Travesty. Thirty-two founding members signed the official charter on August 9, 1903. A wonderful person, too! Bellevue: Clergy sex-abuse and cover-up scandal-hit Southern Baptist flagship. [4] He was named Pastor Emeritus in 1979. Nevertheless, the Seminary has maintained a close relationship with the congregation ever since it moved to Memphis in 1976; former Bellevue pastor Adrian Rogers was an influential figure at MABTS. At the time, there were some calls for Gaines to resign after this incident but the investigation committee, foolishly in my opinion, said all was well. In fact, I am so sick of hearing the phrase: such and such needs to be run more like a business. Unfortunately both cases were dismissed due to the statute of limitations. James A. Hook was a paid volunteer coordinator at the church when he sexually abused his victim, who is identified by the pseudonym Janet Doe. [4] He continued to preach as an evangelist until his death on April 26, 1984. At first i was like yes, reach out to freshman who are having a hard time early and get them some helpoh wait. I am now an independent Baptist. In 1965 the Pollards organized a church group for senior citizens. Bellevue Baptist is a flagship megachurch for Southern Baptists. 0:00 - Introduction of our text 6:11 - A Christian man is watchful 8:06 - Discipline your eyes 9:30 - Live in God's . Come learn how you can be part of fulfilling Bellevue's Mission. Mission Statement of Bellevue Baptist Church: Love God. [4], The move created some controversy both in the city and church communities. Guests and prospective new members can learn about church membership. Bellevue Baptist Church fired Paul Williams, minister of prayer and special projects who served at the church 34 years, in January 2007 after an investigation into a "moral failure" he had confessed to Gaines six months earlier. And he would leave with her in the presence of people who are there to monitor and would see him leave with her and nobody ever stopped him, Smith said. More info. The new building was located on the same block where the original stone chapel had stood. TWW recognizes the power of truth. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (BP)-Several members of the Memphis-area Bellevue Baptist Church have begun to air disagreements with the church's pastor on the Internet and on local television and print media outlets. Steve Gaines would go on to be elected SBC president. Four children. On November 15, 2005, Rogers died of complications following colon cancer treatment at age 74. Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., said Sunday that Paul Williams, a minister of prayer and special projects . If you agree with him, youre right and if you disagree, youre wrong. Luther claimed that Hook was serving time: Hook is currently serving a five-year sentence. He lost his job, and the cuddly bunnies he wanted to cull lived on. Steves wife, Donna, is also a vital part of the Gaines ministry at Bellevue as she teaches in Bellevue Women, Serves Out with missions projects, and leads younger women in discipleship. [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. Calvinistas? Description. Steve Gaines is the pastor of thousands of people at Bellevue Baptist Church. Open Discussion Page. The problem at present is the deacon board has drunk the Steve Gaines kool-aide. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Hook even gave the girl a ring because daddys give their daughters rings until they get married, the police report said. Acts 1:3-11. It causes me to wonder what goes on at BBC. February 26, 2023 / Bellevue Baptist Church. Pastor Steve Gaines knew that one of his staff ministers had sexually abused a kid years earlier. "[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. Grant Gaines: Pastor, Belle Aire Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. [7] That morning after he preached, the congregation unanimously voted for Rogers as the next pastor. 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. Dee, will you please give an authoritative answer? So disturbing. Richardson, Cyndi(2003); Adams, Paul(Historian). 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. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. During the Spring 2023 semester, we will be walking through the book "Secrets of the Secret Place" by Bob Sorge. On September 28, 2009, the State of Tennessee House of Representatives issued a proclamation recognizing Bellevue as an institution that has demonstrated unflagging capacity for love, dedication of spirit, and faith in God and for enriching the lives of people in their community. Almost immediately the new pastor made some changes such as . This is super creepy but also kind of sounds like a threat/blackmail to me.why on earth else would you send that? Police noted that both Hook and the victim described themselves as being in a father/daughter relationship. Its always been that way in churches that lap up dramatic testimony. "Bellevue Baptist Church Televises Sunday Services", "Explore one of Memphis' Megachurches: Bellevue