Sr. PastorandCEO @ The Rock Church. ChurchLeaders reached out to Stacey Davenport and Tim Anderson for comment. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Two days later, he appeared onstage at his church, where he led prayer. Bishop Anne, Pastor Mrs Robin the Rock are nice to ladies as a headline issue. He wants to look into this more carefully and determine why the charges were dropped. Why did the Commonwealth Attorney agree to seal and erase the records? As a result, the evidence available for use in the prosecution of each case was different, and the outcome of each case was different. Prosecutors recently set those charges aside. Robin and John Blancharddaughter and son-in-law of the church's founders, Anne and the late John Gimenezare the new co-pastors at the 4,000-member Pentecostal church. Thats what I was looking for. For example, perhaps the lead pastor has a charismatic, persuasive personality, and the visitor is in awe of his preaching style. church down the street hired him. That's a fact, and that's not something that we . Many religions have abandoned the principle of attraction by an actually sound message for stealing of affections. Even assuming she is totally unaware and innocent, wouldnt this be a huge shock? Enough of a shock that its worth a church giving her the time and space to regroup before having her attempt to lead a group of 2,000 people who know her deepest marital traumas? In a bail document provided Wednesday to The Daily Beast by the Chesterfield County General District Court, Blanchard reports an income of $30,000 a month from his work in technology. Under family ties, Blanchards wife and 6-year-old daughter are listed. As any sensible person would conclude. Memorial contributions in Kim's name may be made to Cancer Patient Services, 1800 N. Blanchard St., Suite 120, Findlay, Ohio, 45840. But Sellers never heard a word in response. This exoneration comes after nearly 11 months of delays and continuances. Pastor John was. Prayer Requests Travel 11-16 to 18 to Atlanta. The judge granted the attorneys about two months to sort out how they want the case to move forward. Some folks like pastors who are alleged bad boys it makes them feel better about themselves. The married father of two was charged with solicitation of prostitution of a minor and use of a vehicle to promote prostitution, which are felonies. ", "The evaluation is intended to identify any particular treatment needs of the client, and to propose a treatment plan to meet those needs," the law group's explainer sheet states. The undercover detective posed as the teenager wrote in the message saying "she" was 17 years old and asked if that would be a problem. Blanchard continued to preach at the church, too, even though others in church leadership knew of Sellers allegation. Rachel Olstad After agreeing to meet with a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl, the pastor was arrested and then released on bond. Makes multiple inquiries if the person he's texting is 'affiliated with law enforcement,' 5. 12.10.22 EChurch@Wartburg Dr Scot McKnight: Just Who Was Mary of Christmas? John Gimenez felt compelled to seek an empty church building as a sign of Gods confirmation. Including Acts That Have No Name even among the FURRIES? @olstad_rachel Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? Just FYI I would not and cannot accuse any wrong-doing on the part of any police organization with regard to the pastors situation, no. . A newly released report offers more details about the October 2021 arrest of Virginia pastor John Blanchard. He was arrested at a hotel where he was supposed to meet a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl. He was one of 17 people arrested in the sting . Sellers ultimately decided to report her sexual assault to police. Records show Blanchard was arrested on . I trust the police in situations like this. This postponement would go on several more times. Pastor Blanchard has voluntarily stepped back as lead pastor and from all his ministerial duties until this present situation is totally resolved. Sarah Hammond 12/18/2022. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! In the documents, investigators say they posed as a 17-year-old girl online for prostitution and received a message from Blanchard. But Davenport said she'd have to remove herself from the case, blaming Katz and Anderson. Location. Rock Church is committed to honesty and integrity in dealing with charges or accusations of sexual misconduct or immorality among its leaders and will support any investigation arising from accusations of violation of this standard among its staff and leaders in an effort to find the truth and to protect its members, church families and their children, at all times. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) Virginia Beach pastor John Blanchard is stepping back from his lead pastoral duties at Rock Church International, according to a statement from the church. In my opinion, they are not that important in the big scheme of things. I am unable to comment on the appropriateness of public statements made by other entities regarding this, or any other, case in which my office is involved. Christian Rocker Posts Stunning Response to Recent Apostasy of Christian Leaders, Chicago Radio Host & a Former Bodyguard Say James MacDonald Asked Them to Arrange Murders, James MacDonald Took Millions from Harvest & Now Demands Broadcast Ministry, Mancow Airs Shocking Comments By James MacDonald: My Response. I think the church leaders should have refrained from telling people not to condemn the pastor. I hope my journey walking through the evangelical wilderness and landing in one abusive or authoritarian church after another has been instructive. Anderson has been posting about the case on social media, calling on Stacey Davenport, Commonwealths Attorney of Chesterfield County, to explain why the charges against Blanchard were dropped. Anderson created another post, questioning Chesterfield County Commonwealth's Attorney, Stacey Davenport, and called for transparency. I thought she was going to come out with some answers. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. He was charged with felony solicitation . The Christian Post reported Blanchard continued preaching inMegachurch pastor still preaching despite claims he stepped back from ministry over prostitution arrest. Blanchards next court appearance on charges of solicitation of prostitution and use of a vehicle to promote prostitution is scheduled for March 22, Chesterfield County officials told The Daily Beast. Nearly a year prior, the public controversy began: Detectives in Chesterfield County, Virginia, said they connected with 17 people on social media during the last week of October 2021 who were seeking to have sex with people underage. Chesterfield Police said it cannot elaborate on the new evidence against Blanchard. I would guess hearing something one year after the investigation began may be optimistic. His resignation comes in the context of allegations of misconduct against one of our former pastoral assistants. However, he touts himself online as the founder of TechDirect, a self-described LED screen solution for churches.. In an Oct. 11 statement on Facebook, Rock Church officials announced that Blanchard was cleared of all charges by prosecutors from the Chesterfield County Courthouse. A group of about 20 protesters gathered outside of Rock Church in Virginia Beach on Sunday morning, calling for Pastor John Blanchard to resign. ", "If Ms. Davenport chooses to frame those questions as a political attack, so be it," Katz said. Tim Anderson, the state attorney, seems to believe that attention should be brought to bear on Blanchards case. He has spent the time in fasting and prayer and has invested much of his time in his family and education. Hobbs said hes aware of Blanchards previous suits alleging defamation and said he has no idea if hell be sued for speaking out. Under the guidance of our legal counsel, We cannot make a statement or comment concerning the accusations against Rev. Milky Way timelapse photobombed by the Aurora Borealis over Loch More in Scotland. Hmmm lets check out the Scripture on that: For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Blanchard claimed that he might have wanted just to talkMinistry Watch posted: Virginia Church Urges Believers Not To Condemn As Pastor Arrested in Sex Sting Op Steps Away From Duties Again: John Blanchard, the Virginia pastor who was arrested in a sex sting operation only to have his charges later dropped, is once more stepping away from his duties as lead pastor of Rock Church International in Virginia Beach. There are many studies published that sexual assault is three times more prevalent in the black and multi-colored churches in America. Its a dirty shame that a wayward pulpit takes advantage of a trusting pew once trust is broken, its difficult to repair (if ever). Blanchard filed the request in Chesterfield County Circuit Court's civil division last month, the records show. Rock Church in Virginia Beach is seen on Oct. 20, 2022. Association of Related Churches Pastor Blanchard has voluntarily stepped back as lead pastor and from all his ministerial duties until this present situation is totally resolved. Then he assaulted her, she said. Church Administration; see less Rocky Bezet Email Address Found 1 email address listing: @trcla.org . Delegate and attorney, Tim Anderson, posted the documents about Blanchard's arrest on Facebook, which he received through a FOIA request, saying, "Rock Church Leadership still maintains Pastor Blanchard is innocent. Sellers worked for about two years as assistant to Robin Blanchard and her mother, Rock Church Bishop Anne Gimenez. There is no excuses for these guys but when you identify this as a white American evangelical issue are you not forgetting about the Catholic priest issues? Anderson said, In my legal opinion, from what I have seen, theres no excuse not to prosecute this case. To donate, click here. ), Bond amended with agreement of bondsman, it says. John Blanchard at this time, says the statement on Rock