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…
Former pastor charged with abuse
By Bob Allen A former pastor at Baptist churches in Arkansas and Tennessee faces multiple charges of sexually abusing children following his arrest May 5 on a warrant issued after conducting a graveside service at a cemetery in his hometown…
Probation terms altered to permit sex offender pastor to minister to children
By Bob Allen A judge in Florida has changed probation terms for a preacher who is a registered sex offender to allow the former Southern Baptist pastor to minister to children in his church. Darrell Gilyard, 52, began preaching at…
Former Wayland CFO pleads guilty to theft
By Bob Allen The former chief financial officer at Wayland Baptist University received five years in prison after pleading guilty to using university funds for personal expenses. The Amarillo Globe-News reported April 22 that James E. Smith, fired last year…
Pastor accused of bilking elderly
By Bob Allen An American Baptist pastor in Connecticut has been charged with stealing more than $173,000 from an elderly parishioner. Robert Genevicz, pastor of Stratford Baptist Church the last 16 years, was arrested March 18 and charged with first-degree…
Minister sentenced for child sex abuse
By Bob Allen A former children’s minister at an Alabama Baptist church was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to child sex abuse March 7. Jeffrey Dale Eddie, 41, longtime associate pastor for children and church administration…
Union University murder suspect gets mental evaluation
By Bob Allen A Union University student charged with murdering his fiancée and staging it to look like a suicide is undergoing mental evaluation to determine if he is competent to stand trial. Charles Pittman, 21, a Christian ministry major…
Facebook helps police nab Baptist preacher
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist pastor in Kentucky was charged with indecent exposure in an arrest that police credit to social media. Kevin Lohse, pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Russellville, Ky., was arrested Feb. 26 after police identified…