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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 weekly attendance of around 20,000. It also operates ] (an ] school) and K-12 schools. ], Hyles' son-in-law, succeeded as pastor after Hyles' death in 2001. | 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 weekly attendance of around 20,000. It also operates ] (an ] school) and K-12 schools. ], Hyles' son-in-law, succeeded as pastor after Hyles' death in 2001. | ||
| 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. |
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. | ||
| The church has been involved in various controveries over the years.<ref name="e">Lehmann, Daniel J. "Pastor Linked to Sex Abuse Lashes Out," '']'', June 2, 1993. pg. 5</ref> Hyles called news reports "ridiculous assumptions and malicious lies" to end the Hammond Sunday school "bus ministries."<ref name="e" /> He told hundred of supporters that "If ever there was a lie spawned by Lucifer out of hell, this is it." <ref>"Pastor Denounces Sex Allegations as 'A Lie Spawned by Lucifer' | |||
| Richmond Times - Dispatch. Richmond, Va.: Jun 02, 1993. pg. B-4</ref> | |||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| Line 20: | Line 17: | ||
| == Ministries and Outreach == | == Ministries and Outreach == | ||
| First Baptist Church has several outreach ministries, including Hyles Publications, ] |
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. | ||
| ⚫ | ==Controversy and criticism== | ||
| ⚫ | {{mergefrom|Preying from the Pulpit}} | ||
| ⚫ | === Teachings === | ||
| ⚫ | 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> | ||
| 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." | |||
| ⚫ | === 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" |
||
| 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> | |||
| 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. | |||
| ===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. | |||
| 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. | |||
| ===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> | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| 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" /> | |||
| ===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=" |
||
| 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" /> | |||
| ===Seeing eye dog controversy=== | |||
| 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" /> | |||
| == List of Pastors == | == List of Pastors == | ||
| Line 93: | Line 53: | ||
| |] ||March 2001 - present | |] ||March 2001 - present | ||
| |} | |} | ||
| ⚫ | ==Controversy and criticism== | ||
| ⚫ | {{mergefrom|Preying from the Pulpit}} | ||
| ⚫ | === Teachings === | ||
| ⚫ | 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> | ||
| ⚫ | === Jack Hyles === | ||
| Allegations of misconduct 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<ref name="h">"AV Ballenger," '']'', August 30, 1996.</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | 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". <ref name="b" /> | ||
| Hyles pointed out that Nischik couldn't be trusted because he had recently been turned down for a promotion by Hyles and because Nischik was an immoral man acting out of spite. Hyles pointed out that Nischik's own wife found Victor at home alone in his pajamas with another woman. | |||
| ===Sexual abuse=== | |||
| Hyles has been a target of occasional criticism during his nearly 34 years at the helm of the independent First Baptist.<ref name="e">Lehmann, Daniel J. "Pastor Linked to Sex Abuse Lashes Out," '']'', June 2, 1993. pg. 5</ref> | |||
| 1,300 supporters of Hyles gathered to listen to Hyles as he branded the news reports linking him to a nationwide pattern of sexual molestations and abuse as "ridiculous assumptions and malicious lies". He said the reports were really an attempt to end Sunday school "bus ministries" operated by his church and others like it.<ref name="e" /> | |||
| There is one documented instance where a member of First Baptist was found guilty of a crime of abuse. Daniel Lehmann of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, "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" /> Furthermore, "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> During the criminal trial Jack Hyles "told the child's parents that Ballenger 'just liked little girls,' and, 'You don't have a case.'"<ref name="f" /> The parents later filed suit for one million dollars against Hyles and his church."<ref name="f" /> Ballenger was found guilty of molestation and sentenced to five years.<ref name="h" /> | |||
