You don’t see a lot of mergers in the Christian ministry space, but one recent merger caught our eye here at MinistryWatch. That merger was between CareNet and ICU Mobile. We thought it would be good to have Roland Warren back on the program to explain why and how this merger occurred.

Regular listeners to the program will remember that we had Roland on the show last year to discuss his book The Alternative to Abortion: Why We Must Be Pro Abundant Life. I’ll have a link to that program in today’s show notes.

But for those who missed that program, or who have forgotten, Roland Warren has been the president of Care Net, the nation’s largest network of pregnancy resource centers, for more than a decade. He’s been an advocate for the unborn for much longer than that. Roland Warren has also helped bring fathers into the pro-life conversation, in part because of a tenure as president of the National Fatherhood Initiative, a post he held before coming to Care Net.

I’ve interviewed Roland Warren many times over the years, including twice for my “Listening In” podcast, a podcast I did for a decade for WORLD News Group. I’ll include links to those interviews in today’s show notes.

Those links are here and here.

Today, though, we focus on the merger with CareNet and ICU Mobile because it’s an example of what I think more ministries should consider, and that is a strategic merger with other like-minded organizations. I think Roland has some interesting insights regarding the why and how to make such mergers possible.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m your host Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s program, Milestone Church in North Texas announced this week it is expanding its campuses by absorbing Cross Timbers Church in nearby Argyle. Cross Timbers has faced a series of challenges in the past year, including the forced resignation of its senior pastor. We’ll have details.

Plus, prominent evangelical leaders petition President Trump to allow Afghan refugees to remain in the U.S. Refugees face arrest, torture, and possibly death by the Taliban if deported back to Afghanistan. We’ll take a look.

A new survey shows the number of donors continued to drop in 2024…but revenue from overall donations rose.

But first, Ethnos 360—one of the largest missionary agencies in the country—has been sued by a child of missionaries who says she was abused while her parents served in Indonesia.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Tony Mator, Bob Smietana, Paul Colliery, Brittany Smith and Warren Smith.

A special thanks to The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast.

Until next time, may God bless you.

 

MANUSCRIPT:

 

FIRST SEGMENT

Warren:

Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you this week from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Natasha:

And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado, and we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.

Warren:

On today’s program, Milestone Church in North Texas announced this week it is expanding its campuses by absorbing Cross Timbers Church in nearby Argyle. Cross Timbers has faced a series of challenges in the past year, including the forced resignation of its senior pastor. We’ll have details.

Plus, prominent evangelical leaders petition President Trump to allow Afghan refugees to remain in the U.S. Refugees face arrest, torture, and possibly death by the Taliban if deported back to Afghanistan. We’ll take a look.

And, a new survey shows the number of donors continued to drop in 2024…but revenue from overall donations rose.

Natasha:

But first, Ethnos 360—one of the largest missionary agencies in the country—has been sued by a child of missionaries who says she was abused while her parents served in Indonesia.

Warren:

Kayla McClain, 25, claims she was abused by an Ethnos360 missionary, Nate Horling, between 2005 and 2010.

Her lawsuit asserts claims against Ethnos 360 for negligence, negligent training and supervision, fraud in the inducement, and vicarious liability for the alleged abuse committed by Horling.

Boz Tchividjian, the attorney representing McClain, is also founder of Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE). said in a statement to MinistryWatch.  “Once again, Ethnos360 faces a lawsuit for failing to protect a child from sexual abuse — and for its deeply inadequate response when the survivor courageously came forward,”

“Our client, like far too many others, was not kept safe. But through this legal action, she is now seeking the accountability and justice that were long denied to her,” he said.

Natasha:

What happened?

Warren:

In 2005, McClain’s parents served as missionaries with Ethnos360 in Indonesia after completing their missionary training.

While there, Kayla McClain became acquainted with the Horlings, another missionary family living in the same housing area provided by Ethnos360. The Horlings had a daughter the same age as McClain.

According to court filings, McClain often felt uncomfortable around Nate Horling, who would stroke her hair and give her prolonged full-body hugs. McClain also claims Horling showed her lewd pictures and videos of children in the Ethnos360 office while she sat on his lap and he touched her inappropriately. And in 2009 she was raped by Horling

Natasha:

And this was just one of multiple cases within Ethnos 360 the lawsuit asserts.

