Why Are So Many Pastors Committing Suicide?

http://www.charismanews.
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Why Are So Many Pastors Committing Suicide?
12/11/2013
Jennifer LeClaire
In another church tragedy, Pastor Isaac Hunterthe son of the spiritual
adviser to President Obamahas reportedly taken his own life. Hunters death
is making national headlines because of his megachurch father Pastor Joel
Hunters influence on the White House, his marriage troubles and an undated
suicide note found last year, but his death is far from the only pastoral suicide
in recent months.
Just days ago, a pastor who was grieving his dead wife reportedly shot himself
in front of his mother and son, expressing that he was hearing his dead
spouses voice and footsteps. Pastor Ed Montgomery and his late wife,
prophetess Jackie Montgomery, served at the Full Gospel Assemblies
International church in Hazel Crest, Ill.
In November, a Georgia pastor killed himself in between Sunday services.
Larrinecia Sims Parker, wife of the Rev. Teddy Parker Jr., found the pastor in
the driveway of their home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Houston
County coroner Danny Galpin reports.
Why the sudden rash of pastors committing suicide? Suicide is not a new
problem among clergy, but three known suicides in less than two months begs
a deeper look at the issue.
There is no lack of statistics about pastors and depression, burnout, health,
low pay, spirituality, relationships and longevityand none of them are good.
According to the Schaeffer Institute, 70 percent of pastors constantly fight
depression, and 71 percent are burned out. Meanwhile, 72 percent of pastors
say they only study the Bible when they are preparing for sermons; 80 percent
believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families; and 70 percent
say they dont have a close friend.
The Schaeffer Institute also reports that 80 percent of seminary and Bible
school graduates will leave the ministry within five years. Its not clear how
many commit suicide, but it is clear that pastors are not immune to it.
Psychologists point to several reasons why people commit suicide, from
depression to psychosis to stressful life situations. But one thing is certain:
Whatever drives someone to take their own life ultimately begins in the mind.
Suicidal thoughts precede suicide.
Suicidal thoughts have numerous causes," according to Mayo Clinic. "Most
often, suicidal thoughts are the result of feeling like you cant cope when
youre faced with what seems to be an overwhelming life situation. If you dont
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have hope for the future, you may mistakenly think suicide is a solution. You
may experience a sort of tunnel vision, where in the middle of a crisis you
believe suicide is the only way out.
As it turns out, suicidal thoughts are not uncommon. Nearly 8.3 million
adults age 18 and older in the United Statesthats 3.7 percenthad serious
thoughts of suicide in the past year, according to a study called "Suicidal
Thoughts and Behaviors Among Adults > 18 Years" released by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. Although some suicides are impulsive, most
are planned out. More than 2 million adult Americans made a suicide plan in
the past year, and about half that many went through with the plan.
Again, suicide starts with a thought. Indeed, every action we take starts with a
thought. As one who struggled with depression for years, I am not trying to
oversimplify the solution, but rather merely point out one contributing
factor. Many of the harmful actions we take originate from the seed of a
thought Satan whispers to our souls. That seed grows as our minds reason out
the benefits of acting on the thought. For those contemplating suicide, I
believe the seed grows in their minds as they reason themselves out of living
because lifes circumstances are too overwhelming.
When the enemy plants a vain imagination in our minds, we have two choices:
cast it down or meditate on it. When we meditate on vain imaginations, we
tend to connect demonic dots that create skewed pictures of reality. Believing
what we see in our thought life is real, we talk ourselves into taking action
based on a wrong perception. Although there are issues of chemical
imbalances, I believe this is what happens with many suicides. The enemy
plants a seed in the form of a thought that an already distraught soul doesnt
discern as a demonic attack on their life.
If we want to win the battle against suicide in the pulpit and the pew, we need
to, among many other things, take ahold of Scriptures that instruct us about
the battle in our mind. Paul told us, The weapons of our warfare are not
carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down
arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of
God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being
ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled (2 Cor. 10:46). No one can take your thoughts captive for you, but you can take your own
thoughts captive, and it starts with girding up the loins of your mind (1 Pet.
1:13).
Paul also offered this advice: Whatever things are true, whatever things are
noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is
anything praiseworthymeditate on these things. The things which you
learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace
will be with you (Phil. 4:8-9). If we do what the Word saysif we meditate on
what the Word tells us to meditate onthe enemys seeds wont take root in
our souls.
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If you see your pastor or anyone else struggling with depression or hear them
speak disturbing thoughts that arent in line with the Word of God, pray and
ask God what He would have you do. Then do it. Suicide is a leading cause of
death in the United States, and the enemy is targeting our spiritual leaders in
this hour. Lets rise up and battle against this disturbing trend in the name of
Jesus.
Jennifer LeClaire is news editor at Charisma. She is also the author of
several books, including The Spiritual Warrior's Guide to Defeating Jezebel. You
can email Jennifer at jennifer.leclaire@charismamedia.com or visit her
website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.
http://claudemariottini.com/2014/09/29/when-pastors-kill-themselves/
When Pastors Kill Themselves
September 29, 2014
These problems and a few others cause burnout and depression. A recent
study by the Schaeffer Institute reveals the oppressive conditions pastors face
in discharging their ministerial responsibility:
As a result, the same study reports that 80 percent of seminary and Bible
school graduates will leave the ministry within five years. The stressful
situation in which most pastors exercise their ministry can contribute to
suicidal thoughts. Anyone who takes his or her life has planned to do so even
before the act is committed. Thinking about suicide is the first step toward
suicide, but not always.
Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary
http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/christian-trends/why-are-so-many-pastorscommitting-suicide.html
Why Are So Many Pastors Committing Suicide?
In another church tragedy, megachurch founder Isaac Hunter took his own life.
A father of three, Hunter had resigned from his church last year after admitting
an affair with a staff member. Though his death has gained national attention
because of his fathers position as spiritual adviser to President Obama, this is
only one of several pastoral suicides in recent months. As such, Jennifer
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LeClaire of Charisma News is worried pastoral suicide is growing trend, one

that needs to be addressed. She writes:
Why the sudden rash of pastors committing suicide? Suicide is not a new
problem among clergy, but three known suicides in less than two months begs
a deeper look at the issue.
There is no lack of statistics about pastors and depression, burnout, health,
low pay, spirituality, relationships and longevityand none of them are good.
Paul Tripp has written about the problem of pastoral depression as well. He
notes that unrealistic expectations, tension at home, fearing man more than
God, and pursuing personal glory more than God are four reasons pastors
typically burn out and become depressed. Churches forget that they've called
a person who's a man in the midst of his own sanctification, he writes. This
tends to drive the pastor into hiding, afraid to confess whats true of him and
everyone to whom he ministers. There's a direct connection between
unrealistic expectations and deepening cycles of disappointment.
Dr. James Emery White echoes these thoughts in his own post on depression.
To this day, the disappointments can still blindside me. Nothing prepares you
for how ministry can drain you emotionally, leaving you in pain or, even worse,
feeling numb or in despair or with seething anger, White writes. This is why
so many good men and women in ministry have careened into moral ditches,
or simply soldier on with plastic smiles and burned out souls.
So what should pastors do to overcome feelings of depression or suicidal
thoughts? Jennifer LeClaire says to start with Scripture. If we want to win the
battle against suicide in the pulpit and the pew, we need to, among many
other things, take ahold of Scriptures that instruct us about the battle in our
mindIf we do what the Word saysif we meditate on what the Word tells us
to meditate onthe enemys seeds wont take root in our souls.
Though the nature of their job may provoke discouragement, Paul Tripp
reminds pastors that depression is nothing the Lord cant handle. Pastor, [God
is] in you and with you and for you. No one cares more about the use of your
gifts than the Giver In your despondency, don't run from him, run to him.
Jesus really does offer you the hope and healing that you can find no where
else.
What do you think? How can pastors avoid ministry burnout? Are those in
pastoral ministry more susceptible to depression and suicidal thoughts than
other vocations?
http://www.gistmania.com/talk/topic,73691.0.html
http://www.conradmbewe.com/2011/11/when-pastor-commits-suicide.html
When A Pastor Commits Suicide
Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered (Zechariah 13:7)
Sunday, November 20, 2011
I am on my way home from the funeral of a fellow Baptist pastor who
committed suicide. I got the news on Thursday morning (which explains why
my usual Thursday or Friday blog post is absent; I was too deeply affected to
do anything). The news came as a shock to meand indeed to everyone else
who knew the pastor. He had been an intern at Kabwata Baptist Church for a
few months over ten years ago. He was a very fine man and slightly younger
than me. I last met him two months ago when I was preaching at a pastors
annual retreat. He has left behind a wife and three young children, plus a
devastated congregation.
When a pastor commits suicide, apart from the emotion of shock there is also
a lot of disappointment and dismay. As one member lamented, Pastor was the
one who always encouraged us to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ when
overwhelmed by the challenges and difficulties that confronted us. How could
he fail to handle whatever it is that made him take his life? Some people who
heard were even questioning his salvation: Can a Christian commit suicide?
Others found in this the proof that the pastor was a hypocrite all along.
Moral failure and shame
So, what made this pastor take his own life? It was serious moral failure
coupled with a high sense of the dignity of the pastoral office. His suicide note
read something like, I know what I have done is wrong, but I cannot face the
shame. He had gone into a depression but due to the nature of what took him
into the depression, he failed to open up to anyone until the night before he
killed himself. He shared with a visiting fellow pastor who counselled him and
his wife. However, the next morning he went and took his own life out of a
sense of shame.
Shame. That is a very powerful word. As pastors, we are moral pillars in
society. We know that and our church members know that. Hence, it is the
height of infamy when they discover that we were doing in secret what we
denounced in public. The community also knows us as men who want them to
abandon their ways of sin and so it is disgraceful for them to learn that we
were secretly eating the very food we were telling them not to eat. It is
embarrassing to be found in this moral contradiction. The enemies of truth and
morality rejoice and want the world to know that all the holier-than-thou men
of the cloth are hypocrites.
The sense of shame grows the higher you go up in the estimation of people.
The pastor who committed suicide was in the leadership of the fellowship of
evangelical pastors in his town. He was also a denominational leader in the
whole province. Since he had been pastoring in the same community for over
ten years, he had also become very well known among the common people in
that town. Therefore, the height from which he had fallen was quite high.
Every pastor needs to know that when there is moral failure that is the
beginning of the end of ones ministry. Even when the hypocrisy is not
discovered, the conscience receives a mortal wound and so the preaching loses
its cutting edge. Certain topics are avoided or dwelt on too much in the
preaching, and so the church gets a lopsided ministry. Sadly, appetite grows
with feeding and sin is cultured in darkness. So, hidden moral failure tends to
repeat itself until God says, Enough is enough: He opens the wardrobe and
the skeletons fall out.
The mixed reaction of people
I must admit that I was surprised by the positive comments from people about
their pastor despite the way in which he ended his life. In private and informal
conversations many peopleincluding his wifespoke highly of his prayer life,
his hard work, his ministry of encouragement, his selflessness and generosity,
his love for his wife and children, etc. At the burial, the incoming principal at
the college where the pastor was trained assured the church that the college
would be willing to help them find a replacement. A shout was heard from the
congregation, saying, But he will never be like this man! No doubt they felt
robbed of a very rare asset from heaven.
When one pastor falls, life becomes next to impossible for other pastors. It
takes a very long time for the church to recover from the trauma and feel that
they can trust another pastor. All pastors become guilty until proved innocent.
For a while you do not want to be identified as a pastor in the streets of town.
The glances from the people seem to say, Oh, so he is another one of those
hypocrites. Pastors wives also start seeing mortal danger whenever they see
a young lady laughing with their husbands on the church grounds.
Consequently, many pastors master bedrooms become scenes of intense
fellowship for a few months. The wives mean well but this phobia makes them
see feminine suicide bombers behind every skirt.
As usual, when a thing like this happens, everyone knows exactly what the
pastor was or did which led to his fall (which they themselves are not or will
never do). They become self-appointed spiritual pathologists and diagnose with
the skill of a specialist: The pastor must have stopped praying long ago.
These pastors are all just hypocrites. The pastor must have had marriage
problems. You must never counsel single women alone. A pastor must only
counsel a woman once and then hand her over to another woman to continue
the counselling. He was just careless. When counselling a woman you must
always involve your wife. Pastors are too proud to be open with one another.
Ad infinitum. Ad nauseam.
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Pray for your pastors

