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|name = First Baptist Church, Hammond
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The '''First Baptist Church of Hammond''' is a fundamentalist ] ] in ]. It is the largest church in the state of Indiana and one of the largest churches in the United States. Though founded in 1887, it was under ]' leadership from 1959-2001 that it became a ], one of the first megachurches in the ]. It has a steady weekly attendance of around 20,000. It also operates ] (an ] ]) and K-12 schools. ], Hyles' son-in-law, succeeded as pastor after Hyles' death in 2001.
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First Baptist Church also hosts three national conferences. The first Pastors' School invites pastors, assistant pastors, Christian leaders, school administrators, and Christian laymen to a week of training and learning. Youth Conference, is held in mid-July and is for the youth and teenagers of Christian churches nationally. The final conference of the year, held every October, is the ''Christian Womenhood Spectacular'' for Christian women of all ages.
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The church has been involved in a few controversies during its first 50 years, including a conviction of sexual molestation by one of its deacons in 1993, and accusations of adultery and financial misconduct made by a former employee.
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|website = {{URL|http://fbchammond.com}}


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==History==
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|founded date = {{start date|1887|11|24}}
First Baptist Church was founded in November of ] by Allen Hill of ]. Its first meeting was on 14 November 1887 with 12 members on the 28th. However, it originally met in the Morton House Hotel which stood on what is currently the 100 block of Willow Court. Allen Hill's pastorate was short lived at approximately 4 months.
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By April 1888, B.P. Hewitt became the church's permanent pastor and Allen Hill went on to start several other churches. Needing more room, Hewitt moved the church's meeting place to the Hohman Opera House at the corner of State and Hohman. In ], the church erected its own structure for $2,358 when Marcus Towle, Hammond's first mayor and member of FBC, donated land on Sibley Street to the church.
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Subsequently, on 3 January 1901 Pastor E.T. Carter proposed a new building, and the first service was held on 14 April 1901. On the 27th of November of that same year, Pastor Carter announced his resignation for a job at the Central Baptist Orphanage in Michigan.
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|seniorpastor = John Wilkerson
== Ministries and Outreach ==
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First Baptist Church has several outreach ministries, including Hyles Publications, ], Fundamental Baptist Missions International, Hammond Baptist Schools, City Baptist Schools, Chicago Baptist Academy, Memory Lane Cemetery, Christian Womanhood Magazine, First Baptist Church Little League, Nursing Home Ministry, Sailor Ministry, Truck Driver's Ministry, Bus Ministry, Blind Ministry, Pathfinder Ministry (Educable Slow), Homeless Ministry, Rescue Mission, Public School Ministry, Inner City Chapel Ministry, and Deaf Ministry. The church also has several services in Spanish and some oriental languages.
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==Controversy and criticism==
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=== Teachings ===
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The '']'' quoted ex-Hyles follower and later critic, ], who said "Jack Hyles, runs his church in an authoritarian, almost 'cultist,' manner." <ref name="c">"Ed Briggs. Fundamentalists' House Displaying Widening Cracks" Richmond Times - Dispatch. Richmond, Va.: Jul 22, 1989. pg. A-9</ref> Sumner, like most others with strong independent religious views, disagrees with a number of doctrinal issues with Hyles. Sumner, who has a personal website which he publishes and edits himself, called ''The Biblical Evangelist'', was also quoted criticizing Hyles in another newspaper. This newspaper documented disputes that Sumner had with Hyles. Each of Sumner's charges were refuted by Hyles, who termed the accusations as "lies'.<ref name="b">"Charges All Lies, Hammond Pastor Says," '']'', May 28, 1989.</ref> According to the ''Richmond Times'' Sumner's article had over 100 allegations.<ref> Ed Briggs. "Fundamentalists' House Displaying Widening Cracks." '']''. Richmond, Va. Jul 22, 1989.</ref>
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In 1993 a news report "recapped a sermon in 1990 in which Hyles pretended to pour poison into a glass and asked an associate pastor, Johnny Colsten, to drink from it. Colsten said he would." Furthermore, "The WJBK report said the sermon has the "ring of ] to it - the mass suicide in ] in 1978 by followers of cult leader ]." In fact "WJBK also reported that Hyles, though never claiming to be God, has convinced a lot of people he is the next best thing to Him." Also the station "showed footage during its report of" Hyles "brandishing a rifle form the pulpit, along with "people with guns and walkie-talkies patrolling the outside of the church at times."
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The '''First Baptist Church of Hammond''' is an ] ] in ], a suburb of ]. It is the largest church in the state of Indiana, and in 2007 was the 20th largest in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outreachmagazine.com/docs/top100_2007_largest.pdf |title=100 Largest U.S. Churches |year=2007 |work=] |access-date=March 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117131521/http://outreachmagazine.com/docs/top100_2007_largest.pdf |archive-date=January 17, 2009 }}</ref> Though founded in 1887 by Allen Hill, it was under ]' leadership from 1959&ndash;2001 when it became one of the ]es in the ] and during the 1970s, had the highest ] attendance of any church in the world.<ref name="time1975">''Time'' magazine, "", 1 December 1975, retrieved 7 August 2008</ref> In 1990, the church had a weekly attendance of 20,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/60162970.xml?dids=60162970:60162970&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+12,+1990&author=JOHN+DART&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=25+of+100+Largest+Congregations+Are+in+California,+Survey+Shows |title=25 of 100 Largest Congregations Are in California |last=Dart |first=John |date=October 12, 1990 |work=] |access-date=April 17, 2009 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020043059/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/60162970.xml?dids=60162970%3A60162970&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Oct%2012%2C%201990&author=JOHN%20DART&pub=Los%20Angeles%20Times%20%28pre-1997%20Fulltext%29&desc=25%20of%20100%20Largest%20Congregations%20Are%20in%20California%2C%20Survey%20Shows |url-status=dead }}</ref> It also operates ], a ] established for the training of pastors and missionaries, and two ], called 'City Baptist Schools' (for children of the bus route of the church) and 'Hammond Baptist Schools' (for children of the members of the church). John Wilkerson is the senior pastor at First Baptist Church.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fbchammond.com/visit/staff/ |title=Staff &#124; First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana |access-date=2014-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429080508/http://www.fbchammond.com/visit/staff/ |archive-date=2014-04-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== Jack Hyles ===
On May 25, 1989 '']'' reported that Victor Nischik, a former deacon of the First Baptist Church, accused Hyles of committing adultery with Jennie Nischik, Nischik's wife and Hyles' long time assistant. On May 28 the ''Tribune'' repeated this and added Nischik's allegations of questionable financial dealings.<ref name="c" /> Hyles replied by saying the charges were "false" and indicating that "he has given 'hundreds of thousands' of dollars to needy friends over many years but has kept no records of the transactions." Hyles was not ever charged with a crime. <ref name="b" />


