The newspaper identified the Bellevue staff member accused of sexual abuse 17 years ago as Paul Williams, a 34-year staffer. Subscribe Share More Info. Since 1983, he has pastored churches in Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama before coming to Bellevue Baptist Church in 2005 as Senior Pastor. If it takes blaming Janet Doe to try to get this dismissed you can rest assured that Steve Gaines will stoop that low to do it. She will need intensive counseling and I think the church should be willing to pay for outside, nonchurch connected counseling. If a nurse doesnt perform his duties as stated and a patient is hurt, the hospital, the attending physicians, and other involved personnel canbe successfully sued. Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church purchased the Midtown property at 70 N. Bellevue in 1992. Awful, isnt it? 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. Paul Williams, minister of prayer and special projects at Bellevue Baptist Church, sexually abused his son 17 years ago, according to a report from the churchs investigative committee. They just want to give us a little more time and "context" to receive the brilliance. [25] Other newspaper articles discussing subsequent developments followed in October.[25][26][27]. 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. Pastor Adrian Rogers led missions crusades in Brazil (1990) and Romania (1992) with many church members participating. In August 2009, I wrote several posts about how poorly Belleview Baptist Church and Steve Gaines handled a sex abuse situation. 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 and has visited Israel 16 times. Looking at Matthew 22, we'll see how God calls us to love others and worship Him. [4] In 1948, Bellevue called Thomas P. Lane to build a comprehensive music program for children through adults. [12] He asked for forgiveness from his son and never touched him inappropriately again. [4] On Easter Sunday, April 17, 1960, the church voted to call him as pastor after he preached at Bellevue. What a crazy story? [15] For Easter 2005, First Baptist Gardendale held community-wide services at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex with more 10,000 attending. [5] Lee preached the sermon Pay-Day Someday more than 1,200 times at Bible conferences, in state capitol buildings, churches, universities, youth camps, and ballparks across the nation and around the world.[4]. We are getting sued. 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. Why do I keep thinking this guys REAL sin (like Red Phelps) was being too direct about it? Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., said Sunday that Paul Williams, a minister of prayer and special projects . Feb 21. We'll fix this as soon as possible. https://cruxnow.com/church/2016/03/drown-the-bunnies-president-out-at-mount-st-marys/. The first service was held on July 12, 1903 with Bellevue's first pastor, Henry Hurt, saying that he hoped the new church would become one of the greatest powers for good that the city of Memphis had ever seen. Browse all of Bellevue's on-demand sermons and original content on any device. Why do churches like this one ignore victims? Don't get stuck on the mistakes of your past and cower in fear to Bless you, Dee, for shining the light in the dark corners of a decrepit Church. It's Not Just a Command. Theres a sense of Steve Gaines being the measure of whats right and whats wrong, Spradlin was quoted as saying. Bellevue Baptist Church is a Baptist megachurch in the Cordova area of Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Speakers included James Dobson of Focus on the Family and Rogers' successor, Steve Gaines. [4] An activities building was added in 1966 for evangelistic outreach as well as for the congregation. . There will be showers of blessing.". To this observer, itseems like the church is making this all about them. ), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas (1984), Bachelor of Science (B.S. Richard M. Inlow served as pastor from 1915 to 1920, followed by William M. Bostick, pastor from 1920 to 1927. 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. 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. Most importantly, Bellevue seeks to help people grow in their relationship with God. In 2006-07, it was mired in reports of a clergy child molestation cover-up. He was ordained to the ministry in 1980 by his hometown church First Baptist Church of Dyersburg, Tennessee. Open Discussion Page. Nobody ever hands the microphone to family members who descended into the depths, begging and pleading for the troubled person to accept help and responsibility. "[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. Bellevue is ranked 80th in the largest and fasting growing churches in America by LifeWay Research for Outreach Magazine. At that time Paul told no one else.. [6] Church membership grew steadily, and Lee led the way for construction of a new sanctuary to seat 3,000, with the capacity to seat 600 more. By 1983 additions to Midtown campus encompassed a city block. [38] The document also recognized the church for hosting the Tennessee Technology Center's 2008-2009 graduation. 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. If youd like to speak with someone over the phone, tap (901) 347-2000 to call. In the proper season I will send the showers they need. Children and adults alike can grasp on to such a simple, Scriptural description of what Bellevue is, and will be." -Dr. Steve Gaines. However, it appears that the church was warned about him. [20] The new campus would be closer to 60 percent of the members' residences. [4] He was elected president of Southern Baptist Convention in 1959 and unanimously re-elected in 1960. Interesting how Jesus didnt seem to get that; he didnt need peoples $$$ to run his ministry, to establish his kingdom. 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. Whitmire premiered The Singing Christmas Tree in 1976, with a record attendance of high 56,000.