by Bob Smietana (RNS) A group of leaders from the Anglican Church in North America will take over an investigation into alleged abuse at an ACNA church in Illinois. Mark Rivera, a former lay leader at Christ Our Light Anglican, an ACNA startup congregation in Big Rock, Illinois, west of Chicago, has been charged with felony child sexual abuse and faces a trial this fall. … [Read more...] about ACNA Leaders To Take Over Abuse Investigation in Upper Midwest Diocese
Church
TN Youth Pastor Among 18 Charged in Human Trafficking Investigation
(ChurchLeaders) As the result of an ongoing human-trafficking investigation in Tennessee, authorities recently arrested 18 men, including one who is a youth pastor, coach and chaplain. Matthew Brewer, who was until recently listed as the Minister of Students at Fairfield Baptist Church in Centerville, was charged with solicitation of a person under the age of 18. Brewer, 47, … [Read more...] about TN Youth Pastor Among 18 Charged in Human Trafficking Investigation
‘Lord, We Didn’t Want To Be In the News. Not for This.’ TX Pastor Prays After Large COVID-19 Outbreak
For a second straight week, Clear Creek Community Church in Texas was forced to hold worship services online due to a large COVID-19 outbreak that originated from its church camp. It is unclear how many more individuals have been infected outside of the initial report of 125 from the camp who tested positive. Pastor Bruce Wesley confirmed in a statement last week … [Read more...] about ‘Lord, We Didn’t Want To Be In the News. Not for This.’ TX Pastor Prays After Large COVID-19 Outbreak
Pastor Robert Jeffress Encourages Pro-Lifers to Take Vaccine: ‘Value Life Outside the Womb’
(Christian Headlines) Texas pastor and author Robert Jeffress is encouraging pro-life Christians to consider taking the COVID-19 vaccine, saying it's consistent with a pro-life ethic of selflessness and considering the needs of others. Jeffress also says it "bothers" him to hear evangelicals argue "my body, my choice" with the vaccine. "That's what the pro-abortion people … [Read more...] about Pastor Robert Jeffress Encourages Pro-Lifers to Take Vaccine: ‘Value Life Outside the Womb’
Court Won’t Review Case of Pastor Sentenced for Sex Abuse
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday declined to review the case of a youth evangelist who was sentenced to more than 1,000 years in prison for sexual offenses against teenage boys. Justices denied Acton Bowen’s petition without issuing a written opinion. Bowen in 2019 pleaded guilty to 28 counts involving six boys between the ages of 13 and 16. The … [Read more...] about Court Won’t Review Case of Pastor Sentenced for Sex Abuse