Baptist Church", Bellevue Baptist Church's History and Vision, Bellevue's Lee 'One of the Towering Giants', Bellevue Baptist to Hear Prospective Pastor Sunday, SBC The Baptist Faith and Message Committee, Union graduate called as pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, "Ft. Worth church produced Baptist leaders", "Bellevue Baptist Goes on Global Mission", Churchgoing: Bellevue Baptist Church near Memphis, Doctrine, Demographics, and the Decline of the Southern Baptist Convention in Shelby County, Tennessee, "Bellevue Leadership Report from September 24, 2006", Bellevue conflict bleeds onto Internet, into Public Square, 'People losing trust' in Bellevue pastor, seminary leader says, "Bellevue Baptist Church Opening Up to Casual Service", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bellevue_Baptist_Church&oldid=1136470808, Evangelical megachurches in the United States, Christian organizations established in 1903, 20th-century Baptist churches in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 30 January 2023, at 13:40. [35] Whitmire was minister of youth music until Lane's retirement in 1986. Dont owe anything to anyone. They always go to the sentencing to defend a predator. This situation was truly shocking. Sometimes this theme gets disrupted with a male victim, who might be painted as gay instead. [2] The attendance has been up to 6,567. Bellevue has been led by only four pastors since 1927. PS What is the difference between a paid volunteer and an employee? The suit alleges Hook groomed the victim, identified as Janet Doe, and was provided unsupervised access to the teen at Bellevue. Bellevue is truly "A Family of Friends." [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. [4] To accommodate the crowds that came to hear Lee preach the hour-long sermon each year on the first Sunday in May, Bellevue moved services to Ellis Auditorium in Memphis. 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.. Join us to pray and intercede on behalf of our Gospel partners throughout the nations. [4] In 1948, Bellevue called Thomas P. Lane to build a comprehensive music program for children through adults. Lee was born in a log cabin on November 11, 1886. Earlier this year, Gaines brief tenure at Bellevue encountered a stormy challenge from a former deacon, Mark Sharpe, and other opponents whose accusations aired on the Internet and in the Commercial Appeal include Gaines alleged intimidation of those who disagree with him, his alleged forcing out a popular music director and his alleged refusal to disclose his salary, which they contend is nearly $500,000. Some days, it isnt easy. A series of messages from Bellevue Baptist Church Pastor Steve Gaines on the book of Revelation. He had served as the minister of prayer and special projects at the 25,000-member church for 34 years. Fred Swank was the legendary pastor of Sagamore Hill Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. If Steve Gaines found out that a child had been sexually molested by one of his ministers and if he did nothing to address it, then he needs to step down immediately, the newspaper quoted Spradlin as saying in a Dec. 20 article. [14] Pastor Steve Gaines knew that one of his staff ministers had sexually abused a kid years earlier. [4] When Lee retired in 1960 after serving as pastor for 32 years, Bellevue's membership had grown to 9,200, making it the largest Baptist church east of the Mississippi River and the second largest church in the Southern Baptist Convention. YOu can read about it here. Ive seen multiple comments on BBCs Facebook page, trying to argue that the parents are the ones to blame in all this. 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. [4], William Ramsey Pollard was pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, when Robert G. Lee retired. Whitmire premiered The Singing Christmas Tree in 1976, with a record attendance of high 56,000.[35]. Williams, who had served at Bellevue for 34 years, told investigators he was sexually abused as a child. [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. It is highly possible that he not only hurt this young teen but also her mother. Don't get stuck on the mistakes of your past and cower in fear to John Steven Gaines (born December 31, 1957) is an American Southern Baptist pastor, and the 61st President of the Southern Baptist Convention. https://images.nasa.gov/details-from-a-million-miles-away-nasa-camera-shows-moon-crossing-face-of-earth_20129140980_o.html. 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. [18], Gaines was the only Southwestern Seminary graduate to receive both awards. 