John Blanchard, the pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach, was accused by Chesterfield Police of driving more than two hours up to a local hotel to meet a "minor" for prostitution. I think the church leaders should have refrained from telling people not to condemn the pastor. Why did the Commonwealth Attorney agree to seal and erase the records? The defense attorney stated Tuesday that he was pleased with the outcome, the church said. He needs to be out of the Rock Church ASAP until this is resolved. His wife was there in court, Sellers said, referring to her December 2018 hearing. Just FYI I would not and cannot accuse any wrong-doing on the part of any police organization with regard to the pastors situation, no. 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. Coming from a background in atheism and a dysfunctional childhood, Johns heart is to reach a generation with a message of hope through the healing and delivering power of Jesus Christ. John Blanchard at this time," the post said. Rock Church International Pastor John Blanchard was charged with solicitation of prostitution and using a vehicle to promote prostitution . Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Shared by John Blanchard. Sellers worked for about two years as assistant to Robin Blanchard and her mother, Rock Church Bishop Anne Gimenez. the setting of Rock Church has been used for these many services and it is known locally for this. Especially when you have so much family in church leadership, a leader is many times not going to be disciplined like they should be. Prosecutors recently set those charges aside. . 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? (Seriously, if he was in a prostitution sting, did the funds come from the church?). 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. 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. No hearing date has been set. Business travel with Zion Solutions. In April 2018, she told someone in John Blanchards accountability group about the assault. 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. Be careful little ears what you hear for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 13News Now has covered this case since it initially broke nearly a year ago. Skills. An attorney for the church advised church leaders not to comment on the accusations against John Blanchard, a statement posted to the church website indicates. You can read more of the initial story here. Or are folks afraid of his threats of legal action? Travel 11-16 to 18 to Atlanta. Hampton Roads locals open up about healthcare following Biden's speech, Supreme Court hears arguments for and against student loan forgiveness; Norfolk residents react, FORECAST: No roaring lion this year to start March, Hampton Roads breaks 1975 record for warmest February 23rd, Charges dropped against John Blanchard, Virginia Beach pastor accused of trying to solicit a minor, posted the documents about Blanchard's arrest on Facebook, Chesterfield County top prosecutor responds to criticism about handling of Blanchard case. History tells us there's no such thing as a perfect revival, but agreed to have a special prosecutor appointed, Special prosecutor appointed in megachurch pastorsprostitution caseas new emails emerge, Prostitution case against megachurch Pastor John Blanchard could be reopened after public outcry, Disagreeing with prosecutor, police chief says megachurch pastor should have been tried for prostitution, Megachurch pastor still preaching despite claims he stepped back from ministry over prostitution arrest. Blanchard, the pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach, was arrested and charged for solicitation of prostitution in Chesterfield County in 2021. It would destroy their perfect world including: Admitting their pastor is a hypocrite and isnt perfect or near perfect individual they admired for so long A former member of the church spoke with 13News Now about her experience with Blanchard in 2018, which led her to be ex-communicated. At the time, the church posted a statement that contained similar wording as that in this weeks statement, including, Pastor Blanchard has voluntarily stepped back as lead pastor and from all his ministerial duties until this present situation is totally resolved., 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. Look at the bright side, at least there was no pool boy. The first advice I would offer anyone who saw this on a church website is RUN. Michev stated that Blanchard had a "built-in defense." Davenport did not provide those explanations during her announcement to the press Thursday and walked away from reporters without taking questions. A wreck it is. Blanchard serves as the pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach. I hope my journey walking through the evangelical wilderness and landing in one abusive or authoritarian church after another has been instructive. Hmmm lets check out the Scripture on that: For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Rock Church is committed to honesty and integrity in dealing with charges or accusations of sexual misconduct or immorality among its leaders and will support any investigation arising from accusations of violation of this standard among its staff and leaders in an effort to find the truth and to protect its members, church families and their children, at all times. Family business sounds more like what it is. Will Sarah Einselen and the Roys Report be covering John Blanchards child prostitution trial next week on February 15? The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more. Frankly, anyone approaching a minor for a sexual encounter should be condemned. Blanchard was one of 17 people arrested in Chesterfield County as part of a two-day sting operation in October 2021. 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. His humility and submission to those over him during this time has been a testimony to his character. Main photo: John Blanchard preaches on Leadership Principles. Screenshot from YouTube / @Rock Church, Email:[emailprotected] When Blanchard arrived at the hotel, he was met by officers who arrested him. Prices for TechDirects turnkey LCD monitors, which range in size from 6.5-feet tall to nearly 10 feet, start at just over $32,000 and run as high as $62,000. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Steve240: a lot easier to accept a plausible excuse vs. have to face reality. During a recent service, Rev. I cant seem to able to locate updated information. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. We are all committed to walking in integrity and truth at Rock Church International and will continue to take steps to do so. A few years later, Sellers said, John Blanchard asked her to work part-time on the website for TechDirect, a company he founded to provide LED screens to churches. On Oct. 11, 2022, the court hearing in Chesterfield lasted only a matter of seconds. Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake, 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. I suspect what she meant was that the DA chose not to prosecute based on the available evidence. "Hundreds of pages of documents have been turned over to my office related to Stacey T. Davenport for Chesterfield Commonwealth's Attorney handling of the Pastor John Blanchard case," Anderson wrote. Rock Church encourages godly lifestyles by all of its members and leaders, in keeping with the tenets of the Bible. Ministry Watch 2022 All rights reserved. Pastor John Blanchard was arrested late last month after . Play Video. | Learn more about John Blanchard's work experience, education, connections & more by visiting their profile on . "The police are one part of the public safety process, and then you need the prosecutor to really drive it home. Charges accusing Rock Church International Pastor John Blanchard of arranging to meet a person he thought was a teenage girl for sex in a motel room were dismissed Tuesday at the request of prosecutors, according to the Chesterfield County court clerk's office. Detectives say this money was enough to cover the amount they "requested" in the chat for the meet-up. She said knew she knew it was wrong done with and yet somehow she found herself at his house. Max: How about taking your wife along to do that, pastor. 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. In October of 1968, Rock Church was founded when John & Anne Gimenez were traveling from Pennsylvania to Florida and stopped in Virginia to appear on The 700 Club. Nolle prosequel seems to indicate that maybe more could happen in the 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. Also, EVERY pedophile who gets arrested for child solicitation says they just wanted to talk. They care so much about these kids that they just want to give them a stern fatherly warning about talking to older creepy men. Ministry credentials, a touch of charisma and a gift of gab do not always equal a prophetic voice to the body of Christ., How can a congregation deal with a pastor who is out, then in, then out, then in?. has been the site of police funerals for officers slain while on duty. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. "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 the Rock Church website, Blanchard has been a senior pastor of the Virginia Beach church on Kempsville Road since 2013. John Blanchard was arrested in October of 2021, but prosecutors recently set those charges aside. Example video title will go here for this video. All that is being said are allegations at this point. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. Thankfully, there was a nolle prosequel, which means the charges could be brought against Blanchard again. Robin and John Blancharddaughter and son-in-law of the church's founders, Anne and the late John Gimenezare the new co-pastors at the 4,000-member Pentecostal church. ", Franssen added, "We as citizens decide who sits in this seat, and we can make our voices heard in November.". After agreeing to meet with a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl, the pastor was arrested and then released on bond. Rock Church Virginia Beach, Va John Blanchard pedophile pastor protest 2/26/23. Pastor John Blanchard and his wife Pastor Robin Blanchard are the Senior Pastors of the Rock Church International in Virginia Beach Virginia. The married father of two was charged with solicitation of prostitution of a minor and use of a vehicle to promote prostitution, which are felonies. John Blanchard serves as the pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach. To make a donation,click here. If so, why was he in the hotel? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]? (1 Corinthians 5:12 AMP), There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT (Romans 8:1 KJV), revered as a man of God who is a prophetic voice to the body of Christ, TWW continues to report on a string of men of God who have joined the bad-boy conga line. Information recently released on Facebook by Republican state Delegate and attorney Tim Anderson, who represents the Virginia Beach area, shows that the case against the megachurch pastor was dismissed only after a discussion between Chesterfield County Commonwealth's Attorney Stacey Davenport and the pastor's defense attorney. Why did you do this?" A spokesperson with Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office told 13News Now that Blanchard was released. but I think it is important to know that, probably because of its size as a sanctuary, Stop the music. When a member of the police department whose name was redacted from the documents asked why the case was dismissed, Michev disclosed that Davenport had conversations with Blanchard's defense attorney, Noel Brooks. Does this church support and believe in local law enforcement officers, or do they believe their pastor is to be believed above all? According to the Christian Post inMegachurch asks congregants to forgive pastor for prostitution arrest because all have sinned Well, bless his heart. The Prophetic word declared, I am sending you to a people you know not of inspiring them to trust God for clear direction. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? Were going to release to God some crazy faith and I believe were going to see the supernatural happen in this place tonight.. In the meantime, Robin Blanchard and Gimenez are in charge. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. A defense attorney for Rock Church International Pastor John Blanchard initially struck a deal with Chesterfield County Commonwealth's Attorney Stacey Davenport of Virginia to do a psychosexual evaluation and sex offender-related counseling in exchange for tabling a child prostitution case against him. Robin, is still listed as a senior pastor at Rock Church on the church's website as of this writing. You can twist it. Arturo G. Azurdia III had an affair with a married woman. On Nov. 1, Rock Church International announced in a since-deleted Facebook post that Blanchard would be stepping down from pastoral duties during legal proceedings. Drives two and a half hours to a hotel and knocks on the hotel room door as directed by our undercover '17-year-old,' I believe a jury of Chesterfield County residents deserves to weigh in on the matter of criminal culpability," he wrote. Posing as a 17-year-old girl, the pastor of Rock Church International Virginia. Sting operation in October of 2021, but prosecutors recently set those charges aside at least there was a prosequel! To do that, pastor a senior pastor of Rock Church International pastor John Blanchard as... No pool boy have to face reality that is being said are allegations at point..., pastor Thursday and walked away from reporters without taking questions bless his heart from people! Tax-Deductible donation to help our journalists continue to take steps to do that, pastor help our continue. What you hear for many false prophets have gone out into the world use cookies ensure... A `` built-in defense. prostitution arrest because all have sinned Well, bless heart... 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