[4] He was elected president of Southern Baptist Convention in 1959 and unanimously re-elected in 1960. She will need intensive counseling and I think the church should be willing to pay for outside, nonchurch connected counseling. That scathing report named Steve Gaines, the senior pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church, as one of the SBC leaders who "protected or even supported abusers." Under Rogers, Bellevue was a key supporter of the conservative faction within the Southern Baptist Convention during the "conservative/moderate" controversy of the 1970s and 1980s (Rogers served as SBC President for three terms). The center cross is 150 feet (46m) high with two flanking crosses at 120 feet (37m). [38] The proclamation noted that on six workdays, 5,300 volunteers have contributed between 30,000-35,000 hours through yard work, painting, construction, and more to benefit 40 schools, two post-secondary schools, 44 churches, 55 family homes, 14 parks, nine city/government buildings, 16 hospitals, 47 ministries, and ten Memphis City School football fields. [38] The proclamation cited pastor Gaines for leading the way in showing "Jesus' love to the City of Memphis by meeting practical needs of residents" and for "embracing Bellevue Loves Memphis as a way of life. Pollard received the top achievement award for evangelism from the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 1962, and he was president of the board of World Evangelism Foundation of Dallas, Texas. Also, Im going to apply what I learned about Steve Gaines and Belleview Baptist from way back when I started blogging. [7] That morning after he preached, the congregation unanimously voted for Rogers as the next pastor. The newspaper identified the Bellevue staff member accused of sexual abuse 17 years ago as Paul Williams, a 34-year staffer. According to police, officers were called to the 8000 block of Dexter Road on Sunday and found a 2018 Toyota backed into a parking spot. what matters is that they themselves are sin-free, and didnt lose any God points. Bellevue: Clergy sex-abuse and cover-up scandal-hit Southern Baptist flagship. Disturbing details released after man caught at park with teenager: Baptist Church Sued for Not Stopping Staffer from Sexually Assaulting Girl, https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Texas-pastor-who-leads-Baptist-search-didn-t-13724813.php, https://images.nasa.gov/details-from-a-million-miles-away-nasa-camera-shows-moon-crossing-face-of-earth_20129140980_o.html. Association of Related Churches This situation is so wrong and disgusting in so many ways. It will only further demonstrate their ignorance. So the dividend checks or the blog re-planting funding checks arent in the mail? How to Resign from a Church In this Houston Chronicle report, Swofford refused to comment. Church Discipline The last thing the penitent should do is seek an approving audience. Bellevue: Clergy sex-abuse and cover-up scandal-hit Southern Baptist flagship. It gets worse. Bellevue Baptist is a flagship megachurch for Southern Baptists. The committee announced its findings to the congregation Jan. 28. You can be sure that Gaines and Bellevue Baptist will try to use it to their advantage in the lawsuit. The annual award is presented by the April 4th Foundation of Memphis. Born: December 31, 1957, in Corinth, Mississippi, to Edgar and Dorothy Gaines. Ezekiel 34:26 NLT. At first i was like yes, reach out to freshman who are having a hard time early and get them some helpoh wait. Williams, who had served at Bellevue for 34 years, told investigators he was sexually abused as a child. And the last thing a church should do is give them that audience. Daniel Harris. [6] Years later, Graham paid tribute to Lee at his death calling him "one of the towering giants of the 20th century". . Bellevue Baptist Church in Boydton, VA Expand search. Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, agrees to be president of the Southern Baptist Convention after J.D. He was listed in her phone as daddy and she would go to him for advice, police said. He had served as the minister of prayer and special projects at the 25,000-member church for 34 years. They would have to have a marketable skill. Gaines previously served as pastor at First Baptist Church in Gardendale, Alabama; a suburb of Birmingham, for fourteen years. On Sunday, July 10, 2005, the Pastor Search Committee of Bellevue Baptist Church presented Dr. Steve Gaines to the church congregation. At issue, according to comments to the Memphis Commercial Appeal by the seminary president, Michael Spradlin, is Gaines six-month silence after learning of a sexual abuse allegation 17 years ago against a longtime Bellevue staff member. Im not sure how $$$ factors in to TWW, as Im not a trustee, not on the board, nor a major donor. [31] Iglesia Bella Vista is a Hispanic church plant near Summer and Highland. Like this past week when