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. ++++++++++++++++, Judge not, that you be not judged. He is currently serving at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova (a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee), one of the largest congregations in the Southern Baptist Convention. I dont think it has a board, donors, trustees, $$$. Wonder how that would work for some of these church/ministry leaders? The Benefits of Gospel Partnership Dysfunctional Leadership Revealed by Former Intern Pastor of Sovereign Grace Churches. Which is precisely the point, it cant work for them because theyre everything TWW is not. Do professing Christians even believe in Christ? Specific details of the case, allegedly involving sodomy with a minor 17 years ago, have not been released to the public, although . Gaines, in a Dec. 19 statement quoted by the newspaper, wrote: The past few days have been difficult ones as I have worked through an issue that no pastor wishes to face. Once I said, if we really want to run like an efficient business, we should get rid of all the weak students, since they take up a disproportionate amount of our time that did not go over very well! i observe many christians refusing to say anything at all in calling out wrong doing because of this verse. 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. I left the Southern Baptist Convention or should I say they left me with they way they are handling these type of situations and there embracing of the easy church growth movement along with many paying there pastors according to the amount given to the church. umm, then why was he fired. Powerful. Prayer Requests I was beginning to see that I had kicked over a hornets nest by starting this blog. Share Jesus. Pastor Adrian Rogers led missions crusades in Brazil (1990) and Romania (1992) with many church members participating. You can also fill out our general contact form by clicking the button. Twisted, sick, evil. [28] The Communication Committee's website has since been taken down. [4] The 40-year-old native Floridian was pastor of First Baptist Church in Merritt Island, Florida. [4] In 1991 the church opened Bellevue Woods, a retirement residence near the church. Its simply this: I acted out of a heartfelt concern and compassion for this minister because the event occurred many years ago, he was receiving professional counseling; and I was concerned about confidentiality. You see, Episcopal priests are paid a salary, with a pension plan and health insurance. [14] After eight months of reviewing potential candidates for senior pastor, the search committee reached a unanimous decision. "[38] The document mentioned the church's sponsor of a Christian Mobile Dental Clinic that provides free dental care to the underprivileged, and the church's funding of The Vue, a ministry for college students located near the University of Memphis and accessible to students of other local colleges and universities. Married to David Golding, Engineer with Turner Construction Company in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. In November, 2006, the church formed a communication committee to address the controversy. Steve relishes being in total control. Don't on your . It took the Baptist Press putting pressure on BBC before they would ever come out and make a statement. Bellevue is a place where families can grow closer to each other and where they can make lasting friendships. Born: December 31, 1957, in Corinth, Mississippi, to Edgar and Dorothy Gaines. The survey was tabulated through more than 2,000 emails being sent to non-Catholic church leaders. 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. Bellevue Baptist Church in Boydton, VA Expand search. Bellevue became one of the largest Southern Baptist churches in the United States in the 1950s with more than 9,000 members. [4] Because of the growth in membership, a 1,000-seat auditorium was constructed on Bellevue Avenue, replacing the stone chapel. We cannot take chances with other peoples children, said Spradlin, who also is interim pastor of nearby Germantown Baptist Church. [22], On September 24, 2006, Gaines addressed the criticism during the evening church service. [13], On July 10, 2005, members voted to make Steve Gaines the new pastor. If you want to protect your child since the church appears to be unable to do so, attend the programs to keep an eye on things. . [22] A website contains allegations by some church members that the church is, under the leadership of Gaines, moving toward becoming part of the "church growth movement", moving toward an elder-led (as opposed to congregation-led) form of governance, mismanaging its finances, paying its leadership too much, intimidating members that want the church's leadership to be more open, and otherwise "moving away from its traditional roots. In 1999, the church began a missions emphasis in Central America, with the goal of planting churches. We take no ads to make money. Anyone???? The real problem is that Steve will stop at nothing to keep his power and position. If youd like to speak with someone over the phone, tap (901) 347-2000 to call. . Jesus quoted even more Scripture back, didnt throw the baby out with the bathwater, STS. [4], Under Lee's leadership, a church tradition began during the Great Depression. ), First of all, we know that Hook is a predator. 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. 