Leaders in the church have faced accusations, lawsuits, and convictions for sexual crimes over decades. These in include the '']'' expose in 1993 and the 2013 conviction in federal court of former pastor Jack Schaap of the sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl.
In 1989 allegations were first made public in the "Godfrey Letter," sent by Evangelist George Godfrey to several hundred graduates, pastors, and former students of Hyles-Anderson college. The letter did raised questions about improprieties between Jack Hyles and his married assistant, Jenny Nischik. Husband of Jenny and Hyles' church member, Victor Nischik wrote a book about the scandal titled ''The Wizard of God.'' This work detailed the relationship between Jack Hyles and Jenny Nischik and charged Hyles with alienating the affections of Jenny Nischik from her husband.<ref>Victor Nischik. ''The wizard of God: My life with Jack Hyles.'' Buchanan, Mi.: Sychar Pub. Co., 1990.</ref> Reportedly, Hyles "told Vic that he could have Beverly (Mrs. Hyles) with the same relationship Hyles enjoyed with Jenny."<ref>Victor Nischik. ''The wizard of God: My life with Jack Hyles.'' Buchanan, Mi.: Sychar Pub. Co., 1990.</ref>


== History ==
Within a year of Nischik's work, the ''Northwest Indiana Times'' reported "The pamphlet, ''Fundamental Seduction: The Jack Hyles Case,'' written by Voyle A Glover, delves into Texas-based evangelist Robert Sumner's allegations of moral laxity, doctrinal heresy and financial impropriety by Hyles."<ref>"By Debra Gruszecki. ''Northwest Indian Times'' October 22, 1991 </ref> The work also explored the evidence surrounding the relationship between Jack Hyles and Jenny Nischik and Jack's son, Dave Hyles', actions surrounding the death of of Dave's girlfriend's 18-month-old son Brent Stevens.<ref>Voyle A Glover. ''Fundamental seduction: The Jack Hyles case.'' Schrerville, In. : Brevia Pub., 1990.</ref> In May 24, 2001 Glover was interviewed about his claims against Hyles by "The Channel 2 News" over the 1993 scandals.
First Baptist Church was founded in November 1887, by Allen Hill of ].<ref>Bill Dolan, , nwitimes.com, USA, July 31, 2012</ref> Its first meeting was on November 14, 1887, with 12 members on the 28th. However, it originally met in the Morton House Hotel which stood on what is currently the 100 block of Willow Court. Allen Hill's pastorate was short lived at approximately 4 months.


By April 1888, B.P. Hewitt became the church's permanent pastor and Allen Hill went on to start several other churches. Needing more room, Hewitt moved the church's meeting place to the Hohman Opera House at the corner of State and Hohman. In 1889, the church erected its own structure for $2,358 when Marcus Towle, Hammond's first mayor and member of FBC, donated land on Sibley Street to the church.
===AV Ballenger===
In 1993 a First Baptist deacon was found guilty of molesting a seven year old during a Sunday school class. Chicago Sun-Times reported, "in March, 1993, a deacon at First Baptist, A.V. Ballenger, was found guilty of one count of child molestation dating from 1991."<ref name="e" /> During a Sunday school class "a church worker reportedly witnessed the act and removed the girl from the room, police said."<ref name="f">"Church leaders sued in sex-abuse case," '']'', Oct 16, 1991.</ref> The ''Chicago Tribune'' in a 1991 article reported that Hyles was sued for $1 million by the parents of the girl molested by Ballenger.<ref name="f" /> The paper reported the "lawsuit claims Hyles and the church had not fulfilled their obligation to ensure that children were protected from harm during Sunday school."<ref name="f" /> Furthermore, the lawsuit "claims the minister told the child's parents that Ballenger 'just liked little girls,' and, 'You don't have a case.'"<ref name="f" /> The church settled the lawsuit out of court and the terms were not disclosed. At the trial three young women testified that Ballenger "had fondled them years ago." One of those girls testified that she was molested on the Hammond church bus. A former security officer at the church testified he saw Ballenger fondle a young girl in 1978 or 1979 in a Sunday school room after being called to the room by a female teacher. In 1993 Ballenger was sentenced to five years in prison.


Subsequently, on January 3, 1901, Pastor E.T. Carter proposed a new building, and the first service was held on April 14, 1901. On November 27 of that same year, Carter announced his resignation for a job at the Central Baptist Orphanage in Michigan.
The '']'' noted "regrettably, Hyles does not seem to think that Ballenger's conviction is something that should require the former deacon to be removed from any contact with church children.<ref> '']'' May 19, 1993</ref> Hyles noted, "The family, the parents of the daughter should not have gone to court and they wouldn't have if a crooked lawyer hadn't got a hold of 'em. They shouldn't have gone to court. They should have come to me. That's what they did. They had only one witness. I told them in my office, I'm sorry, I cannot investigate a case unless there's two witnesses." After Ballenger was convicted of molestation and appealed, police witnessed him handing candy out of children at Hammond Bapitst. The Deputy Prosecutor Clarence Murray said "that the church has maintained 'a conspiracy of silence' by closing ranks behind Ballenger.


