HAMMOND (IN)
The Christian Post
By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter
August 14, 2012
First Baptist Church of Hammond in Indiana has become more united than ever in the wake of Pastor Jack Schaap’s dismissal, a spokesman for the church told The Christian Post.
The church community was rocked recently by Schaap’s dismissal, which came about following his admission of adultery with a young teenager. Investigations into the scandal surrounding the former pastor are continuing, the church spokesman confirmed, but the quick action by the church has allowed its members to come together during the difficult time.
“People are very pleased at how fast our deacon board acted in the dismissal of our former pastor. Seems like that has helped them, the fact that they made the right choice and they are very open,” said Eddie Wilson, spokesperson and public relations director, to CP in a phone interview on Monday.
Last week, the church’s board of deacons revealed that Schaap, 54, had admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with a school girl who is currently 17. The girl, however, would have been just 16 years old when the inappropriate relationship began. Schaap had led the 15,000-member congregation for the past 11 years, and has not yet made a public comment since the FBI launched an investigation into his relationship.
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