Subscribe Share More Info. Bellevue has been led by only four pastors since 1927. The last thing the penitent should do is seek an approving audience. (Think the lawsuit.). Police noted that both Hook and the victim described themselves as being in a father/daughter relationship. Groups at Bellevue are small gatherings of people who meet together and encourage one another to Love God, Love People, Share Jesus, and Make Disciples. If youd like to speak with someone over the phone, tap (901) 347-2000 to call. I honestly believe he cares absolutely nothing about the victim Janet Doe. Join us in prayer as we anticipate the coming of Easter. Pardon my brief diversion. [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. I have paid for some tech support and Im glad my husband supports any expenses I have on the blog. Travesty. Worship is one way we praise God, celebrate our new brothers and sisters in Christ, and grow our intimacy with Jesus. They also had a child together, Janet Does sibling, according to Bellevues response to the complaint. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and our podcasts for on-the-go access. 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. Here is what Christa Brown wrote back then. Since 1983, he has pastored churches in Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama before coming to Bellevue Baptist Church in 2005 as Senior Pastor. In 1965 the Pollards organized a church group for senior citizens. [28] The Communication Committee's website has since been taken down. Three large crosses, visible from Interstate 40, mark the church's location. Steve Swofford, who was on the 2019 committee to name a leader of the EComm Investigating sexual abuse in the SBC has a similar issue in his church, First Baptist Church of Rockwall. Lane was awarded the Southern Baptist Convention's Church Music Award for Outstanding Service, and, in 1986, he was named Bellevue's Minister of Music Emeritus. Bellevue is truly "A Family of Friends." The Benefits of Gospel Partnership Dysfunctional Leadership Revealed by Former Intern Pastor of Sovereign Grace Churches. A series of messages from Bellevue Baptist Church Pastor Steve Gaines on the book of Revelation. It was a church matter said the pastor, and he gave a sermon on grace and redemption. 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. 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. Bless you, Dee, for shining the light in the dark corners of a decrepit Church. Gaines, an alumnus of SWBTS and the pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, issued a public statement in response to past controversial statements made by 75-year-old Patterson about women, abuse and divorce. 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.. However, Mid-America operates independently from Bellevue. ), First of all, we know that Hook is a predator. If an institution runs on $$$, thats the story. The Baja peninsula and the Sea of Cortez are plainly visible. The Commercial Appeal did not report a response from Gaines. Parents, you have a problem. Gaines previously served as pastor at First Baptist Church in Gardendale, Alabama; a suburb of Birmingham, for fourteen years. Another lawsuit surfaced involving the youth ministers assistant, Jason Leon Austin. In 2006-07, it was mired in reports of a clergy child molestation cover-up. [29] The next day, December 18, Gaines released a statement that acknowledged that he had been aware of the allegation since June 2006 but that he did not address it for several months because Williams had been attending professional counseling, because of confidentiality concerns, and out of compassion for the staffer.[. It was and is one of the most vibrant churches in the convention; its former (Adrian Rogers) and current (Steve Gaines) pastors have been the President of the Southern Baptist Convention and both served on the Baptist Faith and Message Committee. An independent investigation commissioned by the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in America, showed that sexual abuse allegations were ignored or covered up by church elders for nearly 20 years. Site by Mere. [38] The proclamation cited pastor Gaines for leading the way in showing "Jesus' love to the City of Memphis by meeting practical needs of residents" and for "embracing Bellevue Loves Memphis as a way of life. Im not sure how $$$ factors in to TWW, as Im not a trustee, not on the board, nor a major donor. Thx again, Dee, for the post and your research with experts. Married to Melisa. 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. A wonderful person, too! 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. [4] An activities building was added in 1966 for evangelistic outreach as well as for the congregation. [4] The goal was set at $30,000, but church members contributed $36,000. [4] Hurt served as pastor for the first 11 years, resigning because of poor health in 1914. Thus Bellevue has its four-fold mission statement: Love God, Love People, Share Jesus, and Make Disciples. She will need intensive counseling and I think the church should be willing to pay for outside, nonchurch connected counseling. Two weeks ago I was surprised to find out that the issue was not settled. . The complaint says that Janet Does father warned Bellevue Baptist that Hook should not be allowed to interact with children. This isn't the first time Bellevue has faced accusations of mishandling sexual . A prominent Southern Baptist mega-church has placed a long-time staff member on administrative leave and launched an internal investigation into allegations he molested a member of his family 17 years ago. March 1, 2023. The Young and Reformed, for example? Sigh. what matters is the bonus God points theyll probably get for showing grace and supporting the perpetrator. Why do I keep thinking this guys REAL sin (like Red Phelps) was being too direct about it? [4] He was elected president of Southern Baptist Convention in 1959 and unanimously re-elected in 1960. Gaines, deacon chairman Chuck Taylor, Harry Smith, a longtime member of the churchs finance committee, and Chip Freeman, the churchs chief administrator, reportedly addressed various allegations point by point. Upon his retirement in 2005, Rogers was named Pastor Emeritus. Acts 1:3-11. Why? Bellevue Baptist is a flagship megachurch for Southern Baptists. 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. Gaines later said he should have immediately disclosed the information to church leadership. So disturbing. [38] The proclamation also noted that Bellevue Loves Memphis provided every city fire station with a copy of the movie Fireproof, assisted with the City of Memphis cleanup, and assisted with ten block parties. February 27, 2023. 