Wanted Man Shoots Himself in Church Parking Lot: This Week's Church Crime News
ATTENTION NIGERIAN CHURCHES
I am seeing weekly reports of murder and kidnappings at Christian churches in your country and other nearby African churches. I would like to help you all defend yourselves and your churches. I think I can help. Please reply to this email and let me know more of what is happening so that we can start a dialogue and protecting your congregations.
Hausa Translation:
Ina ganin rahotanni na kisan gilla da sace-sacen mutane a majami’un Kiristoci a ƙasarku da sauran ƙasashen Afrika da ke kusa. Ina so in taimaka muku wajen kare kanku da majami’unku. Ina tunanin zan iya taimako. Da fatan za ku amsa wannan imel ɗin ku ba ni ƙarin bayani game da abin da ke faruwa don mu fara tattaunawa da kuma kare coci-cocinku.
Yoruba Translation:
Mo n ri awọn iroyin ọsẹ mẹta mẹta ti ipaniyan ati ajinigbe ni awọn ile ijọsin Kristẹni ni ilẹ rẹ ati awọn orilẹ-ede Afirika ti o wa nitosi. Mo fẹ lati ran yin lọwọ lati daabobo ara yin ati awọn ile ijọsin yin. Mo ro pe mo le ṣe iranlọwọ. Jọwọ dahun si imeeli yii ki o sọ fun mi diẹ sii nipa ohun ti o n ṣẹlẹ ki a le bẹrẹ ibaraẹnisọrọ ati daabobo awọn ẹgbẹ yin.
Igbo Translation:
Anọ m ahụ akụkọ izu ụka banyere igbu mmadụ na ịkpọ ụmụnna n'okwukwe n'ụlọ ụka Ndị Kraịst n'ala unu na mba ndị ọzọ dị nso na Afrika. A ga m achọ inyere unu aka ichebe onwe unu na ụka unu. Echere m na m nwere ike inyere aka. Biko, zaa ozi-e a ma gwa m ihe na-eme ka anyị wee malite mkparịta ụka na ichekwa ndị ụka unu.
CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
Wanted Man Dies by Suicide at Gregg County Church Parking Lot
A man wanted on three felony warrants out of Rusk County, Texas, died by suicide during a traffic stop in the parking lot of Spring Hill Assembly of God Church in Gregg County on Wednesday. Law enforcement had tracked the man, who had previously threatened violence against officers, and waited until he was in a rural area before attempting an arrest. As deputies initiated the stop around 4:40 p.m., the suspect pulled into the church’s parking lot and ended his own life before being taken into custody. No officers were harmed, and the Texas Rangers have been called to assist with the investigation.
When a person is pulled over in your parking lot, just observe the stop. You’re observing the stop to watch over the officer (bad things happen on stops) and also to be ready in case the offender runs into the church (or worse). When people flee the police, they often go to a church to seek refuge. You don’t want them coming in! Lock up the church if he tries to run and seek sanctuary. Try to pick a spot to observe that doesn’t distract the officer. Way too many people film the police and create a nuisance to distract law enforcement. Just watch from a window from afar.
Safety Concern Prompts Church Closure in Fort Mill, SC
On September 18, 2024, law enforcement responded to a reported "safety concern" at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Fort Mill, South Carolina. While the exact nature of the concern was not initially clear, police confirmed that it did not involve the church’s children’s programs or scheduled activities. Out of caution, church leadership canceled all programs that day. Following a thorough investigation, the Fort Mill Police Department found no confirmed threats to the church or the public. Officers remain in contact with church staff to ensure ongoing safety monitoring.
OK…. I’m not sure why police departments do this. their statement is so vague that it starts rumors of what can be happening. It is the best policy to be up front and transparent with everyone about what is happening. Reading between the lines… it sounds like some type of threat was received, but the police found no credible threats. I don’t have specifics, but it should be a last resort to shut your doors and cancel services. We know we will be persecuted. Jesus told us that. Keep your doors open and work extra hard at keeping your congregation safe.
SEX CRIMES
Staff Member at First Baptist Church of Peculiar Charged with Possession of Child Porn
A staff member at First Baptist Church in Peculiar, Missouri, has been charged with two counts of first-degree promoting inappropriate material involving minors. Following cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Cass County detectives linked online activity to the church’s IP address. The individual, who was involved in a pastor ordination service in July 2024, reportedly admitted to using applications to access and share prohibited content from both his home and the church after hours. He is currently being held without bond. The church has suspended him and is cooperating with the investigation.
During my career, I have seen multiple people use their work computers to access kiddie porn. One even used a classified computer at a nuclear research facility. With that said, what are you doing to monitor activity at your church? there are a number of programs that will prohibit people from using certain programs, accessing the dark web and looking at prohibited sites. Make sure you have good cyber security practices. You can enlist the help of a IT professional that may go to your church for help.
Worship Pastor Arrested for Hidden Camera in 2|42 Community Church Bathroom
The worship pastor of 2|42 Community Church in Brighton, Michigan, was arrested after confessing to placing a hidden camera inside a gender-neutral bathroom at the church’s backstage area. The church leadership discovered the device on September 13 and immediately terminated the pastor, who now faces charges, including unlawful surveillance. The church’s lead pastor, Tony Johnson, expressed deep sorrow, stating that this breach of trust devastated both the congregation and staff. The church is cooperating with authorities and conducting further searches for any additional devices, prioritizing transparency and safety for all members.
Do you make the bathrooms part of your security rounds? You should. All you need to do is go into the bathroom and think where you would hide a camera if you were a perv looking to film people. You’ll find it if it is there. There are also devices you can buy on Amazon like this one that can help you detect hidden cameras.