Warren:

“As a direct and proximate result of the sexual abuse inflicted on [McClain] by Horling as a young child, [McClain] began acting out the sexual acts she learned from Horling on other missionary children. Likewise, several other missionary children began acting out sexual acts on [McClain],”

Natasha:

In 2009, GRACE was hired to investigate allegations of sexual abuse within the ranks of Ethnos360 — then New Tribes Mission. The final report, released in 2010 at the same time McClain was allegedly still being abused, revealed widespread sexual abuse within the organization.

Warren:

“The GRACE report outlined in detail the substantive and repeated failures of Defendant Ethnos in how the organization and its leadership responded to child sexual abuse allegations and how such failures were the direct cause of profound emotional damages to victims and their families,” the lawsuit states.

Following the report, Ethnos360 agreed to put in place necessary training, policies, and background checks to handle allegations in the future.

Natasha:

Back in the United States in 2019, McClain struggled with her mental health and even tried to die by suicide and was admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

Warren:

There’s a lot to this story and we can’t get into all the details here but McClain claims

Because Ethnos was in a position of trust, the lawsuit alleges that it owed a duty of reasonable care to McClain from sexual abuse, but it breached that duty by “fail[ing] to establish, implement, or enforce policies” that would have protected her.

The lawsuit also alleges that Ethnos failed to provide adequate training and supervision of its employees, which resulted in McClain suffering bodily injury, mental suffering, and emotional distress.

Natasha:

What did Ethnos 360 have to say?

Warren:

“Ethnos360 takes allegations of this nature very seriously,” David Doyle, attorney for Ethnos360, told MinistryWatch in response to our inquiry. “The organization’s first concern is the well-being of the individual affected. To that end, Ethnos360 has offered and continues to offer assistance with this individual’s counseling. Ethnos360 will continue to prioritize accountability, as well as the safety of every individual entrusted to its care.”

Natasha:

Next, a Texas church that has been in the middle of controversy is merging with a Texas megachurch.

Warren:

Cross Timbers Church in Argyle, Texas, about 30 miles north of Fort Worth, will become a satellite campus of nearby Milestone Church in Keller.

On Sunday, May 4, Milestone Founding Pastor Jeff Little made the announcement to the Milestone congregation.

He said the leadership at Cross Timbers approached Milestone about a “shared future.” Because this aligned with Milestone’s plans to expand to Argyle, the two congregations came to a mutual decision that Cross Timbers would become part of the Milestone family.

Natasha:

Who will lead the church?

Warren:

Pastor Steve Chestnut will be the campus pastor in Argyle. According to the Milestone website, the music portion of the service will be live, but the preaching will be broadcast from the main campus.

The website states. “Being a campus of Milestone Church means that you are a fully integrated part of the Milestone family. It’s not a separate church—we are one church in multiple locations that share the same vision, values, and leadership. You can expect a full staff team committed to serving the community, including a dedicated Campus Pastor who leads the day-to-day operations,”

Milestone plans to meet at nearby Liberty Christian School “to allow for necessary building, systems, and signage updates” at the current Cross Timbers building.

Natasha:

This transition comes after some challenges at Cross Timbers.

Warren:

In July 2024, Cross Timbers Lead Pastor Josiah Anthony was asked to resign in July after the elders discovered he had engaged in “inappropriate and hurtful” actions. At the time, the elders said the actions didn’t involve “any children, physical or sexual interactions or any illegal activity to our knowledge.”

Then in August, Byron Copeland, who had been named as interim pastor, resigned.

Natasha:

Next, A pastor in Harford County, Maryland, near Baltimore, has been charged with stealing $135,000 from the church he led.

Warren:

Daniel Champ, pastor of First Baptist Church in Bel Air, allegedly began stealing funds in January 2019 and continued until the theft was discovered in 2024.

Last October, church officials began noticing missing money and suspicious bank charges for items like DoorDash, PayPal, and sports betting,

The sheriff’s office said Champ has been removed from the church accounts and has been ordered to move from the residence on church property within 60 days.

Natasha:

What are the charges?

Warren:

According to court documents, a five-count criminal indictment was filed against Champ on April 1. The charges include theft of greater than $100,000 and embezzlement. Four of the charges are felonies.

If Champ is found guilty of the charge of theft of greater than $100,000 in property, it carries a penalty of “imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both;” and the criminal “shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services.”

A $15,000 unsecured personal bond was posted on Champ’s behalf on April 11.