During the early and mid 1970s the church's Sunday school used carnival-like entertainment along with free transportation by a fleet of over 200 ]es to attract thousands of people from the ] and northern ]. In 1975, the weekly attendance was at 14,000, with a peak of over 30,000 in March of that year. '']'' magazine described the church's claim of having the "world's largest Sunday school" as "rock solid for the U.S., if not the world."<ref name="time1975"/>
===Detriot News and fall out===
In May 1993, ] of ], ] area news team, did a story called '']'' where it followed up on allegations of child molestation.<ref>"7 accused of abuse linked to preacher." ''The Grand Rapids Press.'' Grand Rapids, Mich.: May 17, 1993. pg. B.2</ref> The news report aired a six-part series stemming from child sexual abuse allegations last fall against deacon Mark Foeller and associate pastor Timothy Leonard, both Hyles graduates, of North Sharon Baptist Church near ]."<ref>"7 accused of abuse linked to preacher." The Grand Rapids Press. Grand Rapids, Mich.: May 17, 1993. pg. B.2 </ref> The ''San Diego Union-Tribune'' noted "the news report found seven U.S. churches - all with ties to Hyles, it said - involved in sex scandals."<ref>"Preacher has links to molest suspects." ''The San Diego Union -Tribune.'' San Diego, Calif.: May 17, 1993. p. A.7</ref>


In January 2013, John Wilkerson became pastor of Hammond, following a January 13, 2013, service with a 94% of the 2,078 members' votes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/john-wilkerson-to-replace-jack-schaap-as-first-baptist-hammonds-pastor-88381/ |title=John Wilkerson to Replace Jack Schaap as First Baptist Hammond's Pastor |date=January 16, 2013 |work=] |access-date=May 28, 2009}}</ref> Wilkerson was previously connected to the church, notably Wilkerson graduated from ] in 1989, and his wife Linda graduated in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fbchammond.com/news/2013/john-wilkerson-meet-our-new-pastor/ |title=John Wilkerson, our New Pastor |year=2013 |work=First Baptist Church |access-date=Jan 28, 2013 |archive-date=January 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124165448/http://www.fbchammond.com/news/2013/john-wilkerson-meet-our-new-pastor/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' remarked that Hyles "disputed the latest reports point by point in a speech to Midwest ministers and businessmen, brought together by COMPASSION - Churches Organized & Mobilized for Preservation and Safety for Sunday Schools in Our Nation." Hyles also claimed out that one person said to have attended Hyles-Anderson College had not really attended the school. Also Hyles spoke at a church in Denver, Colorado Hyles to defend himself <ref>"Springs drive-by baptisms immersed in controversy" Bruce Finley, Denver Post Staff Writer. ''Denver Post''. Denver, Colo.: Aug 22, 1993. pg. 7.C </ref>


== Activities ==
The prosecuting attorney for ] also took interest in the First Baptist ties to the North Sharon Baptist Church attended the Ballenger trial. Soon after on May 14, 1993 "the FBI was asked to look into allegations minors were taken from Michigan to Northwest Indiana by employees or officials of North Sharon Baptist Church near Ann Arbor for events sponsored by Hammond First Baptist Church."<ref name="FBI">Debra Gruszecki ''Northwest Indiana Times" May 19, 1993</ref> However, while the FBI concluded "there is insufficient evidence to probe allegations," Sgt. Charles Hedinger, a Hammond police detective, described the investigation as "open-ended." Furthermore, the article noted "The Rev. Timothy Leonard, North Sharon's associate pastor and a graduate of Hyles Anderson College of Schererville, was charged in Michigan with first- and second-degree sexual assault of children."<ref name="FBI" />
]
First Baptist Church has several outreach ministries, including Prepare Now Resources, ] (] by any ]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.abpnews.com/ministry/people/item/7675-police-investigate-ifb-pastor |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130511044020/http://www.abpnews.com/ministry/people/item/7675-police-investigate-ifb-pastor |archive-date= 2013-05-11 | title=Police investigate IFB pastor |publisher= ] | date= 2012-08-02 | first= Bob | last= Allen | access-date = 2012-09-24}}</ref>), Fundamental Baptist Missions International, Hammond Baptist Schools, City Baptist Schools, Chicago Baptist Academy, Memory Lane Cemetery, Christian Womanhood Magazine, First Baptist Church Little League, Nursing Home Ministry, Sailor Ministry, Truck Driver's Ministry, Bus Ministry, Blind Ministry, Pathfinder Ministry (Educable Slow), Homeless Ministry, Rescue Mission, Public School Ministry, Inner City Chapel Ministry, and Deaf Ministry. The church also has several services in Spanish and some Asian languages.


Until 2011, First Baptist Church also hosts three national conferences. The first Pastors' School invites pastors, assistant pastors, Christian leaders, school administrators, and Christian laymen to a week of training and learning. Its Youth Conference is held in mid-July and is for the youth and teenagers of Christian churches nationally. The final conference of the year, held every October, was the ''Christian Womenhood Spectacular'' for Christian women of all ages. Currently First Baptist Church still hosts the three national conferences. The first widely known as "Servant's Conference", youth conference, and ladies conference. The Church also hosts youth camps and youth revivals.
On ], ], soon after ''Preying on the Pulpit'' was aired, "the FBI was asked to look into allegations minors were taken from Michigan to Northwest Indiana by employees or officials of North Sharon Baptist Church near Ann Arbor for events sponsored by Hammond First Baptist Church."<ref name="FBI">Debra Gruszecki ''Northwest Indiana Times" ], ]</ref> The FBI concluded, "there is insufficient evidence to probe allegations." <ref name="FBI" /> On Friday, ], ] Sgt. Charles Hedinger, a Hammond police detective, described the Hyles investigation as "open-ended."<ref name="FBI" /> Jack Hyles said that he welcomed an investigation of the police and he attended a meeting with city officials to discuss it. Hyles emerged from the meeting saying that there was no investigation. Confirmation of this came on Wednesday, ], ], the Chief of Police detectives, Capt. Bill Conner was quoted in the ''Tribune'' saying that, "There is no investigation of the First Baptist Church of Hammond or Jack Hyles".<ref name="No Investigation">"No Investigation of Church in Abuse Cases, Police Say" ''Chicago Tribune'' ], ]</ref> On ], ] The Lake County (Indiana) prosecutor's office stated that it did not have any cases involving Hyles or the First Baptist Church of Hammond.<ref name="Linked">Lehmann, Daniel J. "Pastor Linked to Sex Abuse Lashes Out," '']'', ], ]. pg. 5</ref> On the same day, the Hammond Police Department reaffirmed the statement it made the previous month when it confirmed that there was no investigation of Hyles or the church. <ref name="Linked" />