During the funeral service, the preacher pleaded with all Christians and
especially pastors to have bosom friends in whom they can confide. He
emphasised the fact that we all need real friendsfriends before whom we can
afford to be vulnerable. There is no doubt that this is part of the problem. The
higher you go in ministry the more admirers you have but the fewer real
friends. A very close friend to the pastor who committed suicide asked, Was I
so bad that my friend would prefer to kill himself than to confide in me about
his spiritual struggles? I am sure he is not the only one doing some heartsearching during this period. There is no doubt that the late pastors wife must
also be searching her heart like this.
I have only one appeal: Pray for your pastors. The devil is real and there is
only one that is stronger than himnot your pastor but God. Satan knows that
if he can strike the shepherd, the sheep will scatter. Hence, he targets pastors
with his most potent missiles. Many Christians are oblivious to this fact. They
tend to simply admire their pastors as if they were super humans. They project
their childhood invincible comic heroes (Spider Man, Mr America, etc.) upon
their pastors and simply watch them as they fight sin with heroic energy in the
community and in the church. They forget that pastors are also fallen
creatures.
I will be the first one to confess that there are times when my struggle with my
own fallen nature is so vicious that I wish I were still a private unknown
Christian plying out my trade as a mining engineer in the Zambian copper
mines. I would be less overwhelmed by my failures and would not carry so
many people down with me. So, I end this blog post with an impassioned plea
that all those who know me (and especially the Christians in my own church)
should pray for me to run my race well to the very end. As Paul pleaded with
the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 5:25), I say, Brethren, pray for us! One song
kept ringing in my heart as we drove more than 900 kilometres back home
today,
O to grace how great a debtor,
Daily I am constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Heres my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
Posted by Conrad Mbewe
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_06114german.sht
ml
German pastor kills himself over Islam fear
7
4 Nov 2006
A retired Protestant pastor in Germany has died after dousing himself with
petrol and setting himself on fire, leaving behind a note saying that he was
worried about the spread of Islam.
Roland Weisselberg, aged 73, died in a special clinic on 1 November 2006 after
setting himself alight the previous day at a service in the Augustinian
monastery in Erfurt in eastern Germany to mark Reformation Day.
Bishop Axel Noack, who heads the regional Protestant church that includes
Erfurt, said he was deeply shocked at the news about Weisselberg's death.
Erfurt's Protestant provost, the Rev. Elfriede Begrich, said after meeting
Weisselberg's widow that he had left a letter where he wrote that he was
"concerned about the spread of Islam in Germany". She said that in recent
years Weisselberg had repeatedly called on the church to deal more intensively
with Islam.
Onlookers reported that before he covered himself in petrol, Weisselberg had
stated, "Jesus and Oskar". This was assumed to be a reference to Oskar
Bruesewitz, a Protestant pastor who burned himself alive in 1976 in protest
against the communist government that ruled East Germany until 1989.
Bishop Noack acknowledged failures in the way that churches had related to
other religions and cultures, and, especially in eastern Germany, there was
little "experience of dealing with each other in everyday life".
At his retirement in 1989, Weisselberg was pastor of the Windischholzhausen
district of Erfurt, the capital of the regional state of Thuringia.
http://www.modernghana.com/news/286101/1/pastor-commits-suicide.html
Pastor commits suicide
July 27, 2010
A Kumasi-based pastor Monday afternoon shot himself dead in the darkness of
his room.
Rev Opoku Agyemang, Head Pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in KwadasoNzema in Kumasi, locked himself up in the room before committing the act at
about 4pm.
Luv FM reporter Kofi Adu Domfeh, who narrated the incident, said the pastor
was said to be recovering from a short illness and had gone to hospital a day
before his untimely death.
It is unclear why the pastor took his own life. The body has since been
deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital mortuary in Kumasi for
autopsy.
The 63-year-old Rev. Agyemang was survived by a wife and five children.
The deceaseds wife told journalists she was returning from the market when
she heard the gunshot. She said she rushed in only to see the lifeless body of
her husband in a pool of blood.
His church members who thronged the residence were bemused by the sad
event and could not fathom what may have prompted the man of God to do
such a thing.
Kofi Adu Domfeh said sympathizers who visited the mission house where the
incident occurred wailed and mourned.
A church member described the late pastor as a very quiet and reserved
person who had no known problem with the church or any member of the
congregation.
He said when the members of the church learnt of his sickness on Sunday,
they interceded for him in prayers, describing the unfortunate incident as
worrying.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?
ID=186949
Pastor Commits Suicide
27 July 2010
A gentle life, described as one devoted to the service of God and man, ended
in a most brutal fashion in Kumasi about 4 p.m. yesterday when a Head Pastor
of the Calvary Baptist Church allegedly blew himself up with a gun.
The reasons for that bloody end still confounds the pastors family and friends
who responded to the boom of the gun by rushing to the bathroom, only to
meet the horror of horrors.
The Daily Graphic was part of that early group of curious persons to see Rev
Nicholas Opoku-Agyeman lying supine in a pool of blood.
Spotting a black singlet over a pair of green trousers, the body was lying face
up in the bathroom, with blood oozing profusely from the chest where there
was a big hole, apparently from the gunshot.
In no time, the entire Nzema community near Kwadaso Agric in Kumasi, where
the pastor lived with his wife and their five children, was caught up in the
frenzy and stampede to witness the incident.
In the outpour of sorrow and tears, many also recounted his calm nature and
good deeds.
His wife, Mrs Charity Opoku-Agyeman, sobbed as she spoke fondly of her
husband, recounting their activities till that fatal afternoon. She said she had
just returned from the market and was entering their bedroom when she heard
a loud noise.
I trembled and screamed, Pastor! and rushed to the bath house. When l
entered, l saw him lying supine, with blood oozing from where the bullet had
hit him, she said.
According to Mrs Opoku-Agyeman, her husband had complained of sickness
last Sunday, for which reason he could not attend church to perform his
priestly function of preaching.
She said she had, therefore, gone to the church to inform the elders about her
husbands condition, after which she had taken him to the SDA Hospital at
Kwadaso where he was treated and given some medication.
Before then, Mrs Opoku-Agyeman said the pastor had complained of some eye
problems and, therefore, she had taken him to the Madam Catherine Herbal
Clinic at South Suntreso where he had been given some concoctions to use.
She said her dear husband was told to return for further treatment, but that
was not to be until yesterdays tragedy.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had visited the crime scene and
conveyed the body to the morgue at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
DAILY
GUIDE
has
learnt
that
Pastor
...
www.ghanareview.com, 28 July 2010 [cached]
DAILY GUIDE has learnt that Pastor Nicholas Opoku-Agyeman of the Agric
...
"apart from the (high blood) pressure that Pastor Opoku-Agyeman reported to
me, he was not suffering from any other ailment".
This pronouncement from the close friend of the deceased pastor therefore
rubbished the wild speculations that Pastor Opoku-Agyeman perhaps ended his
life because he had the deadly HIV/AIDS disease and wanted to avoid the
stigma and embarrassment associated with the ailment.
http://www.ghanareview.com/review/shownews1.php?class=all&date=201007-27&id=42216
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Pastor Kills Himself

27.07.2010
RESIDENTS OF Agric Nzema, situated on the outskirts of Kumasi in the
Ashanti Region, were yesterday evening handed the chilling news of a
prominent local pastor committing suicide.
Pastor Nicholas Opoku-Agyeman, 62, Head Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church,
Agric Nzema branch, ended his life by shooting himself in the chest with a
pistol.
The horrendous incident took place in the pastors room at the churchs
Mission House around 4 pm when the Man of God was alone.
The tragic incident, which instantly drew a sizeable crowd to the scene,
brings to three, the number of suicide cases within a week.
Two suicide incidents had been recorded earlier one in Bekwai, also in
the Ashanti Region where a nine-year-old boy hanged himself, and the other
at Ridge in Accra.
What might have influenced the head pastor to end his life in this brutal
manner was not immediately known.
The deceased, who was reportedly not well, had taken drugs in the morning
to get healed but the real ailment and the type of medicine he took was not
disclosed to the press.
Pastor Opoku-Agyeman was said to have even presided over last Sundays
church service, so his death came as a big surprise to many of the church
members.
Pastor was in good health and looked cheerful; in fact he did not look
like someone who was troubled and would shoot himself dead the following
day, a woman said amid sobs.
When DAILY GUIDE visited the mission house around 6:30 pm it was a scene
of melancholy, as people from diverse backgrounds were seen shedding
uncontrollable tears.
The mortal remains of the dead pastor had been wrapped up in a cloth and
conveyed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Briefing DAILY GUIDE about the genesis of the sad issue, Nicholas
Opoku-Agyeman Jnr, son of the deceased, said his father reported ill on
Sunday and even visited the hospital to seek medical attention.
He said whilst going to school on Monday morning, his father looked like
11
someone who was on his way to recovery.

I greeted him and had some few words with him before leaving the house in
the morning.
When he returned from school in the afternoon, Nicholas said, he met his
father quietly meditating in his room and even shook hands with him and
asked about his health, to which he responded positively.
The pastors son said he was in his room studying when he heard a gun shot
so he quickly rushed to the fathers room only to meet his ailing daddy
lying in a pool of blood.
My daddy had shot himself in the chest area with the gun lying on top of
him, he lamented, noting that he rushed to hold his fathers hand but it
was too late as he had already given up the ghost.
Source - Daily Guide
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/10/113_84322.html
Ex-pastor kills himself after holding family hostage
2011-04-01
A 49-year-old man, surnamed Lim, jumped off a balcony of his apartment on
the 17th floor, Friday, after holding his wife and daughter hostage for four and
a half hours, according to police.
Jeonju Wansan Police Station said the former pastor, who suffered from manic
depression, threw himself off the balcony when three members of the Special
Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team attempted to enter the apartment after
descending from the rooftop by rope.
He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, but pronounced dead upon
arrival. Lim took his wife and daughter hostage at knife-point at 6:50 a.m.,
claiming Park had tried to kill him.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17993109?nclick_check=1
Oakley pastor accused of fraud commits suicide, Sheriff's Office says
Contra Costa Times
05.04.2011
BRENTWOOD -- An Oakley pastor under investigation over accusations of
fraudulent loans died in an apparent suicide Wednesday at his home here, the
Contra Costa Sheriff's Office said.
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Rio Vista and Brentwood police were investigating 61-year-old Jerry Hanoum,
who was considered the founder of Mountain View Christian Center, and two
lawsuits had been filed against him in Contra Costa Superior Court. A Rio Vista
woman was suing Hanoum and Jerry Dellinger, an associate, alleging financial
and psychological elder abuse stemming from loans she made totaling
$230,000.
Another former church member, Richard McDaniel, said he had recently settled
a lawsuit of his own against Hanoum, Dellinger and the church over a loan he
had made to them.
Sheriff's deputies and East Contra Costa firefighters responded to a report of a
shooting at the house just after noon Wednesday, Contra Costa sheriff's
spokesman Jimmy Lee said. They found Hanoum dead of a gunshot wound
inside a vehicle that was parked in the driveway. An autopsy is scheduled for
Thursday, but investigators believe Hanoum's gunshot wound was self-inflicted.
"It makes me sad," said Randy Quick, Hanoum's former son-in-law. "Although
he needed to be judged for what he did, he didn't deserve death."
About 20 cars were parked outside Hanoum's home on Balfour Road in
Brentwood on Wednesday afternoon, and a large group of people was gathered
in front of the estate. People were walking up and down the long driveway.
A man who would only identify himself as Scott said, "This family needs to
grieve right now."
People were seen crying and hugging outside the church's Trinity Christian
Schools site Wednesday afternoon on Amaryllis Street. Security personnel for
the church were not allowing outsiders near the campus.
Nicki Grant, grandparent of a student at the school, said parents had been
notified of Hanoum's death Wednesday.
"He smiled at me in the hallways, and he always seemed like a very nice man,"
Grant said. "I'm glad he's in heaven with the Lord. I just feel for his family."
Grant said she is worried about the future of the school after Hanoum's death.
The church and school are losing their lease from the Oakley school district at
the end of June for the Almond Grove Elementary School site.
Chris Kelly, a pastor at Summit Church in Oakley who came to Trinity to offer
support, said Hanoum's death would be devastating for the school.
"There are a lot of kids here that are going to be really impacted," he said. "It's
someone they look up to, and to hear that (he) committed suicide is shocking
news to them. They don't understand it."
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Kelly said the Delta Ministerial Alliance would offer counseling to students at
the school.
Janice Gomes, of Oakley, a member of the church from 2008 to 2010, said
Hanoum regularly recruited new church members, especially Spanish speakers,
and not long ago added a Spanish-speaking ministry. He used his many
connections in the community to encourage the church's growth, she said.
Gomes also said Hanoum was a charismatic leader.
"He was one of the most blessed pastors as far as his ministry goes," she said.
"He was an excellent speaker. When he was telling you stories from the Bible,
he was on target. There just happened to be another side of him that was
doing all these other things -- like borrowing money and not paying it back -that those of us in the congregation never saw. I don't know anyone who knew
anything except Jerry."
Heidi Coad-Hermelin, the attorney for Donna Quinlan, the Rio Vista woman
who had sued Hanoum, expressed surprise when told that Hanoum was dead.
Although she didn't know what would happen with Quinlan's case, she said that
in general if a defendant dies, his or her estate becomes liable for all debts.
The case then typically goes to probate court, which handles estates, CoadHermelin said.
Quinlan's suit and the Rio Vista police investigation centered on promissory
notes that Hanoum had allegedly signed for two loans she had made to the
church.
Hanoum was accused of using two properties that neither he nor the church
owned -- a 40-acre piece of land in Brentwood and the lavish Hanoum Estate
in Oakley -- as collateral for the loans.
Hanoum Estate, which Jerry Hanoum had claimed was a nonprofit ministry of
Mountain View Christian Center, was advertised as a pastoral retreat and event
center.
But the woman who owned the Knarlwood Road estate before it was foreclosed
on this year said in an email this week that Hanoum never told her about his
plans for the estate, or that he was using it as collateral for a loan from a
congregation member.
Aisha Othman said Hanoum told her in 2005 that he wanted to buy the nearly
5-acre property for his wife, and that he and his associates kept coming up
with excuses for not making payments on the lease until Othman defaulted
and lost the property to the bank in February.
Hanoum and his wife, Sharon Kaye Hanoum, divorced last year after marrying
in 2003.
Staff writers Rowena Coetsee, Roman Gokhman, Hannah Dreier, Craig
Lazzeretti and Judith Prieve contributed to this report.
14
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1379994/Pastor-accused-luring-girl14-web-shoots-dead-church.html
Pastor accused of luring girl, 14, on web shoots himself dead in church
as police arrive with search warrant
23 April 2011
A pastor under investigation for inappropriate communications with a teen shot
and killed himself inside the church.
Nicholas William Minerva, 52, of Tempe, near Phoenix, Arizona, had been
served with a search warrant at the church moments before he ran back inside
and pulled the trigger.
Police were probing his internet conversations with a 14-year-old girl.
The chats, that were with a teen and then unknowingly with detectives after
police had been alerted, had been going on since last July.
Authorites say he had 'inappropriate conversations' with the 'girl' and once
showed his genitalia via a webcam.
Detective Frank Mendoza, from the Chandler police department, said Minerva
committed suicide on Thursday, shortly after officers arrived at the Trinity
Baptist Fellowship Church in Phoenix.
He said: 'After we made contact, he ran away and retreated back into the
church.
'A short time later, he shot himself to death.'
Minerva has been a Trinity Baptist pastor since January 2004.
Police say its possible there may be other victims in this case.
Death scene: The church that Minerva started in 2004 and where he killed
himself
Police warn parents with children to be aware of the dangers of chatting with
someone they dont know over the Internet who could be impersonating a child
and trying to lure children.
On the church's website, Minerva wrote: 'It was in January of 2004 that our
family had the opportunity to come to South Phoenix. In our first service we
were joined by seven faithful members at TBFC to set off on a great and
exciting adventure. Since that first service God has blessed our church in a
great and mighty way.
15
'Trinity Baptist has become a place where hearts are challenged and lives are
changed. This website will give you an idea of what God has done here. You
will see how our church can serve you and how you can serve the Lord here
through TBFC.
'It is our goal here at TBFC to meet the spiritual needs of the South Mountain
community. We would be honored to serve you, so please feel free to contact
us if we can help meet the spiritual needs of you or your family.'
http://privateofficer.org/arizona-pastor-commits-suicide-at-church-whenpolice-serve-warrant-www-privateofficer-com/
Arizona pastor commits suicide at church when police serve warrant
www.privateofficer.com
April 24, 2011
An Arizona pastor shot and killed himself at his church after being served with
a search warrant investigating his Internet conversations with a 14-year-old
girl, police said on Friday.
Nicholas William Minerva, 52, committed suicide on Thursday, shortly after
officers arrived at the Trinity Baptist Fellowship Church in south Phoenix, said
Detective Frank Mendoza, a Chandler, Ariz., police department spokesman.
After we made contact, he ran away and retreated back into the church,
Mendoza told Reuters. A short time later, he shot himself to death.
It was unclear if the girl or her family are church members, he said.
Police said Minerva allegedly contacted the teen in a chat room in July and
continued through Thursday. He allegedly had inappropriate conversations
with her and once showed his genitalia via a webcam, police said.
Minerva has been a Trinity Baptist pastor since January 2004, according to the
church website.
A call to the church was answered by a voice mail recording made by Minerva.
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/communitynews/mesquite/headlines/20110522-mesquite-pastor-accused-of-westvirginia-sex-assault-commits-suicide-.ece
Mesquite pastor accused of West Virginia sex assault commits suicide
By Frank L. Christlieb and Jana J. Martin
22 May 2011
16
As a Sunday school class of children sang Jesus Loves Me down the hall, the
congregation of Mesquites Open Door Baptist Church huddled in the sanctuary
and learned their senior pastor had hanged himself in a West Virginia jail cell.
The swift fall of Matthew D. Jarrell Brother Jarrell left the church in
shock and mourning. A beloved pastor for seven years, the 41-year-old father
of four was arrested on a sexual assault charge Thursday and pronounced dead
just after 12:30 a.m. Sunday.
All of us at our best are sinners, proclaimed youth minister Danny Reynolds,
banging the pulpit several times during his morning sermon. Later he said, Its
not time to throw in the towel.
But in the pews, many wept. And later that morning, the churchs interim
leader appealed to the heavens to help his church through its suffering.
We all need a little touch of God this morning, associate pastor Rik Parcell
told his flock.
Some church members said they believed Jarrell, who lived on a ranch in
Terrell, was in Pennsylvania last week for a Baptist convention. Instead he was
near Charleston, W.Va., on Thursday morning when a sheriffs deputy pulled
him over to ask about a brutal attack.
A 36-year-old woman had phoned police and told them shed just escaped
from a man who offered her a ride home from a bar, then drove her to a
secluded area and sexually assaulted her.
Jarrell first denied but then later confessed to having sex with the woman,
according to a criminal complaint. The Kanawha County Sheriffs Department
said the pastor had another sexual assault charge pending from a 2007
incident in San Antonio.
Some members of Open Door, a church with several hundred members and a
fixture on South Belt Line Road since the mid-60s, said they never knew about
the 2007 charge. Parcell said he knew but that Jarrell had given him a
reasonable-sounding explanation, so he didnt do further research.
He said Jarrell was known to church members as a problem-solver. Hes
helped nearly everyone in this church, Parcell said.
The new allegations and the suicide left the interim leader dumbfounded,
along with his congregation.
The church is going to keep moving forward, according to Parcell, and will
search for a new pastor and support Jarrells wife.
One sermon on Sunday was themed what to do after your heart is broken,
and while no sermon directly addressed the pastors death or alleged crimes,
17
they were surely on the minds of every worshipper.