His initial appearance in court is scheduled for May 19.

Natasha:

Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, evangelical leaders petition Trump to let Afghan Christians stay in the U.S.

I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.

 

BREAK

 

SECOND SEGMENT

Natasha:

Welcome back.  I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith,...

Two weeks ago, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 30, 2025, about whether Oklahoma can operate the nation’s first faith-based charter school. If the Supreme Court decides their way, St. Isidore of Seville would be a virtual, K-12 school run by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa.

We should note that a lot of conservatives are with St. Isidore. Alliance Defending Freedom’s Jim Campbell was one of the attorneys arguing on behalf of the Oklahoma charter board and the school. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican supporter of St. Isidore, said the case “stands to be one of the most significant religious and education freedom decisions in our lifetime.” The conservative legal group Liberty Counsel filed an amicus brief in the case, also in favor of St. Isidore.

But not everyone – even on the conservative and Christian side of the aisle — is so enthusiastic. David Dockery is the president of the International Alliance for Christian Education. He told MinistryWatch, “IACE does not have an official position on the St Isidore case since we do not have full agreement on this matter among those who serve on the Board.”

Dan Burrell is a longtime Christian education leader. Today he serves as a pastor in Charlotte, N.C., and the chairman of the board of MinistryWatch. His experience includes a tenure as president of the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. He was also a faculty member at Liberty University’s graduate school of education. Burrell said he was “pretty strongly opposed” to government-funded religious schools.

On today’s program, a team of elders is recommending Dr. Michael Brown return to public ministry in spite of a recent report concluding that he engaged in sexual misconduct. We’ll have details.

And, the Presbyterian Church USA—historically, very involved in evangelistic efforts—is now closing its missions agency. Theologians say they are not surprised given the denomination’s leftward drift.

Plus, more than a year after Wycliffe Bible Translators listed its sprawling Orlando headquarters for sale, its status remains unclear with the property still marked “under contract.” MinistryWatch reporter Shannon Cuthrell takes a closer look.

But first, megachurch Pastor TD Jakes has announced plans to step aside as head of The Potter’s House. T.D. Jakes, the well-known pastor of Dallas megachurch The Potter’s House, plans to step aside later this year and appoint his daughter and son-in-law as the church’s leaders, Christianity Today reported.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Mark Wingfield, Tyler Hummel, Shannon Cuthrell, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell.

A special thanks to Baptist News Global for contributing material for this week’s podcast.

Until next time, may God bless you.

 

MANUSCRIPT:

 

FIRST SEGMENT

Warren:

Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you this week from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Natasha:

And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado, and we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.

Warren:

On today’s program, a team of elders is recommending Dr. Michael Brown return to public ministry in spite of a recent report concluding that he engaged in sexual misconduct. We’ll have details.

And, the Presbyterian Church USA—historically, very involved in evangelistic efforts—is now closing its missions agency. Theologians say they are not surprised given the denomination’s leftward drift.

Plus, more than a year after Wycliffe Bible Translators listed its sprawling Orlando headquarters for sale, its status remains unclear with the property still marked “under contract.” MinistryWatch reporter Shannon Cuthrell takes a closer look.

Natasha:

But first, megachurch Pastor TD Jakes has announced plans to step aside as head of The Potter’s House.

Warren:

T.D. Jakes, the well-known pastor of Dallas megachurch The Potter’s House, plans to step aside later this year and appoint his daughter and son-in-law as the church’s leaders, Christianity Today reported.

Jakes, age 67, told the Potter’s House congregation the news on Sunday, April 27, saying, “I cannot afford, especially after November, to risk something happening to me and that you be sheep without a shepherd.”

Natasha:

Last month, Jakes revealed in an interview on NBC’s Today Show that he suffered a massive heart attack in November.

Warren:

Sarah Jakes Roberts and husband Toure’ Roberts are expected to take over as senior pastors in July when the church celebrates its anniversary, but plans for the current assistant pastors to take the lead have been in the works for a few years, Jakes said. He will remain as chairman of the church’s board.

The Roberts couple currently lead One: A Potter’s House Church in Los Angeles. Toure’ Roberts founded One in 2004. Sarah Jakes Roberts is the founder of Women Evolve, a conference for women to be held in Atlanta later this summer.

Natasha:

Our next story also pertains to pastoral succession – but this one isn’t as positive

Warren:

Pastoral succession, megachurch wealth and family dynasties combine in a lawsuit filed against Second Baptist Church of Houston and its leaders April 15.