48th Vice President ] spoke at the church in September 2011, when he was a member of the ] from ].<ref>{{Citation|last=FBC Music Videos|title=Memorial Speech - Congressman Mike Pence|date=2011-09-11|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFs4ZiMXisA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/HFs4ZiMXisA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=2017-12-24}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
===Allegation of neligence===
On December 8, 1997 '']'' reported that Hyles and his church, the First Baptist Church of Hammond, were being sued for "for negligence in connection with alleged sexual assaults on a mentally disabled church member over a six-year period"<ref name="RapeCT">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/1997/december8/7te63a.html | title = Baptist Megachurch Faces Sex Suit | work = ] | accessdate = 2006-05-01}}</ref> The lawyer for the woman, Vernon Petri, "says Hyles is a defendant because he failed to protect the woman", such that "controls have to be set to be sure things are conducted appropriately."<ref name="RapeCT" /> However, ''Christianity Today'' pointed out that no criminal charges were ever filed in the case. Also, Hyles denied the allegations that either he or his church were negligent in the care of the woman in an October 12 advertisement in the Hammond Times.<ref name="RapeCT" />


Every ], the church and Hyles-Anderson College students and officials honor veterans of a particular conflict at Memorial Park. In 2008, the group honored those who died in ], and in 2009, veterans of the ] were honored.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nwi.com/articles/2009/05/26/news/lake/doc614ce96e32100d2e862575c100804d29.txt |title=Korean War vets awarded medals at Memorial Park |last=Wilds |first=Mary |date=May 26, 2009 |work=] |access-date=May 28, 2009}}</ref>
According to the lawyer, "a church program instructor led her to a room and served as a lookout while two to three males raped her."<ref name="RapeNWI"> Debra Gruszecki.
'']'' October 4, 1997 </ref>The women developed a "serious" infection and doctors "found, embedded in her, a plastic object."<ref name="RapeNWI" />
"The "civil suit filed in ] Court in Gary claims the Chicago woman was "induced by agents" of the church in 1991 to ride a bus to attend Sunday."<ref name="RapeNWI" />


== Controversies ==
===Seeing eye dog controversy===
In 1989, the paper '']'' published a story "The Saddest Story We Ever Published", accusing Jack Hyles of sexual scandals, financial misappropriation and doctrinal errors.<ref>{{cite web | year=1989 | url = http://www.biblicalevangelist.org/jack_hyles_chapter3.php | title = The Saddest Story We Ever Published | work = ] | access-date = February 4, 2011 }}</ref> These charges were denied by Hyles who deemed them "lies".<ref name="lies">{{cite web|last=Hirsley|first=Michael|title=Charges All Lies, Hammond Pastor Says|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/05/28/charges-all-lies-hammond-pastor-says/|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=8 July 2010|date=28 May 1989}}</ref>
On July 6, 1984, '']'' reported, Donald Baker "a man blind since birth says he's been told he cannot attend his church with a guide dog he acquired in February."<ref name="a">"Blind Man Says Church Bans Him, After He Gets Guide Dog," '']'', July 6, 1984.</ref> Baker "was told by the church's pastor that he could not attend services with his dog Casey because it "would disturb others."<ref name="a" /> Rev. Jack Hyles, was unavailable for comment, but the Rev. Keith McKinney "confirmed Baker no longer attends First Baptist but said he could make no official comment."<ref name="a" />


