", Franssen added, "We as citizens decide who sits in this seat, and we can make our voices heard in November.". As followers of Christ, we must remember that redemption, salvation, grace, mercy and healing are all gifts given to the children of God. In 1971 the first Rock Church sanctuary was dedicated debt free! My dad sent letters telling them about this man. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! Prosecutors recently set those charges aside. "Many more revelations have been discovered. John Blanchard, the Virginia pastor who was arrested in a sex sting operation only to have his charges later dropped, is once more stepping away from his duties as lead pastor of Rock Church International in Virginia Beach. You can read more of the initial story here. She doesn't explain her decisions, and if you don't have a good answer, it's probably best not to get stumbled up by a bunch of reporters," said Delegate Tim Anderson. Some of the cases had sufficient evidence to support felony convictions, and some did not. Tragically familiar pattern of predatory sexual abuse and gaslighting of victim and protection of the predator by the very people who should be protecting her. She explained she preferred not to describe her assault in detail for the sake of her teenage daughter. Gimenez remains the churchs bishop. We would ask that the privacy of the Blanchard family be respected as they walk through this difficult journey together. The heart of a WHITE EVANGELICAL is Nearly a year prior, the public controversy began: Detectives in Chesterfield County, Virginia, said they connected with 17 people on social media during the last week of October 2021 who were seeking to have sex with people underage. fired an associate pastor for having affairs. Steve240: a lot easier to accept a plausible excuse vs. have to face reality. Anne Gimenez, who will turn 81 next month . I imagine they would be frustrated when Blanchard seemed to get off the charges. In the documents, investigators say they posed as a 17-year-old girl online for prostitution and received a message from Blanchard. The legal standard required for an officer to obtain a warrant for arrest is merely probable cause. "She doesn't have an answer. In a statement posted Wednesday, the church asked believers not to condemn., Under the guidance of our legal counsel, We cannot make a statement or comment concerning the accusations against Rev. RELATED: Chesterfield County top prosecutor responds to criticism about handling of Blanchard case. Sellers worked for about two years as assistant to Robin Blanchard and her mother, Rock Church Bishop Anne Gimenez. Sellers said Blanchard sexually assaulted her one evening in February 2018 when he visited her home to discuss the website. State delegate and attorney Tim Anderson, however, has been drawing attention to Blanchards case after obtaining and reviewing the incident report. I think the church (in all its derivatives, both catholic and protestant) needs to re-think its positions on human sexuality. Pastor Blanchard has voluntarily stepped back as lead pastor and from all his ministerial duties until this present situation is totally resolved. Perhaps then the truth will come out. Frankly, anyone approaching a minor for a sexual encounter should be condemned. The lawyer said there is church business outside of Virginia, and that Blanchard travels for his job. Family business sounds more like what it is. Now Playing. How about taking your wife along to do that, pastor. Anderson told 8News on Wednesday. Yikes! 12.10.22 EChurch@Wartburg Dr Scot McKnight: Just Who Was Mary of Christmas? Therefore, we are pleased to share with you that his return to preaching is scheduled for this Sunday, December 4., Whenever Im tempted to think Christianity is a fraud because of fraudulent pastors, Im reminded it was the religious establishment that had Jesus arrested and crucified. Yet another story of abuser abusing their prey even more with actions when confronted. Preparing Rocky profile View Rocky's Email & Phone (It's Free) 5 free lookups per month. Is it odd to anyone else that his wife is still actively leading the church? And denial and collusion by wife and family. "What we have learned, among other things, is that multiple public statements made by Chesterfield Commonwealth Attorney Davenport that the Blanchard case lacked sufficient evidence to prosecute is a flat out lie.". That meant the charges would be dropped, but could be refiled again at a later date if prosecutors felt they had enough evidence against Blanchard to move forward. I am also grateful for Brent Hobbs, who I believe is a writer from SBC Voices as well as a full-time pastor. And yet, thats exactly what Becky and Junior do the threesome with the Pool Boy. on the Cop side of the line) and taunted his wife with that fact as he was beating her. RELATED: Charges dropped against John Blanchard, Virginia