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. The case against megachurch pastor John Blanchard has taken a dramatic turn after after prosecutors appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the charges of sexual solicitation against him. Blanchard continued to preach at the church, too, even though others in church leadership knew of Sellers allegation. Under Virginia law, sexual battery is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison. 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. Location. You can read more about his first court appearance here. Continuing with the Christian Post, we learn: After almost a year of legal maneuvering, the charges against Blanchard were withdrawn, or nolle prosequi, ahead of a criminal trial in October. Blanchard outlined that, as well as what she says happened after Blanchard's arrival, in court documents filed in Virginia Beach in 2019, the year she took out charges against him. Ministry Watch 2022 All rights reserved. "Do Theologians LIke Russell Moore Ever Apologize for Theological Blunders of the Past?" This article was originally published at ChurchLeaders.com. Prayer Requests Steve240: Why members continue to attend and support this pastor? While denouncing those of us in various fandoms who KNOW were dealing with imaginary worlds and critters and magic. In October of 1968, Rock Church was founded when John & Anne Gimenez were traveling from Pennsylvania to Florida and stopped in Virginia to appear on The 700 Club. fired an associate pastor for having affairs. Thank you for your prayers and support. He said he's glad another prosecutor will be taking an independent look at the case. This week, xx submitted his resignation as Duluth Vineyard's Senior Pastor. If [Blanchard is] found not guilty or if hes acquitted, thats one thing. He was expected back in court for his preliminary hearing on March 22. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. Chesterfield County Commonwealth's Attorney Stacey Davenport spoke publicly to the media for the first time Thursday morning since controversy began mounting over her decision to drop charges against a pastor involved in a sex sting operation. ChurchLeaders reached out to Stacey Davenport and Tim Anderson for comment. Its hard for the average churchgoer to initially accept that a pastor who they have trusted would be capable of such things. After almost a year of legal maneuvering, however, the charges against Blanchardwere withdrawn or nolle prossedahead of a criminal trial in October. The Roys Report left a voicemail seeking comment from Rock Church but did not immediately hear back. In a statement posted Wednesday, the church asked believers not to condemn., Under the guidance of our legal counsel, We cannot make a statement or comment concerning the accusations against Rev. 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. ", 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.". Coming from a background in atheism and a dysfunctional childhood, Johns heart is to reach a generation with a message of hope through the healing and delivering power of Jesus Christ. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: bernesdemontana.com, +573132520919 Criadero Matouk kennels | Venta de cachorros Bernes de la Montaa Sellers said that after she pushed for accountability for Blanchard, she lost the support of her church. Skills. For example, perhaps the lead pastor has a charismatic, persuasive personality, and the visitor is in awe of his preaching style. In April, after a few court appearances where the prosecutor and Brooks went back and forth on what evidence can be used in the court case, attorneys told the judge they needed time to come up with a resolution. Less than two weeks after The Roys Report (TRR) published an investigation, revealing that Churchome, Judah Smiths celebrity megachurch, had rehired Braylon, An embattled New England megachurch yesterday announced its closing, following an investigation by The Roys Report detailing allegations of yearslong bullying and, In 2019, Braylon Oliver stepped away from pastoring the Downtown campus of Churchome, a so-called celebrity megachurch with campuses in Los Angeles. After setting up a place to meet in person, police arrested all of them on October 29, including Blanchard, 51. . 11-22 to 27 to Tampa. Our youngest daughter, Leah was married this week to Alexei, a wonderful young man! Blanchard's attorney would only say he was "pleased with the outcome" of the case. Sovereign Grace Ministries Chesterfield County Police arrested Rock Church Pastor, John Blanchard, in October 2021 on prostitution charges. Anderson created another post, questioning Chesterfield County Commonwealth's Attorney, Stacey Davenport, and called for transparency. Blanchard's attorney asked the judge to continue Blanchard's hearing, saying there are "evidentiary issues" with the case, but he would not go into further detail as to why. ", "If Ms. Davenport chooses to frame those questions as a political attack, so be it," Katz said. 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. And, believe me when I tell you that my daughter would be in complete agreement with me. State delegate and attorney Tim Anderson, however, has been drawing attention to Blanchards case after obtaining and reviewing the incident report. "Unfortunately more questions than answers have now been raised. John Blanchard serves as the pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach. ", Chesterfield County Police Chief, Col. Jeffrey S. Katz spoke out in January after Blanchard's attorney filed a motion to "seal all police or court records, transcripts, and investigative records associated with this case" and "has decided to consent to render these records unavailable to the public. 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. However, he touts himself online as the founder of TechDirect, a self-described LED screen solution for churches.. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? It must be based on the melanoma? In the wake of the arrest of a Virginia megachurch pastor accused of soliciting sex from a minor, a former church employee has come forward saying the pastor sexually assaulted her in 2018. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. It would destroy their perfect world. Bishop Anne, Pastor Mrs Robin the Rock are nice to ladies as a headline issue. 