The Southern Baptist congregation is the 17th largest church in America, according to Outreach magazine, with average weekly attendance of 19,735 in 2024. After 46 years as senior pastor, Ed Young stepped down last May and named one of his sons, Ben Young, his successor. Another son, also named Ed Young, leads a Dallas-area megachurch called Fellowship Church, which is the 13th largest church in America.

Natasha:

But all is not well in Houston, nearly one year after Ed Young the elder took a sudden retirement at age 87  — and orchestrated naming his son as successor.

Warren:

Now there are allegations of deceptive practices, an illegal church business meeting and a family’s attempt to enrich itself by control of the church’s $1 billion in assets.

Natasha:

What do you mean?

Warren:

The elder Young is Southern Baptist Convention royalty and a legend among American pastors. He not only was elected president of the SBC twice during the “conservative resurgence,” but he grew the church from about 500 people in 1976 to tens of thousands today.

With that growth, and with the extremely long tenure of a senior pastor, came governance issues that boiled over at the time of a pastoral transition. While the vast majority of Southern Baptist churches operate with congregational governance and call pastors through a lengthy search committee process and an all-church vote, none of that happened last year at Second Baptist.

Natasha:

Now, a group of members has formed a nonprofit corporation called Jeremiah Counsel “to promote, protect and restore integrity, accountable governance and donor protection for churches in Texas.” Specifically Second Baptist.

Warren:

Jeremiah Counsel filed suit against Ben Young, Ed Young, Associate Pastor Lee Maxcy and North Texas attorney Dennis Brewer, who served as chief financial officer of Fellowship Church in North Texas.

The plaintiffs charge these defendants — labeled “The Young Group” — conspired to steal church assets and take away the congregation’s right to choose its own pastor. They accuse the elder Ed Young of enacting a series of changes beginning in 2023 “to secure the ascendance of his son, Ben Young … as senior pastor to Second Baptist’s 94,000 congregants.”

Natasha:

And that’s not all…

Warren:

They accuse their former longtime pastor of collaborating with Ben Young, Lee Maxcy and Dennis Brewer Jr. “to orchestrate undisclosed and unvetted amendments to the bylaws at Second Baptist.”

Natasha:

Next, the latest concerning Michael Brown.

Warren:

A group of Christian leaders comprising an “elder accountability team” recommended that Line of Fire’s Dr. Michael Brown be released to resume his public ministry from which he has refrained since November.

The team also expressed concerns about the Firefly investigation report into accusations against Brown that “concluded that Brown’s actions toward the two females were inappropriate and unacceptable for his leadership position within the ministry.”

Natasha:

Brown was accused of sexual misconduct by crossing physical boundaries with a 21-year-old woman, Sarah Monk, who was working as a secretary at Brown’s FIRE School of Ministry, based in Concord, North Carolina.

While admitting to a close relationship with his accuser, Brown claimed the relationship was “totally non-sexual in every way.”

Warren:

The elder accountability team took issue with Firefly’s use of the term “sexually abusive misconduct,” the lack of opportunity for Brown to provide rebuttal to some testimony, the failure of Firefly to include testimony by Nancy Brown, wife of Michael Brown, and the claim that Brown was intentionally grooming Sarah Monk, one of his victims.

According to the team, Firefly expanded the “historically narrow understanding of the term” sexual abuse when it evaluated Brown’s conduct. In evaluating this expansion, the elder team argued that it could bring “confusion in what constitutes true sexual abuse and has the very real danger of diluting it.”

Instead, the elder team would choose the term “moral indiscretions” and “leadership misconduct.”

Warren:

The elder team also recommended that Brown or Line of Fire agree to pay for reasonable counseling expenses for Monk and that Brown invite Monk and the husband of the married woman to an in-person meeting for dialogue that might aid in healing.

The elder accountability team condemned as unbiblical those who “relitigated with accusations, judgment, and sentencing by a jury on social media” and caused “irreparable damage to Dr. Brown’s credibility and ministry.”

The team went on to say they do not believe Brown committed a sin “grievous enough” for which he should be disqualified from ministry.

Natasha:

Let’s look at one more story before we take a break – what do you have?

Warren:

Nearly four years after indictments were issued against Randy and Michelle Free for theft of property from Cedar Cross Country Church in Alvarado, Texas, both of the Frees have been sentenced.

