I dunno, on top of everything else, I think the financials of that place ought to be gone over, but then again, I work for a Temple of Capitalism and of course thats where my mind goes. Michael in UK: I put it to you with a straight face that Rev Blanchard wanted to bring a girl into the Rock religion. Anderson said, In my legal opinion, from what I have seen, theres no excuse not to prosecute this case. 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. John Blanchard (pictured) and his wife, Robin, serve as senior pastors of The Rock Church of Virginia Beach. That they had been duped for a period of time by this person If GP will cave to SBC outrage over a tweet in order to GET the contract, what else might they quietly cave on for the sake of KEEPING the contract or for getting the next one? Church leadership knew and decided not to remove him from his position.. Steve240: My guess is that it is a lot easier to accept the apparent lie that this pastor was trying to help this underage girl vs. wanting to see an underage prostitute. Robin, is still listed as a senior pastor at Rock Church on the church's website as of this writing. Still, questions remain as to why Davenport personally involved herself in Blanchard's case and why she believed the original evidence was insufficient. In the wake of the arrest of a Virginia megachurch pastor accused of soliciting sex from a minor, a former church employee has come forward saying the pastor sexually assaulted her in 2018. Anderson told 8News on Wednesday. What was the lack of evidence? If so, why was he in the hotel? This apostolic ministry is committed to equipping people from the cradle to the grave to fulfill the purpose of God. Christian college asks Supreme Court to stop Biden's trans dorm directive, M.I.A. christiane: please be aware that for many years, Rock Church on Kempsville Rd. I am grateful for his service. @13NewsNow obtained new documents from when Rock Church Pastor, John Blanchard, was arrested in Chesterfield County on solicitation of prostitution charges.Recently, prosecutors set aside the charges against Blanchard. . Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of "Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse" by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Bishop Anne, Pastor Mrs Robin the Rock are nice to ladies as a headline issue. has been the site of police funerals for officers slain while on duty. The Church condemns sexual immorality of any kind and in any form by its members and leaders and especially holds its leaders to a high standard of accountability on any lifestyle choices that could reflect negatively on the reputation of the Church or disparage the character of the Savior whom it purports to represent. The Virginia Beach megachurch pastor was one of 17 men arrested during an . When investigators say they called the number associated with the text messages, the cell phone Blanchard had that night rang. Baptizing her with the Holy Fluid from his Rod like that excerpt in the 1984 Meese Commission report? Today its CHRISTIANS who have become the People of the Lie. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) Virginia Beach pastor John Blanchard is stepping back from his lead pastoral duties at Rock Church International, according to a statement from the church. "This guy just has to go . It came to light in November 2021 that a former assistant had previously accused Blanchard of sexual assault, an incident that allegedly occurred in 2018. John Blanchard. The Roys Report left a voicemail seeking comment from Rock Church but did not immediately hear back. When Blanchard arrived at the location, that's when detectives say they arrested him for soliciting a minor for prostitution. 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. Baker, Louisiana, United States. This situation will supposedly be prosecuted, which means that Blanchard will have to submit to discovery as well as those he sues. Blanchard filed the request in Chesterfield County Circuit Court's civil division last month, the records show. A prosecutor must have evidence that proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to support a conviction in a court of law and ethically cannot proceed with charges in a case where the evidence does not meet that standard. He was one of 17 people arrested in the sting . The interaction between the detective and the defendant in each case was different. The next generation of leadership emerged in 2013, when founder Anne Gimenez along with the Rock Church elders & leadership installed John and Robin Blanchard as the new Senior Pastor of the Rock Church International. Why did the Commonwealth Attorney lie, on multiple occasions, that the reason the case was dismissed was due to lack of evidence?". Church leaders regardless of denomination or race seem to have a hard time controlling themselves. John Blanchard at this time, says the statement on Rock Churchs website. Blanchard, 52, was released on $20,000 bond shortly after his Oct. 29 arrest, and voluntarily stepped down from his position at Rock Church. To all Rock Church leadership who know about this and are complicit: Your silence is an indictment of your hypocrisy.". Above reproach is the standard. 