Trinity Bible Church Dallas Removes Pastor Over Inappropriate Relationship
Trinity Bible Church Dallas has removed its lead pastor, Steve Lawson, after elders were informed of his "inappropriate relationship" with a woman. Lawson has been removed from all ministry duties and will no longer be compensated by the church. This follows a trend in North Texas, where at least 10 pastors have been removed or stepped down from leadership since May, with claims ranging from immoral behavior to sexual misconduct.
Texas…. what is going on with you guys? Sex crimes cases have dominated this newsletter, with a majority coming from North Texas. This case is pretty vague when it comes to the church’s statement. Making a social media post with a vague statement that your pastor was removed because of an inappropriate relationship leaves open speculation from everyone. If you don’t fill in the blanks, someone else will and it will hurt followers of Jesus and it will hurt that church. Be up front with what occurred and explain in detail what you are doing. If you need help crafting a statement, head over to this article to learn about media management.
Mastering Media Management During Church Crises
Navigating media interactions during a church crisis is not just about damage control—it's about effectively communicating under pressure while upholding the integrity of your church. When something bad happens at your church, you can’t be silent. I make Christian Warrior Training and this newsletter free for everyone to strengthen and protect Christian…
Catholic Priest Indicted for Sexual Assault in Texas
A Texas grand jury indicted a Catholic priest on three felony sexual assault charges involving two women he had counseled. The priest, who previously worked in Louisiana and Texas, faces charges that include first- and second-degree sexual assault. Allegations involve coercive sexual behavior and the exploitation of vulnerable women. Police also found digital child abuse imagery in his possession, although it was not part of the current indictment. The priest remains in custody with bail set at $2.5 million.
If this priest was at your church at anytime, you need to look for additional victims. When this occurs, there are usually a swath of victims going back the entire tenure of the offender.
Idaho Church Leader Charged with Child Sexual Abuse: Gave Naked Massages to Multiple Boys
Virgil Larson, a Mormon church leader in Chubbuck, Idaho, has been charged with five counts of felony child sexual abuse. Authorities allege Larson gave inappropriate massages to multiple boys under the guise of physical therapy. The victims, aged between minors and young adults, reported the incidents to church officials, leading to Larson's arrest. He has since posted bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on October 1, 2024. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence.
RED FLAG ALERT: The police were alerted by a law firm representing the LDS church. That means the first call from the mormon church was to a lawyer, not the police. Let that sink in. If you are a church leader and your first call is to a lawyer and not the police, you are failing your congregation, our Lord, the victim and you are not allowing justice to take place.
Proverbs 21:15
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
ARSON
Thank God there are no reports of Arson this week. It’s rare this section doesn’t have an entry.
PROPERTY CRIMES
Church Burglary Suspect Arrested in Seaside, California
Seaside police arrested a 41-year-old man near Del Monte Boulevard, suspected of burglarizing St. Xavier's Church on Friday morning. The suspect allegedly entered through unlocked doors and stole religious clothing, a cup of holy water, and a microphone. Surveillance footage captured him inside the church wearing the stolen items. Authorities emphasized the shock of a burglary targeting a religious building, highlighting the rarity of such crimes in the area.
This is my weekly reminder that your church MUST HAVE a burglar and fire alarm along with a 4k video system. I will keep reminding you until you actually do it.
Vandalism of Rainbow Walkway Investigated at Hartford Church
Hartford police are investigating the vandalism of a rainbow-painted walkway outside Immanuel Congregational Church, a symbol for the LGBTQ community. The graffiti, discovered nine days before a local Pride event, contained an anti-gay slur and was quickly painted over. Church leaders expressed sadness over the act but urged their congregation to respond with love and prayers for the perpetrator.
I’m putting this in here for one reason and it is definitely not because I agree with this church. Far from. However, Vandalisms like this are dominating church crime each week and I am choosing not to include a majority of them because most of us disagree with churches sporting gay pride flags. More than likely, it is being committed by one of our own. With that said, I feel compelled to say that, yes, those churches are wrong. But it is also wrong to vandalize their property. Remember, Paul wrote letters that were read for eternity to correct churches, he didn’t burn them or vandalize them. Engage with these churches and tell them the error of their ways, but don’t vandalize or burn them out.
INTERNATIONAL STORIES
Attack on Churches in Kaduna, Nigeria Leaves 3 Dead, 30 Abducted
On September 15, 2024, gunmen attacked two churches in the Bakinpah-Maro community, Kaduna State, Nigeria, killing three people and abducting 30 worshippers. The attack, which occurred during a Sunday morning service, left the local community in shock. One of the abducted individuals was a church pastor. The region has faced ongoing violence, and efforts to improve security, including a newly built security post, have not prevented further assaults.
PLEASE SEE MY MESSAGE TO NIGERIAN CHURCHES AT THE TOP OF THIS EMAIL SO I CAN BETTER HELP YOU.
Alleged Burglar Shot Dead During Break-In at Mpumalanga, South Africa Church
An alleged burglar was shot and killed during a break-in at a church near the Blinkpan Police Station in Mpumalanga, South Africa, on September 14, 2024. A church employee investigating a triggered alarm alerted others, leading to a confrontation. After a scuffle, the suspect was shot when he charged at someone who had fired two warning shots. The police are investigating the incident and potential arrests.
Please don’t do warning shots. I wrote about it in an article here.
How do i find the newsletter from december of a man charged cops at church with a knife
I work with a South African who comes to the US seasonally doing farm work. He described the requirements to defend yourself with a firearm in South Africa: first you must retreat, then fire warning shots, then if you must shoot them, attempt to hit a non vital part of the body. And you’ll likely still go to prison especially if you’re white and the attacker is black. His parents were killed this spring on their farm.