Double Suicide at Church, Shooting in Front of Ohio Church
LIVE STREAM TOMORROW
I’ll be doing a live stream on Sunday at 1 PM PST/4 PM EST. I’ll be covering everything you see below, plus I’ll be answering any questions you have at the end of the livestream. Click the button below to get the link.
THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
Mother and Son Found Dead in Mayflower Church Parking Lot
On July 30, 2024, the bodies of 45-year-old Jalesha Jeffery and her 24-year-old son, Antonio Simmons, were discovered in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of Mayflower in Arkansas. Police found them during a welfare check, both with apparent gunshot wounds. Evidence, including two firearms, suggests the deaths were self-inflicted, and no other individuals are suspected to be involved. The case remains under investigation, with autopsies being conducted at the Arkansas State Crime Lab.
Another week where people come to a church to do their evil deeds. Again, people in distress will often go to a church to find sanctuary, peace, or to run from the police. Here, two people decided to kill themselves in the parking lot of the church. It’s important for you to take my class on dealing with suspicious cars in your parking lot. Check the link below.
Cleveland Police Investigating Shooting Near St. Malachi Church
On July 29, 2024, a shooting near St. Malachi Parish in Cleveland resulted in three injuries. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Richo Samuels, was detained near the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. The injuries were non-life-threatening, and police recovered a handgun. St. Malachi was not believed to be the target, though vehicles parked at the church were damaged. The incident occurred during the church's weekly meal for those in need, causing attendees to barricade themselves inside.
There is video being circulated on social media of people inside of the church calling 911 reporting an active shooter. It is important that when a shooting occurs outside of your church, you’ll need to lock down the church, lock all doors, get everyone to cover and then remain calm while calling 911. It wasn’t an active shooter, it was just a shooting between angry people in front of the church. remember, an active shooter is 4 or more people shot, not including the suspect. Just inform them that there is a shooting out front, it is occurring now and you will get a boat load of cops in a short amount of time. I would not get involved in those people’s conflict. Just worry about keeping them out of the church and protecting your people.
Church of Ascension Priest Assaulted in Westminster
On July 17, 2024, Rev. Pierre-Henry Buisson of the Church of Ascension in Westminster, Maryland, was assaulted by a homeless man identified as Bernard. The incident occurred near 10 Distillery Drive while Buisson was walking his dogs. He suffered minor injuries and was treated at Carroll Hospital Center. Bernard, who has a history of police interactions, was arrested and is being held without bail. His trial is scheduled for September 17, 2024.
Remember to maintain situational awareness at all times. The bible states we will be persecuted for our beliefs, so it is incumbent upon us to maintain vigilance. Read my article on situational awareness to help yourself stay out of trouble.
SEX CRIMES
Missouri Pastor Exposed as Abuser and Fraud
An exposé by the Kansas City Star reveals that Justin Meier, a trusted pastor from Richmond, Missouri, lived a life of deceit and abuse. Meier fabricated degrees from Kansas State University and Duke University, and engaged in manipulative and abusive behavior, including counseling women into sexual relationships and being accused of child sexual abuse by his own children. His fraudulent actions and abuse led to his suicide in December 2023.
A background check would have revealed that this “bishop” was a fraudster. Read my article below on background checks to help you out.
Prominent Detroit Pastor Charged with Sexual Assault
Kenneth Flowers, the pastor of Greater New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Detroit, has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor. The alleged incident took place in December 2023 in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Flowers, 63, faces charges of criminal sexual conduct with force or coercion and criminal sexual assault with intent to commit sexual penetration. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. Flowers maintains his innocence, stating, "I deny all those charges." He was released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond and is scheduled for a preliminary examination on August 7, 2024.
That is a ridiculously low bond for a crime like this. If this occurs at your church, put the pastor on admin leave while you and the police investigate the case. Look for additional potential victims in your church and be ready to provide them with counseling and support when found. If you find the pastor violated policy or committed a crime, you will need to fire him and be up front and transparent with your congregation and the public. Make sure to make some type of statement or someone will make one for you and it won’t be flattering.
Priest Charged with Rape in New Orleans Has Escaped Charges Elsewhere
Retired priest Lawrence Hecker faces rape and kidnapping charges in New Orleans, but has evaded criminal charges in other Louisiana jurisdictions. Alleged victim Greg Livaudais claims Hecker abused him in 1974 when he was 16. Despite filing complaints in multiple parishes, statutes of limitations prevented further charges. Hecker, 92, confessed to abusing boys in the past and is currently in a long-term care facility. His trial has been delayed due to claims of his incompetence.
Senior Pastor at Plano Church Arrested for Soliciting Prostitution
Terren Dames, the former senior pastor at North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship in Plano, Texas, was arrested on May 2, 2024, for soliciting prostitution. The arrest was part of a Plano Police Department sting operation targeting commercial sex solicitation. Dames allegedly offered to pay $150 to an undercover officer posing as a prostitute and was subsequently apprehended at a motel. He was indicted in June 2024 on charges of soliciting prostitution, a state jail felony. The church removed Dames from his position in May, citing a "moral failure" without specifying the charges.
Texas…. we need to talk. I don’t know what is going on down there, but there have been a tremendous amount of sex cases coming out of your Christian leaders. The devil is working hard at distracting you from leading us.