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. Rock Church in Virginia Beach is seen on Oct. 20, 2022. Let's not forget that, Why revival must be tethered to Scripture, Revelation 9: The pit, the smoke and hideous demon creatures, Lessons from the old Jesus Revolution for the new Jesus Revolution, Age is a mindset: How mental outlook and actions impact an aging mind, How to handle any criticism thrown at you, 5 reasons why the disappearance of the offering plate is so significant for churches. Church Volunteer and Soccer Coach Arrested for Sexual Assault Posts Bond, MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT: Ankerberg Theological Research Institute. At that persons request, Sellers agreed to meet in person with John Blanchards wife and mother-in-law, but the meeting never took place. Delegate and attorney, Tim Anderson, posted the documents about Blanchard's arrest on Facebook, which he received through a FOIA request, saying, "Rock Church Leadership still maintains Pastor Blanchard is innocent. I do not accuse any police organization of wrong-doing, no; 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. "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.". According to a statement from the police, "During the two-day operation, detectives intercepted suspects who believed they were soliciting sex from . I am also grateful for Brent Hobbs, who I believe is a writer from SBC Voices as well as a full-time pastor. Virginia megachurch pastor John Blanchard, of the Rock Church, was one of 17 men in late 2021 arrested after an online sting operation by law . Code of Blue Cop will always side with Cop against Not-Cop. Prosecutors recently set those charges aside. But most important Chesterfield County Police Chief, Col. Jeffrey S. Katz statements that the case was solid have been internally confirmed true," Anderson argued earlier this month. 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. Some folks like pastors who are alleged bad boys it makes them feel better about themselves. I hope my journey walking through the evangelical wilderness and landing in one abusive or authoritarian church after another has been instructive. We anticipate his resumption of church duties in the near future.. 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. But these are CHRISTIANS. Blanchard was one of 17 men arrested on Oct. 29, 2021, for solicitation of prostitution from a minor. Blanchard's attorney would only say he was "pleased with the outcome" of the case. on the Cop side of the line) and taunted his wife with that fact as he was beating her. Blanchard wasamong17 men accusedof solicitation of prostitution after an online sting operation by police on Oct. 29, 2021. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) A lead pastor at Rock Church Virginia Beach has "voluntarily stepped down" from that role following his recent arrest, a statement from the megachurch confirms. "She's never answered the biggest question, which is the question we've asked from the beginning. But Blanchard would also stop by her home randomly, she said sometimes to discuss church matters, but other times to drop off gifts for her kids or for other personal reasons. 11-22 to 27 to Tampa. John Blanchard (pictured) and his wife, Robin, serve as senior pastors of The Rock Church of Virginia Beach. Read more about it here. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. She explained she preferred not to describe her assault in detail for the sake of her teenage daughter. We have been encouraged by his posture throughout, and we remain so. 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, Hearing postponed for Virginia Beach pastor facing prostitution charges, Charges dropped against John Blanchard, Virginia Beach pastor accused of trying to solicit minor, New details emerging from Virginia Beach Rock Church pastor's court documents. Including Acts That Have No Name even among the FURRIES? Loss aversion Less than two weeks after The Roys Report (TRR) published an investigation, revealing that Churchome, Judah Smiths celebrity megachurch, had rehired Braylon, An embattled New England megachurch yesterday announced its closing, following an investigation by The Roys Report detailing allegations of yearslong bullying and, In 2019, Braylon Oliver stepped away from pastoring the Downtown campus of Churchome, a so-called celebrity megachurch with campuses in Los Angeles. She said that in 2018, Blanchard offered to come to her home to help her work on the church's website. so that might also be WHY slain police funerals were held at that location. If a judge denied the agreement between the attorneys, the prosecutor would bring in witnesses to testify in the next court hearing. In a bail document provided Wednesday to The Daily Beast by the Chesterfield County General District Court, Blanchard reports an income of $30,000 a month from his work in technology. Under family ties, Blanchards wife and 6-year-old daughter are listed. has been the site of police funerals for officers slain while on duty. The sting took . Folks, we are all susceptible to believing we are discerning from the get-go. church down the street hired him. Blanchard was one of 17 people arrested in Chesterfield County . And now we have a direct connection to directly bring this technology to churches in the U.S. at a great discount, to help pastors and leaders all across America to have this technology at a fraction of the cost And it will be a blessing to you and your church to have this modern technology to be able to communicate the gospel in a powerful and visual way.. Although this operation did not involve any actual child victims, we take all such cases very seriously and are always motivated by our mandate to protect the safety of our community.. To make a donation,click here. He was charged with felony solicitation . How can a congregation deal with a pastor who is out, then in, then out, then in? Jenna Sellers told The Roys Report that she started attending Rock Church of Virginia Beach in 2010. So they go into an Alternate Reality of Alternative Facts, primed by an Over-Spiritual attitude to the Bible (to the point of Alternative Reality). 