BLOOMINGTON (IL)
The Roys Report [Chicago IL]
August 30, 2023
By Rebecca Hopkins
An Illinois megachurch pastor, who resigned after being accused of mishandling alleged sexual misconduct by his son, a former pastor, is starting a new church.
“It is obvious that God is doing something amazing and miraculous in Song and Sword,” said Mike Baker, previous pastor of Eastview Christian Church (ECC). “Same old pastor, same old town, but a brand-new work that God is going to do in us and through us.”
Baker made the announcement during a Vision Sunday online sermon on Aug. 20 for Song and Sword, the online ministry Baker launched in April. Song and Sword also seems to be the name of the church that Baker said he will launch at the Chateau Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington, Ill., on Sept. 10. Baker said he has signed a one-year contract with the Chateau.
Baker’s son, Caleb Baker, resigned from a pastoral position at ECC in 2016 amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which remained secret until earlier this year. Shortly after resigning from ECC, Caleb Baker took a position at Central Christian Church (CCC), a megachurch in Arizona.
In February of 2023, CCC fired Baker from his role as lead student pastor and associate preaching pastor, following a separate allegation of an “extramarital relationship” with a CCC employee. The same month, Mike Baker resigned from ECC, following allegations he covered up the 2016 misconduct.
Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of “Nervous Breakthrough: Finding Freedom from Fear and Anxiety in a World That Feeds It” by Christy Boulware. To donate, click here.
In June, ECC published a third-party investigative report finding that Mike Baker, “more likely than not” withheld information from staff and church elders about the sexual misconduct allegations against Caleb Baker. The report also found that Caleb Baker likely used his pastoral role at ECC to “persuade women to engage in sexual activity.”
When the investigative report first came out in June, Mike Baker said he wouldn’t read it and said he hasn’t changed his story. Baker has denied any wrongdoing and has called the whistleblowers’ claims “untrue.” He also has complained that the ECC elders mistreated him.
TRR submitted a list of questions to Mike Baker, asking about the accountability structure for Song and Sword and whether any family members, including Caleb, would be involved in the church. Baker responded by saying he’d agree to an interview only if he was given full editorial control. TRR does not relinquish editorial control to third parties.
Baker told listeners last Sunday that the past six months have taught him how “gossip” works. He said his family experienced a “category five soul hurricane,” causing “tidal waves of just emotional pain.” He defined gossip as when people “whisper some stuff.”
“Here’s some good gossip,” he said in his sermon. “With a clear conscience, with the Holy Spirit as my witness, I’m not seeking revenge. I don’t hate Eastview. I don’t hope they fail. I love Eastview Christian Church.”
Eastview Christian Church is making repairs, looking for new pastor
Since the investigative report was released, ECC has spent the summer holding meetings with victims and staff. Elders also have been meeting with third party advisors to learn how be a healthier and more transparent church with better accountability, according to elder updates on its website.
“The first and most important steps we are taking as a church include working toward restorative justice, including times of confession, opportunities for forgiveness and healing, and taking intentional steps toward the restoration of trust,” ECC’s Elder Leadership Team (ELT) wrote.
Specifically, the church has sent out anonymous surveys, inviting female staff’s perspectives on how they’ve been treated. And the church has decided to change its structure so the pastor is not the go-between contact between church staff and the board.
From now on, the elders will meet regularly with the director of finance and the director of HR without the senior pastor present, church elders announced. The lead pastor also is no longer allowed to terminate key positions without elders’ approval. And all executive leaders must now submit annual 360 evaluations of the lead pastor to the elders.
The church also plans to hire a new HR professional and its looking to engage an outside HR firm to be available to receive reports of concerns, elders added. The church also has begun searching for a new senior pastor.
The ELT also reported recent growth in both attendance and donations.
“Eastview is getting healthier and continuing to grow,” the Eastview elders wrote in a statement to TRR. “We are focused on being accountable to the lessons of this trial and the amazing work the Lord continues to perform through the staff and congregation of Eastview. We are also excited to focus on the search for our next lead pastor. We are confident that in the meanwhile, God has been preparing someone to launch into a new chapter with us.”
Rebecca Hopkins is a journalist based in Colorado.