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. Sellers ultimately decided to report her sexual assault to police. One can usually learn a lot by simply reading whats online before the visit. Hobbs said hes aware of Blanchards previous suits alleging defamation and said he has no idea if hell be sued for speaking out. Today I decided to check out Rock Church International because the pastor has been in the news recently. Because this may once again become a future pending criminal case, I cannot make any further comments on the facts or the circumstances surrounding anything related to this matter," she said. Gimenez remains the churchs bishop. The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more. Read more about it here. Davenport eventually agreed to have a special prosecutor appointed to review the case after public backlash and the receipt of new information. The Virginia Beach megachurch pastor was one of 17 men arrested during an . Frankly, anyone approaching a minor for a sexual encounter should be condemned. The pastor at a nearby Southern Baptist church criticized Rock Churchs poor handling of the situation. Has he ever explained why he wanted to meet with a 17-year-old girl in a hotel? He is an Electrical Engineer with over 25 years experience working on major projects in the property and construction industry.<br><br>Specialising in utility solutions, industrial, hotels, retail, leisure, care homes, apartments and offices. The records show he said, "I can't have charges, I didn't do anything wrong. Denial VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. (THECOUNT) Rock Church Senior Pastor, John Blanchard, has been identified as the suspect arrested along with 16 other men accused of solicitation of prostitution of a minor Following an online sting operation by law enforcement. John Blanchard, along with his wife, Robin, is still listed as a senior pastor at Rock Church on the church's website as of this writing. REV. 50:46. As followers of Christ, we must remember that redemption, salvation, grace, mercy and healing are all gifts given to the children of God. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) A lead pastor at Rock Church Virginia Beach has "voluntarily stepped down" from that role following his recent arrest, a statement from the megachurch confirms. Welcome to Northside Church of the Nazarene 739 Francis St., Zanesville, OH 43701, 740-453-4010, info@nsnaz.org Due to the repeated public comments and unfounded political attacks levied upon my office by both Chesterfield County Police Chief Jeffrey Katz and Delegate Tim Anderson, I cannot ethically make any decisions on whether or not this new information should impact future prosecutorial decisions in this matter., Chief Katz declined an interview request with CBS 6, but in a written statement, he supported the decision to bring in a special prosecutor and said he has only ever asked Davenport "reasonable questions. Old Timer: By the way, could someone please update me regarding the status of the DOJ investigation of the SBC mentioned back in August 2022? Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Will check in weekly w/ bondsman.. Forgive him if he genuinely repents? The lawyer said there is church business outside of Virginia, and that Blanchard travels for his job. I think she just didnt know the proper legal language. 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. RELATED: Charges dropped against John Blanchard, Virginia Beach pastor accused of trying to solicit a minor, In the messages with the undercover detectives, Blanchard agreed to meet at a place by the Chesterfield Mall, but first, he asked the person: "Are you affiliated with law enforcement in any way?". Church leaders regardless of denomination or race seem to have a hard time controlling themselves. What was the lack of evidence? We need to report sin wherever we see it and bring to justice illegal acts as these. Thanks Todd and Christiane for your comments. John Blanchard at this time. Instead, Sellers is now facing a civil lawsuit John Blanchard filed in Virginia Beach Circuit Court in 2020, court records show. 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. 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. Davenport did not reply in time for the publication of this article. The two parties "agreed to disagree" about the decision. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. The next generation of leadership emerged in 2013, when founder Anne Gimenez along with the Rock Church elders & leadership installed John and Robin Blanchard as the new Senior Pastor of the Rock Church International. John Blanchard, the pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach, was accused by Chesterfield Police of driving more than two hours up to a local hotel to meet a "minor" for prostitution. They work their butts off to take men who like underage kids off the market. That they had been duped for a period of time by this person Genesis Metro Baptist Church: 9750 John W Elliott Dr: Frisco: TX: 75033 (469) 287-5995: Gethsemane Baptist Church: . It can be a lot easier to accept a plausible excuse vs. have to face reality. We would ask that the privacy of the Blanchard family be respected as they walk through this difficult journey together. Example video title will go here for this video. In anOct. 11 statementon Facebook, Rock Church officials announced that Blanchard was cleared of all charges by prosecutors from the Chesterfield County Courthouse. However, she said she's worried about the working relationship between Katz and Davenport and if it could impact their efforts to keep Chesterfield as safe as possible. I cant seem to able to locate updated information. The Roys Report posted Scandal-Plagued Virginia Pastor Returns to Pulpit, Threatening Legal Action. 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. 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. Her shoulder was in pain that evening and he kept offering to rub it even after she declined, she told a local TV station. The same thing that can make a woman stay with an abuser or a drunk. John Blanchard is among 17 men accused of solicitation of prostitution after an online sting operation by law enforcement. Anderson referred us to comments he has already made to other media outlets and on his Facebook page. Church leadership knew and decided not to remove him from his position.. But Sellers never heard a word in response. As for the pastor . It "is a systematic assessment of a client's social and sexual history, deviant or paraphilic interests, and the risk of sexual reoffending in the future. John Blanchard at this time," the post said. Megachurch pastor still preaching despite claims he stepped back from ministry over prostitution arrest. In 1971 the first Rock Church sanctuary was dedicated debt free! 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, the statement continued. On the Rock Church website, Blanchard is described as having grown up an atheist with a dysfunctional childhood, adding, Johns heart is to reach a generation with a message of hope through the healing and delivering power of Jesus Christ., There is one business named Zion Solutions that is incorporated in Virginia, and state records do not list Blanchard as a company official. How about black pastors such as Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson or the revered MLK jr. who is known to have had affairs with a number of women in his congregation. 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