[35]. Bellevue is the largest church in Memphis. thou shalt not confront. Steve Gaines is the pastor of thousands of people at Bellevue Baptist Church. During the Spring 2023 semester, we will be walking through the book "Secrets of the Secret Place" by Bob Sorge. February 27, 2023. [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. The suit alleges Hook groomed the victim, identified as Janet Doe, and was provided unsupervised access to the teen at Bellevue. At the time of his death on July 20, 1978, an estimated 3 million people had heard him preach Pay-Day Someday. The idea is that they should have known everything that their daughter was doing, and if they didnt, then thats purely on them and the churchs hands are clean. From a Million Miles Away, NASA Camera Shows Moon Crossing Face of Earth-NASA, It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being. John Joseph Powell. Rather than sell it, the congregation voted to donate the original black and white television cameras and equipment to missions. Hook even gave the girl a ring because daddys give their daughters rings until they get married, the police report said. I completely agree Unfortunately, marketing Christianity is a BIG DEAL in the good old USA. Thats how I understand the phrase paid volunteer coordinator. Related. #bellevue #menofmemphis #biblestudy #faith. The church also denied any liability for Hooks actions which were outside the course and scope of his employment.. The lawsuit notes that Hook knew Janet Doe and her family outside of Bellevue: Hook and the victims mother had an extramarital affair in 2011, long before the abuse, according to the complaint. A ceremony held to dedicate and light the crosses took place on New Year's Eve, 1999. And cover for the predator, because, Titus 3:2 speak evil of no one After working together as pastor and minister of music at First Baptist Church in Merritt Island, Florida, Rogers and Whitmire reunited at Bellevue in 1975. This teen has been deeply wounded by Hook. [13] Local television station WPTY and Daystar Christian Television network broadcast the service live. [4] A two-story wooden frame building was added to the original stone structure in 1910, with evening services sometimes held on the rooftop. [4] Through the Southern Baptist Mission Board in 1962, Pastor Ramsey Pollard led Bellevue in being the first church to adopt a Cuban refugee family and help establish them in America. 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. An annual Fourth of July celebration, Starlight Spectacular, also draws thousands from the community. The evangelism faculty also presented him with the W. Fred Swank Evangelism Award. Get even more content. Poor us. The membership was 1,430 when he became the church's fourth pastor. 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 . Thx again, Dee, for the post and your research with experts. 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.. CORDOVA, Tenn. (ABP) -- In the latest development in a scandal at one of the Southern Baptist Convention's largest churches, Bellevue Baptist Church fired Paul Williams Jan. 22. I predict this fiasco will long haunt their *Memphis witness* Their actions are creepy(Amnd they better not pull the David was forgiven meme. He was attacked, not the attacker. [4], The church's most well-known leader, Adrian Rogers, was the senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist from 1972 until March 2005. Since 1996, Gaines had preached once a year at Bellevue by Rogers' invitation. Join us June 2023 for an exciting week filled with biblical truth, crafts, recreation, and an interactive musical presentation! We cannot take chances with other peoples children, said Spradlin, who also is interim pastor of nearby Germantown Baptist Church. A wonderful person, too! More info. That's why Pulpit & Pen published a critical article about his statement on prayer today. They always go to the sentencing to defend a predator. [4], William Ramsey Pollard was pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, when Robert G. Lee retired. Hook is one sick dude if these allegations are true. Specific details of the case, allegedly involving sodomy with a minor 17 years ago, have not been released to the public, although . Dr. Steve Gaines, Bellevue's Senior Pastor, is known as a man of prayer and a preacher of God's Word. Gaines told the congregation that the session was not a business meeting, but a time for church members to receive information from this pulpit from the leaders of this church.. "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. June 20, 2022. Pastor Steve Gaines. Kyle interviews special guest, Dr. Steve Gaines - Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis ,TN - and recollects on their shared experience of God moving in their church in Alabama years ago. And the whole of the Southern Baptist Convention elected Steve Gaines as SBC president even AFTER it was widely publicized that Gaines had known & kept quiet about a prior staff m this was planned, with a concerted effort. Im not an Episcopal, just good friends with one who is now a Bishop. Dee, will you please give an authoritative answer? It gets worse. Thousands of evangelical women are calling on him to step down. He was listed in her phone as daddy and she would go to him for advice, police said. 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.". I think the problem here is that they never consider women (even teenagers) to be victims. Hewlett-Taylor, Kelli (March 28, 2005). Wonder how that would work for some of these church/ministry leaders? 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. [39] From 2008 to 2013, the church opened its doors to city and county schools for holding their commencement exercises. He matters, a lot. Dr. Steve Gaines became Bellevue's next pastor. I grew up attending Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. It is a flagship church of the Southern Baptist Convention, and its pastor, Steve Gaines, once led the denomination as its 61st president. I tend to doubt it but who knows. Paul Williams engaged in egregious, perverse, sexual activity with his adolescent son over a period of 12 to 18 months, the report said. "[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.
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