We want to honor Brother Jarrell and his family, said Joe Scott. Were in grief
mode right now.
Beside him, his wife, Tina, a member since 1977, was teary-eyed. Were still
going to go on as a church and heal and grow, she said.
And Vernon Allred,
heartbreaking.
member
since
1996,
called
Jarrells
suicide
But we loved him as a man, Allred said, and were going to go on as a

church.
We didnt worship him; we worship Jesus Christ.
Staff writer Avi Selk contributed to this report.
http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/needs_checkedMan_Claiming_to_Be_Te
xas_Preacher_Charged_in_Alleged_Rape_in_Charleston_Deputies_Say_122251
434.html
Texas Preacher Accused of Rape Commits Suicide in West Virginia Jail
May 23, 2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A Texas man facing charges of sexual assault
attempted to commit suicide in Jail Saturday. He was later pronounced dead.
South Central Regional Jail Official John Lopez says jail staff found Matthew
Jarrell between 11 and 11:30 p.m. Saturday night after he tried to hang
himself.
Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputies told WSAZ.com Jarrell was arrested and
charged Thursday afternoon after a woman claimed he picked her up and
raped her in Sissonville, W.Va.
Lopez says jail staff and paramedics tried to revive Jarrell. He says they sent
him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead around 12:30 a.m.
Sheriff's Deputies say Jarrell told them he was a preacher in Texas and that his
family was moving to South Point, Ohio.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A man who claims he was a preacher in Texas
is facing sexual assault charges in the Kanawha Valley.
Matthew Jarrell was charged and arraigned on the charges Thursday afternoon.
According to the criminal complaint, a woman claims Jarrell picked her up in
Charleston on Thursday morning when she needed a ride home. However, the
woman says instead of taking her home, he allegedly took her to a secluded
area off Martin's Branch Road near Sissonville and raped her.
18
Jarrell's truck got stuck in the mud and that is when the woman says she got
away.
Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputies tell WSAZ.com Jarrell told them he was a
preacher in Texas and that his family is moving to South Point, Ohio and he
was traveling through the Kanawha Valley.
Deputies say he did admit to deputies, he did have sex with the woman.
http://todaysgist.blogspot.ro/2012/04/pastor-commits-suicide-in-ogunfor.html
Pastor commits suicide in Ogun For nursing an unhealed wound for too
long
Apr 2, 2012
A pastor in Owode-Yewa in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State
has committed suicide for being diabetic and nursing a wound for several
months without healing. Pastor John Ibikunle, 39, allegedly hanged himself
recently in one of the rooms in his house at Alagbon area of the Yewa town.
Daily sun gathered that before the pastor took his life, he had asked his wife to
represent him at a Parent Teacher Association meeting of one of his children.
Before his death, John was said to have been troubled that a wound he
sustained at a sawmill in the town refused to heal after several months.
A neighbour of the late pastor, who spoke with Daily Sun on condition of
anonymity described the deceased as jovial and humble. He said, As a
neighbour, I was shocked to hear that Pastor John took his life with the excuse
that the wound he sustained early last year refused to heal. He added that
initially, he did not believe the story until he got home and the reality of the
pastors death dawned on him.
His death is still a source of concern to me and I have never thought a man
like that, who always preached the words of God to people, could take his life.
The deceased pastor was said to have taken his life by making a noose round
his neck, tying it to a ceiling fan in one of his rooms. It was further learnt that
nobody knew about the dastardly act until the pastors wife who had
represented him at the PTA meeting returned home and raised the alarm.
It was too late for anyone to stop the tragedy as his lifeless body dangled with
his tongue protruding from his mouth. It was a gory sight to behold and I
wonder why he had to take his life because of a wound, a neighbour of the
late pastor told Daily Sun. A police source at the Divisional Police Headquarters
at Owode confirmed the story and added that the matter had been transferred
to the homicide section of the state police headquarters at Eleweran,
Abeokuta.
19
RIP: Pastor Commits Suicide In Esit Eket, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

O2/2012
Mr Henshaw Asuquo, a Clergyman in Eket, in Akwa Ibom on Wednesday
committed suicide by hanging.
Family sources said on Thursday that Asuquo, who is in his late twenties told
his wife, who resides with him in Eket, that he wanted to visit his home in Esit
Eket Local Government where he committed suicide.
The deceased reportedly concealed the rope with which he hung himself when
he got to the village.
The pastors younger brother, Mr Godwin Asuquo confirmed the incident.
He said there was actually no reason for anyone to have suspected anything
because when he came he discussed with relatives normally and entered his
room.
It was when his meal was served that the lady who cooked the food
discovered his body dangling from the ceiling.
The deceased, who hails from Afaha Ekpenedi community in Esit Eket Local
Government Area of Akwa Ibom is an upcoming minister in the Church of
Christ in Eket.
At the compound of the deceased on Thursday morning arrangements were
already underway to bury his remains, while sympathisers thronged the
community as the news spread.
Police sources in Esit Eket said that they were ignorant of the incident and so
could not comment on it.
It was gathered that the family resolved to bury the late clergy man after
performing the traditional rites to avoid unnecessary delays often associated
with police case. (NAN)
http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/news/top-stories/141052-enoch-massinnasarawa-state-pastor-commits-suicide.html
Enoch Massin, Nasarawa State Pastor Commits Suicide
19/02/2012
A clergy man, Mr. Enoch Massin, in Nasarawa town of Nasarawa state has
committed suicide by hanging.
Family sources and police authorities told leadership Sunday that the late
20
Massin, an unemployed professional teacher who was sacked by his employers

three times within one year; in 2011 told his wife who resided that he wanted
to visit his home town, Akwanga where he omitted the suicide.
The deceased reportedly concealed the rope with which he hung himself when
he got to the village. The teachers younger brother, Godwin Massin who
confirmed the incident told our reporter that:
There was actually no reason for anyone to have suspected anything when he
arrived his village. He discussed with his relatives and entered his room.
It was when his meal was ready and the lady who served the food went to call
him, that he discovered him dangling from the noose tight to the ceiling
LEADERSHIP SUNDAY gathered that arrangements were being made to bury
his remains, while sympathisers thronged the community to commiserate with
the family members.
The decease was said to have left a note where he wished that the epitaph on
his grave should read "Here lies a man who died for what he believed in
Leadership Sunday findings revealed that the family of the deceased has a
history of committing suicide. Two of the late mans uncles had committed
suicide some years ago when the family lost a court case over a farmland
In a separate development an ex-soldier, Baba Abeku has drilled young ladies
in Nasarawa town when a baby was found concealed in a polythene bag and
dumped in drainage near the palace of a local chief in the town.
Report has it that on discovering the dead on an baby, the ex warrior in an
attempt to fish out the lady who committed the act summoned scores of
unmarried ladies in area and some kind of military precision drilled in the
process dipping his hands in their private parts whether he could trace blood.
The action of the old soldier did not produce any result, but was widely
condemned by some elders who posited that the offence could not have been
committed by only unmarried ladies.
Our reporter gathered that attempt by some parents to have the soldier
arrested by police was resisted by some youths yesterday.
http://sharewithmike.blogspot.ro/2012/07/pastor-commits-suicide.html
Pastor commits suicide
20 July 2012
One pastor Obaleme has committed suicide on thursday in warri, Delta state,
Nigeria at the Udu bridge. The Pastor committed suicide by setting himself
21
ablaze. Words have it that the Pastor,has been faced with family challenges
lately. The pastor who went to the bridge with his car carrying a can of
petrol,parked and set himself ablaze. He died before anyone could quench the
fire. what a tragic story!
Pastor Commits Suicide In Delta State
2012
A pastor identified as Obaleme has committed suicide by setting himself
ablazed in Warri Delta State, Nigeria.
This tragic episode took place yesterday at Udu Bridge in Warri state.
According to sources close to the Pastor, he has been complaining of family
problems for a while.
We learnt he parked his car at Udu Bridge grabbed a can of fuel, doused
himself before setting himself on fire.
Before onlookers could sufficiently quench the fire, the pastor died.
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20121227/hurblog/121229726
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houmatoday/obituary.aspx?pid=162099158
http://kessbenfm.com/pastor-commits-suicide-in-mission-house/
Pastor commits suicide in Mission house
December 20, 2012
A church at Akomadan in the Ashanti Region, Ghana, is reeling in shock after
one of its pastors was found hanging dead on a tree in the mission house.
Pastor Kofi Victor, 28, a junior pastor of the Jesus is the Way Church, allegedly
used a rope to hang himself on a tree in the compound.
The police at Akomadan have launched investigations into the incident.
Pastor Victors remains have been deposited at the Nkenkansu Hospital for
autopsy.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on telephone, the Akomadan District Police
Commander, DSP Gilbert Zubaviel, said the head pastor of the church went for
morning devotion and when he returned his wife informed him that Pastor
Victor had hanged himself on a tree.
22
When the head pastor went to check, he found, to his amazement, his
colleague hanging on a tree with a rope tied around the neck.
Pastor Victor had excused himself from the morning devotion without anyone
knowing that he had planned to commit suicide.
DSP Zubaviel said the head pastor informed the police at Akomadan about the
incident.
Pastor Victor, who was single, did not leave any suicide note behind.
Police: Pastor kills self after hitting 7-year-old with car
By Matthew Albright
December 27, 2012
A Houma pastor killed himself Wednesday after hitting a 7-year-old with his
car, according to police.
Robert McGuire, 53, was driving near 224 Hellier St. in Houma when he hit the
boy, who was riding a motor scooter, and left the scene, Houma Police said.
McGuire was the pastor of Houma's Genesis Baptist Church, Jones Funeral
Home confirmed.
Police said the boy, who they are not identifying, was knocked unconscious but
woke up when officers arrived. The child was treated at Terrebonne General
Medical Center for bruises and a concussion but is recovering well.
Police said they found McGuire's gold Chrysler 300 at a house on Triple Court.
Officers tried to enter the house and were eventually let in by McGuire's wife.
McGuire was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police
said.
The wreck and shooting remain under investigation, police said.
A family member who answered the phone at McGuire's house declined to
comment.
McGuire celebrated his fifth year at the church in July.
The funeral home said services for McGuire would not be held until sometime
next week.
http://diasporamessenger.com/kenyan-pastor-kills-himself-in-kiboga-schooldorm-uganda/
23
Kenyan pastor kills himself in Kiboga school dorm Uganda

January 20, 2013
A Kenyan pastor in his 30s has committed suicide in a school dormitory in
Kiboga district.
Pastor Elijah Okuru Mongen, from Kenya has been part of the main preachers
in a week-long youth conference that ended on Saturday at Kiboga Progressive
Secondary School in Kiboga town.
The 6th annual youth conference organized by youth transformation ministries
international had attracted youths from Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Hoima, Kibaale,
Kampala, Mubende, Mityana, Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja and others.
Elijah, who delivered his sermon in the conference Friday evening was found
dead in a school dormitory room Saturday morning.
He hung loosely on a scarf he had tied on a raised wooden post. It is said he
was the only one sleeping in the room.
Kiboga district police chief, Godfrey Emojongo, who led a team of police
detectives to the scene Saturday morning, said that the pastor reported at the
school last Sunday for the conference.
Upon his arrival, the Kenyan asked for a separate room to sleep alone, claiming
that he wanted a conducive [private] environment for intensive prayers, the
police chief reported.
Ronald Muhaba, who was part of Elijahs delegation, explained that Elijah has
spent three years in Uganda and has been ministering at Revival Church Seeta
in Mukono district.
The police found a Bible open just below the deceased hanging body.
By press time the body of Elijah had been taken to Kiboga hospital for a post
mortem.
Source:newvision.co.ug
http://www.africanseer.com/news/267170-married-zimbabwean-pastorcommits-suicide-in-uk-after-being-dumped-by-teenage-lover.html
Married Zimbabwean Pastor commits suicide in UK after being dumped
by teenage lover
02/04/2013
A MARRIED pastor found dead at his Birmingham home in the UK killed himself
24
after being dumped by his teenage lover, an inquest heard.