On March 17, Michelle Free entered a plea agreement for 10 years of probation with 320 hours of community service, according to Johnson County District Attorney Timothy Good.

Her probation is a deferred adjudication and as long as she abides by the terms, Free will not have a felony conviction on her record. However, if she fails to abide by the terms or commits a new offense during the probationary period, Free could be sentenced to between five and 99 years in prison.

Natasha:

Good told MinistryWatch that Free had admitted to one felony charge of misapplication of fiduciary property valued at more than $300,000. In doing so, she admitted she had a duty to the church that she misused.

Warren:

According to a civil lawsuit related to the crimes, Randy Free began taking control of the church’s assets by making himself the president and registered agent for the Cedar Cross Country Church. The Frees then set up a separate non-profit corporation, Team Heritage International, in order to move the church’s assets and sell the church property,...

In the Great Commission of Matthew 28, Jesus plainly told his disciples to go to all parts of the world and make disciples. And for 2000 years, Christians have done that, and God has blessed that work. Today, mature Christian believers on every continent in the world.

That’s why some Christian leaders are re-thinking what it means to “go.” My guest today, Aaron Baart, is one of them. He got involved in foreign missions in 2007 and discovered that Godly, mature Christ-followers are already living and ministering in many of the places we Americans are sending missionaries. Why not support them?

That insight has put Aaron in the forefront of what I call the “New Missions Paradigm.” We’ve written a good bit about it here at MinistryWatch, and Aaron and his colleagues at Dordt University in Iowa have now produced a new six-part video series called “Missions Upside Down.”  I’ve watched it. I recommend it, and on today’s program Aaron is joining me to talk about it.

Aaron Baart is an alumnus of Dordt who came back to serve on campus in 2010. As the Chief of Staff, Baart coordinates strategic efforts among the senior leadership team, is Dordt’s legal liaison, and leads the Crisis Management Team. He also serves as Dean of Chapel, providing oversight for the Campus Ministries staff that helps students develop spiritually through worship, service, missions, and discipleship initiatives.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh.

Until next time, may God bless you.

If you don’t live day-to-day in the world of finance or philanthropy, you might not have heard of the Great Generational Wealth Transfer. It’s the notion that in the next 20 or so years, as much as $90 trillion will transfer from the current generation that holds these assets to the next generation.

MinistryWatch provides a database of the largest ministries in the nation, with lots of free data at your disposal. As a friend of mine often says (with a touch of irony), “We live in the future now. We can have nice things.” We may not live in the future, but we do live in a world where being uninformed is not an excuse. Dig in, ask tough questions, and give wisely.

You can find recent examples of our “Generous Living” series here and here.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh.

Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s program, Dr. Michael Brown of The Line of Fire was the subject of an independent investigation late last year. The findings of that report have now been released, allegedly finding that Brown DID engage in misconduct with two women who were not his wife. We’ll have details.

And, is Bob Jones University facing closure? The school’s president says no—but alumni aren’t so sure. We’ll take a closer look.

Plus, The Salvation Army in Denver is embroiled in protests, violence, and a failed $3 million bid to provide housing to the city’s homeless population. The ministry says the city is using it as a ‘scapegoat’ even as it faces an overwhelming homelessness crisis.

But first, a female victim has joined the fray in suing Kanakuk Kamps for negligence after she was abused by former staffer Peter Newman when she was just 9 years old.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Jessica Eturralde, Tony Mator, Bob Smietana, and Brittany Smith.

Until next time, may God bless you.

 

MANUSCRIPT: 

 

FIRST SEGMENT

Warren:

Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you this week from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Natasha:

And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado, and we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.

Warren:

On today’s program, Dr. Michael Brown of The Line of Fire was the subject of an independent investigation late last year. The findings of that report have now been released, allegedly finding that Brown DID engage in misconduct with two women who were not his wife. We’ll have details.

And, is Bob Jones University facing closure? The school’s president says no—but alumni aren’t so sure. We’ll take a closer look.

Plus, The Salvation Army in Denver is embroiled in protests, violence, and a failed $3 million bid to provide housing to the city’s homeless population. The ministry says the city is using it as a ‘scapegoat’ even as it faces an overwhelming homelessness crisis.

Natasha:

But first, a female victim has joined the fray in suing Kanakuk Kamps for negligence after she was abused by former staffer Peter Newman when she was just 9 years old.