Read more (wfaa.com) (Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines) (wfaa.com) (Christian Post).
ARSON
Arson Suspected at Former Church School in Danville
A fire at the abandoned Mt. Zion Church and Hope Christian School in Danville, Illinois, is suspected to be arson. The Danville Fire Department battled the blaze for over 12 hours, ultimately deciding to raze the building due to the extensive fire and structural conditions. The fire caused an estimated $55,000 in damages. No injuries were reported, and the cause has been determined as incendiary. The incident is under investigation with assistance from the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office.
One of the biggest crimes against churches in the United States is Arson. Make sure that you have a burglar/fire alarm at your church as well as sprinklers to help minimize the damage.
PROPERTY CRIMES
Arkansas Parish Hit by Multiple Vandalism Incidents
St. Leo Church in Hartford, Arkansas, has been targeted by vandals in three separate incidents over 18 months, resulting in significant damage. These incidents included defacing signs with offensive modifications, graffiti containing racial slurs, and the destruction of religious statues, including one of Mary. Despite notifying the police, no suspects have been identified. The parish community is saddened and has filed insurance claims for repairs.
Having a 4k video system would have helped identify the perpetrators. This is my weekly reminder to you that you should have put in a video system and a burglar/fire alarm in your church last week.
Magna LDS Church Suffers $60,000 in Vandalism Damages
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Magna, Utah, was vandalized between July 28 and July 30, 2024, causing over $60,000 in damages. Vandals damaged a grand piano, broke windows, destroyed sinks, painted graffiti, and discharged fire extinguishers. The Unified Police Department is investigating and seeking public assistance, requesting anyone with information or security camera footage to come forward.
Read more
MISC STORIES
Lead Pastor at Cross Timbers Church Steps Down
Josiah Anthony, the lead pastor of Cross Timbers Church in Argyle, Texas, resigned on July 28, 2024, amid allegations of "inappropriate and hurtful" actions. The church's elders stated that these actions were linked to Anthony's prolonged struggle with his emotional and mental health. They emphasized that the actions did not involve children or any illegal activities. Anthony, who has been with the church since 2014 and became senior pastor in 2022, agreed to step down after discussions with church leadership. Byron Copeland, the executive pastor, will serve as interim lead pastor.
If you don’t write a better press release, people will go crazy with speculation and write the narrative for your church for you. You can’t let that happen. You have to spell out more about what happened. When we take on public roles like being a pastor in a church in your city, you lose some anonymity and privacy. You need to protect the church and christianity as a whole by being descriptive of the actions you take. This area, in particular, has seen a number of sex scandals committed by Christian leaders. This hurts our community and vague press releases will only feed into the frenzy that will hurt us.
Read more (wfaa.com) (Christian Post) (ChurchLeaders).
INTERNATIONAL STORIES
Knife-Wielding Man Injures Five in Kisii Church Attack
Five people were injured when a man armed with a knife stormed Deliverance Church in Kisii, Kenya, disrupting the service and stabbing attendees, including a local police official. The assailant was subdued and arrested by police, and the injured were taken to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital. This incident follows a recent altercation at Nyabigena Adventist Church in Kisii County, where ten people were injured during a brawl between opposing factions.
Having security at the front door will give you an advantage. They can warn you when danger is coming and lock out potential attackers. Leaving your door unguarded, anywhere, is not something Christians should be doing anymore.
Christian Pastor Attacked in India After Illegal Conversion Accusation
In Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, India, Pentecostal pastor Varghese Chacko was attacked by a group of villagers on July 21, 2024, during a house-warming prayer meeting. Accused of illegal conversion, Chacko was beaten with rods and forced to bow before a Hindu idol. He sustained bruises and head injuries. The Chhattisgarh Christian Forum condemned the attack, highlighting ongoing harassment against Christians in the region. Despite the assault, Chacko received medical treatment and has since returned home.
Unknown Assailants Shoot Pastor Dead in Laos
Pastor Thongkham Philavanh, a leader of the Lao Evangelical Church in Vanghay village, northwestern Laos, was fatally shot by two masked assailants on motorcycles on July 22, 2024. The attackers, using a gun fitted with a silencer, shot him seven times while he was tending to his chickens and ducks. Despite being rushed to a provincial hospital, Pastor Thongkham succumbed to his injuries. The attack occurred amidst increasing persecution of Christians in Laos, where local officials have been known to expel Christians and destroy their homes. Pastor Thongkham had previously been warned by authorities to cease his Christian activities. The police are investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made.
It’s important to always maintain situational awareness. If you hear something, you should be looking up to see what is going on around you. When you are at home, like this pastor, look for areas that provide you cover if you are attacked.
Gunmen Attack Church in Delta, Killing Policemen and Abducting Community Leader
Gunmen attacked the King Jesus Church in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, on July 30, 2024, killing two policemen and abducting Joan Onyemaechi, a prominent community leader. The attackers, suspected to be kidnappers, opened fire on the security personnel before seizing their target. The police have launched an investigation and increased security measures in the area to prevent further incidents. No motive has been determined yet, though ransom demands are suspected.
Wow. I pity those who go through this without a faith perspective. Prayers for Texas. They must be doing something right to be in the crosshairs like this.