Pastor Ruvimbo Muchemwa, aged 34, overdosed on painkillers after his 19year-old 'small house' ended their relationship.
The father-of-two was terrified she would reveal details of their romance and
he had been ordered out of his Bartley Green home by his furious wife, the
inquest heard. The Zimbabwean-born pastor, who was on medication
prescribed for back pain, was found dead on November 10, 2011, the hearing
was told.
Muchemwa's wife, Nyembesi, said her husband, a pastor at the Christian Faith
Church in Bearwood, had threatened to kill himself if his affair was made
public.
"In his role he gave advice to the congregation in matrimonial matters, so the
fact he was having an affair would have been very serious. Look at you', I told
him. You're a man of God. Having an affair doesn't make sense'. He told me
that if it came out, he would kill himself," she said.
She said her husband of seven years, who left Zimbabwe a decade ago,
suffered "constant back pain" after an incident at work, was unable to find
employment as a teacher and became depressed.
Nyembesi said she discovered his affair in March 2011, through texts on his
phone. She said her husband agreed to end the relationship but she found
more texts. And on November 8 she found the affair was still continuing,
despite more denials.
"I told him to pack his bags and go and live with his girl. I told him: Maybe I
overestimated your sickness because you are cheating on me and that doesn't
add up'," she said.
Police later found her husband's body in the loft of their house in Bartley
Woods, Bartley Green.
Detective Constable Wayne Johnson said Muchemwa's lover emailed him on
November 7 to say she was ending their relationship because she had met
someone else.
Another email, sent to a relative in Zimbabwe read: "It is better to be alone on
the corner of the roof than live with a contentious wife."
Assistant Deputy Coroner Michael Snell recorded a verdict that Muchemwa took
his own life.
"He was in incessant pain due to back problems, there was the situation with
his wife and the involvement of a third party and there was the effect this
would have on his position as a respected pastor," he said.
25
http://swns.com/news/married-church-pastor-killed-killed-affairteenage-girl-33418/
John Douglas White: Pastor Who Killed His Neighbor on Halloween
Commits Suicide in Prison
August 28, 2013
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.
According to the Isabella County Sheriffs Department John Douglas White has
committed suicide while in prison.
White was sentenced to 675 months (56 years) to 85 years in prison, with
credit for 169 days served, for 2nd degree murder of Rebekah Gay.
White pleaded guilty admitting that he beat and strangled his neighbor while
her three-year son slept in the next room.
Rebekah Gay was beaten and strangled October 31, 2012. Her body was later
found in a ditch near her home in Mount Pleasant.
http://murderpedia.org/male.W/w/white-john-douglas.htm
John Douglas WHITE
Classification: Murderer
Characteristics: He wanted to have sex with a dead body
Number of victims: 2
Date of murders: July 11, 1994 / October 31, 2012
Date of arrest: October 31, 2012
Date of birth: May 20, 1957
Victims profile: Vicki Sue Wall, 26 (his mistress) / Rebekah Jane Gay, 24 (his
fiance's daughter)
Method of murder: Unknown / Striking her head with a mallet and strangling
her with a zip tie
Location: Kalamazoo County/Isabella County, Michigan, USA
Status: Sentenced to 8 to 15 years in prison on May 8, 1995. Released on
February 11, 2007. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced to 56 years in prison on April 18,
2013. Committed suicide by hanging himself in his prison cell on August 28,
2013
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pastor.teddy.parker.commits.suicide.con
gregation.waits.for.him.after.confessing.sometimes.he.cant.feel.god/34672.htm
http://www.lipstickalley.com/showthread.php/587226-Pastor-Commits-SuicideAfter-Being-Sentenced-For-Grisly-Sex-Fantasy-Murder
John Douglas White, the former pastor convicted for the late October murder
26
of Rebekah Jane Gay of Mt. Pleasant, has committed suicide in prison,

according to information from the Isabella County Prosecutors office.
Reportedly he hanged himself in his cell early Wednesday morning.
Gay, 24, who lived at the Broomfield Valley Mobile Home Park and was a
neighbor of White, was hit with a mallet and strangled with a zip tie. Her then
three-year old son was at home at the time. White then hid the womans body
in a wooded area. Later White allegedly returned to the home and took care of
the youngster, dressing him in his Halloween costume for his father.
White, 56, was interviewed by police and eventually confessed to Gays murder
and later he led officers to her body, which was found in a deep ditch near the
corner of Pickard and Coldwater Roads, about a mile of her home.
Reportedly he had fantasized about killing her. White had several prior
convictions including an assault with intent to murder in 1981 and an
involuntary manslaughter in 1995.
He was serving the first year of a 56 to 85 year sentence as a level-four
prisoner at Ionia.
http://jimfishertruecrime.blogspot.ro/2012/11/john-douglas-white-michiganpastor-who.html
John Douglas White: The Pastor Who Murdered Women
May 15, 2015
John Douglas White, the 55-year-old pastor of the Christ Community
Fellowship Church located just west of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, lived by
himself in a mobile home park in Broomfield Township near the town of Remus.
This self-appointed man of the cloth possessed a background more in line with
a person serving a life sentence in prison than a preacher of a tiny church in
rural central Michigan. Pastor White, a perverted lust killer, had no business
living outside prison walls where he could take advantage of women while
masquerading as a man of God. He was a predatory sex killer in preacher's
clothing.
In 1981, John White, then 24, choked and stabbed a 17-year-old girl in Battle
Creek, Michigan. The victim survived and White was allowed to plead no
contest to assault with intent to do great bodily harm. (In my view, the no
contest plea should be abolished.) The judge sentenced White to five years in
prison. Corrections authorities let White out on parole after he had served two
years behind bars.
John White and his wife, in 1994, were living in Comstock Township near
Kalamazoo, Michigan. On July 11 of that year, 26-year-old Vicky Sue Wall was
seen getting into White's pickup just before she disappeared. Shortly after
Wall's relatives reported her missing, the 37-year-old violent sex offender
27
checked himself into the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital. In

September 1994, police found Vicky Sue Wall's badly decomposed body in the
woods not far from her home. Arrested at the psychiatric facility, White
admitted strangling the victim to death. The victim and White had had an
affair, and she had threatened to tell his wife. So he killed her. (I doubt the
police, once they had the confession, conducted an investigation to determine
if this was, in reality, the motive for Wall's murder.)
In the Vicky Sue Wall murder case, the authorities allowed White to strike a
deal with the prosecutor. In return for his guilty plea to the ridiculous charge of
involuntary manslaughter, the judge sentenced White to eight to fifteen years.
At his May 1995 sentencing hearing White told the judge that Vicky Sue Wall's
death had been a "tragic accident." (How do you accidentally strangle someone
to death? This judge must have been an idiot.) John White walked out of prison
in 2007 after serving twelve years of his sentence. White's wife had divorced
him.
In 2012, Pastor John White was engaged to a woman in his congregation
whose 24-year-old daughter--Rebekah Gay--lived a few doors from him in the
mobile home park. Because White was a preacher engaged to her mother,
Rebekah allowed him to watch her 3-year-old son. She had no idea this
preacher watched necrophilia pornography and fantasized about having
gruesome, perverted sex with her.
On October 31, 2012, at six in the morning, John White entered Rebekah Gay's
trailer, struck her in the head with a hard rubber mallet, then strangled her to
death with a zip tie. After performing perverted sexual acts on Gay's body,
White hauled her 5-foot-3, 118 pound corpse in his pickup to a ditch behind a
stand of pine trees about a mile from the trailer park. It was there he dumped
her body.
After hiding his victim's corpse, White returned to his trailer where he cleaned
himself and his truck with paper towels. He walked to Gay's dwelling, got into
her car, and drove it to a nearby bar and parked it there. He had also tossed
Gay's cellphone into a dumpster and threw away the rubber mallet. From the
bar, White walked back to Gay's mobile home, dressed her son in his
Halloween costume, then drove the boy to Mount Pleasant where, as
prearranged, the boy's father picked him up for the day.
Crime scene investigators processed the victim's trailer for physical clues and
searched White's mobile home where they found the bloody towels and other
incriminating evidence. When questioned by detectives with the Michigan State
Police, John White confessed, then led the officers to Rebekah Gay's body.
On November 1, 2012, John White was arraigned in an Isabella County District
Court on the charge of first-degree murder. The judge denied him bail.
The church member who had hired John White as pastor, said this to a reporter
with The Detroit News: "He [White] was absolutely contrite. All kinds of people
28
turn around and meet the Lord and they are a different person. He [White] was
doing a lot of good in the community....He was doing a lot of good and Satan
did not want him doing good, and Satan got to him."
So, according to one of Pastor White's congregants, White's cold-blooded lust
murder of Rebekah Gay was the devil's doing.
In April 2013, White pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing
Rebekah Gay. The judge sentenced him to 56 years and three months. On
August 28, 2013, a prison guard at the Michigan Reformatory Correctional
Institution in Ionia, found White dead in his cell. He had hanged himself.
Pastor Teddy Parker commits suicide as congregation waits for him
after confessing sometimes he "can't feel God"
13 November 2013
Pastor Teddy Parker of Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia,
committed suicide while his congregation waited for him to arrive on Sunday.
The 42-year-old Georgia pastor tragically killed himself with a "self-inflicted
gunshot wound" on Nov. 10.
UPDATE: Parker's funeral will be live streamed on Nov. 16 at 11a.m.
The father-of-two's body was discovered by his wife Larrinecia Parker in the
driveway of their home after he did not show up for service at his church.
Russell Rowland told The Christian Post that Parker had sent his wife and
children to church ahead of him on Sunday morning. His family and
congregation were waiting for him to show up and preach the message.
"When he didn't show up they went looking for him. I'm very surprised
because he didn't preach that. He preached totally against it. It's something
that the congregation don't really understand."
His death comes as a shock to the church and family, as no one saw it coming.
The pastor had also reportedly once confessed that sometimes "I don't feel like
God is hearing me". In a sermon titled "Facing Your Storm With Confidence",
Parker said, "You know a lot of times, we feel like when we are going through
stuff and it's a lot that there's nobody there with us. And guess what? God
intends for you to feel that way. I know y'all been saved a long time. I know
you super spiritual and you know you real holy but there are times in your life,
not y'all but me. There are times in my life when I'm going through some stuff
where I can't feel God there."
He continued: "I try to pray but I don't feel like God is hearing me. I try to
serve but I don't feel like God is using me. And there are times in your life
when God purposely withdraws from you, he doesn't withdraw for the sake of
leaving you but he withdraws so you can grow and mature."
The website of Bibb Mountain Zion church states: "Pastor Parker, a man of
profound spiritual vision, gifted with intellectual qualities, was called to serve
as Pastor of Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church in July 1997. Under his God-given
29
leadership Bibb Mount Zion along with the Middle Georgia community has
benefited from his accomplishments such as Camp Zion and the construction of
She Family Life Center. Under his leadership 20 new ministries were
implemented, major renovation to the sanctuary as well as growth to the
membership."
Pastors from around the world posted condolences upon hearing the news of
Teddy Parker's apparent suicide.
Rev. Earl Houston, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Frankfot, Py., stated:
"Pastor Teddy Parker, Jr., senior pastor of the Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church
of Macon, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 10,
2013."
Twitter user Moms Babely tweeted: "Oh wow. It's deep when he takes his own
life. Ministry is a heavy yoke. Many don't fully realize how heavy until it's too
late."
After graduating from high school, Parker had attended the Theology
International Seminary in Plymouth, Florida. He was ordained aged 22 at
Fellowship Bible Baptist Church.
Officials of his church have asked for privacy as Parker's family and
congregation deal with his death.
Church official Lakesia Toomer told 13WMAZ: "We consider this a private
matter between the family and the BMZ church family. We kindly ask that the
public respects our privacy at this time."
Parker is survived by his wife and two daughters Kamry Tednae and Kerrington
Tyier Parker.
http://guardianlv.com/2013/12/grieving-pastor-commits-suicide-mom-andson-watch/
Grieving Pastor Commits Suicide: Mom and Son Watch
Added by Cherese Jackson
December 8, 2013
Read more at http://guardianlv.com/2013/12/grieving-pastor-commits-suicidemom-and-son-watch/#QuFBWhkj4CQwXEPM.99During a standoff with his
family the pastor said that the pain hes been dealing with was unbearable and
he had no desire to continue living. He told his loved ones that he hadnt slept
in on a month and couldnt do it anymore.
With the gun that ended his life held up to his head, Montgomery let them
know that he could not go on. He told them that ending his life would be best.
30
He asked them not to call anyone because he did not wish to live any longer
without his wife.
According to the report, Montgomerys mother had reached out in an attempt
to get help for her son; but to no avail.
Founder and senior pastor, Apostle Ron Wilson, said his church is devastated
by the news of Montgomerys suicide.
Wilson said that he had no knowledge of the depth of Montgomerys depressed
state because he didnt see any signs of trouble whenever he was in his
presence. Wilson said it was completely hidden from the church family. Wilson
said whenever Montgomery was around his countenance seemed as if he was
getting through it. Suicide tendencies were the last thing he would have
expected Montgomery to be dealing with.
Wilson alleged over time Montgomery began missing church so it became
difficult to know what was going on with him. They assumed he just needed
time to get it together and when he was absent they tried to respect his
privacy. Wilson said nothing about his actions or expressions suggested that he
was contemplating suicide.
Wilson said Montgomery may have attended church once every month after
the passing of his wife and then just stopped completed. He said the church
family kept trying to contact him but he refused communications. Wilson said
he, along with his church, bombarded him with phone calls and texts but
Montgomery didnt want to be reached.
He went on to say if he had gotten one phone call about his serious state of
depression he would have demanded to see him; but he was never informed.
According to Wilson, Montgomerys church family did all they could and were
there for him; but he wouldnt let them help.
Sandy Davis, a telecommunications supervisor at MetroSouth Medical Center
where Jackie last worked, said this is just heartbreaking. She said the Ed she
knows would never have left his family this way. Davis said he loved his family
and shes not sure what to make of all of this.
Davis said she was not a member of the church were the Montgomery and
Jackie served but did visit with them on occasions when Jackie asked her. She
said Montgomery was a very compassionate, caring and nice man; it just
doesnt seem real.
Davis said Montgomery and his wife had opened a business, Chateau Sylora
Banquet Hall, together in May 2011. After his wife died, Montgomery seemed
to have lost interest in the business.
31
Davis, a long time family friend, said the family is taking it really hard;
especially coupled with the anniversary of Jackies death. Its a lot to deal with
and they need a lot of prayer, said Davis.
Pastor Ed Montgomery of the Full Gospel Christian Assemblies International
Church allegedly fatally shot himself inside of his Matteson home on Saturday.
He committed suicide right in front of his mother and son as police and
paramedics waited outside.
Montgomery said he constantly heard footsteps and his deceased wifes voice
and could no longer live without her. Apostle Ron Wilson will eulogize the
Illinois Pastor on Monday, December 9.
Cherese Jackson, Grieving Pastor Commits Suicide: Mom and Son Watch
Lord, we pray for all of these pastors who do not have the support they need
to make it through the hardest times in their life.
http://www.blackyouthproject.com/2013/12/pastor-commits-suicide-in-frontof-pleading-son-one-year-after-wifes-death/
Pastor commits suicide in front of pleading son one year after wifes
death
December 10, 2013
A suburban Illinois pastor has shot and killed himself inside of his Matteson
home. Pastor Ed Montgomerys pleading son and mother begged him not to
take his life on Saturday, but the grief due to the loss of his wife overcame
him.
Montgomery and his wife Prophetess Jackie Montgomery had both served at
the Full Gospel Christian Assemblies International Church in Hazel Crest, Ill.
Jackie Montgomery passed away last December after suffering from a brain
aneurysm.
From Christian Post:
He was pretty much saying he heard his wifes voice and footsteps and things
like that, and he just was having a hard time. So he ended up shooting
himself, said Sandy Davis, who explained she was Jackie Montgomerys
childhood friend, as well as a close friend of the Montgomery family.
Its just heartbreaking, you feel for the family. The Ed that I know, he would
have never wanted to leave his family, but I guess just the depression, I cant
speak on, but its just something. The way he loved his family I guess his heart
was so broken that he loved Jackie more, so I dont know. Its just hard to
grasp. I dont know what to make of it, said Davis.
Read more at Christian Post
32
Police confirmed the death as one that appears to have been a suicide, but
the ruling can not officially be concluded until lab results return. Davis said
Montgomery had lost interest in the church after his wife passed away. The
couple leaves behind two children, Trent and Mikia and three God-children.
Our condolences go out to family and friends of Ed and Jackie Montgomery
during this time.
http://www.christianheadlines.com/news/megachurch-pastor-obama-spiritualadviser-joel-hunter-s-son-dead-in-apparent-suicide.html?
utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed:
%20delicious/gqlf%20%28christian%20headlines%20top%20headlines%29
Megachurch Pastor, Obama Spiritual Adviser Joel Hunters Son Dead in
Apparent Suicide
Sarah Pulliam Bailey
December 11, 2013
Megachurch founder Isaac Hunter, who is son of another megachurch pastor
Joel Hunter, was found dead in an apparent suicide, according to the Orlando
Sentinel.
Isaac Hunter, 36 and father of three, had resigned from the megachurch he
founded after he admitted that he had engaged in an affair with a staff
member. His wife of 13 years had filed a domestic-violence petition against
Hunter, describing him as unstable, erratic and suicidal, according to the
Sentinel. Hunters resignation in the fall of 2012 was one of three Orlando
pastors who left their pulpits after admitting affairs.
Joel Hunter has been a spiritual adviser to President Obama. Hunters
spokesman said the Hunter family does not have a statement at this time.
The following statement was posted on the Northland, A Church Distributed
website.
By now you may have heard that Pastor Joel and Beckys son Isaac Hunter
died today. All of us are grieving for the Hunter family, and we will deeply miss
Isaac. Words cannot express the sorrow were feeling, said Vernon Rainwater,
a Northland pastor. We love this family and are so grateful for the impact they
have had on each of our lives. I have loved Isaac since he was a child, and I
know this Isaac loved Jesus. And we are assured of his continuing
relationship with Christ now in heaven.
Megachurch pastor Rick Warrens son committed suicide in April. Rick and Kay
Warren have since talked openly about mental health in media interviews.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2013/december/joel-hunter-sonisaac-dead-after-suicide-summit-church.html
33
Joel Hunter's Son Isaac Found Dead After Suicide

