MISSOURI
KCTV
Posted: Nov 15, 2012
By Laura McCallister, Multimedia Producer
By Betsy Webster, News Reporter
MONITEAU COUNTY, MO (KCTV) –
A Missouri church is facing criticism from within its own ranks over a pastor accused of child sex crimes who refuses to step down.
Pastor Travis Smith has been exonerated of two child sex crimes cases, and now charged in two more.
Baptist leaders are concerned, while his congregation is steadfast in their support.
In several small mid-Missouri towns surrounding the county seat of California, MO, Smith’s name can invoke the response, “Say no more.”
Before being pastor at the First Baptist Church in Stover, MO, Smith was youth pastor at Pilot Grove Baptist Church.
“The whole thing just made me sick. The whole thing was sickening,” said a woman who didn’t want to reveal her identity.
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