Beach pastor accused of trying to solicit a minor, In the messages with the undercover detectives, Blanchard agreed to meet at a place by the Chesterfield Mall, but first, he asked the person: "Are you affiliated with law enforcement in any way?". I think she just didnt know the proper legal language. In a statement posted that day to Rock Churchs Facebook page, Bishop Anne Gimenez, who had taken over Blanchards pastoral duties, said: We have always believed in Johns innocence. Our youngest daughter, Leah was married this week to Alexei, a wonderful young man! REV. This statement makes it seem like Blanchard is trying to deflect attention away from his actions. Travel 11-16 to 18 to Atlanta. Hobbs added he believes the woman alleging sexual assault. If this pastor had already gone to a jury trial over sexual assault charges, the local journalists should have remembered when he was charged due to this sting. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. Prayers for Gods justice and healing for all the precious ones injured by Christians in authority, especially those further traumatised by not being believed and protected. It seems it is time to burn the whole thing down and simply start over from scratch somehow. I think that church leaders need to be brave and act accordingly.. As ministers of justice, prosecutors are required to individually evaluate the strength of the evidence provided by the police in each case. In April, after a few court appearances where the prosecutor and Brooks went back and forth on what evidence can be used in the court case, attorneys told the judge they needed time to come up with a resolution. Chesterfield County constituent Traci Franssen said she's been following the Blanchard case closely and watched Davenport's announcement Thursday through a live stream. Oral Roberts claims of Blanchard: Graduate Theology, Alumnus Davenport eventually agreed to have a special prosecutor appointed to review the case after public backlash and the receipt of new information. LSU. John & Robin Blanchard are the Senior Pastors of the Rock Church of Virginia Beach. Blanchard, the pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach, was arrested and charged for solicitation of prostitution in Chesterfield County in 2021. Anderson has been posting about the case on social media, calling on Stacey Davenport, Commonwealths Attorney of Chesterfield County, to explain why the charges against Blanchard were dropped. The pastor alleged that he was driving and did not see the text message informing him that the person was 17. The heart is deceitful above all things, Solicitation charges have been dropped against Virginia megachurch pastor John Blanchard. Blanchard was one of 17 people arrested in Chesterfield County as part of a two-day sting operation in October 2021. Ah the old sunk investment fallacy. We would ask that the privacy of the Blanchard family be respected as they walk through this difficult journey together. Public records indicate Blanchard has in the past faced charges of sexual battery and stalking, which appear to have later been dismissed. Its current ethos is not working and as weve seen here at TWW and other blogs, its one dumpster fire after another. I am unable to comment on the appropriateness of public statements made by other entities regarding this, or any other, case in which my office is involved. Association of Related Churches It was inappropriate. This exoneration comes after nearly 11 months of delays and continuances. Kim's funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Church of the Living God, 701 N. Main St., Findlay. 13News Now has covered this case since it initially broke nearly a year ago. That same night, detectives say they found cash of up to $160 and a cell phone in Blanchard's possession. please be aware that for many years, Rock Church on Kempsville Rd. They believed that John was innocent, humble, and submissive to those over him.. Play Video. ), Bond amended with agreement of bondsman, it says. Business travel with Zion Solutions. Michev said a misdemeanor charge was not pursued because "we wouldn't get anything out of a misdemeanor conviction." By: Alton Worley II. On Oct. 11, 2022, the charges against the pastor were nolle prossed with no detectives present. Upper Marlboro, MD . The two parties "agreed to disagree" about the decision. This apostolic ministry is committed to equipping people from the cradle to the grave to fulfill the purpose of God. Because being consort to the crown princess of Rock Church didnt pay well enough? Megachurch asks congregants to forgive pastor for prostitution arrest because all have sinned. I was just going to talk. In this statement, Rock Church seemed to overlook the possibility that these charges could be brought again. Then he assaulted her, she said. pic.twitter.com/aV9VFreqhB. In the video she says he was found not guilty, which is