Katelyn Beaty
Last November, Isaac Hunter, 36, stepped away from Summit after admitting
to leaders that he had an affair with another staff member. He filed for divorce
from his wife of 13 years, Rhonda Hunter, on October 4, according to court
documents reviewed by the Sentinel.
The documents also reveal an undated suicide note addressed to Summit
leaders, though Charisma magazine reports that the note was written before
Isaac Hunter's 35th birthday in April 2012. According to both the Sentinel and
Charisma, it reads:
I would very much like to be remembered as a person who loved his children,
his parents, his brothers, and his best friends well, while I could... I fear I
will love them better in my absence. As I have become what I never wished to
be, a burden on those I love the most.
http://realitywives.net/blogs/zachery-tims-overdosed-cocaine-heroin/
Florida Megachurch Leader Zachery Tims Found Dead In Times Square
Hotel Overdosed On Cocaine & Heroin
20 Dec 2013
More than two years after the mysterious death of Pastor Zachery Tims in a
New York City hotel room, the cause is now known: a toxic, fatal combination
of cocaine and heroin.
Examiners Office released the cause of death Thursday after a drawn-out legal
battle by the Apopka preachers mother, Madeline Tims, to keep the cause
sealed.
The NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiners release says Tims died of acute
intoxication by the combined effects of cocaine and heroin. Manner of death:
Accident.
The release came after a New York appellate court ruling Dec. 10 upheld a
lower court decision that the Medical Examiners office had the authority to
release the cause of death, according to a spokesperson with the law firm
representing Madeline Tims.
Officials from Tims church, New Destiny Christian Center, did not return a call
for comment. Riva Tims, his former wife, also did not respond to a request for
comment. Tims, 42, died in the W Hotel on Aug. 12, 2011. Although the New
York Police Department ruled no foul play in his death, published reports said
police found a packet of powder in his pants pockets spawning speculation
that he died of a drug overdose.
34
Tims, who grew up in Baltimore, was candid about his past, which included
violence and drug addiction as a teenager. In the eulogy at Tims funeral,
evangelist T.D. Jakes characterized Tims as an imperfect man who ministered
to imperfect people.
He tried hard to heal himself, to fix himself, said Jakes, chief pastor of The
Potters House in Dallas.
Tims was open to his congregation of about 7,500 about his own failings
including his life of crime and drugs as a young person and the infidelity that
cost him his marriage in 2009.
Riva Tims filed for divorce in 2008 and she started her own church, Majestic
Life Ministries, in Orlando. Initially stated as irreconcilable differences, the
real reason behind the divorce, according to Riva Tims, was her husbands
alleged multiple and repeated extramarital sexual affairs.
In interviews following her former husbands death, Riva Tims said she knew of
Zacherys drug abuse in the past, but didnt know he was still using drugs.
I had no idea it was so much. Ill put it this way: Its one thing to have a
struggle; its another thing to have a lifestyle, Riva Tims told Ebony magazine.
When its a struggle, theres grace. But when its a lifestyle, theres no grace.
After Tims death, and the selection of Paula White as his successor, Riva
launched a failed effort to regain control of the church she started with Zachery
in 1996. Together, the couple grew New Destiny into one of the largest
churches in Central Florida.
New Destiny built a $3.4 million, 34,000-square-foot center in Apopka as a
safe place where area youths could hang out after school.
Zachery Tims left behind four children.
http://newtelegraphonline.com/pastor-commits-suicide-in-akwa-ibom/
Pastor commits suicide in Akwa Ibom
Feb 10, 2014
A pastor with Living Faith Bible Church (A.K.A Winners Chapel) and a
veterinary doctor, Ita Ekere, has committed suicide. Ekere, a retired director of
veterinary services in Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Agriculture, committed
suicide in Ekit Itam Akpan Obong community, Itu Local Government area of the
state.
New Telegraph Metro gathered that after his retirement, he went into
commercial farming and combined it with his pastoral work.
35
Although Ekere, who had no fewer than 10 staff on his payroll, did not leave
any suicide note, one of his employees said the suicide might have been
premeditated. The employee, who craved anonymity, said late last year Ekere
had a merriment with the staff, paid them their salary and instructed them to
proceed on Christmas and New Year holiday.
We found it strange when he instructed us that we should not resume until he
recall us. We were also shocked when we heard that he had sold all the
products in his farm. He also sold the three Alsatian dogs guarding his
premises, the employee said. One of Ekeres church member, Mr. Okon Etim,
said the congregation became apprehensive when the deceased in his last
church service handed over the churchs property at his disposal to his
assistant without any explanation.
We are still in confusion over his strange behaviour before the news of his
suicide filtered into the community, he said. The late pastor was in charge of
the Mbiaya Uruan community branch of the Winners Chapel as a senior pastor
and was also in charge of supervising neighbouring churches in Northern Uruan
and East Itam villages in the state.
One of his neighbours, Mr. Friday Ekong, a tricycle repairer, said Ekeres family
members became disturbed when on January 23, he didnt return home and
had his mobile phone switched off.
On January 24, Ekeres son, Ekong, broke into the business apartment of his
father and met his corpse dangling from the ceiling of the office. The son
raised the alarm that attracted neighbours and sympathisers who trooped to
the premises.
New Telegraph gathered that policemen from D Division, Itu, examined the
corpse before it was taken to the mortuary. The state police Public Relations
Officer, DSP Etim Dickson, who confirmed the incident, said investigations were
ongoing, adding that our findings will be made public.
http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/new-details-popular-pastor-takes-his-ownlife-in-dunkerton/article_47538534-443f-50eb-a849-1530c80728fe.html
NEW DETAILS: Popular pastor takes his own life in Dunkerton
February 13, 2014
By Dennis Magee
DUNKERTON -- The Rev. Allen Thomas Rucker Jr., 54, of Dunkerton, died at
home Wednesday, Feb. 12.
DUNKERTON | The popular leader of the First Baptist Church in Dunkerton took
his own life Wednesday morning, stunning members of the congregation and
many in the wider community.
36
The Rev. Allen "Tommy" Rucker -- known affectionately as Pastor Tommy -died after inflicting a gunshot wound, according to Police Chief Tim Schultz.
Though still investigating Wednesday afternoon, Schultz said nothing so far
suggested the incident was anything more than a suicide. Rucker died behind
the church parsonage where he lived.
"There is nothing suspicious," Schultz added.
Rucker, 54, joined the church in January 2007. He participated in a deacons'
meeting Tuesday night, according to Dick Ede, a member of the congregation
and church treasurer.
"He was as jovial and was cutting up just like he always was in situations like
that," Ede said. "There was no indication of anything wrong at all."
Rucker, a native of Kentucky, graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary in Louisville, according to the church's website.
While there, he earned a bachelor's and master's degree. He previously served
two other congregations, but the website did not specify where.
"He and his wife, Kay, have been happily married since 1981, and they are the
proud grandparents of seven beautiful and intelligent grandchildren," the site
added.
Ede got word of Rucker's death from Police Chief Schultz while in Waterloo. Ede
said he had trouble comprehending the news.
"I said, 'What?' and Tim said, "Let me start over. This is Tim Schultz. Pastor
Tommy committed suicide,'" Ede said. "I was shocked."
Ede described Rucker as powerful man of faith.
"He was a godly man. He was the epitome of a Christian. He read the Bible
constantly," Ede said.
Schultz said an initial search of the church produced nothing that might be
interpreted as a suicide note.
Rucker and church volunteers led a program each Wednesday evening called
the Awana Club for children in kindergarten through sixth grades. The churchrelated activities routinely attract several dozen children representing several
Christian denominations. Church officials canceled Wednesday's Awana
gathering.
Dave Hlas, elementary principal in the Dunkerton School District, said school
officials are prepared to help students today.
37
"We have our part-time elementary counselor coming in all day. We will also
use the high school counselor. I have also spoken with the superintendent at
Wapsie Valley and they are willing to provide us with both of their guidance
counselors at a moment's notice should we become overwhelmed," Hlas said.
"It's an unfortunate situation for our students and the town of Dunkerton, and
we hope to get through this by providing the support our students may need,"
Hlas added.
White Funeral Home in Jesup is in charge of funeral arrangements.
http://archive.coloradoan.com/article/20140227/NEWS01/302270076/FortCollins-man-accused-molesting-8-year-old-boy
Fort Collins man accused of molesting 8-year-old boy
Feb. 27, 2014
A Fort Collins man remains jailed on charges he repeatedly sexually assaulted
a neighbors young son.
Police arrested Nicholas Henshaw on Monday following a monthslong
investigation. Many details of the case against Henshaw remain secret due to
the nature of the accusations and the age of the boy.
Henshaw, 38, faces a single count of sex assault by one in a position of trust.
This is a dangerous man. My son is in danger, the 8-year-old boys father said
in court Wednesday afternoon. The Coloradoan is withholding his identity to
protect his sons identity.
During a short appearance via video from jail, Henshaw spoke only to answer
questions from Magistrate Matthew Zehe. Henshaw is being held on $50,000
bond and has been ordered to stay away from children if released.
In a 10-page sworn statement, Fort Collins police said Henshaws own family
members said he has a history of molesting young boys, although hes never
previously been charged. One witness against Henshaw is his ex-wife, who said
she once found pictures of naked boys on his computer. Another witness is his
brother, police said, who reported that Henshaw molested their younger
siblings.
According to police, at least one young boy said Henshaw molested him on
trips to Glenwood Springs and Yellowstone National Park. Other possible
victims are discussed in the sworn statement, but heavy redaction by court
clerks makes it difficult to determine the exact nature of those allegations. One
boy said he and Henshaw bathed naked together and shared a bed on trips.
38
Police in court records said other investigations into Henshaw in California

indicated he had molested multiple other boys, sometimes while they slept, but
was never prosecuted because the children refused to come forward. Police
said at least one of those incidents in California occurred while Henshaw was
working as a youth minister.
Zehe refused to reduce Henshaws bond, but also declined to raise it, citing the
right to bail: His bond has been set unusually high, if that gives you any
confidence, he told the boys father.
Henshaw is due back in court at 8:30 a.m. Friday.
http://www.danapointtimes.com/former-dana-point-youth-pastor-accused-onmolestation-commits-suicide/
Former Dana Point Youth Pastor Accused of Molestation Commits
Suicide
March 25, 2014
By Andrea Papagianis
Nicholas Henshaw, 35, found dead in Loveland, Colorado hotel room,
authorities confirm
A former Dana Point youth minister who was arrested in Colorado last month
and charged with the sexual assault of a child committed suicide Monday,
according to authorities.
Nicholas Henshaw, 35, of Fort Collins, Colo. was found dead in a Loveland,
Colo. hotel Monday morning, confirmed Stephen Hanks, a deputy coroner
investigator with the Larimer County coroners office, who worked the case. His
death has been ruled a suicide.
Henshaws body was discovered in a Holiday Inn Express south of Fort Collins.
Authorities have determined the cause of death was suffocation by way of
asphyxiation with helium, Hanks said.
In February, the former youth minister at Capo Beach Calvary Church, now
Capo Beach Church, was charged with one count of sexual assault on a child
by one in a position of trust, Larimer County court records show. Henshaw was
accused of molesting an 8-year-old neighbor. The state of Colorado classifies
the crime as a felony.
The accused was out of jail on bail. His next court appearance was set for April
4.
Over the last 18 months, Henshaw was the subject of multiple investigations in
Larimer County, said criminal investigator Don Vagge with the Fort Collins
39
Police Department. The most recent led to Henshaws arrest.