In 1991, a First Baptist Church of Hammond deacon, A.V. Ballenger, molested a 7-year-old girl in her Hammond Sunday school class.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/01/jack-schaap-pastor-fired-_n_1728302.html | title=Jack Schaap, Pastor, Fired From Megachurch For Committing 'A Sin' |publisher=] | date= 2012-08-01 | access-date = 2012-10-24}}</ref><ref name="Linked">Lehmann, Daniel J. "Pastor Linked to Sex Abuse Lashes Out," '']'', June 2, 1993. pg. 5</ref> During a Sunday school class "a church worker reportedly witnessed the act and removed the girl from the room, police said."<ref name="f">"Church leaders sued in sex-abuse case," '']'', October 16, 1991.</ref> The ''Chicago Tribune'' in a 1991 article reported that Hyles was sued for $1 million by the parents of the girl.<ref name="f" /> The paper reported the "lawsuit claims Hyles and the church had not fulfilled their obligation to ensure that children were protected from harm during Sunday school."<ref name="f" /> Furthermore, the lawsuit "claims the minister told the child's parents that Ballenger 'just loved children,' and, 'You don't have a case.'"<ref name="f" /> The church settled the lawsuit out of court and the terms were not disclosed.<ref>"A civil suit filed against Ballenger and the church by the girl's family was settled almost two years ago." from
== List of Pastors ==
{{cite news | url=http://nwitimes.com/uncategorized/article_fd37980b-51ad-59e4-ac20-52b14229e670.html | title=One step closer to the end |publisher=] | date=March 31, 1996 | first=Amanda | last=Beeler | access-date = 2009-07-24}}</ref> At the criminal trial, three young women testified deacon A.V. Ballenger "had fondled them years ago."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/ballenger-i-m-innocent-first-baptist-church-deacon-to-be/article_92bcff43-a25b-55e7-bd48-dd9fae033560.html | title=Ballenger: I'm innocent. First Baptist Church deacon to be | publisher= ] |date= June 6, 1996 | access-date =2012-10-17 }}</ref> One of those girls testified that she was molested on the Hammond church bus.<ref name="Moretestify">{{cite news | url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/niece-deacon-fondled-me-more-accuse-ballenger-of/article_c036191a-4a7c-5e3d-9c8a-074b75f89664.html | title=Niece: 'Deacon fondled me'. More accuse Ballenger of | publisher= ] |date= June 25, 1996 | access-date =2012-10-17 }}</ref> A former security officer at the church testified he saw Ballenger fondle a young girl in 1978 or 1979 in a Sunday school room after being called to the room by a female teacher.<ref name="Moretestify"/> In 1993, Ballenger was sentenced to five years in prison.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/deacon-gets--year-sentence-judge-issues-decision-in/article_e70ee943-22b3-5ac5-8019-6064cbed1df1.html | title=Deacon gets 5-year sentence. Judge issues decision in | publisher= ] |date= July 3, 1993| access-date =2012-10-17 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/appeals-court-upholds-molesting-conviction-of-hammond/article_4ab20210-dfcd-5d77-8ab0-c68518f7bd51.html | title=Appeals court upholds molesting conviction of Hammond | publisher=] | date=March 24, 1996 | access-date=2012-10-17 | archive-date=2012-10-26 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026023559/http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/appeals-court-upholds-molesting-conviction-of-hammond/article_4ab20210-dfcd-5d77-8ab0-c68518f7bd51.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"

!Pastors of the First Baptist Church of Hammond
In 1993, ] aired ], a news series, examined "allegations of child molesting, abuse and sex scandals in several churches across the nation appear to be part of a pattern of such scandals among churches affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Hammond."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/detroit-station-probes-abuse-church-link/article_14a337d0-f46b-5ad5-95bf-0410dca96668.html | title=Detroit station probes abuse, church link | publisher= ] |date= May 17, 1993 | access-date =2012-10-17 }}</ref> It examined fresh claims of sex abuse in five different fundamentalist churches where church workers who molested children were traced back to Hyles-Anderson College.<ref>"Pastor Linked to Sex Abuse Lashes Out," '']'', June 2, 1993.</ref><ref name="San Diego">"Preacher has links to molest suspects." '']'' San Diego, Calif.: May 17, 1993. p. A.7</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/detroit-station-probes-abuse-church-link/article_14a337d0-f46b-5ad5-95bf-0410dca96668.html | title=Detroit station probes abuse, church link | publisher= ] |date= May 17, 1993 | access-date =2012-10-17 }}</ref> Besides the abuse, the program examined Hyles' teaching, including a 1990 sermon where "Hyles pretended to pour poison into a glass and asked an associate pastor, Johnny Colsten, to drink from it. Colsten said he would."<ref name="dictator">{{cite news | url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/hyles-i-m-no-dictator-first-baptist-leader-defends/article_fc79e105-a9e7-507e-bd03-d3834d335a1f.html | title=Hyles: I'm no dictator. First Baptist leader defends| publisher= ] |date= May 28, 1993 | first=Debra | last=Gruszecki | access-date =2012-10-17 }}</ref> The report "said the sermon has the 'ring of ]' to it—the mass suicide in ] in 1978 by followers of cult leader ]."<ref name="dictator" /> Hyles called the program "poor journalism" and organized a national campaign to respond.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/hyles-calls-for-national-campaign-to-counter-media/article_68017eed-34cd-5e32-80b3-c8869bab4570.html | title=Hyles calls for national campaign to counter media | publisher= ] |date= May 20, 1993 | access-date =2012-10-17 }}</ref> '']'' also condemned WJBK's series, calling it "highly irresponsible" and "a monstrous overreach".<ref>"", '']''. May 19, 1993. Retrieved January 8, 2020.</ref>
|-

|Allen Hill ||November 1887 - March 1888
In 1997, Hyles and the First Baptist Church of Hammond were sued "for negligence in connection with alleged sexual assaults on a mentally disabled church member over a six-year period"<ref name="RapeCT">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/1997/december8/7te63a.html | title = Baptist Megachurch Faces Sex Suit | work = ] | access-date = 2006-05-01 | archive-date = 2006-05-01 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060501034414/http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/1997/december8/7te63a.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> The lawyer for the woman, Vernon Petri, "says Hyles is a defendant because he failed to protect the woman", such that "controls have to be set to be sure things are conducted appropriately."<ref name="RapeCT" /> However, ''Christianity Today'' pointed out that no criminal charges were ever filed in the case. Also, Hyles denied the allegations that either he or his church were negligent in the care of the woman in an October 12 advertisement in the Hammond Times.<ref name="RapeCT" /> According to the lawyer, "a church program instructor led her to a room and served as a lookout while two to three males raped her."<ref name="RapeNWI">Debra Gruszecki.
|-
'']'' October 4, 1997</ref> The women developed a "serious" infection and doctors "found, embedded in her, a plastic object."<ref name="RapeNWI" /> The "civil suit filed in ] Court in Gary claims the Chicago woman was "induced by agents" of the church in 1991 to ride a bus to attend Sunday."<ref name="RapeNWI" /> The women and church settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum.<ref name="LetPrey"/>
|B.P. Hewitt ||April 1888 - May 1893