Warren:

The plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe due to the sensitive nature of the allegations, filed suit on Monday, April 14 against Kanakuk Heritage, Kanakuk Ministries, KUKORP, and Joe White for negligent retention, negligent supervision, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and sexual battery. The lawsuit was filed in Taney County, Missouri, where Kanakuk is located.

This is the first known female victim of Newman to come forward with a lawsuit, according to a press release by Monsees & Mayer, the law firm representing the plaintiff.

The plaintiff alleges she was sexually molested by Peter Newman in 2008 when she was just 9 years old and attending K-Kountry, one of the summer camp programs for 6- to 11-year-old children.

Natasha:

I know these cases are extremely sensitive for the victims but why didn’t she bring the lawsuit sooner?

Warren:

According to the lawsuit, Doe’s memory of the events was repressed until December 2024 when she regained the memories of abuse and began to question Kanakuk’s conduct and responsibility for Newman’s actions.

Missouri’s law allows for a pause of the statute of limitations related to childhood sexual abuse when memory of the abuse was repressed.

Natasha:

Our next story brings to light more unfortunate news

Warren:

An independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Dr. Michael Brown of The Line of Fire “concluded that Brown’s actions toward the two females were inappropriate and unacceptable for his leadership position within the ministry.”

Brown was accused of sexual misconduct by crossing physical boundaries with a 21-year-old woman, Sarah Monk, who was working as a secretary at Brown’s FIRE School of Ministry, based in Concord, North Carolina.

Natasha:

While admitting to a close relationship with his accuser, Brown claimed the relationship was “totally non-sexual in every way.”

Warren:

The investigation conducted by James Holler Jr. of Firefly Independent Sexual Abuse Investigations looked into the allegations by Monk and allegations that Brown engaged in another inappropriate relationship with a married woman in the congregation, who is now deceased.

The alleged conduct took place between 2001 and 2002.

According to the report dated April 12, Brown’s conduct “violated the ethical standards expected of someone in his role and undermined the trust and integrity essential to leadership within the church community.”

The Line of Fire did not reply to a request for a statement about the report before the time of publication.

Natasha:

Megachurch Founder's Son Indicted on 27 Charges of Sexual Abuse

Warren:

An Ohio grand jury has indicted the son of Faith Life Church leaders Gary and Drenda Keesee on 27 counts related to sexually abusing minors.

On Monday, April 21, the jury charged Gary Thomas "Tom" Keesee Jr. for crimes that allegedly happened between May 2002 and October 2011, including those against his own younger sister.

Out of the 27 charges, 11 counts are of first-degree felony rape and third-degree felony gross sexual imposition.

Police arrested Keesee last Friday.

The Licking County Sheriff's Office said they are holding Keesee at the Licking County Justice Center. The office will host another press conference with the Licking County Prosecutor's Office on Monday, April 28.

Natasha:

Next, a new law is hoping to stop all the stories we’ve just covered from happening.

Warren:

States are increasingly passing laws that criminalize not only sexual abuse, but the grooming process that often precedes the abuse.

At least 13 states — Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, and West Virginia — have made grooming a criminal offense, independent of any sexual abuse conduct that may follow.

Natasha:

Gregory Love, an attorney and founder of MinistrySafe, wrote in an article about the grooming laws, “Grooming a child for inappropriate sexual activity and the inappropriate sexual activity itself are now two separate criminal charges in the above-referenced states. It is not a defense to the grooming charge that the underlying inappropriate sexual activity did not actually occur,”.

Warren:

Love told MinistryWatch in an interview that he is unaware of any prosecutions under these laws, but most of them have been in effect only about a year.

He sees these laws as another tool in the tool box of prosecutors who are dealing with sexual predators. For example, if victims won’t testify because the abuser is a family member, these laws would allow for a charge if others can testify that grooming took place.

The laws can also act as a deterrent before the sexual abuse itself occurs.

Natasha:

The criminal laws are fairly broad in their definition of grooming.

While the definition is broad enough to take in a range of grooming behaviors, it can also bring challenges.

Warren:

“Grooming laws have always been difficult because of challenges in differentiating between innocent behavior and culpable behavior,” said Theresa Sidebotham, a Colorado-based lawyer who assists ministries with child protection.

“It looks like the new laws are targeting lower-level sexual behavior, as well as showing children inappropriate material,” she added.