49 min. it is entirely self-centered. According to the parents, some people at the church knew Janet Doe was leaving with Hook. 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. 0:00 - Introduction of our text 10:19 - Faith strengthens 15:05 - Faith serves 21:42 . Week Five | Men of Memphis | Spring 2023. In mid-November, a website was launched by the committee. 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. [8] He was elected president of the SBC again in 1986 and 1987. Our actions bare the fruit of our faith.For more sermons each week, be sure to subscribe so you can stay in the . Love People. Davis-Bushey, Connie(June 24, 2009). Pedophiles do not think like normal people. Don't get stuck on the mistakes of your past and cower in fear to thou shalt not confront. ), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas (1984), Bachelor of Science (B.S. Would attend continuing education classes, flying to and fro. Some church members have argued that this aim is contrary to Bellevue's historical philosophy of being "pastor-led, deacon-served, committee-operated and congregation-approved. Week One | Men of Memphis Bible Study | Spring 2023 . Thousands of evangelical women are calling on him to step down. Lane served with three Bellevue pastors who were each elected Southern Baptist Convention president: Robert G. Lee, Ramsey Pollard, and Adrian Rogers. Related. Three children. In the back, the officer located a man, later identified as James Hook, and a 16-year-old girl underneath a blanket. He also served on the building committee for Baptist Memorial Hospital and as commissioner for the Memphis Housing Authority. they were trained this way. PS What is the difference between a paid volunteer and an employee? In fact, I am so sick of hearing the phrase: such and such needs to be run more like a business. 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 . [7] That morning after he preached, the congregation unanimously voted for Rogers as the next pastor. We cannot take chances with other peoples children, said Spradlin, who also is interim pastor of nearby Germantown Baptist Church. Spradlin, in his comments to the Commercial Appeal, also referenced controversy that has buffeted Gaines since he was called as Bellevues pastor in July 2005 succeeding Adrian Rogers, who had retired after leading the church for 32 years. They wield their power accordingly. Williams has been placed on paid leave while an investigation of a moral failure is conducted, the paper reported. Since 1983, he has pastored churches in Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama before coming to Bellevue Baptist Church in 2005 as Senior Pastor. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Beautiful! I learned about this in June from the minister involved and believed the issue was settled. [31] Bellevue Frayser operates a weekly food pantry, with Bellevue volunteers distributing food each Saturday morning to approximately 175 families. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - An independent investigation commissioned by the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in America, showed that sexual abuse allegations were ignored or covered up by church elders for nearly 20 years.. That scathing report named Steve Gaines, the senior pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church, as one of the SBC leaders who "protected or even . [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. It is a flagship church of the Southern Baptist Convention, and its pastor, Steve Gaines, once led the denomination as its 61st president. No more kids were molested. Are they involved in a joint venture? [20] The new campus would be closer to 60 percent of the members' residences. [10] His biography, Love Worth Finding: The Life of Adrian Rogers and His Philosophy of Preaching, was published in 2005. Dr. Steve Gaines, Bellevue's Senior Pastor, is known as a man of prayer and a preacher of God's Word. Richardson, Cyndi(2003); Adams, Paul(Historian). . Williams came under fire last December after Pastor Steve Gaines . The man was able to fool Adrian Rodgers! Dr. Gaines was called to replace the retiring Dr. Adrian Rogers. [31] Iglesia Bella Vista is a Hispanic church plant near Summer and Highland. He has served on many denominational boards and committees and been the keynote speaker at many . Watch thousands of videos for all age groups. 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. Bellevue Baptist is a flagship megachurch for Southern Baptists. Bellevue continues to broadcast services locally. Hewlett-Taylor, Kelli (March 28, 2005). [11] At his retirement celebration on March 4, the Memphis City Council honored Rogers by naming a segment of Appling Road that runs in front of the west entrance, the Adrian P. Rogers Parkway. 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. The survey was tabulated through more than 2,000 emails being sent to non-Catholic church leaders. More than 10,000 attended his memorial service at Bellevue on November 17, 2005. [10] In 1994, he was asked by Focus on the Family founder and president, James Dobson, to serve on the organization's board of directors. A ceremony held to dedicate and light the crosses took place on New Year's Eve, 1999. Ive seen multiple comments on BBCs Facebook page, trying to argue that the parents are the ones to blame in all this. I grew up attending Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Oh, its not subtle at all. According to the site, deacons from the church met on November 5 and reviewed Gaines' credit card charges, unanimously finding no inappropriate expenditures. 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. True repentance does not need spectators. Bellevue Baptist Church is a Baptist megachurch in the Cordova area of Memphis, Tennessee, United States. We need to be careful when we pass judgment on a complex situation, especially that view could be used to benefits us. Why dont they ever see the problem with that? 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. [12] February 26, 2023 / Bellevue Baptist Church. More info. Rufus_1611 New Member. We'd love to answer any questions or concerns you might have. We believe Worship is vital for the life of a Christian. That's why Pulpit & Pen published a critical article about his statement on prayer today. [8] In 2000, he headed a SBC committee charged with revising the denomination's statement of faith, The Baptist Faith and Message. Bill and Kyle discuss how God transforms a church during seasons of revival. Lindsey Gaines Wingo: stay-at-home mom. Like this past week when i bought Snag It. It was long pastored by 3-term Southern Baptist president Adrian Rogers, and more recently, by Steve Gaines.