Park, Fla., his church, his children's schools and his wife's workplace.

Pastor Isaac Hunter admitted to an extramarital affair and resigned from his post as senior pastor at Summit Church in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 28, one day after his 13th wedding anniversary.

Issac Hunter, sr. pastor of Summit Church in Orlando

According to the Sentinel, Rhonda Hunter, 35, spelled out acts of violence and abuse that began in February 2011 and culminated when Isaac left their house on Nov. 25 with two guns. He called three days later, asking to see his three children “one last time.”
“I am afraid that his 'one last time' will result in the death of our children—going out in a blaze of glory,” Rhonda Hunter wrote in her petition.
According to court documents, Hunter's family also found an undated suicide note on his computer with instructions to Summit Church on what should be done “If I die,” written before his 35th birthday on April 26.
“I would very much like to be remembered as a person who loved his children, his parents, his brothers, and his best friends—well, while I could,” Hunter wrote. “I fear I will love them better in my absence. As I have become what I never wished to be, a burden on those I love the most.”
Rhonda Hunter, in her petition, submitted photos of bruises on her arms she said her husband had inflicted during an argument at their home on Feb. 13, 2011. She claims Isaac kicked in a locked door, held her down on a bed by the arms and shouted obscenities at her.

While staying with friends a month later, Rhonda Hunter said Isaac became abusive after drinking a lot of wine and told her, “I have no way out of this marriage.” She wrote that she slept with the bedroom door locked that night, with her phone nearby so she could call for help.

Rhonda wrote that Isaac left the house with two guns and ammunition, following an obscenity-laced argument. Court documents show that family members later found bottles of pills, syringes and vials of liquid among his possessions.
“I have witnessed Isaac falling down stairs, falling in a tub, vomiting all over our bathroom, incapable of taking care of our children, making multiple verbal threats, physical violence and leaving our house while driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs,” Rhonda wrote.
A hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 13 where Issac Hunter is expected ti challenge the allegations.

Source

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Father Rolando Garcia Finally Resigns After More Sex Abuse Allegations Surface (VIDEO)

father rolando garcia resigins
Father Rolando Garcia Finally Resigns After More Sex Abuse Allegations Surface (VIDEO)

A Miami priest Father Rolando Garcia has been named in multiple sexual abuse lawsuits.

Consequently, Garcia has resigned soon after fresh allegations were filed in court.

Father Rolando Garcia was formerly the priest of the St. Agatha Catholic Church in west Miami-Dade and submitted a formal letter of resignation to Archdiocese of Miami effective November 21st.

Read more at: AT2W!

Friday, December 7, 2012

Former L.A. Priest Carlos Rene Rodriguez Arrested for Child Sex Abuse, Finally

Priest Carlos Rene Rodriguez arrested on child sex abuse

Former Los Angeles Priest Carlos Rene Rodriguez Finally Arrested for Child Sex Abuse

Former LA priest Carlos Rene Rodriguez was arrested on charges of lewd acts on a child under 14. This just happens to be Rodriguez’ second arrest. In 2004, the former priest  was convicted of child sex abuse. News reports say LA church officials have known Rodriguez is a predator since 1987 yet they have fought since 2007 to keep his personnel files secret.  According to reports, the files are finally scheduled to be released later this month.

We want to thank SNAP for being so diligent at keep us informed about this predator. We are happy he will finally face justice for his wrongdoings. Let's pray he will repent and stop hiding behind is clergy collar!

Here's an official statement from SNAP regarding to the victims and Rodriguez:
Statement by Joelle Casteix, SNAP Western Regional Director
Our hearts ache for the child who came forward to say that he or she was hurt by former LA priest Carlos Rene Rodriguez. Our hearts ache even more because if church officials done the right thing more than 25 years ago, this child and others may never have been harmed.
Rodriguez was convicted for child sex crimes in 2004. Yet Cardinal Mahony and church officials knew the man was a predator as early as 1987 … and did little to protect children. They, and new Archbishop Gomez, have made it perfectly clear that they care more about convicted predators than children and that is unacceptable.
Southern California families would know about Rodriguez, his crimes, his workplaces, and his whereabouts if Los Angeles Catholic officials hadn’t spent hundreds of thousands of parishioners’ donations and more than five years successfully fighting to keep predator priests’ personnel files under wraps.
Although Rodriguez’ file is expected to be released later this month, it it too little, too late.
We hope that anyone with knowledge of Rodriguez’ crimes and the cover-up of those crimes comes forward and reports to law enforcement.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 12,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers and increasingly, victims who were assaulted in a wide range of institutional settings like summer camps, athletic programs, Boy Scouts, etc. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Los Angeles: This morning, at approximately 6:00 a.m., Los Angeles Police Detectives arrested 46 year-old Carlos Rene Rodriguez, a former priest within the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, at his residence in the City of Commerce. Rodriguez was arrested on a warrant, and will be booked for a violation of Section 288(a) of the Penal Code – Lewd Acts with a Child Under 14 Years Old.