| Lehmann reported that in May 1993, a ], ] area news team, did a story called ''Preying From the Pulpit'' where it followed up on allegations of child molestation. The Sun-Times series said it found seven U.S. churches - all with ties to Hyles, it said - involved in sex scandals.<ref name="e" /> However, Lehmann noted that "the Lake County (Ind.) prosecutor's office said it did not have any current cases involving Hyles or the church, and the Hammond Police Department confirmed a statement of last month that 'there is no investigation' of the church or Hyles". <ref name="e" /> | |||
| ⚫ | Lehmann 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 those people said to have attended Hyles-Anderson College had not really attended the school. | ||
| ⚫ | 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="g">{{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="g" /> 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. Hyles pointed out that his church had a long-standing outreach program to the handicapped and underprivileged of the Hammond area, ministries that Hyles said "are a financial liability. This is especially true in the case of the educable slow. We get nothing from them but the satisfaction of helping them."<ref name="g" /> | |||
| In the article, Hyles also said the church does "not believe that the events described in the allegations occurred." Hyles said the church preaches against and detests "any form of sexual misbehavior." In a news report, Hyles indicated that the church had no record of the woman's attendance at Sunday school since 1991.<ref name="g" /> | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| # {{note|b}} "Charges All Lies, Hammond Pastor Says," '']'', May 28, 1989. | |||
| <references /> | |||
| # {{note|f}} {{cite web | url = http://www.hylesanderson.com/pdfs/haccatalog2005-2006.pdf | title = Hyles-Anderson College Catalog (pages 8-23)| work = Hyles-Anderson College | accessdate = academic school years | accessyear = 2005-06}} | |||
| # {{note|g}} "Pastor Linked to Sex Abuse Lashes Out," '']'', June 2, 1993. | |||
| # {{note|h}} "AV Ballenger," '']'', August 30, 1996. | |||
| # {{note|i}} "Church leaders sued in sex-abuse case," '']'', Oct 16, 1991. | |||
| # {{note|j}} {{cite web | url = http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/1997/december8/7te63a.htmltitle | title = Baptist Megachurch Faces Sex Suit | work = ] | accessdate = Dec. 8 | accessyear = 1997}} | |||
| # {{note|k}} "Experts say Combs child abuse case unusual," '']'', April 7, 2000. | |||
| ==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| *– Official | *– Official | ||
| ===Criticism=== | |||
| * by ] mentioned in the articles | |||
| * criticism of First Baptist Church of Hammond | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 04:10, 17 May 2006
The First Baptist Church of Hammond is a fundamentalist Independent Baptist church in Hammond, Indiana. 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 Jack Hyles' leadership from 1959-2001 that it became a megachurch, one of the first megachurches in the United States. It has a weekly attendance of around 20,000. It also operates Hyles-Anderson College (an unaccredited school) and K-12 schools. Jack Schaap, Hyles' son-in-law, succeeded as pastor after Hyles' death in 2001.
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.
History
FBC was founded in November of 1887 by Allen Hill of Jennings County, Indiana. 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.
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 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.
Ministries and Outreach
First Baptist Church has several outreach ministries, including Hyles Publications, Hyles-Anderson College, 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.
List of Pastors
| Pastors of the First Baptist Church of Hammond | |
|---|---|
| Allen Hill | November 1887 - March 1888 |
| B.P. Hewitt | April 1888 - May 1893 |
| Simon W. Phelps | August 1893 - October 1900 |
| Edward T. Carter | November 1900 - December 1901 |
| William H. Jones | January 1902 - October 1907 |
| J.E. Sharp | January 1908 - April 1911 |
| Floyd H. Adams | August 1911 - December 1918 |
| R.O. Licklider | January 1911 - August 1921 |
| J. Clark Oranger | November 21 - March 1927 |
| J.M. Horton | August 1927 - September 1941 |
| Theodore Leonard Lewis | October 1941 - August 1944 |
| F. Russell Purdy | October 1944 - June 1947 |
| Owen L. Miller | October 1947 - November 1958 |
| Jack Frasure Hyles | August 1959 - February 2001 |
| Jack Schaap | March 2001 - present |
Controversy and criticism
 | It has been suggested that Preying from the Pulpit be merged into this article. (Discuss) |
Teachings
The Richmond Times quoted ex-Hyles follower and later critic, Robert Sumner, who said "Jack Hyles, runs his church in an authoritarian, almost 'cultist,' manner." 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'. According to the Richmond Times Sumner's article had over 100 allegations.