Henshaw was also the subject of an Orange County Sheriffs Department
investigation in the early 2000s.
Officials looked into suspicions that Henshaw committed lewd and lascivious
acts with a child, according to OCSD spokesman Lt. Jeff Hallock. The case was
presented to the District Attorneys Office but no charges were filed due to a
lack of evidence, Hallock said. No further details were provided.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Billionaire-pastor-kills-brother-commitssuicide-253301171.html
Billionaire pastor kills brother, commits suicide
By Gyasi Gonzales
Mar 31, 2014
CONTROVERSIAL pastor Vishnu Lutchmansingh, who claimed he had inherited
several billion dollars from an American businessman in 2003, shot and killed
his brother, ran over his nephew with his car, set fire to his house, and then
shot himself to death afterwards.
The incident occurred just before 10.30 a.m. yesterday at Savary Road
Extension in Las Lomas.
Police said that prior to setting his house on fire then shooting himself in the
head, Lutchmansingh had a heated argument with his brother, Krishan
Lutchmansingh, at an agricultural area known as Davy-Toby Drive, in Chin Chin
Road, Cunupia.
During the quarrel, Lutchmansingh, who was before the court on several fraud
charges, drew a licensed pistol and shot his brother.
He then left the scene and drove to Savary Road Extension where, using his
car, he broke through a barrier that blocked the road leading to his property.
There he confronted one of his nephews, whose car he shot at several times
and then ran Timothy Janitan over with his car.
Lutchmansingh then put the car into reverse gear and drove over his nephew
again.
Janitan was taken to Chaguanas Health Facility, where he was treated.
Lutchmansingh, still in a fit of rage, then walked into the small house which
overlooked a large pond on the land.
He proceeded to set fire to the house which, according to neighbours, burned
40
quickly.
It is believed that as the house burned, Lutchmansingh turned his gun on
himself and squeezed the trigger.
When the Express arrived on the scene, some of Lutchmansinghs relatives
quickly left, stating firmly that they had no comment.
Other relatives were not hostile and allowed the Express to photograph the
scene, but insisted that they not be in any of the photos.
They also said they had nothing to say about what happened.
One man, who said he worked with the pastor, said the mans deceased
brother was always fighting him down. That man (Krishan) real robbed him
and stole from him.
Another man did not have complimentary things to say about the pastor,
however.
Cunupia police are continuing investigations.
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pastor.robert.mckeehan.commits.suicide
.north.carolina.church.shocked.at.senior.pastors.death/36818.htm
Pastor Robert McKeehan commits suicide: NC Community Bible Church
church shocked at 42-year-old senior pastor's death
16 April 2014
The Community Bible Church in High Point, North Carolina is mourning the
death of their Senior Pastor, Robert McKeehan, who reportedly took his own life
last Friday.
The High Point Enterprise reports that the 42-year-old pastor's alleged suicide
shocked his congregation.
"As you can imagine, there's been a lot of grief and a lot of numbness,"
chairman of Community Bible's elder board Richard Curtis said. "We're sad, of
course we're going to be poorer for the loss but we're also trying to help
people understand that even though this is not the path we would've chosen,
God is sovereign, and we're still going to praise and worship our God."
With no senior pastor to turn to, church leaders tried their best to console the
congregation Sunday morning. Many could not understand how their own
pastor could take his life so during the service they turned to the Bible for
answers.
"The reality is we can never understand exactly how and why that happened.
41
Just like those they lead, pastors are human and subject to all the same trials,
emotions and struggles," Curtis said.
During Sunday's service, the High Point Enterprise reports that the pastor of
adult ministries, Pastor Rob Black, stepped in to lead the congregation with a
sermon. Turning to Deuteronomy 29:29, he reminded the church, "The secret
things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and
our children forever."
The congregation may never understand why the pastor took his life and some
members have come to accept that. "Why Robert took his own life is always
going to be one of the secret things," Curtis explained.
The elder further acknowledged, "What God has revealed to us, however, is the
promise we hold onto in Romans 8:28 'We know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love Him.' God has proven that to our church in the
past when we've had difficult times, so we know that certainty will again prove
true as we move beyond the question of why."
Pastor McKeehan, his wife, Elizabeth and their children, John and Scarlett,
were brought to serve the Community Bible Church in November 2010. Curtis,
who is currently serving as the interim senior pastor, told the High Point
Enterprise that when Mckeehan arrived, he immediately got comfortable with
his new congregation.
"He was an incredibly gifted teacher of God's word," Curtis pointed out. "The
vision of our church is broken people becoming whole in Christ, and Robert was
the type of pastor who related that well to our congregation. They knew he
lived out that statement. They knew he needed Christ to make him whole, and
they knew they could look to him as someone who could understand and help
them."
As the church begins its search for a new senior pastor, there are currently
seven other pastors on staff who will lead the congregation and its ministries in
the meantime.
Pastor Curtis expressed that condolences and message of love have been
received from local churches, loved ones and people online.
"We very much appreciate the support we are receiving from the community,"
the interim pastor said. Continuing to acknowledge the spirit of the late Pastor,
Curtis shared, "I think [Pastor Mckeehan's work is] testimony to how many
people and churches [he] had touched. That is one of the most positive things
he brought [to our congregation] and [it's] something we are committed to
continuing."
http://nationalweekender.net/mfm-pastor-commits-suicide/
42
MFM Pastor Commits Suicide

May 2, 2014
Tragedy struck the vineyard on Saturday April 12the when the zonal pastor of
the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry in Owutu, Ishawo Ikorodu Olukayode
Gabriel Oluwasesan Oyebode committed suicide. National Weekender learnt
that the father of five had actually attempted suicide twice before that of April
12.
According to a family source 49 years old Pastor Oyebode had attempted
suicide last January but was saved by his wife who noticed strange behaviors
and comments from the late Pastor and immediately reported to his siblings.
Though details of how Pastor Oyebode wanted to take his life in his first
attempt were not made known but his second which was also reported to the
Regional Pastor of his church occurred shortly before his final and last attempt.
He was said to have gone to a nearby canal to jump into it and possibly drown
himself but he was noticed and a call was allegedly put across to the General
Overseer of the MFM, Pastor Daniel Kayode Olukoya who called the late zonal
Pastor and after praying with him asked him to come and see him immediately.
Pastor Oyebode agreed and was actually preparing to visit his G.O at the
Prayer City along Lagos Ibadan Expressway when suddenly he changed his
mind and went to nearby bush where he hanged himself. The news of his
death came as a shock to the MFM family given the fact that he was a very
vibrant fellow whose activities in Church changed and touched several lives
hence he was elevated to the position of zonal Pastor.
Pastor Oyebode was buried five days later in his house on No. 9 Ayorinde
Kadejo Street Close to Market behind Block Industry, Owutu Ishawo Ikorodu.
However his buried sparked off controversy as the community where his house
resides demanded that he should be buried according to traditional rites of the
land since he committed suicide. The MFM disagreed with this position arguing
that since Pastor Oyebode did not practice traditional believes while he was
alive it would be wrong to bury him in traditional way, more so, he was a
native of Ipetumodun in Osun State and not from Ikorodu in Lagos.
This controversy lasted for hours and tempers rose. The Ikorodu people stoped
the burial arrangement insisting that should Pastor Oyebode be buried
according to Christian doctrine it would desecrate their land because by
committing suicide he had already committed an abomination which needed to
be atoned and cleansed to avert further danger among members of his
immediate family.
After much debate the traditional believers allowed the Church to have its way
and Pastor Oyebode was duly buried according to the belief and doctrine of the
MFM. However National Weekender gathered that the General Overseer of
MFM, Pastor Olukoya allegedly told the senior Pastors that the late Pastor
43
Oyebode died as a result of the evil forces from his fathers house which
continued to manipulate into attempting suicide.
Recall that Pastor Olukoya had revealed last year that 40 Pastors of the Church
died between January and October 2013 and most of the deaths were caused
by unholy acts of the men of God. He further warned at the beginning of the
year in his Crossover Night message that several men of God would be
tempted just like politicians and they need prayers to overcome otherwise they
are bound to fall into calamities.
http://contraculturemag.com/?p=6477
Pentecostal Church Pastor Commits Suicide In Lagos
12 May 2014
Depression is a disease. When we begin to understand it in that manner, we
can begin to deal with it properly. This man needed help. Unfortunately, he
could not get it in this society. Very, very, very sad.
A troubled pastor, who is said to have attempted suicide twice, finally
succeeded in ending his own life after a 3rd attempt. Pastor Gabriel Oyebode,
who is the resident pastor of a popular pentecostal church in the Ikorodu area
of Lagos, reportedly hung himself in a wooded area in the town.
The Pastor is said to have previously attempted to kill himself first in January
2013 and then more recently by trying to jump into a canal in the hopes of
drowning.
A neigbour, who spoke in confidence, said: But for his vigilant wife, who
reported him to his family members, he would have killed himself last January.
His second attempt also failed because those who saw him when he went to a
nearby canal frustrated his attempt to drown in the canal.
A friend of the pastors family described his action as sad. He said: It was
pathetic to see the dangling body of a church leader who should offer homilies
to those contemplating suicide.
The family friend, who asked for anonymity, said: We heard that he was to
visit the headquarters of the church before he went to a nearby bush in the
neighbourhood and hanged himself.
No one was ready to disclose what the pastor was really battling that made
him attempt suicide twice before he later succeeded in taken his own life. He
has been buried amid tears by his church members.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2014/05/05/waukee-churchfaces-pastor-suicide/8711207/
44
Young Waukee church faces pastor's suicide

Sharyn Jackson
May 5, 2014
Five weeks ago, Brandon Barker stood before the members of Westwind
Church and spoke about how the young congregation, remarkably, had not yet
lost a member in its five years.
The lead pastor imagined what a death in the Waukee church's family would
feel like when it finally came.
But Sunday, at the first of two services in which Barker had to choke back
tears, he admitted, "I had no idea how horrific that day would be."
Last week, the church's family pastor, DB Antrim, committed suicide.
Antrim, 40, a husband and a father of two boys, had worked with the church's
youth. Knowing they would have questions, Barker wanted the loss to be a
"teachable moment" that could help grieving congregants come together in a
time of confusion and tragedy. Antrim's suicide would not be downplayed or
covered up. Instead, it would "bring light" to the darkness of death.
Brent Minter, the church's worship pastor, said that for a community, dealing
directly with trauma is crucial.
"In true community, you have got to talk about it, and you have got to deal
with it," Minter said.
Antrim's death was central to Sunday's church services. Music selections
recounted Jesus' willingness to "wipe away tears." A slide projected next to the
stage in Waukee South Middle School, where Westwind meets, read "Dealing
with Loss."
"This is kind of a defining moment for our church," Barker said during his
sermon. "It is a defining moment that is going to be remembered by me for as
long as I live."
Congregants wept openly as Barker read aloud the suicide note Antrim had left
for him, about how he'd been keeping from Barker the despair that ultimately
ended his life.
It was an example, Barker said, of how not to shoulder one's own burdens.
"You cannot hold on to these things," he said. "We have to live in the open. We
have to let people know what's going on."
Though suicide is considered a sin in this church, Barker said he believes
Antrim has been forgiven.
45
For a relatively new congregation, the loss of a leader Antrim worked there
for 2 years is a sad but important milestone, Barker said.
"Our church is growing up," he said. "We were babies, we were infantile, we
were toddlers. You want to protect your kids from that focus on death. But
there comes a time when you have to face certain truths about the
grotesqueness of a fallen world."
In addition to prayer, support groups and counseling have been offered for
members of the church to talk about Antrim's death.
Those who knew Antrim described him as a generous and committed person,
one who was always telling jokes and who was so ticklish, "he could be
brought down by a finger in the armpit," Barker said.
Ashleigh Wright, 23, worked with Antrim in the youth ministry, and said he was
"just a fun person to be around."
Though it had brought her to tears, the Sunday service that so openly
addressed Antrim's death was helpful for Wright, she said.
"I don't think it should be hidden," she said. "I think it should be talked about.
We shun death away and we don't deal with it when it happens, and then all
those emotions come up. I just think it's a part of life and we need to talk
about it."
http://www.christianpost.com/news/family-pastor-of-iowa-church-commitssuicide-weeks-after-lead-pastor-gave-thanks-that-church-never-had-a-funeralin-five-years-119214/
Family Pastor of Iowa Church Commits Suicide Weeks After Lead
Pastor Gave Thanks That Church Never Had a Funeral in Five Years
By Leonardo Blair, Christian Post Reporter
6 May 2014
A family pastor in Iowa left his family and friends in deep sorrow and a state of
"unbelief" last Thursday when he reportedly committed suicide, leaving behind
a wife and two sons.
While the local medical examiner's office did not reveal the cause of his death,
they confirmed with The Christian Post on Tuesday that Pastor DB Antrim of
Westwind Church in Waukee, Iowa, is dead.
The church's lead pastor Brandon Barker, who just five weeks ago highlighted
that the church had not lost a single member to death in its five year history,
46
revealed in a heartbreaking message to the church on Sunday that Antrim had