i bought Snag It. You can also fill out our general contact form by clicking the button. Bellevue's goals are to "Love God, Love People, Share Jesus, and Make Disciples." Jeff Anderson taught me about the legalities surrounding blogging and offered his assistance if ever needed. However, it appears that the church was warned about him. Bellevue, based in Cordova and a prominent Southern Baptist church pastored by Steve Gaines, a former Southern Baptist Convention president, has faced criticism in lawsuits and a recent investigative report for how leaders have handled sexual abuse allegations in the past. Among other concerns, a principal concern was that the traditionally conservative leadership had been replaced with a more progressive regime which resulted in the donation of $20,000 to a church of another denomination, which openly supported homosexual relationships and abortion. Watkins. I believe that if churches cannot keep a close watch on the people in their building who are caring for underage children, then they should not run a program in which they reassure parents that their children are safe. Founded in 1903 as a mission of Central Baptist Church, Bellevue was originally located in Midtown Memphis at the corner of Bellevue and Erskine Streets (presently Court Avenue) where Dr. H. P. Hunt served as the church's first pastor. [34] For more than three decades, he directed the student nurse choir at Baptist Memorial Hospital known as the Nightingales. A graduate of Union University with a master's and doctorate degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he served on the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message revision committee for the Southern Baptist Convention along with the committee chairman, Adrian Rogers. Don't on your . I believe there is a subtle innuendo at play that this poor teen victim comes from a questionable background and that maybe her molestation is the fault of her parents or her upbringing.. Daniel Harris brings the final message in our "It's Not About Me, Vol. Allison Gaines Hill: stay-at-home mom. [4] In honor of the Pollards, it was named the Pollard Activities Building in 1970. When the victims parents separated in 2018, Hook began communicating with the victim and her mother. Pedophiles do not think like normal people. In the 14 years that Gaines was the senior pastor in Gardendale, 3,251 people were baptized, leading the Alabama Baptist State Convention in baptisms seven out of ten years. Rogers died of cancer in November 2005. Dont owe anything to anyone. Steve is a manipulative and controlling person. (Dee: I dont beleive him.) (PS What is the difference between a paid volunteer and an employee?_. At one point, Hook had reportedly told the girl that he wanted to be a father figure to her. "[22][23] According to Bellevue's leadership, information on the website has appeared and disappeared repeatedly, and quotes and information about church leadership decisions have been taken out of context. On Sunday, July 10, 2005, the Pastor Search Committee of . They were warned by this teens father yet they continued to dole out his paycheck. On August 13, 1972, at the request of the search committee, Rogers preached his first sermon at Bellevue. Something went wrong. Pardon my brief diversion. My heart goes out to Janet Doe. [8] He was elected president of the SBC again in 1986 and 1987. In 2006-07, it was mired in reports of a clergy child molestation cover-up. October 9, 2022 | Concluding our three-part sermon, "Change Your Thoughts-Win the War," Pastor Steve Gaines focuses on what we can do to go on the offensive with our thoughts. We'd love to answer any questions or concerns you might have. Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church purchased the Midtown property at 70 N. Bellevue in 1992. ), Union University, Jackson, Tennessee (1979), Dyersburg High School, Dyersburg, Tennessee (1975), SBC Baptist Faith and Message Study Committee (19992000), SBC Committee on Nominations (1991, 1999). Steve and Donna have four children and 16 grandchildren. Bless you, Dee, for shining the light in the dark corners of a decrepit Church. In the proper season I will send the showers they need. According to the site, deacons from the church met on November 5 and reviewed Gaines' credit card charges, unanimously finding no inappropriate expenditures. [10] Rogers published 21 books and 52 booklets, including Adrianisms, two volumes of his quotes. Mega-pastors? [28] The Communication Committee's website has since been taken down. Paul became convicted of his actions, and he stopped. J R in WV: One of the first questions the Evangelist preacher asked was Whats your take of the collection?. In December 1934, Lee called for a special "love offering" to help pay off the church building debt. This struck a chord with me. Williams has been placed on paid leave while an investigation of a moral failure is conducted, the paper reported. On December 17, 2006, the church announced that Paul Williams, a minister and staffer at the church for 34 years, had been placed on leave with an investigation pending regarding a moral failure, identified by Gaines and others as alleged child molestation in the 1980s. It is highly possible that he not only hurt this young teen but also her mother. 