Churchs website. "Do Theologians LIke Russell Moore Ever Apologize for Theological Blunders of the Past?" Ministry Watch 2022 All rights reserved. John David Blanchard of Virginia Beachs Rock Church, has been raking in $30,000 a month and traveling extensively since his October arrest, according to court records. The Virginia Beach megachurch pastor was one of 17 men arrested during an . and desperately sick; Church leadership knew and decided not to remove him from his position.. The same thing that can make a woman stay with an abuser or a drunk. John Blanchard, the Virginia pastor who was arrested in a sex sting operation only to have his charges later dropped, is once more stepping away from his duties as lead pastor of Rock Church International in Virginia Beach. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. You can misrepresent it. He needs to be out of the Rock Church ASAP until this is resolved. Be careful little ears what you hear for many false prophets have gone out into the world. I am grateful for his service. He has spent the time in fasting and prayer and has invested much of his time in his family and education. I suspect what she meant was that the DA chose not to prosecute based on the available evidence. We anticipate his resumption of church duties in the near future.. Gee, how much money are they making on this deal? On Oct. 11, 2022, the court hearing in Chesterfield lasted only a matter of seconds. Blanchard appeared in Chesterfield County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on Nov. 15, 2021. The Church condemns sexual immorality of any kind and in any form by its members and leaders and especially holds its leaders to a high standard of accountability on any lifestyle choices that could reflect negatively on the reputation of the Church or disparage the character of the Savior whom it purports to represent. That same night, detectives say they found cash of up to $160 and a cell phone in Blanchard's possession. Solicitation charges have been dropped against Virginia megachurch pastor John Blanchard. Blanchard was one of 17 people arrested in Chesterfield County . Franssen said she trusts the police department to do its job and is thankful Chief Katz made his concerns public. When a member of the police department whose name was redacted from the documents asked why the case was dismissed, Michev disclosed that Davenport had conversations with Blanchard's defense attorney, Noel Brooks. If this pastor had already gone to a jury trial over sexual assault charges, the local journalists should have remembered when he was charged due to this sting. Except Blanchard would have been watching Hawt Lezbo Action a common theme in Straight Male Porn. ", In addition, the documents show he told police officers he "was planning on talking and that's why, you know, the texts are the way they are, because that's what I was trying to say.". No hearing date has been set. John Blanchard was arrested in October of 2021, but prosecutors recently set those charges aside. John & Robin Blanchard are the Senior Pastors of the Rock Church of Virginia Beach. Rents a car, 2. When Blanchard arrived at the hotel, he was met by officers who arrested him. Rock Church International 640 Kempsville Road It would destroy their perfect world including: Admitting their pastor is a hypocrite and isnt perfect or near perfect individual they admired for so long The Everlasting Enterprising Evangelical church. Why in the world would organizations seek to destroy Blanchard and his family? Thank you for your prayers and support. John Blanchard, the Virginia pastor who was arrested in a sex sting operation only to have his charges later dropped, is once more stepping away from his duties as lead pastor of Rock Church International in Virginia Beach. He faced multiple prostitution-related charges. Steve240: a lot easier to accept a plausible excuse vs. have to face reality. CHESTERFIELD, Va. On October 11, 2022, all charges related to attempted solicitation of an underage minor were dropped against John Blanchard, a senior pastor at Rock Church International in Virginia Beach. A prosecutor must have evidence that proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to support a conviction in a court of law and ethically cannot proceed with charges in a case where the evidence does not meet that standard. Shades of Ravi Zacharias. Appearing before his congregation on Sunday, John D. Blanchard, pastor of Rock Church International in Virginia Beach, said the accusations against him were demonstrably false and part of smear campaigns against me and this church., But today Im here to announce enough is enough, Blanchard said, adding, You can dress up a lie. All he wanted to do was talk. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. on the Cop side of the line) and taunted his wife with that fact as he was beating her. Pastor John Blanchard and his wife Pastor Robin Blanchard are the Senior Pastors of the Rock Church International in Virginia Beach Virginia. 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