Amidst all of the madness we see and hear in this nation, for a moment we got a glimpse of what a saint is all about. Not the finery of church suits and hats, prosperity and megawatt cathedrals, not the capricious arrogance of the gospel music industry, but the pure beauty of the martyr of the saints. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Ps 116:15). I was so touched and empowered by this sacrifice I had to do my small part in honoring …

Reporting on clergy sexual abuse in the nation’s largest black pentecostal denomination is not an easy or enjoyable task. But because denominational leadership has repeatedly failed to enact their own policies on the issue, we have to continue exposing not only the careless attitude of leadership, but the criminals who continue to prey upon the weak and innocent in the Lord’s church. People should be reminded that if your leadership will not take measure to ensure the protection of your children at church, then you should know that they will …

According to a report by Starpulse, Lord of the Rings star the homosexual activist Ian McKellen is on the record opposing background checks of pedophiles.
Ian McKellen has spoken out against Britain’s new anti-pedophile database, insisting the new scheme will dissuade amateur theaters from casting children. The Lord of the Rings star fears the Vetting and Barring Scheme, which requires any adult working with children to register and submit a background check, will result in limited roles for young performers.
Adults who don’t comply face a fine of up to $8,000 and …

It happened almost 25 years ago, but the wheels of justice finally caught up with Prince Wilbert Woolfork of Owensboro, KY.  Even after the rape was reported in 2007, Woolfork had remained an active pastor for a full year in Kentucky First Jurisdiction until his resignation. The Associated Press reported that a grand jury reached the verdict on Jan 30 giving the man a 20 year sentence for first degree rape.
A grand jury has indicted a former western Kentucky preacher on charges that he raped a teenager nearly 25 …

The Atlanta Journal Constitution [source] says the US Secret Service is “investigating” an effigy hanging in Plains, GA. The reason: it was a dummy with Barack Obama’s name on it.
Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan told The Associated Press that the large black doll was found Saturday morning along Main Street in the small town of Plains.
According to footage from WALB-TV, the doll was hanging by a noose in front of a red, white and blue sign that says “Plains, Georgia. Home of Jimmy Carter, our 39th President.” A witness told …

 
Yesterday, the Tennessee Chapter of SNAP (Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests) held a peaceful press conference in front of COGIC’s world headquarters in Memphis. The press conference was called in the wake of a controversial rape case involving a COGIC music minister and a 16 year girl at Greater St. Mark COGIC pastored by Ronald Rolfe.
But the few people that showed up were met with an overwhelming show of force at the bequest of COGIC officials.
David Brown, the chapter’s president and chief spokesman told me that four police …

This story has been updated with additional news. Scroll to the bottom.
Reporting these types of stories brings no joy, but must be done because the COGIC leadership has not gotten the message that sexual abuse and immorality among its clergy is rampant and the foot dragging must stop. When asked about the website we set up to monitor and advocate for victims, Bishop Blake told a Memphis reporter, “Brother Foster has a flavor of the year he usually focuses on. His flavor this year is sexual harassment and sexual …

Several COGIC clergy sexual abuse trials have reached the courts. Two have been concluded, two are yet to be tried. Here are the updates:
1. Maryland – A woman who filed a 100 million dollar civil lawsuit against COGIC as a result of the case of former Elder Tony Malbrough. Marlbrough was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. A judge dismissed the case because the woman did not show up in court. No reason has been given for the woman’s no show.
2. North Carolina – The families of …

St James Holiness Church of God in Christ in Toledo may have a set a nauseating new low. The church has had four convicted pedophiles operating in ministry with the Pastor’s knowledge. But that’s only the beginning of this shocking story which truly symbolizes why drastic reform is needed in COGIC now.
The pastor of St James, William James, Jr. didn’t put the men out of the church, it took legal action against them to stop their predatory activities.
According to Maurice Morris, a former longtime member of the church, James kept …

The saga continues. According to the COGIC’s public relations spokesperson, Presiding Bishop Charles Blake will reveal for the first time his aggressive new clergy sexual abuse plan. And just in time for Holy Convocation.
Deidre Malone told Memphis Commercial Appeal that Blake and the church have been working on this plan for “more than 15 years”, but refused to divulge any details. We can only hope this is not another layer of church bureaucracy which will impede justice for future victims.
That would mean that the church has known about its clergy …