died by his own hands.
"This is a kind of a defining moment for our church. It is a defining moment
that will be remembered for as long as I live," explained Barker in the run-up
to his comments.
"It was only five weeks ago today that on this stage I read these words: 'In the
five plus years of West Wind's existence, we have never experienced a
funeral," he said breaking down.
He then continued sharing the haunting message.
I have imagined what that day is going to look like when the phone call comes
that someone at West Wind has died. It is a painful thought because we are a
worshipping community. And it's gonna affect so many of us, no matter who it
is and how it happens, it will be a tragedy. One that will lay heavy on my heart.
I do not look forward to that day,'" Barker recalled.
He explained that it was particularly difficult to face Antrim's death last
Thursday night, because just hours before they had sat down to discuss the
message Antrim was expected to preach on Sunday.
"I had no idea how horrific that day would be," said Barker on being forced to
face the day he openly dreaded five weeks earlier.
"On Thursday night at 5:30 in the evening, DB our friend, our family pastor, lay
dead in front of my eyes taken at his own hands. Taking his own life, and since
then my life has been a whirlwind. His family's life has been a whirlwind. The
church has been a whirlwind. And in the midst of this is a raging sea of
emotions," he revealed.
"As I saw him the first feeling that I had was anguish. I was completely
destroyed. Sadness is not even close to the word that described how I felt.
[It] was as if I was watching myselfwhat in the world is going on? How could
this happen?" he asked.
Other friends and family poured out messages of love and support on the
Facebook page of his wife, Allison Sherwood Antrim.
"My heart is with you and your boys! I am praying for you and William and
Graham. I love you. You all are family to me. May the Spirit of God be raining
down on you and may His love overwhelm you!" wrote Amanda Kliora.
"There are no words....only prayers. So thankful the Lord promises to be near
to the brokenhearted. He will walk beside you every step of the way. Many,
many, many prayers being lifted up on your behalf," noted Nancy Barnes
McDonaugh.
47
Antrim was described in a Des Moines Register report as a generous,

committed person who was always telling jokes.
Ashleigh Wright, 23, who worked directly with Antrim in the church's the youth
ministry, said he was "just a fun person to be around."
The church held a memorial service in Antrim's honor on Tuesday.
Contact: leonardo.blair@christianpost.com
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2628239/Pastor-kills-one-week-trialsexual-abuse-nine-year-old-girl-start.html
Pastor kills himself one week before trial for sexual abuse of nineyear-old girl was due to start
14 May 2014
Scott Sechrist, 61, took his own life on Tuesday - leaving a suicide note
denying he molested a nine-year-old girl from 1989 to 1992
The woman, now in her 30s, claims that Sechrist forced her to have
intercourse
Sechrist was the pastor at First Baptist Church in Morrisville, Pennsylvania
By James Nye
A former Pennsylvania pastor has killed himself one week before he was to
stand trial for molesting a nine-year-old girl 25-years ago.
Scott Sechrist, 61, was discovered in his Red Cedar, Levittown home on
Tuesday and police confirmed that they found a note near to his body.
The girl, who is now in her 30s, first reported the sexual abuse in 1992, but
claimed the molestations began three years prior to that.
The Levittown Now reported previously that the girl recanted the allegations in
1992 because she feared she would be taken away from her mother.
Bucks County prosecutor Jennifer Schorn said Sechrist's
maintained his innocence but she did not elaborate further.
suicide
note
Sechrist had served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Morrisville and
allegedly knew the girl's family from the church.
According to police, the woman told a detective that Sechrist began sexually
assaulting her by grabbing her butt.
48
He reportedly told her it was 'cute' when she was in fifth grade inside a Bristol
Township home.
The assaults continued during evening prayer sessions that lasted for 10 to 15
minutes.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20140514_Accused_pastor_commits_suicid
e_in_Bucks.html
Accused pastor commits suicide in Bucks
May 13, 2014
LEVITTOWN A former church pastor committed suicide on Monday, a week
before he faced trial on charges that allege he sexually assaulted a girl more
than 20 years ago, officials said.
Scott B. Sechrist, 61, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in
his Bristol Township home, said Jennifer Schorn, chief of the Bucks County
District Attorney Office's major crimes division.
Sechrist had served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Morrisville and
lived in the Levittown section of Bristol Township, where the assaults occurred
between 1989 and 1992, police said. Sechrist allegedly knew the girl's family
from his church. She was nine when the alleged assaults began.
Schorn said Sechrist left a note maintaining his innocence. However, the
prosecutor said ample evidence pointed to his guilt, including a secret
recording of a recent conversation between the victim and Sechrist, during
which he admitted to the assaults. The recording, taken by the victim, was
played at a preliminary hearing in March.
Sechrist was free on $500,000 unsecured bail and faced 30 felony counts
related to sexual assault.
- Ben Finley
http://www.echoonline.co.bw/index/index.php/local-news/item/1760-zccpastor-kills-himself
http://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/pastor-accused-of-sexual-abusecommits-suicide-before-trial.html
Pastor Accused of Sexual Abuse Commits Suicide before Trial
Carrie Dedrick | May 15, 2014
Scott Sechrist, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Morrisville, PA killed
himself on Monday, one week before facing a trial for sexual assault.
49
Sechrist was charged with 20 counts of involuntary deviant sexual intercourse,

10 counts of aggravated indecent assault and 10 counts of statutory rape
reports Christian Today. The illegal sex acts began in 1989 when Sechrist
sexually abused a 9-year-old girl; the abuse of the girl ended in 1992.
The woman, now 34 reported the rape which occurred during prayer meetings
in 1992. She rescinded her report out of fear and confusion.
The Bible says its wrong, but it was happening, she said.
Sechrist left a suicide note claiming his innocence before he shot himself.
The prosecution denied his innocence. Attorney Jennifer Schorn said that
Sechrist had already admitted to the crimes in a recorded statement which was
played at the March hearing.
I thought about that for years, Sechrist said in the recording. I babysat my
nieces. I changed diapers. I dont know why it was you...I dont know. I cant
answer that.
http://www.echoonline.co.bw/index/index.php/local-news/item/1760-zccpastor-kills-himself
ZCC pastor kills himself
by Onneile Setlalekgosi
04 July 2014
Tremors of shock have engulfed Matlou ward in Malolwane village in Kgatleng
East, after a popular Zion Christian Church (ZCC) pastor and church Baptist,
Phineas Pheko took his own life. The well-known pastors death has stunned
many across the sleepy village of Malolwane after he allegedly committed
suicide by hanging himself on a tree behind his house.
The 58-year-old pastor, popularly known by nickname Abuti Teacher is said to
have taken his life by hanging himself on tree with a rope just behind his
house.
The deceaseds brother Mokhari Pheko, a village traditional doctor was this
week lost for words when trying to explain how his brother died.
Pheko said he was alerted of his brother missing during the early morning of
Saturday but he never thought the renowned pastor would turn out dead.
I rushed to the scene and we quickly alerted the police as the wife of the
deceased revealed to the family that Phineas had left the family homestead
after the two had a heated argument, he noted.
50
Furthermore, Pheko relayed that even more shocking was the fact that when
the police van arrived at the deceaseds home they flashed lights on the lifeless
body hanging from the Mopipi tree behind the familys house.
I was very close my brother as we once worked together long back in South
Africa. He was a good crafts-man, noted Pheko.
He also revealed that he had long foreseen the passing of his brother in his
dreams.
A friend told us last week that my brother had disclosed to him that he is
having problems with his wife adding that we should not shocked if he
committed suicide, he noted.
He used a step ladder to reach for the tree, tied two knots on the tree and put
the rope around his neck before kicking the ladder away until he succumbed to
his death, he noted.
According to one member of the ZCC and a close friend to the deceased,
Phineas had always been a good adviser and from time to time offered
counselling services to those in need at the church.
It is feared that the pastor could have taken his life after he had troubles with
his current wife about his marriage from the past.
Phineas has children from his previous marriage of which the second wife
knew about, she noted.
She further revealed that the deceased had a mentally disturbed son out of the
wedlock who his present wife allegedly never knew and never accepted when
she was recently told of by the deceased. This is said to have left a strain on
the deceaseds current marriage.
Phineas loved this child he had out of wedlock so much. He had long told me
that he wanted to convince the wife to stay with him so that they look after
him, she noted.
She also said that Phineas seemed to have been struggling with this issue as
he told her a while back that his wife had long rejected his plea to bring home
his mentally challenged son.
However, a visibly distressed, Baraedi Pheko who happens to be the deceaseds
second wife when contacted for comment refused to comment.
Another brother to the deceased, Boiki Pheko noted that they were still in
shock and as thus they cannot speak with the media.
Sikwane Police Station, Superintendent Elias Malope this week confirmed the
mysterious suicide by the ZCC pastor.
51
The incident was reported to us on Saturday morning and we rushed the body
to Mmathubudukwane clinic, where he was certified dead on arrival, noted
Malope.
He also said investigations into the matter are still on going.
http://www.lonestarq.com/retired-pastor-championed-gay-rights-commitssuicide-lighting-fire/
Methodist pastor who championed gay rights commits suicide by
lighting himself on fire
13 Jul, 2014 - By John Wright
A retired Methodist pastor who went on a hunger strike in the 1990s to protest
the churchs discrimination against gays has committed suicide by selfimmolation.
The Rev. Charles Moore, 79, doused himself in gasoline and lit himself on fire
in the parking lot of a strip mall in Grand Saline, his hometown in East Texas,
last month.
I would much prefer to go on living and enjoy my beloved wife and
grandchildren and others, but I have come to believe that only my selfimmolation will get the attention of anybody and perhaps inspire some to
higher service, Moore wrote in one of the notes he left behind, according to
The Dallas Morning News.
Moore was a lifelong champion of social justice and civil rights. In a note left
on his car, he lamented the legacy of racial injustice in Grand Saline, where he
was ostracized by the Methodist church in the 1950s for supporting school
desegregation. According to the United Methodist News Service, Moore wrote
that he was giving his body to be burned for lynching victims.
In other notes written prior to his death, Moore expressed frustration with the
UMCs positions on homosexuality and the death penalty, as well as Southern
Methodist Universitys decision to house the George W. Bush Presidential
Center. Moore, who attended SMUs Perkins School of Theology, initially
planned to commit suicide on the Dallas campus, writing that he loved SMU
and felt his self-immolation there would move people to care more about gay
rights, the death penalty and better treatment for African-Americans.
For whatever reason, he opted instead for Grand Saline.
After fighting for African-American civil rights early in his career, Moore became
a champion for LGBT inclusion in the Methodist church. As pastor of Austins
Grace UMC in the 1990s, he appointed gay members to church boards and
opened the congregations doors to a PFLAG chapter.
52
With UMC bishops meeting in Austin in 1995, Moore went on a 15-day hunger
strike to protest the churchs stance on homosexuality. He ended the strike
when bishops agreed to encourage Methodist congregations to welcome gays.
However, they stopped short of removing a sentence from the churchs Book of
Discipline that says homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.
The sentence remains to this day, and it was the type of thing that apparently
haunted Moore. He wrote that despite being healthy and happy with his wife
and grandchildren, he remained a paralyzed soul who felt compelled to die for
a cause. While some have condemned Moore for taking his own life, others
consider him a martyr.
Instead of judging Rev. Moore, maybe we should try to ignite the passion for
justice that burned so brightly in his life in ours, wrote the Rev. Jeff Hood of
Denton, known as a gay-rights supporter and death-penalty opponent. When I
look straight ahead into the dark, I see Moores bespectacled image burning. I
see Moore giving his life so that others might live. I refuse to turn my head. I
know that Jesus is speaking to me from there. The courage of a passionate
follower of Jesus can set the world afire with love. May the great martyrdom of
The Rev. Charles Moore make it so.
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/nc-pastor-commits-suicide-deputies-try
NC Pastor Commits Suicide As Deputies Try To Arrest Him On Child Sex
Charges
David
7/22/14
A North Carolina pastor shot himself to death over the weekend as deputies
were trying to arrest him on child sex charges.
According to WCOC-TV, Michael Mullis, the former pastor of Near Calvary
Baptist Church in Concord, knew that he was being investigated for indecent
liberties with a child before Rowan County deputies showed up on Saturday to
serve warrants on him.
The sheriff's office said that when deputies arrived to arrest him, he went to
the bathroom to put on his shoes, and shot himself with a pistol.
Im sure he knew because our investigators had talked to him about this
incident, Concord Police spokesperson Maj. Gary Hatley told WSOC. Or
attempted to talk to him anyway -- he knows we were investigating."
A timeline provided by the victim indicated that Mullis was still serving as
pastor at Near Calvary Baptist during the years of sexual abuse. The abuse
allegedly ended in 2004, and Mullis resigned from the church in 2011 after 20
53
years as pastor.
Near Calvary Baptist Church has since changed its name.
They knew each other and had a relationship I guess, but theres no indication
of any other victims Hatley said, adding that the victim had been surprised by
the pastor's death.
Mullis' wife was also reportedly at home at the time of the shooting.
Investigators said that the case was now considered closed.
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/former.pastor.kills.himself.front.officers.
serving.arrest.warrant/39039.htm
Former pastor kills himself in front of officers serving arrest warrant
Michael Reece Mullis was charged with sex crimes against a minor.
Brownie Marie
23 July 2014
A former North Carolina pastor committed suicide on Saturday after police
served him with an arrest warrant.
Michael Reece Mullis was accused of sex crimes against a minor, and shot
himself in the head after hearing the charges against him.
The warrant was issued by police in Concord, where the crimes allegedly
occurred.
Concord Police said that between 2000 and 2004, Mullis forced a 15-year-old
girl to perform a sex act on at least two occasions. The alleged victim is now in
her 20s.
The crimes allegedly occurred while Mullis was pastor of Near Calvary Baptist
Church in Concord, and the police investigated for two years before attempting
to make an arrest.
"We had enough probable cause and once we developed all of that we went
over the case and took out the charges for indecent liberties," Concord Police
Major Gary Hatley told WBTV.
The warrant was executed by Rowan County Deputy Sheriffs at Mullis' home on
James Drive in Rockwell.
The deputies said that the 63-year-old answered the door in his pajamas, and
after hearing the charges, asked to get his shoes.
One officer remained with Mullis' wife, while another went with him to the
54
master bedroom. Once inside the bedroom, Mullis ran towards the master
bathroom and tried to close the door. An officer was able to force his way
inside, and found the former pastor holding a .357 Magnum. The deputy
watched as Mullis shot himself in the head. He was pronounced dead at the
scene.
Victims advocacy group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests released
a statement on Tuesday expressing their condolences for the Mullis family and
for the alleged victim.
"We feel for the family of Michael Mullis of Near Calvary Baptist Church in
Concord," they said. "But even more, we feel for the brave victim who reported
to police that Mullis abused him or her. We also feel for anyone else who may
have been molested by this minister."
"Violence is never the answer. At the same time, however, we are relieved that
Mullis can no longer hurt children. "
Mullis resigned from Near Calvary, which now operates under a different name,
in 2011 after 20 years in the ministry.
http://myfox8.com/2014/08/23/autopsies-complete-for-minister-wife-founddead-at-nc-home/
NC pastor and wife died in murder-suicide, according to deputies
August 23, 2014
UMBERTON, N.C. A Cumberland County minister and his wife died in a
murder suicide, according to the Robeson County Sheriffs Office.
WTVD-TV reported that deputies believe Rev. William Bill Scott, 68, shot and
killed his 64-year-old wife Charlotte before turning the gun on himself.
They were found Wednesday on the deck of their home in Lumberton.
Scott served as interim pastor at Charity Baptist Church in Hope Mills, and
served as treasurer at East Lumberton Baptist Church.
He and his wife both attended East Lumberton.
Image: Deputies believe Reverend William Scott, 68, shot and killed his 64year-old wife Charlotte before turning the gun on himself. (WTVD-TV)
http://www.charismanews.com/us/45175-charismatic-church-network-leaderdies-in-apparent-suicide
Charismatic Church Network Leader Dies in Apparent Suicide
8/27/2014
55
David Huskins (Facebook)