the legal definition of acquitted. That said, she shows her copies of the police report, and I did a cursory search on the VA Course Cases website (https://www.vacourts.gov/caseinfo/home.html) for cases involving John Blanchard in Virginia Beach, and did not find anything. I sincerely pray that law enforcement will probe into Blanchards activities. Including Acts That Have No Name even among the FURRIES? John Gimenez felt compelled to seek an empty church building as a sign of Gods confirmation. Max: How about taking your wife along to do that, pastor. He was arrested at a hotel where he was supposed to meet a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl. How to Resign from a Church He said he's glad another prosecutor will be taking an independent look at the case. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. The prostitution thing needs to be punished legally. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Spiritual abuse and sexual abuse in an evil cocktail. church down the street hired him. Police said still to this day, Davenport has offered no information as to why she felt their initial investigation was not prosecutable. John Blanchard at this time. One can usually learn a lot by simply reading whats online before the visit. Blanchard, who has been married for some 30 years, holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Oral Roberts University, an evangelical college in Tulsa, Oklahoma founded by the late televangelist. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. caught up last year in a prostitution sting, driving to meet up for sex at a local motel, a bail document provided Wednesday to The Daily Beast by the Chesterfield County General District Court, Blanchards arrest warrant in the prostitution sting, reportedly showed additional travel by Blanchard to Pennsylvania and West Virginia, students must sign at the beginning of the year, one business named Zion Solutions that is incorporated in Virginia, touts himself online as the founder of TechDirect, which range in size from 6.5-feet tall to nearly 10 feet. Appearing before his congregation on Sunday, John D. Blanchard, pastor of Rock Church International in Virginia Beach, said the accusations against him were demonstrably false and part of smear campaigns against me and this church., But today Im here to announce enough is enough, Blanchard said, adding, You can dress up a lie. Blanchards arrest warrant in the prostitution sting, which was also shared with The Daily Beast by Chesterfield County officials, includes handwritten notes spelling out various court-approved revisions to the pastors release conditions. So Guidepost "determined that using Twitter was no longer an option for them." Katz called the move "bewildering," mainly because his investigators have presented cases with less compelling evidence that led to a conviction. Davenport did not reply in time for the publication of this article. The incoming message from Blanchard did not answer that question but instead asked for more details about the meet-up location. Blanchard voluntarily stepped back from his post as lead pastor of the Rock Church in the Kempsville section of Virginia Beach shortly after his arrest in late October. Blanchard filed the request in Chesterfield County Circuit Court's civil division last month, the records show. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. John Blanchard, the Virginia pastor who was arrested in a sex sting operation only to have his charges later dropped, is once more stepping away from his duties as lead pastor of Rock Church International in Virginia Beach. John David Blanchard of Virginia Beach's Rock Church, has been raking in $30,000 a month and traveling extensively since his October arrest, according to court records. Despite a recent claim by Rock Church Internationalin Virginia Beach that their lead pastor, John Blanchard, voluntarily stepped back as lead pastor and from all his ministerial duties due to a prostitution arrest, he was still boldly preaching at a prophetic conference in Texas last weekend. There is massive evil in the WHITE AMERICAN EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY. The records show he said, "I can't have charges, I didn't do anything wrong. Preaching; Pastoral Care . While she did not reveal the new information, an email that Katz reportedly sent to Davenport on Jan. 17 suggests it could be a video obtained through a search warrant that "incontrovertibly validates police assertions that Blanchard knowingly sought to engage in sex with an underage girl in a Chesterfield County hotel room on the day of the arrest.". According to the Rock Church website, Blanchard has been a senior pastor of the Virginia Beach church on Kempsville Road since 2013. This message has taken his ministry to dozens of countries all over the world and the USA and to procure a Masters of DivinityDegree from OralRoberts University. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) -Ephesians 2:4-5, Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18. Her shoulder was in pain that evening and he kept offering to rub it even after she declined, she told a local TV station. Its hard for the average churchgoer to initially accept that a pastor who they have trusted would be capable of such things. Even if he were only given the temporary task of being my grandsons vacation Bible school teachers aid, my personal convictions would force me to request that Blanchard be replaced; otherwise, my grandson would not attend VBS. The Roys Report posted Scandal-Plagued Virginia Pastor Returns to Pulpit, Threatening Legal Action. Although everyone must address their own convictions and consequences, our assignment as believers is not to condemn, but to be agents of Gods love, healing, justice, and reconciliation. John David Blanchard of Virginia Beachs Rock Church, has been raking in $30,000 a month and traveling extensively since his October arrest, according to court records. Walking in the Spirit instead of the Flesh and all that. Continuing with the Christian Post, we learn: After almost a year of legal maneuvering, the charges against Blanchard were withdrawn, or nolle prosequi, ahead of a criminal trial in October. After agreeing to meet with a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl, the pastor was arrested and then released on bond. Church Administration; see less Rocky Bezet Email Address Found 1 email address listing: @trcla.org . Drives two and a half hours to a hotel and knocks on the hotel room door as directed by our undercover '17-year-old,' I believe a jury of Chesterfield County residents deserves to weigh in on the matter of criminal culpability," he wrote. They reportedly agreed that Blanchard would do a psychosexual evaluation and sex offender-related counseling in exchange for tabling the matter. Pastor John Blanchard and his wife Pastor Robin Blanchard are the Senior Pastors of the Rock Church International in Virginia Beach Virginia. Oh, I forgot. Blanchard has served as the senior pastor of Rock Church International in Virginia Beach with his wife, Robin, since October 2013. Stop the music. Why in the world would organizations seek to destroy Blanchard and his family? Ministry credentials, a touch of charisma and a gift of gab do not always equal a prophetic voice to the body of Christ., How can a congregation deal with a pastor who is out, then in, then out, then in?. Rock Church in Virginia Beach is seen on Oct. 20, 2022. The outpouring of love has been overwhelming and we appreciate all of those who have reached out to be an encouragement to us! The Christian Post reported Blanchard continued preaching inMegachurch pastor still preaching despite claims he stepped back from ministry over prostitution arrest. Pastor Blanchard has voluntarily stepped back as lead pastor and from all his ministerial duties until this present situation is totally resolved. If a judge denied the agreement between the attorneys, the prosecutor would bring in witnesses to testify in the next court hearing. 13News Now also reached out to Rock Church leaders in Virginia Beach multiple times for a comment, but we have not heard back. That they had been duped for a period of time by this person Membership Covenants An attorney for the church advised church leaders not to comment on the accusations against John Blanchard, a statement posted to the church website indicates. Dont forget about that nolle prosequel., State delegate and attorney Tim Anderson, however, has been drawing attention to Blanchards case after obtaining and reviewing the incident report. A case that is nolle prossed means prosecutors could potentially bring those charges again. Many religions have abandoned the principle of attraction by an actually sound message for stealing of affections. However, he touts himself online as the founder of TechDirect, a self-described LED screen solution for churches.. By: Tyler Layne. Is he now claiming it didnt happen? so that might also be WHY slain police funerals were held at that location. Anderson has been posting about the case on social media, calling on Stacey Davenport, Commonwealths Attorney of Chesterfield County, to explain why the charges against Blanchard were dropped. The sting took . John Blanchard Steps Away Again. Hampton Roads locals open up about healthcare following Biden's speech, Supreme Court hears arguments for and against student loan forgiveness; Norfolk residents react, FORECAST: No roaring lion this year to start March, Hampton Roads breaks 1975 record for warmest February 23rd, Charges dropped against John Blanchard, Virginia Beach pastor accused of trying to solicit a minor, posted the documents about Blanchard's arrest on Facebook, Chesterfield County top prosecutor responds to criticism about handling of Blanchard case.