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. Jesus laid down his life; he did not look out for #1, which is exactly how Satan was tempting him to look out for #1. This post almost needs a trigger warning. With a small $1,000 gift from member Fannie Jobe, Pastor . Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Texas-pastor-who-leads-Baptist-search-didn-t-13724813.php. The last thing the penitent should do is seek an approving audience. According to Family suing Bellevue Baptist Church over a former employee who admitted to sexually abusing teen girl by Chris Luther: Now, a lawsuit filed on behalf of the victims parents claims some of the sexual acts committed by Hook happened on church property, that church leaders ignored warnings about Hook and that the church failed to have policies in place to prevent this abuse. You lost me thereI am not a minister and I dont get a take of any collection. Rogers died of cancer in November 2005. Since 1903, our mission has remained the same: Love God, Love People, Share Jesus, and Make Disciples. [21], In September 2006, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis' predominant newspaper, reported that recent changes at Bellevue have led to protests by some members. After being located in the heart of Midtown, Memphis for over 80 years, Bellevue relocated to its current campus in Cordova. Steve and Donna have four children and 16 grandchildren. Muff Potter: theyre everything TWW is not. Here is what Christa Brown wrote back then. ), 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). One student who was molested by another youth leader (Billy Bob Burge) went on to commit suicide, and the mans parents sued the church in 2015. Her life will never be the same. Dr. Steve Gaines, Bellevue's Senior Pastor, is known as a man of prayer and a preacher of God's Word. To my knowledge, TWW is a blog written by two unpaid people with some volunteer tech support. With a small $1,000 gift from member Fannie Jobe, Pastor Thomas Potts led the congregation to build a one-room stone chapel at the corner of Bellevue and Erskine Avenues. He had served as the minister of prayer and special projects at the 25,000-member church for 34 years. "Women of Prayer" is the theme for next year's Abide, Feb. 23-24, with plenary speakers Donna Gaines, Bible teacher and wife of Steve Gaines, senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tennessee; Andrea Lennon, Women's Ministry Specialist for the Arkansas Baptist Convention; Heather Johnson, Bible teacher and wife of Dr. Mark . On Sunday, November 19, 1989, overflow crowds attended back-to-back morning worship services at 2000 Appling Road in Cordova. Browse all of Bellevue's on-demand sermons and original content on any device. [4] Bellevue financed and constructed a branch church, first known as Lauderdale Heights Baptist Church and later as City View Baptist Church. Sovereign Grace Ministries Week Five | Men of Memphis | Spring 2023. [10] His biography, Love Worth Finding: The Life of Adrian Rogers and His Philosophy of Preaching, was published in 2005. It was long pastored by 3-term Southern Baptist president Adrian Rogers, and more recently, by Steve Gaines. Here is where it gets complicated. But I think hes spent all his credibility and people are losing trust in him, Spradlin said. I completely agree Unfortunately, marketing Christianity is a BIG DEAL in the good old USA. [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. We need to be careful when we pass judgment on a complex situation, especially that view could be used to benefits us. Beautiful! Davis-Bushey, Connie(June 24, 2009). Subscribe Share More Info. [10] Rogers published 21 books and 52 booklets, including Adrianisms, two volumes of his quotes. it matters not that they ignore and effectively shun the victim. Four children. In August 2009, I wrote several posts about how poorly Belleview Baptist Church and Steve Gaines handled a sex abuse situation. Friend: Why do churches like this one ignore victims? [4] Groundbreaking for the 7,000-seat worship center was July 19, 1987. February 27, 2023. Its always the fast woman not the fast, lecherous, predatory man. Avoid churches where people brag about their past sins. Pastor Steve Gaines begins a multi-week series on "A Godly Christian" with a message on "A Godly Christian and His Faith." Focusing on the Genesis 22 story of Abraham and Isaac, we see how faith strengthens us to endure the trials of life. Good friend was a DVM with horses, suffered a back injury and could work with big livestock any more. Bellevues director of communications, Jim Barnwell, told the Commercial Appeal, I think the important thing to remember is that Steve Gaines realized he made a mistake, hes taking ownership of that and trying his best to fix it. Barnwell added, I dont believe there was a deliberate attempt to hide anything., Describing the investigation, the Commercial Appeal said it will include Bellevue members and independent sources during which Williams will not perform any ministerial duties or be on the Bellevue campus.. The newspaper identified the Bellevue staff member accused of sexual abuse 17 years ago as Paul Williams, a 