For months, Katz has defended his department's investigation and publicly called on Davenport to offer reasoning for withdrawing charges. Due to the repeated public comments and unfounded political attacks levied upon my office by both Chesterfield County Police Chief Jeffrey Katz and Delegate Tim Anderson, I cannot ethically make any decisions on whether or not this new information should impact future prosecutorial decisions in this matter., Chief Katz declined an interview request with CBS 6, but in a written statement, he supported the decision to bring in a special prosecutor and said he has only ever asked Davenport "reasonable questions. Sr. PastorandCEO @ The Rock Church. Were going to release to God some crazy faith and I believe were going to see the supernatural happen in this place tonight.. It "is a systematic assessment of a client's social and sexual history, deviant or paraphilic interests, and the risk of sexual reoffending in the future. Virginia megachurch pastor John Blanchard, of the Rock Church, was one of 17 men in late 2021 arrested after an online sting operation by law . They chose to sin. At another point in the interview, detectives say Blanchard blamed his lack of memory of the site on "brain problems. His humility and submission to those over him during this time has been a testimony to his character, Bishop Anne Gimenez, who is currently leading the church along with Blanchards wife, Robin, said. The move sparked heavy public criticism from Police Chief Jeffrey Katz and State Delegate Tim Anderson, a republican lawmaker representing the Virginia Beach area. https://julieroys.com/scandal-plagued-virginia-pastor-returns-threatens-legal-action/. John Blanchard serves as the pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. Despite once expressing no objection to sealing records pertaining to a child sex solicitation charge against Rock Church International Pastor John Blanchard, the Chesterfield County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office in Virginia now opposes that idea as a special prosecutor considers whether the case should be reopened amid a cloud of controversy. I cant seem to able to locate updated information. John Blanchard, along with his wife, Robin, is still listed as a senior pastor at Rock Church on the church's website as of this writing. The pastor alleged that he was driving and did not see the text message informing him that the person was 17. Still, questions remain as to why Davenport personally involved herself in Blanchard's case and why she believed the original evidence was insufficient. If a judge denied the agreement between the attorneys, the prosecutor would bring in witnesses to testify in the next court hearing. After news broke early this month of his arrest, John Blanchard stepped back as lead pastor, The Roys Report previously reported. ", "If Ms. Davenport chooses to frame those questions as a political attack, so be it," Katz said. On the Rock Church website, Blanchard is described as having grown up an atheist with a dysfunctional childhood, adding, Johns heart is to reach a generation with a message of hope through the healing and delivering power of Jesus Christ., There is one business named Zion Solutions that is incorporated in Virginia, and state records do not list Blanchard as a company official. Church Administration; see less Rocky Bezet Email Address Found 1 email address listing: @trcla.org . 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. As any sensible person would conclude. We anticipate his resumption of church duties in the near future.. A police department member, whose name is redacted in the FOIA response, asked Michev why the case against Blanchard was nolle prossed, according to emails cited by WTVR. Michael in UK: I put it to you with a straight face that Rev Blanchard wanted to bring a girl into the Rock religion. But these are CHRISTIANS. This apostolic ministry is committed to equipping people from the cradle to the grave to fulfill the purpose of God. The documents said the travel deals with a company called "Zion Solutions" and not Rock Church. He said he's glad another prosecutor will be taking an independent look at the case. The dismissal comes nearly a year after Blanchard was charged along with 16 other men during an Oct. 29, 2021 Chesterfield County . There were about 10 requests for travel between November 2021 and February to states such as Ohio, West Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania. 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. Church leaders regardless of denomination or race seem to have a hard time controlling themselves. His lawyer, T. Noel Brooks, did not respond to a request for comment. A message from the series "Daily Devotional Videos." Pastor Rick reminds us that with tools like YouTube you can find videos that will show you how to accomplish any Do-It-Yourself video. . Senior Pastor at Rock Church Chesapeake, VA. John Blanchard . Prosecutors recently set those charges aside. I am unable to comment on the appropriateness of public statements made by other entities regarding this, or any other, case in which my office is involved. So do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1). I cant seem to able to locate updated information. Open Discussion Page. In the documents, investigators say they posed as a 17-year-old girl online for prostitution and received a message from Blanchard. I imagine they would be frustrated when Blanchard seemed to get off the charges. Not unlike the Gambino family. John Blanchard at this time, says the statement on Rock Churchs website. In an Oct. 11 statement on Facebook, Rock Church officials announced that Blanchard was cleared of all charges by prosecutors from the Chesterfield County Courthouse. Rock Church encourages godly lifestyles by all of its members and leaders, in keeping with the tenets of the Bible. The two parties "agreed to disagree" about the decision. Blanchard, 52, was among 17 men accused of solicitation of prostitution after an online sting operation by police on Oct. 29, 2021. The next generation of leadership emerged in 2013, when founder Anne Gimenez along with the Rock Church elders & leadership installed John and Robin Blanchard as the new Senior Pastor of the Rock Church International. And now we have a direct connection to directly bring this technology to churches in the U.S. at a great discount, to help pastors and leaders all across America to have this technology at a fraction of the cost And it will be a blessing to you and your church to have this modern technology to be able to communicate the gospel in a powerful and