Sidebotham added that reporting requirements for ministries should be updated to reflect the anti-grooming laws that have been passed.

“Churches and ministries need to stay up to date with the laws in their jurisdiction and be ready to report appropriately. Failure to report could always bring about liability, and I suppose civil liability could be expanded by the definitions of grooming,” Sidebotham said.

Natasha:

Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, the latest from Bob Jones University.

I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.

 

BREAK

 

SECOND SEGMENT

Natasha:

Welcome back.  I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.

Next, the story we promised before the break.

Warren:

Falling enrollment, faculty cuts, and administrative resignations — Bob Jones University appears to be a college in turmoil. While some alumni are critical of recent decisions, they are also cheering for change in hopes the school they love can survive.

Last May, Bob Jones University (BJU) in South Carolina named Josh Crockett as president. Crockett recently announced that, after only 10 months on the job, he has sought to be re-hired as senior pastor at Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville, the position he held before taking the reins at BJU.

He told students on Tuesday (April 8) that he recommended the board bifurcate the leadership of the university. He would remain as president in a more pastoral and spiritual leadership capacity, while the school should hire a CEO to run the business side of higher education.

“The university is not going to close, and I have not resigned,” Crockett told students.

Natasha:

A group called “BJU-New Contract” has proposed a series of actions they say the university must take if it is to survive. What are they?

Warren:

In an open letter to Crockett and BJU Board Chairman Dr. Sam Dawson, the group described themselves as “a robust network of BJU alumni and friends who have some connection to the university and desire to see [it] survive and thrive.”

Two primary actions they recommend are the resignation or termination of

The music industry has been in something of a mess over the past two decades. Digital platforms have come and gone and come again, completely reshaping – and then reshaping again – the economic model of the music industry. The Christian music industry has had to undergo all these changes plus more: the rise of the worship genre, the growth of such radio juggernauts as K-Love and Salem, and the economic pressures these innovations have placed on the rest of the industry to conform or die. And the worship genre itself has shaped the way the church worships – whether we like it or not.

Through all these changes, a small but influential music label in Nashville has not just survived, but it has thrived. That label is Centricity, and it owes much of its success to my guest today, John Mays. John is one of the co-founders of the label, and he has retained the title of  President of A&R. And if you don’t know what that means, stay tuned. John will explain.

John Mays began his career as a musician, playing bass for some of the early bands in the CCM genre, first as a road dog, then as a session player. He worked for industry leader Word Records early in his career. With Word, Centricity, and others, he has been influential in the careers of artists such as Cindy Morgan, Point of Grace, Phillips, Craig & Dean, Andrew Peterson, and many more. John is currently working with Peterson, Jason Gray, and Lauren Daigle, among the two dozen or so artists currently on the Centricity label.

John had this conversation with me from his home near Nashville.

A special word before we go. I’m a bit of a music guy. I find music to be nourishing spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. Contemporary Christian Music and Christian radio also have an outsized impact on the evangelical movement. So from time to time, we’ll feature musicians on the MinistryWatch podcast. To hear recent interviews I’ve done with Charlie Peacock, Fernando Ortega, Andrew Peterson, and others, just go to MinistryWatch.com and hit the “Podcast” button at the top of the page.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Thanks to PR guy extraordinaire Rick Hoganson for helping me arrange this interview with John Mays.

Until next time, may God bless you.

Last week, nearly 300 ministry leaders who make up the True Charity Network gathered in Huntsville, Alabama. I was there. On this episode, I discuss what I saw and heard.

To learn more about Watered Gardens and James Whitford, click here.

Here are some of the checklists – called “Model Action Plans” — published by The True Charity Network.

On today’s program we have internationally recognized psychologies and trauma scholar Diane Langberg. She has come face to face with the trauma of sexual abuse, trafficking, domestic violence, and rape – and its cover up. And she has encountered all of them within the Christian community and the church.

In her book When the Church Harms God’s People, Langberg diagnoses how Christian communities often choose to protect their institutions rather than the victims of harm, and she discusses what we can do about it.

Diane Langberg has a Ph.D from Temple University, and she has chaired the advisory board of the American Association of Christian Counselors. She has written a number of books, books which have been translated into eleven languages.

To receive your own copy of her book, go to MinistryWatch.com and hit the donate button at the top of the page. If you make a gift of any size to MinistryWatch during April 2025, we’ll send  you this book as our thank you gift.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m your host Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.