34-year staffer. The complaint says that Janet Does father warned Bellevue Baptist that Hook should not be allowed to interact with children. The campus also offers a thrift store and tutoring for students. Did anyone from the church go to sit on the side of the victim or ask for a tougher sentence for a man who abused a teen from their church? SEATED: Living From our Position in Christ. [4] On October 30, 1983, the membership voted to move to the current campus, completing the move in 1989. It gets worse. [4] On Easter Sunday, April 17, 1960, the church voted to call him as pastor after he preached at Bellevue. As told inIn Disturbing details released after man caught at park with teenager: A 43-year-old man was arrested over the weekend after his alleged interactions with a teenage girl came to light. 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. He also served on the building committee for Baptist Memorial Hospital and as commissioner for the Memphis Housing Authority. In 2006-07, it was mired in reports of a clergy child molestation cover-up. Description. Ive commented about this before. If we have a certain calling on our heart, are we obedient to the Lord in answering that call? It was and is one of the most vibrant churches in the convention; its former (Adrian Rogers) and current (Steve Gaines) pastors have been the President of the Southern Baptist Convention and both served on the Baptist Faith and Message Committee. March 1, 2023. My sexually abusive father showed me graphic photos of my mother and himself. Join us June 2023 for an exciting week filled with biblical truth, crafts, recreation, and an interactive musical presentation! [37] The landmark crosses were dedicated at a special ceremony with choir, orchestra, and hundreds of church members at midnight on New Year's Eve, 1999. In 1954, Westminster Films captured him in Technicolor delivering his signature sermon. At one point, Hook had reportedly told the girl that he wanted to be a father figure to her. You can find Bellevue media anywhere. Note: Covid has not seemed to slow TWW down. However, he claims he never said, or was taken out of context, all the bad things that were said about him. Friend: Didnt work out well for the business-savvy president of Mount St. Marys University in Maryland. Missions Week 2023 Bellevue Media. This is a warning to parents whose children and teens are participating in BBC programs. The church also denied any liability for Hooks actions which were outside the course and scope of his employment.. Church, get on the right side against predation, against church as a hunting ground. Since 1983, he has pastored churches in Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama before coming to Bellevue Baptist Church in 2005 as Senior Pastor. Five children. [13] Local television station WPTY and Daystar Christian Television network broadcast the service live. Dr. Gaines was called to replace the retiring Dr. Adrian Rogers. Im not an Episcopal, just good friends with one who is now a Bishop. (PS What is the difference between a paid volunteer and an employee?_. So, I did some digging, this President, who had been a CEO of and investment company, and NEVER been an academic, was fired by his board. During his Father's Day sermon, Pastor Steve Gaines taught on "The Need for Christian Men." Speaking from 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, he focuses on what makes a Christian man and how we should live as people of God. 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. He was attacked, not the attacker. [24] In response to the site's accusations, Gaines said that the church is not leaving its traditional roots, is not a part of the church growth movement, and that the website is creating confusion. Sigh. 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). Missions Night | Steve Hyde. The church relocated to its current building (2000 Appling Road), which seats 7,000 in the main sanctuary, on a 377-acre (153ha) campus in Cordova, a Memphis suburb, in 1989. Mega-pastors? Maybe this church will be sued out of existence. However, Mid-America operates independently from Bellevue. Dr. Steve Gaines became Bellevue's next pastor. At the good old Big State U, when I ask our administrators what run the Big U more like a business means, I either get no clear answer, or they use it to justify their pet approaches/initiatives. Lindsey Gaines Wingo: stay-at-home mom. Pastor Steve Gaines of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. Yup, Christ taught us all how Christianity should be run by marketing/business types.. 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. Are they involved in a joint venture? 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.. . The crosses are engineered to withstand 70-mile-per-hour (110km/h) winds and are constructed of four pieces of structural steel and angle iron painted white. "More Than 10,000 Gather for BJCC Easter Service". Paul Williams engaged in egregious, perverse, sexual activity with his adolescent son over a period of 12 to 18 months, the report said.