Jack Hyles
Allegations of misconduct 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
On May 25, 1989 The Chicago Tribune 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. Hyles replied by saying the charges were "false". Hyles pointed out that Nischik couldn't be trusted because he had recently been turned down for a promotion by Hyles and because Nischik was an immoral man acting out of spite. Hyles pointed out that Nischik's own wife found Victor at home alone in his pajamas with another woman.
Sexual abuse
Hyles has been a target of occasional criticism during his nearly 34 years at the helm of the independent First Baptist.
1,300 supporters of Hyles gathered to listen to Hyles as he branded the news reports linking him to a nationwide pattern of sexual molestations and abuse as "ridiculous assumptions and malicious lies". He said the reports were really an attempt to end Sunday school "bus ministries" operated by his church and others like it.
There is one documented instance where a member of First Baptist was found guilty of a crime of abuse. Daniel Lehmann of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, "In March, 1993, a deacon at First Baptist, A.V. Ballenger, was found guilty of one count of child molestation dating from 1991." Furthermore, "a church worker reportedly witnessed the act and removed the girl from the room, police said." During the criminal trial Jack Hyles "told the child's parents that Ballenger 'just liked little girls,' and, 'You don't have a case.'" The parents later filed suit for one million dollars against Hyles and his church." Ballenger was found guilty of molestation and sentenced to five years.
Lehmann reported that in May 1993, a Detroit, Michigan area news team, did a story called Preying From the Pulpit where it followed up on allegations of child molestation. The Sun-Times series said it found seven U.S. churches - all with ties to Hyles, it said - involved in sex scandals. However, Lehmann noted that "the Lake County (Ind.) prosecutor's office said it did not have any current cases involving Hyles or the church, and the Hammond Police Department confirmed a statement of last month that 'there is no investigation' of the church or Hyles".
Lehmann 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 those people said to have attended Hyles-Anderson College had not really attended the school.
On December 8, 1997 Christianity Today 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" 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. Hyles pointed out that his church had a long-standing outreach program to the handicapped and underprivileged of the Hammond area, ministries that Hyles said "are a financial liability. This is especially true in the case of the educable slow. We get nothing from them but the satisfaction of helping them."
In the article, Hyles also said the church does "not believe that the events described in the allegations occurred." Hyles said the church preaches against and detests "any form of sexual misbehavior." In a news report, Hyles indicated that the church had no record of the woman's attendance at Sunday school since 1991.
References
- "Charges All Lies, Hammond Pastor Says," The Chicago Tribune, May 28, 1989.
- "Hyles-Anderson College Catalog (pages 8-23)" (PDF). Hyles-Anderson College. Retrieved academic school years.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - "Pastor Linked to Sex Abuse Lashes Out," Chicago Sun-Times, June 2, 1993.
- "AV Ballenger," South Bend Tribune, August 30, 1996.
- "Church leaders sued in sex-abuse case," The Chicago Tribune, Oct 16, 1991.
- "Baptist Megachurch Faces Sex Suit". Christianity Today. Retrieved Dec. 8.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - "Experts say Combs child abuse case unusual," The Associated Press, April 7, 2000.
External Links
- First Baptist Church, Hammond, Indiana– Official
- ^ "Ed Briggs. Fundamentalists' House Displaying Widening Cracks" Richmond Times - Dispatch. Richmond, Va.: Jul 22, 1989. pg. A-9
- ^ "Charges All Lies, Hammond Pastor Says," Chicago Tribune, May 28, 1989.
- Ed Briggs. "Fundamentalists' House Displaying Widening Cracks." Richmond Times. Richmond, Va. Jul 22, 1989.
- ^ "AV Ballenger," South Bend Tribune, August 30, 1996.
- ^ Lehmann, Daniel J. "Pastor Linked to Sex Abuse Lashes Out," Chicago Sun-Times, June 2, 1993. pg. 5
- ^ "Church leaders sued in sex-abuse case," Chicago Tribune, Oct 16, 1991.
- ^ "Baptist Megachurch Faces Sex Suit". Christianity Today. 2006. Retrieved 2006-05-01.