visual way.. I hope my journey walking through the evangelical wilderness and landing in one abusive or authoritarian church after another has been instructive. in central to three cities: This concerns me. She explained she preferred not to describe her assault in detail for the sake of her teenage daughter. Jenna Sellers told The Roys Report that she started attending Rock Church of Virginia Beach in 2010. When Blanchard arrived at the hotel, he was met by officers who arrested him. Blanchard claimed that he might have wanted just to talkMinistry Watch posted: Virginia Church Urges Believers Not To Condemn As Pastor Arrested in Sex Sting Op Steps Away From Duties Again: John Blanchard, the Virginia pastor who was arrested in a sex sting operation only to have his charges later dropped, is once more stepping away from his duties as lead pastor of Rock Church International in Virginia Beach. Why in the world would anyone seek to destroy Rock Church? https://julieroys.com/scandal-plagued-virginia-pastor-returns-threatens-legal-action/. so that might also be WHY slain police funerals were held at that location. How to Resign from a Church His wife was there in court, Sellers said, referring to her December 2018 hearing. John Blanchard was arrested in October of 2021, but prosecutors recently set those charges aside. "This guy just has to go . Pinterest. John is a founding Director of Orbis. In April, after a few court appearances where the prosecutor and Brooks went back and forth on what evidence can be used in the court case, attorneys told the judge they needed time to come up with a resolution. She pressed charges, but Blanchard was acquitted, Sellers said. Rock Church, which has aweekly attendance of more than 2,000, wrote in astatement published on its website that Blanchard would voluntarily step away from ministerial duties. Solicitation charges have been dropped against Virginia megachurch pastor John Blanchard. Charges dismissed for Rock Church pastor, but what happened to the other men arrested in the same case? 11-22 to 27 to Tampa. Church Volunteer and Soccer Coach Arrested for Sexual Assault Posts Bond, MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT: Ankerberg Theological Research Institute. Why members continue to attend and support this pastor? I am grateful for his service. "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. As ministers of justice, prosecutors are required to individually evaluate the strength of the evidence provided by the police in each case. Yet another story of abuser abusing their prey even more with actions when confronted. Why did you do this?" Makes multiple inquiries if the person he's texting is 'affiliated with law enforcement,' 5. Is it odd to anyone else that his wife is still actively leading the church? We are all committed to walking in integrity and truth at Rock Church International and will continue to take steps to do so. I think the church leaders should have refrained from telling people not to condemn the pastor. John & Robin Blanchard are the Senior Pastors of the Rock Church of Virginia Beach. Now Playing. Megachurch pastor still preaching despite claims he stepped back from ministry over prostitution arrest. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Church leadership knew and decided not to remove him from his position.. Pastor Juan Salinas will officiate. We have always believed in Johns innocence. The pastor at a nearby Southern Baptist church criticized Rock Churchs poor handling of the situation. During a recent service, Rev. And they have to work hand in hand, so they need a collaborative relationship to make each other's job go," Franssen said. We are all committed to walking in integrity and truth at Rock Church International and will continue to take steps to do so. I thought she was going to come out with some answers. So Guidepost "determined that using Twitter was no longer an option for them." The Rock Church in Virginia Beach, Va., installed two senior pastors Monday as part of a celebration of 45 years in ministry. However, she said she's worried about the working relationship between Katz and Davenport and if it could impact their efforts to keep Chesterfield as safe as possible. Pastors John & Robins continuation of the original vision expands to reach another generation for Christ through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the prophetic word of the Lord at the forefront. Buffaloman11 Live!! This message has taken his ministry to dozens of countries all over the world and the USA and to procure a Masters of DivinityDegree from OralRoberts University. Solicits a 'qv' ('John' lingo for a 'quick visit'), 4. After agreeing to meet with a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl, the pastor was arrested and then released on bond. Move over M Scott Peck. One can usually learn a lot by simply reading whats online before the visit. LCU. Chesterfield County constituent Traci Franssen said she's been following the Blanchard case closely and watched Davenport's announcement Thursday through a live stream. Blanchard's lawyer asked that the judge consider changing the conditions of Blanchard's bond which stipulated he could not leave the state. There are many studies published that sexual assault is three times more prevalent in the black and multi-colored churches in America. Why in the world would organizations seek to destroy Blanchard and his family? Other prohibitions include alcohol and tobacco use. She came out and didn't even answer any questions from the press.". Preaching; Pastoral Care . The Virginia Beach megachurch pastor was one of 17 men arrested during an . A case that is nolle prossed means prosecutors could potentially bring those charges again. Example video title will go here for this video. A related filing reviewed by local CBS affiliate WTKR reportedly showed additional travel by Blanchard to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. On Oct. 11, 2022, the court hearing in Chesterfield lasted only a matter of seconds. (Screenshot credit: Rock Church International/YouTube) All charges against Rock Church International Pastor John Blanchard for his alleged involvement in soliciting sex with a . Today its CHRISTIANS who have become the People of the Lie. Then he assaulted her, she said. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. 13News Now has obtained new documents that show what happened before Chesterfield County Police arrested the pastor of Virginia Beach's Rock Church for trying to solicit a minor. 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. 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