Domestic violence and church

Most Protestant senior pastors say they know victims of domestic violence but seldom address the topic from the pulpit. That's according to a new survey that found only a minority of them have had any training about how to help victims. Read more about the LifeWay Research survey here.

Judge: You are a 'pathetic human being'

During sentencing of convicted child molester, the Maryland judge called the former church youth group leader a ‘cowardly pervert.’ Worse yet, church leaders tried to cover up what Nathaniel Morales did. WJLA-TV has a video report.

Pope Meet Sex Abuse Victims

Pope Francis asked victims of clergy sex abuse for forgiveness. The Pontiff held his first meeting with several abuse survivors today. He told them he would "not to tolerate harm done to a minor by any individual, whether a cleric or not...I beg your forgiveness, too, for the sins of omission on the part of Church leaders who did not respond adequately to reports of abuse made by family members, as well as by abuse victims themselves. He said those responsible would be held accountable.

Bible College president arrested on labor charges

The president of Cathedral Bible College in Marion, South Carolina was arrested this week. Reginald Wayne Miller is accused of making international students perform forced labor on threats of deportation. WSPA-TV has this video report.

WSPA.com

Singer in Christian Metal Band Gets 6 Years

A San Diego judge sentenced Tim Lambesis of the Christian metal band As I Lay Dying to serve six years in prison after he was convicted of trying to kill his wife, Meggan Lambesis. Tim Lambesis plead guilty earlier this year--and he returns to court soon to face a $2 million lawsuit filed by his wife. Read more details from San Diego's KGTV here and from the local newspaper, UT San Diego here.

Boy's love of gospel music may have saved his life

A young boy's love of gospel music may have saved his life. WXIA-TV has the story in this video report.

Theives take $600k from Megachurch

Houston's Lakewood megachurch says about $200,000 in cash and $400,000 worth of checks is missing. KPRC-TV has a video report.

Fake arrests of pastors

A video of three Ohio pastors being arrested at their churches during Sunday services for preaching the gospel has caused a stir in Akron. The law enforcement officers are real, but the videos are faked. They are part of a production coming up at the Akron Civic Theater called Defending the Faith. Summit County Sheriff Steve Barry issued a press release explaining the arrest were just a promotional effort.

Ala. pastor charged with murder, arrested trying to flee country

Richard Shahan tried to get on a flight to Germany but was stopped--and now faces charges he shot and killed his wife. He resigned from the First Baptist Church of Birmingham on Tuesday. WVTM-TV has a video report.

WVTM-TV: News, Weather, and Sports for Birmingham, AL

Calvinist Dropped from program at Baptist Seminary

A proponent of "new Calvinism" is no longer on the speaker schedule for a Southern Baptist conference in North Carolina. Associated Baptist Press reports C.J. Mahaney was "named in a highly publicized lawsuit alleging participation in what has been described as the biggest evangelical sexual-abuse scandal to date.." and now he won't be speaking at the 20/20 Collegiate Conference at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Read the story here.

Stole computers from church: "Forgive me"

Someone stole computers from a Nevada megachurch--and then retunred them, asking for forgiveness. Read the story in Christian Post here.

Arrested for soliciting a prostitute

Bob Jones University's "Chief Brand Officer" was suspended for allegedly soliciting a prostitute. Read the story here.

Bible College Student Arrested

Police in Flagstaff, Arizona arrested a Bible college student when the dean of his school escorted him to the police station to tell them he was having sex with his 17-year-old girlfriend--also a student at the school. The unnamed 21 year old says the relationship was consensual and that they had been together for about five months. He now faces felony charges for sexual contact with a minor, which could earn him a year in prison.

Winans Gets Prison

A member of the Winans music family got a 14 year prison sentence today in Detroit for financially defrauding some 1200 investors. Prosecutors say Michael Winans Jr. led an $8 million pyramid scheme. In his sentencing, the judge said Winans ruined the lives of numerous churchgoers.

Benny Hinn's Son Arrested

The son of evangelist Benny Hinn is back in the U.S. after allegedly "beating up" a deaf man in Brazil during "one of his father's events" over the weekend. According to local newspapers, the elder Hinn was on stage when Joshua Hinn grabbed a man who he thought was going to throw water on his father. The man, Hestephenson Araujo, wasn't able to speak and explain his actions--he brought a bottle of water with him so that Hinn could use it to "bless" him. The deaf man had to go to the hospital after Hinn and two American bodyguards took him to a trailer park and beat him up in the northern Brazilian town of Manaus. Araujo's father says Hinn's representatives talked him into not press charges--by offering a "large sum of money".

Pastor Missing in Iran

An American pastor is missing in Iran. He was imprisoned in Iran on charges of evangelizing others, but no one has heard from him lately. lFox News spoke with his wife to find out the latest.

Texas Church Explodes on Would-Be Thieves

Would-be thieves trying to take the copper wiring at a Houston, Texas church got more than they bargained for. Watch a video report from ABC News that shows what happened.

Church Robbery Spree

A crime bulletin is out for two young white males believed to be behind more than 50 church robberies across the Midwest. The thieves have stolen money for the poor, gift cards for seminary students, musical instruments, and much more from churches in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.

College Audit: Controller Embezzled Funds

Prosecutors say an employee at a baptist university embezzled more than $100,000. Melinda Okai is accused of taking the funds from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis by issuing fake refund checks and issued emergency loans to her husband - without crediting the loans to his tuition accounts. The missing funds showed up in an internal audit. Okai became controller in late 2009.

Teen Sentenced to Church

An Oklahoma judge has sentenced a teenager to attend church for 10 years after drunken driving led to a passenger's death. KTUL-TV has this video report.

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