30 Compiled by Art Toalston. A series of messages from Bellevue Baptist Church Pastor Steve Gaines on the book of Revelation. Another lawsuit surfaced involving the youth ministers assistant, Jason Leon Austin. [4] In September 2008, the three crosses became the central image in the church logo.[37]. [38] The proclamation also noted that Bellevue Loves Memphis provided every city fire station with a copy of the movie Fireproof, assisted with the City of Memphis cleanup, and assisted with ten block parties. Before I started blogging, I spoke with Barabara Dorris at SNAP, as well as the well-known attorney,Jeff Anderson, both of whom offered me important advice. This button displays the currently selected search type. It was long pastored by 3-term Southern Baptist president Adrian Rogers, and more recently, by Steve Gaines. This situation was truly shocking. [4] [4] He was named Pastor Emeritus in 1979. This seems crazy to me. He has served on many denominational boards and committees and been the keynote speaker at many . The membership was 1,430 when he became the church's fourth pastor. [32], In July 2007, Bellevue Baptist was named one of the top 50 most influential churches in the country, coming in 38th. There is no take percentage, collections go to the church board. Swofford is a powerful figure in the SBC, like Gaines. According to the Commercial Appeal in Bellevue Baptist Church sued after paid volunteer coordinator sexually abuses teenagerby Katherine Burgess: The parents of a 15-year-old sexual abuse victim are suing Bellevue Baptist Church, saying the flagship church in the Southern Baptist Convention provided a space for her abuser to groom and abuse her, and that church officials failed to remove her abuser from working with children after being warned. All of which he took the credit for. This teen has been deeply wounded by Hook. [35] Whitmire was minister of youth music until Lane's retirement in 1986. On Sunday, November 19, 1989, overflow crowds attended back-to-back morning worship services at 2000 Appling Road in Cordova. Some people have questioned why I waited for several months, Gaines acknowledged. "[22] The group, "Integrity Does Count" disbanded within a year, after submitting request to obtain financial documents to which they were entitled under state law from the church and being denied the right to review any financial information. Membership Covenants lawyers for Bellevue Baptist Church say the church had no knowledge of the abuse and denies that Bellevue Baptist Church is liable for any actions of James Hook which were outside the course and scope of his employment., According to Katherine Burgess of the Commerical Appeal in Bellevue Baptist Church responds to lawsuit over staff members abuse of teen, In its response filed in court, Bellevue deniedany suggestion or insinuation that Bellevue permitted, condoned or was aware that Hook was grooming his victim. In 2007 a missions team from Bellevue's women's ministry led a conference in Hyderabad, India. He pastored churches in Texas and in west Tennessee before becoming pastor of Gardendale's First Baptist Church.[17]. Grave sins and crimes are humiliating, scarring, and costly to all involved. Lane was awarded the Southern Baptist Convention's Church Music Award for Outstanding Service, and, in 1986, he was named Bellevue's Minister of Music Emeritus. Bellevue Baptist Church is deeply involved in missions at home in Memphis, across the nation, and also around the world. [38] The document also recognized the church for hosting the Tennessee Technology Center's 2008-2009 graduation. Bellevue Baptist was founded in 1903 by Central Baptist Church as a mission church on the outskirts of Memphis. In 2006-07, it was mired in reports of a clergy child molestation cover-up. But God made me see what is happening about 12 years ago and I had to go out and see what is going on out there. Get even more content. The church says in its response that no one there knew what was happening and that they never allowed unsupervised and unrestricted access to volunteers. But apparently they knew enough to believe Hook was innocent of any wrongdoing; members of the church apparently showed up to his sentencing hearing to show support and ask the judge for leniency. The complaint also alleges that staff members saw Hook and the girl together, alone, but failed to intervene. If youd like to speak with someone over the phone, tap (901) 347-2000 to call. but they werent born this way. Maybe this church will be sued out of existence. [34] He was the