Source

So. Cali Church Getting Vile Emails Over Muslim Conference




Evidently, some people do not want The All Saints Episcopal Church allowing a Muslim conference held in their sanctuary, because church officials have been allegedly receiving unfavorable emails.  Although, we can understand why they do not support interfaith affiliations, we cannot understand why they just can't dust their feet and allow them...

Read more at:


Pasedena Church Getting Vile Emails Over Muslim Conference | AT2W

Alleged Pedophile Priest Arrested Once Again

Linus Bastien, priest arrested



Report says:
Police have once again arrested a former Windsor priest already facing 22 previous sex crime charges.
Chatham-Kent police said the new charges against Linus Bastien, 86, who was a priest in Windsor and the surrounding region from 1951-97, are also for “historical sexually based offenses.”
Police said the sex crimes occurred between 1963-70 while Bastien was the priest at St. Charles Parish in the village of Stephenson, in the former Township of Tilbury East.
Bastien, who lives in Chatham, was arrested Wednesday then released from custody until a January court appearance.
Police gave no other information about the case, including the number of new charges.
Bastien was already facing 22 sex crime charges for alleged acts at other churches.
In January, LaSalle police laid 18 charges against him, including indecent assault, gross indecency, sexual assault and sexual interference following complaints from seven victims.
Those alleged crimes occurred from 1970-77 and 1988-89 when Bastien was serving at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in LaSalle and St. Joachim Parish in Lakeshore.
The alleged victims were students at the former St. Paul’s school and St. Ambroise school.
Before that, provincial police laid four charges against Bastien for allegedly abusing two altar boys in 1978 at St. Mary’s Parish in Maidstone.
In that case, he was charged with two counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency.
Source from Windorstar

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Chicago Area Pastor Christopher L. Johnson Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Pentecostal Tabernacle Bible Church Pastor Christopher L. Johnson

Chicago Area Pastor Christopher L. Johnson Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

An alleged victim claims her former Pentecostal church pastor sexually abused minors but his church members kept it secret and kept him on as pastor even after his wife divorced him for it, says the victim in court claims.

Courthouse News reports:
The plaintiff claims Pentecostal Tabernacle Bible Church Pastor Christopher L. Johnson pastor sexually abused her as a minor, after the church knew or should have known that he had fathered a child with another woman with whom he first had sexual relations when she was a minor.
Cecelia Brown sued Christopher Johnson, Chaun Johnson, Pentecostal Tabernacle Bible Church, New Testament Assemblies of Christ, New Life United Christian Ministries Worldwide Fellowship and Mission of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Cook County Court.
Brown, 19, claims the senior pastor at the four defendant churches, the Rev. Christopher Johnson (Johnson #1), sexually abused her while she was a minor and a parishioner at Pentecostal Tabernacle.
Here's info about Johnson #1
"On information and belief, Johnson #1 fathered a child with a woman other than plaintiff and not his wife with whom he began having sexual contact when she was still a minor and a member of Pentecostal and/or Lutheran, thus establishing a predator pattern of Johnson having committed aggravated criminal sexual abuse with minors," Brown says in the complaint.
Here's info about Johnson #2
"On information and belief, Johnson #2, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Assemblies, and New Life knew or had constructive knowledge of Johnson #1's prior sexual contact with at least one minor since Johnson #1's 2007 divorce from Yvette Johnson was caused in part or in whole by the public revelation of Johnson #1 having had sexual contact with at least one other minor prior to Cecelia Brown." (Citation to divorce case omitted."
Ms. Brown claims the abuse has caused her "serious psychiatric and psychological injury including emotional distress injuries which have greatly interfered with her life as an adult."

She claims the assistant pastor at the defendant churches, the Rev. Chaun Johnson, Johnson #2, "allowed Johnson #1 to be left alone with the minor Cecelia Brown unsupervised." In so doing, he "failed to provide a safe environment at Pentecostal and/or Lutheran where members who were minors could be free from aggravated criminal sexual abuse by a pastor," Brown claims.

Source from Courthouse News

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Mt. Zion Baptist Church Pastor Bishop Joseph Walker's Accuser Amends Sex Lawsuit with More Details

bishop joseph walker scandal

Mt. Zion Baptist Church Pastor Bishop Joseph Walker's Accuser Amends Sex Lawsuit with More Details

Bishop Joseph Walker of Mt. Zion Baptist Church has not been let off the hook with the lawsuits that alleges he engaged in sexual misconduct with two members.