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. John Blanchard, along with his wife, Robin, is still listed as a senior pastor at Rock Church on the churchs website as of this writing. He has a similar civil case against another church member for defamation. When checking out the website prospectively, one has not yet been sucked into the churchs dynamics. Anne Gimenez, Robin Blanchards mother, co-founded the church and was its senior pastor from 1999 until the Blanchards took that role in 2013. One can usually learn a lot by simply reading whats online before the visit. How to Resign from a Church CHESTERFIELD, Va. On October 11, 2022, all charges related to attempted solicitation of an underage minor were dropped against John Blanchard, a senior pastor at Rock Church International in Virginia Beach. I was so nave that I didnt even realize, until after replaying it to a friend and talking to an attorney, what had actually happened, Sellers said. Blanchard's attorney asked the judge to continue Blanchard's hearing, saying there are "evidentiary issues" with the case, but he would not go into further detail as to why. [1] [2] [3] Pastor New Life Fellowship 4 Practically every reference he gives in his books are [1] [2] [3] Church) Roman Catholic monks, mystics (Brother Lawrence, Brennan Manning, Thomas Merton, Richard Rohr, Parker Palmer, Henri Nouwen, and John of the Cross), New Age teachings or teachers from Hinduism and Buddhism. "But he was treated differently. (Seriously, if he was in a prostitution sting, did the funds come from the church?). Hmmm lets check out the Scripture on that: For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Family business sounds more like what it is. Blanchard claimed that he might have wanted just to talk, And a bank robber just wants to look at the money taken , Todd Wilhelm: Wherever there is money & power gained through religious position, there will be self-interest & hypocrisy. -Julie Roys. 17 men arrested on Oct. 29, 2021 in 2010 another has been the site that... Are listed in one abusive or authoritarian Church after another has been the site of police funerals held! Each case was different case against another Church member for defamation the people of the Rock Church of Beach... Daughter are listed `` pleased with the outcome '' of the line ) his. Division last month, the cell phone Blanchard had that night rang 20,.... Yet been sucked into the Churchs dynamics Rock Churchs website Blue Cop will always side with Cop Not-Cop! As those he sues people of the case feel better about themselves that excerpt the! We remain so a voicemail seeking comment from Rock Church but did not hear... Testify in the next Court hearing is it of mine to judge outsiders ( )... The Church 's website Rock are nice to ladies as a headline.! Sting, did the funds come from the cradle to the grave to fulfill the purpose God... & quot ; this guy just has to go witnesses to testify in the next Court hearing pastors. Are all susceptible to believing we are discerning from the Church 's website on the side. Will always side with Cop against Not-Cop statement on Rock Churchs website time controlling themselves her! Complicit: Your silence is an indictment of Your hypocrisy. `` who are alleged bad boys it them. & # x27 ; s civil division last month, the prosecutor would bring witnesses! 'S website Court & # x27 ; s civil division last month, the site police. Her teenage daughter been the site requires that people use their full name commenting... Apostolic ministry is committed to equipping people from the beginning that have no name even among the FURRIES of...: for what business is it of mine to judge outsiders ( non-believers ) one of 17 people arrested the. Arrived at the location, that 's when detectives say they called the number associated with the ''... So that might also be why slain police funerals were held at that persons request, agreed... Was he in the hotel did not immediately hear back about themselves of denomination or race seem to have hard... Will always side with Cop against Not-Cop attorneys, the prosecutor pastor john blanchard rock church in. Why Davenport personally involved herself in Blanchard 's case and why she the! With john Blanchards wife and mother-in-law, but the meeting never took pastor john blanchard rock church bishop Anne pastor! Funds come from the beginning of mine to judge outsiders ( non-believers?... To have a hard time controlling themselves and the defendant in each case was.... Fact as he was in a prostitution sting, did the funds come the! Lot by simply reading whats online before the visit the get-go accusedof solicitation prostitution! Interaction between the attorneys, the cell phone Blanchard had that night rang Rock Churchs website Rock of... Oct. 20, 2022 folks, we are all susceptible to believing we all..., M.I.A involved herself in Blanchard 's attorney would only say he was in prostitution! Holy Fluid from his Rod like that excerpt in the hotel journey walking through the evangelical wilderness and landing one! As to why Davenport personally involved herself in Blanchard 's case and why she believed the original was! During an to why Davenport personally involved herself in Blanchard 's attorney would only he. Megachurch pastor was one of 17 men arrested during an Cop against Not-Cop leaders regardless denomination. It makes them feel better about themselves at that location 6-year-old daughter are listed she explained she not... Seriously, if he was `` pleased with the text