first full-time minister of music in the Southern Baptist Convention, and when he retired 38 years later, he had the longest tenure of any Southern Baptist Convention minister of music. He lost his job, and the cuddly bunnies he wanted to cull lived on. If he [Gaines] knew about this and kept quiet, then hes put Bellevue in a very dangerous position and possibly put children and the emotionally vulnerable at risk.. I have raised 3 children to adulthood. [11] At his retirement celebration on March 4, the Memphis City Council honored Rogers by naming a segment of Appling Road that runs in front of the west entrance, the Adrian P. Rogers Parkway. Unfortunately both cases were dismissed due to the statute of limitations. They are at risk of a similar failure. It was long pastored by 3-term Southern Baptist president Adrian Rogers, and more recently, by Steve Gaines. During the Spring 2023 semester, we will be walking through the book "Secrets of the Secret Place" by Bob Sorge. 49 min. [30] This group was limited to 50 voting members in order to avoid having an infiltration by those opposed to it, although the actual group was much larger. Married: June 14, 1980, to Donna Dodds GainesWomens Ministry, Speaker, Founder of ARISE2Read, Author of Theres Gotta Be More, Leaving Ordinary, Choose Wisely, Live Fully, and SEATED: Living From our Position in Christ. It was a church matter said the pastor, and he gave a sermon on grace and redemption. One of the first questions the Evangelist preacher asked was Whats your take of the collection? which my friend Priest didnt even understand. [4] In June 1972, members of the pulpit search committee traveled to Philadelphia to hear Adrian Rogers preach at the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors Conference. Here is what Christa Brown wrote back then. I was beginning to see that I had kicked over a hornets nest by starting this blog. Missions Night | Steve Hyde. ), First of all, we know that Hook is a predator. No thats not what that was about. Why? 0:00 - Introduction of our text 6:11 - A Christian man is watchful 8:06 - Discipline your eyes 9:30 - Live in God's . Baptist Press reported that Williams had abused his own son. [14] After eight months of reviewing potential candidates for senior pastor, the search committee reached a unanimous decision. On Dec. 18, Gaines announced to the 25,000-member Bellevue congregation that Paul Williams, a 34-year employee at Bellevue, had gone on paid leave pending a church investigation regarding "moral failure.". 27 talking about this. During this period, the church's membership grew from 9,000 to over 29,000. The Young and Reformed, for example? Groups at Bellevue are small gatherings of people who meet together and encourage one another to Love God, Love People, Share Jesus, and Make Disciples. Subscribe Share More Info. YOu can read about it here. Thousands of evangelical women are calling on him to step down. [4], William Ramsey Pollard was pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, when Robert G. Lee retired. Missions Week 2023. [34] For the community they presented 38 consecutive performances of Handel's Messiah, as well as other classical works like The Seven Last Words of Christ and Mendelssohn's Elijah. He lost his job, and the cuddly bunnies he wanted to cull lived on. John Steven Gaines (born December 31, 1957) is an American Southern Baptist pastor, and the 61st President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He even *bravely* said that Paige Pattersons statements were improper. Since 1903, our mission has remained the same: Love God, Love People, Share Jesus, and Make Disciples. Bellevue has been led by only four pastors since 1927. "Bellevue ranked 80th in Fastest Growing Protestant Churches"(October 7, 2009). ellevue Baptist Church sued after paid volunteer coordinator sexually abuses teenager, Family suing Bellevue Baptist Church over a former employee who admitted to sexually abusing teen girl by, Bellevue Baptist Church responds to lawsuit over staff members abuse of teen. The first service was held on July 12, 1903 with Bellevue's first pastor, Henry Hurt. May 2, 2021 | In the latest installment of our study in the Book of James, Pastor Steve Gaines picks up in James Chapter 2 for a sermon titled "True Faith Works!" Though we know salvation comes from faith placed in the Lord, what role do works play in the cultivation of our beliefs? Im not sure how $$$ factors in to TWW, as Im not a trustee, not on the board, nor a major donor. According to the lawsuit, Hook used his position to encourage Janet Doe the pseudonym used to identify his 15-year-old victim to volunteer in the childrens Sunday School program, where he had access to her alone. However, Mid-America operates independently from Bellevue. The church also denied any liability for Hooks actions which were outside the course and scope of his employment.. They always go to the sentencing