|-
After Hyles' death in 2001, Jack Schaap, Hyles' son-in-law, succeeded as pastor. Schaap's sermons were controversial.<ref name="polishedshaft">{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/January-2013/Let-Us-Prey-Big-Trouble-at-First-Baptist-Church/|title=Let Us Prey: Big Trouble at First Baptist Church}}</ref> On July 31, 2012, Schaap was fired "due to a sin that has caused him to forfeit his right to be our pastor".<ref>{{cite news |title=(Press Release) First Baptist Church Pastor Dismissed |url=http://www.fbchammond.com/news/pr/2012/07/first-baptist-church-pastor-dismissed/ |publisher=First Baptist Church of Hammond |date=2012-07-31 |access-date=2012-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802235637/http://www.fbchammond.com/news/pr/2012/07/first-baptist-church-pastor-dismissed |archive-date=2012-08-02 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hammond Pastor Dismissed For 'Improper Relationship With Young Woman' |url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/hammond-pastor-dismissed-for-improper-relationship-with-young-woman/ |newspaper=] |date=2012-07-31 |access-date=2012-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804042020/http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/hammond-pastor-dismissed-for-improper-relationship-with-young-woman/ |archive-date=2012-08-04 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pastor of Hammond mega church fired for 'sin' |first=Carole |last=Carlson |url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/14133914-418/pastor-of-hammond-mega-church-fired-for-sin.html |newspaper=] |date=2012-07-31 |access-date=2012-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803011531/http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/14133914-418/pastor-of-hammond-mega-church-fired-for-sin.html |archive-date=2012-08-03 |url-status=live }}</ref> Schaap reportedly admitted to deacons of the church that he had an adulterous affair with the young woman, who was 16 years old at the time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hammond church on fired pastor: 'We trusted that man' |first=Lisa |last=Black |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-hammond-church-fired-pastor-seeks-reconciliation-with-wife-20120801,0,2089975.story |newspaper=] |date=2012-08-01 |access-date=2012-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803103553/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-hammond-church-fired-pastor-seeks-reconciliation-with-wife-20120801,0,2089975.story |archive-date=2012-08-03 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-pastor of Indiana church investigated for sex with teen |first1=Mary |last1=Wisniewski |first2=Cynthia |last2=Johnston |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-church-idUSBRE87201920120803 |work=] |date=2012-08-02 |access-date=2012-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806000920/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/03/us-usa-crime-church-idUSBRE87201920120803 |archive-date=2012-08-06 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 16 is the ] in Indiana,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/08/indiana-megachurch-pastor-fired-over-affair-with-teenage-girl/1 |title=Ind. megachurch pastor fired over 'a sin' with teenage girl |first=Douglas |last=Stanglin |newspaper=] |date=2012-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805043852/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/08/indiana-megachurch-pastor-fired-over-affair-with-teenage-girl/1 |archive-date=2012-08-05 |url-status=live }}</ref> sex with the girl would not have constituted ]. The case was turned over to the ] for investigation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Schaap Fired From First Baptist Hammond Church Reportedly for Adultery |first=Stoyan |last=Zaimov |url=http://global.christianpost.com/news/jack-schaap-fired-from-first-baptist-hammond-church-reportedly-for-adultery-79270/ |newspaper=] |date=2012-08-01 |access-date=2012-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803005357/http://global.christianpost.com/news/jack-schaap-fired-from-first-baptist-hammond-church-reportedly-for-adultery-79270/ |archive-date=2012-08-03 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Simon W. Phelps ||August 1893 - October 1900

|-
In September 2012, Schaap was charged in a U.S. District Court for taking a minor across state lines to have sex with her (the ]) and pleaded guilty.<ref>{{cite news |title= Former Indiana pastor charged, signs federal plea deal in relationship with teen|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/09/18/former-indiana-pastor-charged-signs-federal-plea-deal-in-relationship-with-teen/ |newspaper= ] |date= 2012-08-01 |access-date= 2012-08-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/02/jack-schaap-confesses-to-_n_1732732.html | title=Jack Schaap Confesses To Sexual Relationship With Teen After Firing From Megachurch | work =] | date= August 2, 2012| access-date = December 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://global.christianpost.com/news/jack-schaap-pleads-guilty-in-teen-sex-case-denies-knowing-act-was-crime-82304/ | title=Jack Schaap Pleads Guilty in Teen Sex Case, Denies Knowing Act Was Crime | publisher=] | date=2012-08-27 | access-date=December 24, 2012 | archive-date=2013-01-26 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126192808/http://global.christianpost.com/news/jack-schaap-pleads-guilty-in-teen-sex-case-denies-knowing-act-was-crime-82304/ | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2012/09/oh-mann-pastor-says-he-was-unaware-of-curious-law.html | title=Oh, Mann! Pastor says he was unaware of curious law | work =] | date= August 27, 2012 | access-date = December 24, 2012}}</ref>
|Edward T. Carter ||November 1900 - December 1901

|-
In October, nearly a quarter of the Hammond church staff were laid off.<ref name="LetPrey"/> An article in the January 2013 issue of '']'' magazine about First Baptist Church stated, "A string of assaults and sexual crimes committed by pastors across the country have one thing in common: The perpetrators have ties to the megachurch in Hammond, Indiana."<ref name="LetPrey">{{cite news |title= Let Us Prey: Big Trouble at First Baptist Church' |first= Bryan |last= Smith |url= http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/January-2013/Let-Us-Prey-Big-Trouble-at-First-Baptist-Church/ |magazine= ] |date= January 2013 |access-date= 2012-12-17 }}</ref>
|William H. Jones ||January 1902 - October 1907