Two former members filed lawsuits against the bishop but some things have changed with the two suits. In November, one lawsuit was dismissed and the attorney for the other plaintiff filed court documents to withdraw that suit, according to Examiner.com.

The Examiner's report states:
But the attorney for former church member Valencia Batson filed an amended lawsuit Monday that includes intimate details of her alleged sexual relationship with Walker, as well as accusations of financial misdeeds at the church.
“This is not over,” said Connie Allison, Batson’s attorney. “It is not going away.”
Monday’s filing is the latest twist in the lawsuit first filed by Batson in February. Her initial suit alleged that Walker used his position to sexually abuse her, but it included few details.
Court documents show Walker’s attorneys argued that Batson’s suit should be dismissed in part because of the lack of details.
In November, a judge dismissed a lawsuit by former Mt. Zion parishioner Corey Corbin — in part because the statute of limitations had expired. Corbin alleged a marriage-destroying affair between Walker and Corbin’s wife.
According to the complaint, Batson was recently divorced and struggling to get by as a single parent with three children. She claims that Walker said being close to him would bring her close to God.
Batson says Walker asked her, “Would you do anything for me?” and then asked her to perform a sex act in the church.
Batson alleges she and Walker had sex at Mt. Zion’s locations at 1112 Jefferson St. in Nashville and 7594 Old Hickory Blvd. in Whites Creek. She says she was coerced into group sexual encounters with Walker and other church leaders in his office, sometimes after Bible study.
Batson's suit reveals some details as well about how the church was using funds to live a lavish lifestyle and how the funds were misappropriated.
The complaint also names Walker’s brother Jerry Luren White, overseer of financial affairs at Mt. Zion, and the Rev. Michael E. Williams, pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville.
Williams was arrested and charged with soliciting a prostitute during a police sting Sept. 7. That case was dismissed Nov. 14.
The suit says leaders taught that those who didn’t donate to the church would be cursed.
As a sign of God’s favor, Walker allegedly purchased a Bentley with mink floor mats and said the car had been a gift from the Rev. Paul Morton, a denominational leader. Batson claims that donations from church members were used to enrich Walker and other church leaders.
Church leaders, the suit says, misled the congregation by saying Mt. Zion was paying off its debts. Property records show that it took out mortgages totaling $159,332 last month.
Williamson County property records show that Walker took out a $1.5 million loan to buy a new home in Brentwood in 2007, about the time he was urging church members to get out of debt by enrolling in Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University program.
Source

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Arizona Pastor Arrested for Allegedly Dealing Drugs Out of His Apartment

pastor drugs

Deputies arrested Mark Derksen of Fountain Hills, and say he was selling heroin, meth and prescription drugs to people of all ages. As a pastor, Derksen, 63, worked with youth groups and senior citizens. Although his Faith Mountain Christian Church in Fountain Hills is closed, Derksen was still active in the community.

Read more at:

Arizona Pastor Mark Derksen Arrested for Allegedly Dealing Drugs Out of His Apartment | AT2W

Monday, December 3, 2012

Arizona Pastor Mark Derksen Arrested for Allegedly Dealing Drugs Out of His Apartment

pastor drugs

Arizona Pastor Mark Derksen Arrested for Allegedly Dealing Drugs Out of His Apartment
A Valley pastor is under arrest for allegedly dealing drugs. Deputies arrested Mark Derksen of Fountain Hills, and say he was selling heroin, meth and prescription drugs to people of all ages.
As a pastor, Derksen, 63, worked with youth groups and senior citizens. Although his Faith Mountain Christian Church in Fountain Hills is closed, Derksen was still active in the community.
After receiving tips about Derksen, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office put together an undercover sting operation in which deputies were able to buy drugs. Investigators say they witnessed 30 other people buy drugs at the pastor's apartment in a single day.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio made the announcement Wednesday night, saying the pastor's apartment was not far from his home in Fountain Hills. Arpaio says the pastor would give drugs away for free in an attempt to hook new clients.
Deputies seized Derksen's phone and computer and are hoping data on those devices will lead them to his supplier.
"This case isn't over yet," Arpaio said. "My warning to Fountain Hills, my home town, is we're not done yet."
Derksen also reportedly told deputies the drugs were bringing clients 'closer to God.'
Derksen has been booked on a variety of drug charges.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Former White Supremacist Attends COGIC Church and Receives Jesus

Elder Christopher J. Taylor, pastor of New Life Church of God in Christ (COGIC)

Before Sunday school, Clay made a confession to Taylor that would forever change both of their lives. It was not until altar call that Clay shared his testimony with the entire church. Clay was a leader in the Aryan Brotherhood White Supremacist Group. He acknowledges, “I have spent the last 5 years making folks’ lives a living hell.”

Read more at:

Former White Supremacist Leader Attends COGIC Church and Gets Delivered | AT2W

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