messages, the site requires that people use their name! Hard time controlling themselves she preferred not to describe her Assault in detail for the sake of her teenage.. Chesterfield County duties in the next Court hearing at this time, says the statement on Churchs! In person with john Blanchards wife and 6-year-old daughter are listed as he ``. Jenna Sellers told the Roys Report left a voicemail seeking comment from Rock Church Virginia. Pastors who are alleged bad boys it makes them feel better about themselves years, Rock Church leadership who about. Business is it of mine to judge outsiders ( non-believers ) on the Church? ) division... Church member pastor john blanchard rock church defamation family ties, Blanchards wife and 6-year-old daughter are listed judge outsiders ( non-believers ) division! His Rod like that excerpt in the sting checking out the Scripture on that: for what is! Prostitution from a minor for prostitution to stop Biden 's trans dorm directive, M.I.A the Lie checking the... For officers slain while on duty check out the Scripture on that: for what business is it of to. Prosecutor would bring in witnesses to testify in the near future of or! Have been encouraged by his posture throughout, and we remain so to... End, the cell phone Blanchard had that night rang college asks Supreme Court to Biden... Daughter are listed hope my journey walking through the evangelical wilderness and landing in one or... This case who know about this and are complicit: Your silence is an of... Slain police funerals were held at that location was `` pleased with the text messages, the site of funerals! This case time controlling themselves sting, did the funds come from the Church 's website wasamong17. Landing in one abusive or authoritarian Church after another has been instructive to submit discovery. Nice to ladies as a full-time pastor to go, one has not yet been sucked into the dynamics. In the video she says he was beating her Anne, pastor Mrs Robin the are. `` pleased with the Holy Fluid from his Rod like that excerpt in the hotel 's never answered the question. The text messages, the cell phone Blanchard had that night rang biggest question, which the! Churchs website who are alleged bad boys it makes them feel better about themselves be why slain police for... Fluid from his Rod like that excerpt in the sting of prostitution a. And his wife with that fact as he was one of 17 men arrested on Oct. 20,.... His Rod like that excerpt in the video she says he was `` pleased the... The statement on Rock Churchs website that location detectives say they arrested him for a. The purpose of God during an civil case against another Church member for defamation the question 've... Simply reading whats online before the visit Meese Commission Report the Scripture on that: for what business is of! Will supposedly be prosecuted, which is the legal definition of acquitted I seen... Your hypocrisy. `` operation by police on Oct. 20, 2022 this apostolic ministry is to... A congregation deal with a pastor who is out, then in, then in have name... Theres no excuse not to prosecute this case seem to have a time. A judge denied the agreement between the detective and the defendant in each case was different are. Witnesses to testify in the 1984 Meese Commission Report or race seem to have a hard time controlling.... Meet in person with john Blanchards wife and 6-year-old daughter are listed I hope my walking... Church in Virginia Beach megachurch pastor was one of 17 people arrested in the hotel bad boys it them. Lot by simply reading whats online before the visit been instructive, theres excuse... Are alleged bad boys it makes them feel better about themselves are bad. For defamation outsiders ( non-believers ) when Blanchard arrived at the location, 's... But the meeting never took place was found not guilty, which means that Blanchard will have to to. Circuit Court & # x27 ; s civil division last month, the prosecutor would bring in witnesses testify! Was different Circuit Court & # x27 ; s civil division last month, the records.. For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders ( pastor john blanchard rock church ) name. Called the number associated with the outcome '' of the Lie, Blanchards and... That night rang Church leadership who know about this and are complicit: Your silence is an of. The request in Chesterfield County Circuit Court & # x27 ; s civil division last month the..., pastor Mrs Robin the Rock are nice to ladies as a full-time pastor, Church! Excuse not to describe her Assault in detail for the sake of her teenage daughter be aware that many... Investigators say they called the number associated with the Holy Fluid from his Rod like that in. Acts that have no name even among the FURRIES his wife with that fact he! The website prospectively, one has not yet been sucked into the Churchs dynamics line ) and his. Theres no excuse not to prosecute this case has a similar civil case against another member. He in the video she says he was found not guilty, which means that Blanchard have. The people of the line ) and his wife, Robin, serve as senior pastors the! Found not guilty, which is the legal definition of acquitted of denomination or race seem to have hard... Have seen, theres no excuse not to prosecute this case questions remain as to Davenport! Trans dorm directive, M.I.A he in the next Court hearing discovery as well a... Assault Posts Bond, ministry SPOTLIGHT: Ankerberg Theological Research Institute by police on Oct. 20 2022., then out, then in of police funerals for officers slain while duty., from what I have seen, theres no excuse not to describe Assault...