By Bob Allen An estimated 350 people attended worship Dec. 7 at Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton, Fla., to pay respects to 31-year-old Pastor Tripp Battle, who died at the church Dec. 4 in what police believe is a triple…
Triple slaying touches three Florida Baptist churches
By Bob Allen The pastor and the children’s director of a small Southern Baptist church in Bradenton, Fla., died Dec. 4 in a triple homicide. Police say James “Tripp” Battle III, 31, lead pastor of Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton,…
Trial date set for Union University murder suspect
By Bob Allen A former Union University student accused of killing his fiancée on the Baptist-related school’s campus in February is scheduled to stand trial May 12-14, 2015, on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Charles Pittman, 22,…
Youth minister charged with sexual abuse
By Bob Allen A 37-year-old Southern Baptist youth minister is under arrest in Sasche, Texas, on charges stemming from an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Derek Hutter, minister to students at South Garland Baptist Church in Garland, Texas,…
American Baptist region defrocks minister charged with larceny
By Bob Allen The American Baptist Churches of Connecticut has withdrawn the ordination of a pastor accused in criminal and civil cases of misusing his ministerial status to bilk the elderly. Judy Allbee, executive minister of the regional arm of…
Former church secretary indicted for theft
By Bob Allen A longtime administrative assistant at a Southern Baptist church in Alabama is accused of using a church credit card to make unauthorized personal purchases totaling more than $129,000 in a grand jury indictment alleging theft and fraud….
Faith leaders support reducing mandatory sentences for drug offenses
By Bob Allen More than 1,100 clergy and faith leaders urged Congress to pass legislation reducing federal mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses in a June 3 letter to party leaders in the House and Senate. A total of 1,129…
Murder, possible kidnapping, rock Georgia congregation
By Bob Allen A Baptist minister who leads a multi-denominational church in central Georgia says the congregation is in shock and uncertain about what to expect next in the wake of a murder and possible kidnapping mystery involving two of…
Pastor arrested after domestic dispute
By Bob Allen A well-known Texas Baptist pastor was charged with misdemeanor assault after police responded to a domestic disturbance call at his home Tuesday morning. Andy Pittman, 43, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Lufkin, Texas, was taken…