|-
In January 2013, Schaap asked the court for the minimum 10-year sentence, claiming he was under great stress, exhausted and depressed at the time of the relationship.<ref>{{cite news |title= Ex-Indiana megachurch pastor seeks minimum sentence in underage-sex case |url=http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130105/NEWS/130109790/1005 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131029213314/http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130105/NEWS/130109790/1005 |archive-date= 2013-10-29 |newspaper= ] |location= ] |date= January 5, 2013 |access-date= 2012-12-17|agency= ]}}</ref> In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors revealed that Schaap "groomed" the girl, including kissing the victim during counseling and had sex with her in his office.<ref>{{cite news |title= The Five Most Revolting Details from the Evidence in the Jack Schaap Case |first= Bryan |last= Smith |url= http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/The-312/March-2013/The-top-five-revolting-x-from-the-latest-prosecutor-filing-in-the-Jack-Schaap-case/ |magazine= ] |date= March 18, 2013 |access-date= 2013-03-19 |archive-date= 2013-03-21 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130321020827/http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/The-312/March-2013/The-top-five-revolting-x-from-the-latest-prosecutor-filing-in-the-Jack-Schaap-case/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> In March 2013, Schaap was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for having sex with an underage girl.<ref>{{cite news |title= Jack Schaap Will Serve 12 Years for Sex with a Minor |first= Bryan |last= Smith |url= http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/The-312/March-2013/Reverend-Jack-Schaap-Will-Serve-Years-for-Sex-with-a-Minor/ |magazine= ] |date= March 20, 2013 |access-date= 2013-03-21 |archive-date= 2013-03-22 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130322071522/http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/The-312/March-2013/Reverend-Jack-Schaap-Will-Serve-Years-for-Sex-with-a-Minor/ |url-status= dead }}</ref>
|J.E. Sharp ||January 1908 - April 1911

|-
On May 4, 2022, Schaap was given an early release from incarceration.<ref>{{cite news
|Floyd H. Adams ||August 1911 - December 1918
|title= Former Hammond Megachurch Pastor Released From Prison
|-
|first= Meredith
|R.O. Licklider ||January 1911 - August 1921
|last= Colias-Pete
|-
|url=
|J. Clark Oranger ||November 21 - March 1927
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/ct-ptb-schaap-st-0517-20220516-u363wuctmnfqbi2j3e4k555zja-story.html
|-
|newspaper= ]
|J.M. Horton ||August 1927 - September 1941
|date= May 16, 2022
|-
|access-date= 2022-05-25}}</ref>
|Theodore Leonard Lewis ||October 1941 - August 1944

|-
In 2023, Joseph Eyer a former ], was sentenced to 2 and a half years for molesting a teenage boy over several years in Gary, Indiana.
|F. Russell Purdy ||October 1944 - June 1947
<ref>{{cite news
|-
|title= Merrillville man sentenced to 2 and a half years for molesting a 14-year-old
|Owen L. Miller ||October 1947 - November 1958
|first= Caitlyn
|-
|last= Rosen
|] ||August 1959 - February 2001
|url=
|-
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/crown-point/merrillville-eyer-molestation-deacon/article_45754836-120b-11ee-ba48-57e988dd358c.html
|] ||March 2001 - present
|newspaper= ]
|}
|date= June 23, 2023
|access-date= 2023-12-01}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
*&ndash; Official {{commons|First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana}}
*
===Criticism===
* by ] -- Criticism of Jack Hyles
* -- Criticism of Jack Hyles


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Latest revision as of 06:44, 23 November 2024

Church in Indiana, United States
First Baptist Church, Hammond
LocationHammond, Indiana
CountryUnited States
DenominationIndependent Baptist
Previous denominationAmerican Baptist
Websitefbchammond.com
History
FoundedNovember 24, 1887 (1887-11-24)
Founder(s)Allen Hill
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)John Wilkerson

The First Baptist Church of Hammond is an Independent Fundamental Baptist megachurch in Hammond, Indiana, a suburb of Chicago. It is the largest church in the state of Indiana, and in 2007 was the 20th largest in the United States. Though founded in 1887 by Allen Hill, it was under Jack Hyles' leadership from 1959–2001 when it became one of the megachurches in the United States and during the 1970s, had the highest Sunday school attendance of any church in the world. In 1990, the church had a weekly attendance of 20,000. It also operates Hyles-Anderson College, a non-accredited institution established for the training of pastors and missionaries, and two K-12 schools, called 'City Baptist Schools' (for children of the bus route of the church) and 'Hammond Baptist Schools' (for children of the members of the church). John Wilkerson is the senior pastor at First Baptist Church.

Leaders in the church have faced accusations, lawsuits, and convictions for sexual crimes over decades. These in include the Preying from the Pulpit expose in 1993 and the 2013 conviction in federal court of former pastor Jack Schaap of the sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl.

History

First Baptist Church was founded in November 1887, by Allen Hill of Jennings County, Indiana. Its first meeting was on November 14, 1887, with 12 members on the 28th. However, it originally met in the Morton House Hotel which stood on what is currently the 100 block of Willow Court. Allen Hill's pastorate was short lived at approximately 4 months.

By April 1888, B.P. Hewitt became the church's permanent pastor and Allen Hill went on to start several other churches. Needing more room, Hewitt moved the church's meeting place to the Hohman Opera House at the corner of State and Hohman. In 1889, the church erected its own structure for $2,358 when Marcus Towle, Hammond's first mayor and member of FBC, donated land on Sibley Street to the church.

Subsequently, on January 3, 1901, Pastor E.T. Carter proposed a new building, and the first service was held on April 14, 1901. On November 27 of that same year, Carter announced his resignation for a job at the Central Baptist Orphanage in Michigan.

During the early and mid 1970s the church's Sunday school used carnival-like entertainment along with free transportation by a fleet of over 200 buses to attract thousands of people from the Chicago Southland and northern Indiana. In 1975, the weekly attendance was at 14,000, with a peak of over 30,000 in March of that year. Time magazine described the church's claim of having the "world's largest Sunday school" as "rock solid for the U.S., if not the world."

In January 2013, John Wilkerson became pastor of Hammond, following a January 13, 2013, service with a 94% of the 2,078 members' votes. Wilkerson was previously connected to the church, notably Wilkerson graduated from Hyles-Anderson College in 1989, and his wife Linda graduated in 1990.