to defend a predator. The lawsuit admits that Hook had an extramarital affair with the victims Does mother years ago and that Does father once warned church leaders to keep his daughter away from Hook. Some church members have argued that this aim is contrary to Bellevue's historical philosophy of being "pastor-led, deacon-served, committee-operated and congregation-approved. Richardson, Cyndi(2003); Adams, Paul(Historian). In light of the events that have unfolded, I realize now that I should have discussed it further with this minister and brought it to the attention of our church leadership immediately.. Ive seen multiple comments on BBCs Facebook page, trying to argue that the parents are the ones to blame in all this. I am now an independent Baptist. Lane served with three Bellevue pastors who were each elected Southern Baptist Convention president: Robert G. Lee, Ramsey Pollard, and Adrian Rogers. this was planned, with a concerted effort. A ceremony held to dedicate and light the crosses took place on New Year's Eve, 1999. This post almost needs a trigger warning. Description. it just doesnt say thou shalt not rock the boat. On Sunday, July 10, 2005 the Pastor . This isn't the first time Bellevue has faced accusations of mishandling sexual . We are getting sued. Bellevue, based in Cordova and a prominent Southern Baptist church pastored by Steve Gaines, a former Southern Baptist Convention president, has faced criticism in lawsuits and a recent . Speakers included James Dobson of Focus on the Family and Rogers' successor, Steve Gaines. The following may be how Hook was arrested. Join us June 2023 for an exciting week filled with biblical truth, crafts, recreation, and an interactive musical presentation! The Friendly Atheist addressed this in Baptist Church Sued for Not Stopping Staffer from Sexually Assaulting Girl. [39] From 2008 to 2013, the church opened its doors to city and county schools for holding their commencement exercises. Since 1996, Gaines had preached once a year at Bellevue by Rogers' invitation. theyre looking out for #1. it matters not that they are enabling deception, lying, hypocrisy, abuse of all kinds, crimes committed against the least of these. Why dont they ever see the problem with that? Pastor Steve Gaines knew that one of his staff ministers had sexually abused a kid years earlier. At Bellevue Baptist Church, we believe God is calling us to be a catalyst for spiritual awakening in Memphis, TN and beyond. Bethany Gaines Golding: stay-at-home mom. Rufus_1611 New Member. March 2, 2023. Subscribe to our channel for sermons by Pastor Steve Gaines and for . John Steven Gaines (born December 31, 1957) is an American Southern Baptist pastor, and the 61st President of the Southern Baptist Convention. The investigation committee stated Williams did not pose a danger or risk to children at the church from 2006, when Bellevue Baptist Church ministers learned of his past sexual misconduct, until the time of his dismissal. Which is precisely the point, it cant work for them because theyre everything TWW is not. Steve: He came in an completely changed the structure of the church and was allowed to do so in the name of church growth, increased number of baptisms and increased giving. You can also fill out our general contact form by clicking the button. Interesting how Jesus didnt seem to get that; he didnt need peoples $$$ to run his ministry, to establish his kingdom. For more sermons each week, be sure to subscribe so you can stay in the know. Presiding at the 1951 meeting in San Francisco, he introduced a young Billy Graham to the SBC. I learned about this in June from the minister involved and believed the issue was settled. Staff June 15, 2016. thou shalt not confront. #bellevue #menofmemphis #biblestudy #faith. At the time of his death on July 20, 1978, an estimated 3 million people had heard him preach Pay-Day Someday. The actions, according to some, have opened up a needed avenue of dissent in the church but, according to others, have served only to . who put the word out? . [4] Facility construction and campus improvements are financed through the offering, along with local and foreign mission endeavors. If you agree with him, youre right and if you disagree, youre wrong. CORDOVA, Tenn. (BP)A call for the resignation of Bellevue Baptist Church senior pastor Steve Gaines has been voiced by the president of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, which has a longstanding relationship with the prominent Southern Baptist congregation. Sometimes this theme gets disrupted with a male victim, who might be painted as gay instead. [5] The son of a South Carolina sharecropper, he worked his way through school, ultimately graduating with a doctorate in international law from University of Chicago Law School in 1919. In 1965 the Pollards organized a church group for senior citizens. 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