Activities

The church in 1889.

First Baptist Church has several outreach ministries, including Prepare Now Resources, Hyles-Anderson College (not accredited by any recognized accreditation body), Fundamental Baptist Missions International, Hammond Baptist Schools, City Baptist Schools, Chicago Baptist Academy, Memory Lane Cemetery, Christian Womanhood Magazine, First Baptist Church Little League, Nursing Home Ministry, Sailor Ministry, Truck Driver's Ministry, Bus Ministry, Blind Ministry, Pathfinder Ministry (Educable Slow), Homeless Ministry, Rescue Mission, Public School Ministry, Inner City Chapel Ministry, and Deaf Ministry. The church also has several services in Spanish and some Asian languages.

Until 2011, First Baptist Church also hosts three national conferences. The first Pastors' School invites pastors, assistant pastors, Christian leaders, school administrators, and Christian laymen to a week of training and learning. Its Youth Conference is held in mid-July and is for the youth and teenagers of Christian churches nationally. The final conference of the year, held every October, was the Christian Womenhood Spectacular for Christian women of all ages. Currently First Baptist Church still hosts the three national conferences. The first widely known as "Servant's Conference", youth conference, and ladies conference. The Church also hosts youth camps and youth revivals.

48th Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the church in September 2011, when he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana.

Every Memorial Day, the church and Hyles-Anderson College students and officials honor veterans of a particular conflict at Memorial Park. In 2008, the group honored those who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and in 2009, veterans of the Korean War were honored.

Controversies

In 1989, the paper The Biblical Evangelist published a story "The Saddest Story We Ever Published", accusing Jack Hyles of sexual scandals, financial misappropriation and doctrinal errors. These charges were denied by Hyles who deemed them "lies".

In 1991, a First Baptist Church of Hammond deacon, A.V. Ballenger, molested a 7-year-old girl in her Hammond Sunday school class. During a Sunday school class "a church worker reportedly witnessed the act and removed the girl from the room, police said." The Chicago Tribune in a 1991 article reported that Hyles was sued for $1 million by the parents of the girl. The paper reported the "lawsuit claims Hyles and the church had not fulfilled their obligation to ensure that children were protected from harm during Sunday school." Furthermore, the lawsuit "claims the minister told the child's parents that Ballenger 'just loved children,' and, 'You don't have a case.'" The church settled the lawsuit out of court and the terms were not disclosed. At the criminal trial, three young women testified deacon A.V. Ballenger "had fondled them years ago." One of those girls testified that she was molested on the Hammond church bus. A former security officer at the church testified he saw Ballenger fondle a young girl in 1978 or 1979 in a Sunday school room after being called to the room by a female teacher. In 1993, Ballenger was sentenced to five years in prison.

In 1993, WJBK aired Preying from the Pulpit, a news series, examined "allegations of child molesting, abuse and sex scandals in several churches across the nation appear to be part of a pattern of such scandals among churches affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Hammond." It examined fresh claims of sex abuse in five different fundamentalist churches where church workers who molested children were traced back to Hyles-Anderson College. Besides the abuse, the program examined Hyles' teaching, including a 1990 sermon where "Hyles pretended to pour poison into a glass and asked an associate pastor, Johnny Colsten, to drink from it. Colsten said he would." The report "said the sermon has the 'ring of Jonestown' to it—the mass suicide in Guyana in 1978 by followers of cult leader Jim Jones." Hyles called the program "poor journalism" and organized a national campaign to respond. The Times of Northwest Indiana also condemned WJBK's series, calling it "highly irresponsible" and "a monstrous overreach".

In 1997, Hyles and the First Baptist Church of Hammond were sued "for negligence in connection with alleged sexual assaults on a mentally disabled church member over a six-year period" The lawyer for the woman, Vernon Petri, "says Hyles is a defendant because he failed to protect the woman", such that "controls have to be set to be sure things are conducted appropriately." However, Christianity Today pointed out that no criminal charges were ever filed in the case. Also, Hyles denied the allegations that either he or his church were negligent in the care of the woman in an October 12 advertisement in the Hammond Times. According to the lawyer, "a church program instructor led her to a room and served as a lookout while two to three males raped her." The women developed a "serious" infection and doctors "found, embedded in her, a plastic object." The "civil suit filed in Lake Superior Court in Gary claims the Chicago woman was "induced by agents" of the church in 1991 to ride a bus to attend Sunday." The women and church settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum.

After Hyles' death in 2001, Jack Schaap, Hyles' son-in-law, succeeded as pastor. Schaap's sermons were controversial. On July 31, 2012, Schaap was fired "due to a sin that has caused him to forfeit his right to be our pastor". Schaap reportedly admitted to deacons of the church that he had an adulterous affair with the young woman, who was 16 years old at the time. Since 16 is the age of consent in Indiana, sex with the girl would not have constituted statutory rape. The case was turned over to the Lake County Sheriff's Department (Indiana) for investigation.

In September 2012, Schaap was charged in a U.S. District Court for taking a minor across state lines to have sex with her (the Mann Act) and pleaded guilty.

In October, nearly a quarter of the Hammond church staff were laid off. An article in the January 2013 issue of Chicago magazine about First Baptist Church stated, "A string of assaults and sexual crimes committed by pastors across the country have one thing in common: The perpetrators have ties to the megachurch in Hammond, Indiana."

In January 2013, Schaap asked the court for the minimum 10-year sentence, claiming he was under great stress, exhausted and depressed at the time of the relationship. In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors revealed that Schaap "groomed" the girl, including kissing the victim during counseling and had sex with her in his office. In March 2013, Schaap was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for having sex with an underage girl.

On May 4, 2022, Schaap was given an early release from incarceration.

In 2023, Joseph Eyer a former deacon, was sentenced to 2 and a half years for molesting a teenage boy over several years in Gary, Indiana.

References

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