An Atlanta-area pastor who led a network of charismatic churches was found
dead at his home Monday of what sources tell Charisma News was a selfinflicted gunshot wound. Bishop David Huskins had acknowledged suffering
from heart-related health problems and recently talked of taking time off.
Polk County Police say they found the body of Huskins inside his home in the
Meadow Lakes community late Monday afternoon, according to a report on
WGAA-AM radio in Atlanta. He was pronounced dead on the scene. According
to Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd, detectives said there was no foul play
involved in the incident, but they declined elaboration about the cause of
death.
A Christian radio station in Atlanta, Joy105.com, reported Wednesday that the
cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emails and tweets among a
number of pastors and charismatic leaders who knew Huskins said the same
thing, but this could not be independently confirmed.
Huskins founded the Cedar Lake Christian Center in Cedartown near Atlanta
and served as its senior pastor. He was also the presiding bishop of the
International Communion of Charismatic Churches. He hosted a weekly radio
program and made many appearances on Christian television.
Huskins also had a close association with Bishop Mark Chironna, senior pastor
of an Orlando, Florida-area church, Church on the Living Edge. A
representative said Chironna was not available for comment Wednesday but
acknowledged that Huskins had spoken at the church in the suburban
community of Longwood in the past.
According to a statement on Huskins' Facebook page: "Our hearts are deeply
saddened to share with you that our Bishop, David Huskins, has joined the
great cloud of witnesses this afternoon We will have more information later
that will be posted here. Please pray for his boys and the rest of the family,
and our church family as we grieve the passing of one of the greatest servants
we have ever known."
Polk County police referred inquiries to Chief Dodd, who was not immediately
available for comment on Wednesday.
Early last month, Huskins sent a long email to his congregation and friends
saying he needed to take some time off to deal with health problems.
"It has been almost 20 years ago since I had open-heart surgery to repair a
hole in my heart that had become critical," Huskins wrote on July 10. "That
started a series of mostly ignored warnings to take care of my heart health.
Then in November, I had a mild heart attack (if there is such a thing) and that
put me on a path to great introspection of all the areas of my life I had not
properly dealt with. ...
56
"While I am grateful for all the Lord has allowed me to do, I knew sometimes I
had let ministry be a substitute for God. I felt Him dealing with me to let go of
areas and delegate and release and spend more time with Him and with people
not just always in a pulpit. I had started that process much earlier with seeking
to place others in charge of the church and daily duties but still had not
relinquished the active roles.
"Then over the past few weeks I experienced congestive heart failure twice,
which forced the cancellation of our annual conference, and now I have been
told medically I am at the point of complete exhaustion while still dealing with
chronic congestive heart failure. After three nights in I C U and another twonight regular hospital stay along with several follow-up heart procedures and
this past week a Transient Ischemic Attack (minor stroke) and the adaptations
of all the medicines ... and the on-going recovery process and having been
admitted to bed rest, I am now forced to make some significant and important
changes immediately.
"Even though I have been feeling it and talking about it for a couple of years.
The next 90 days minimal will be intensive times of physical therapy and
monitoring both heart and neck arteries and avoiding the threat of another
heart attack or stroke. ... I am submitting to the precaution.
"As most of you know I wrote over a year ago about the need for many of us
to take a break, get counsel, seek a sabbatical or otherwise make changes. We
even held a January conference around that concept. I put a plan in place for a
sabbatical or even a succession plan. We discussed many of these subjects, but
I then returned quickly to the rigors of ministry. Now it is medically required
and physically necessary for me to adapt. ... The truth is however the need for
a real sabbatical is long over due. The effects of this mini-stroke and the
medicines along with the energy lost from the congestive heart failures keep
me very confused, often times unable to articulate my thoughts clearly and
then also all the physical limits and battles. I am thankful that they say all that
is temporary and will be over in time."
A friend in ministry, Sheryl Brady, tweeted a statement that read in part, "I
don't know how to put into words just how much the loss of my friend Bishop
David Huskins has impacted my heart. It's hard to explain the emptiness of
this moment. Please pray for his sons, his family, his church, his friends and all
those who had the privilege of doing life with him. ... He was a man with a true
COVENANT HEART."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0CjxrCDUhU
Pastor Commits Suicide After Impregnating Married Woman 4 Times
-Chezhira Mukobvu
August 2014
57
After being slapped with a civil lawsuit of $10,000 for allegedly impregnating
another mans wife in February this year, Reverend Menard Zvenyika was due
to appear before a disciplinary hearing of his church. However, Zvenyika
apparently couldnt face the further humiliation and possible excommunication
from the church, so he decided to end his own life by drinking poison,
according to reports.
Forty-two-year-old Chezhira Mukobvu, who had been married to Rosemary
Nyamukachi for 17 years, took Zvenyika to court earlier this year because he
believed that his wife had been impregnated while working for the allegedly
adulterous pastor. The 35-year-old woman had reportedly been employed as a
housemaid in the home of Zvenyika for about 5 years, during which time she
had allegedly been forced to terminate 3 pregnancies fathered by the reverend
before finally giving birth to a son.
Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna said on the telephone that he could
neither confirm nor deny the report about the adulterous relationship of
Zvenyika, because he was not in the office in the moment, according to New
Zimbabwe.com. However, the online newspaper did reach family members who
claimed that the reverend had died on his way to the clinic in Bikita after he
had swallowed poison at his home on Friday, August 22, 2014.
According to their source, the reverend had a lot of pressure mounting on him
because he was supposed to appear before a disciplinary hearing of the church
and the evidence against him was overwhelming. Mukobvu testified in court
that the adulterous relationship between his wife and Zvenyika had destroyed
their marriage and his wife was willing to testify in court as to the accuracy of
his statements. He claimed the reverend should compensate him for the
damage caused to his marriage and the intimate relations his wife had refused
him because of her affair with the reverend.
http://midrandreporter.co.za/124065/pastor-murders-other-pastors-thencommits-suicide/
http://www.zimbabwelatestnews.net/the-maid-who-was-impregnated-twiceby-the-pastor-before-he-committed-suicide-hasspoken/#sthash.w4cTcBNq.dpbs
The Maid who was impregnated twice by the Pastor before he
committed suicide has spoken
August 31, 2014
Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) Reverend Menard Zvenyika who
committed suicide over a week ago at Pamushana Mission in Bikita, could have
taken his life out of shame after being slapped with a three-year suspension
from the church over adultery charges.
58
The Standard learnt that Zvenyika had been ordered by the church leadership
to vacate his Pamushana church accommodation within three days after the
pronouncement of the suspension in Masvingo, a day before he took his life.
Zvenyika was suspended by the Churchs Moderature after being found guilty
of adultery with a married woman, Rosemary Nyamukachi, whose husband;
Chezhira Mukobvu had slapped the reverend with a US$10 000 lawsuit.
Sources said the late reverend had received news that the lawsuit had
succeeded and that he was in a quandary how to raise the money to pay
Mukobvu, a villager near Pamushana.
Zvenyika was also said to have been embroiled in a long-standing rivalry with
Pamushana headmaster Johnson Madhuku over the control and administration
of the school, particularly on financial matters. He was demanding to authorise
every expenditure by the school.
As if to confirm the assertion, Zvenyika died in Madhukus personal vehicle
after taking poison.
Zvenyika left a five-page suicide note in which he made damning allegations
against several people, including teachers at the Reformed Church-run mission
school, the churchs national leadership and various other people.
A Masvingo Magistrate Court was due to deliver judgement on the US$10 000
adultery lawsuit on the day he took his life. But informed sources told The
Standard, Zvenyika had been warned by his lawyers that his chances of
succeeding in the matter were slim.
He was very stressed following the suspension. He was ashamed to be
suspended and thrown out of the church property. On the other hand, his wife
was angry about his behaviour that would result in financial difficulties and
bring shame to the family, a source close to the developments told The
Standard.
At his burial in Mazare resettlement area, near Masvingo where he had a plot,
the situation almost went out of hand after the family read the five-page
suicide note in which he blamed several people for causing his death.
Some teachers from Pamushana High School who had attended the funeral but
were implicated in the letter had to flee for their lives after Zvenyikas relatives
had mobilised, baying for their blood.
Zvenyika accused Madhuku of misappropriating school funds but evidence to
support his claims could not be found despite the engagement of several
external auditors.
59
He also accused the church leadership of plotting his downfall for allegedly
resisting the advent of Pentecostalism in the church, among several other
issues.
But sources close to the developments said the allegations made against many
people in his suicide note could have been created simply to defend himself
and justify his suicide.
The truth is that Zvenyika simply could not face the world after the
suspension over his alleged adulterous relationship with his married
housemaid, said an elderly villager at Pamushana.
Nyamukachi is said to have furnished the court with evidence of money
deposited into her account by Zvenyika to coerce her to conceal the illicit affair
and to get her to agree to terminate two pregnancies.
The evidence included bank deposit slips of US$700, although she said the
reverend had promised to pay her US$3 000. Zvenyika is also reported to have
started building a house for Nyamukachi at her Bikita home to buy her silence
over the relationship.
Nyamukachi said she decided to expose him after he renegaded on his
promise. In an affidavit deposed with the police on April 23 2013, Nyamukachi
claimed that she started the s*xual relationship with Zvenyika around
December 2007.
I got pregnant in 2010 and 2011 and when I told him he replied that he risked
being fired by the church if this was to be known. One day he brought me
some liquid in a bottle and ordered me to drink it. I drank the liquid and it was
then that he told me that it was a concoction meant to induce abortion,
Nyamukachi said.
Before Zvenyika committed suicide, the issue of his alleged adulterous
relationship had become commonplace and church elders accused the RCZ
leadership of attempting to protect him by covering up the scandal.
Three weeks ago, the church sent another team to Pamushana to investigate
the matter and it is said the committee had found the pastor guilty, leading to
the verdict to suspend him for three years.
But his plight could have been compounded by the likelihood of a negative
court verdict in the adultery suit slapped upon him by Nyamukachis husband.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/54185/pastor-accused-of-sexual-abuse-attemptssuicide
Pastor accused of sexual abuse attempts suicide
2014-10-17
60
By Jude Samantha and Augustine Fernando

A Christian pastor, who had allegedly lured two under-aged girls into a church
saying that they should offer their virginity to God, and had sexually abused
them, had attempted to commit suicide when police officers went to arrest him
on Wednesday (15), the Chilaw Police said.
The suspect had been identified as a 30-year-old married man from the
Irattakulam area in Madampe. He had been serving as a clergyman at a church
in the Pambala area in Chilaw. One of the victims, who is now nineteen (19)
and resides in Nattandiya, had told police that the suspect had abused her first
inside the church when she was 15-years-old, and that she had been abused
by him on several occasions thereafter. The other girl had lodged a complaint
against the suspect, saying that she was abused when she was just 13-yearsold.
Police said that they had been informed that there had been more allegations
of sexual abuse made against the suspect by several other women as well but
no complaints had been lodged by them as yet.
While the suspect who was in a serious condition after consuming poison was
receiving treatment at the Chilaw Hospital the two girls who were alleged to
have been abused were subjected to a medical examination.
Further investigations by the Chilaw Police into the case were continuing.
http://www.naij.com/344280-pastor-commits-suicide-days-after-his-wifedies.html
Pastor Commits Suicide Days After His Wife Dies
Clement Ejiofor, 4 months ago
Ghanian pastor who could not overcome the death of his beloved wife ended
his life a week after she had passed away.
Kwabena Bonsu, who was Pastor in the Foursquare Gospel Church Ghana Life
Cathedral, killed himself exactly one week after his wife died of abdominal pain
of unknown origin. In a suicide note left by Mr. Bonsu he accused a former
roommate, Esther, of murdering him and his wife.
The suicide note supposedly written by the deceased reads: I Love My wife.
Esther killed us. Why Esther? No Peace For You. According to local media
reports, the pastor hung himself in his single room apartment on the evening
of Saturday, December 13, at Kosoa Chinese near Tuba junction in Accra.
His lifeless body was found around 6pm on that day. It was later gathered that
a certain Esther was living with the deceased couple but had to leave the place
over financial disagreement.
61
There are assumptions that the duo, who also had a 6-months-old baby, owed
Esther some reasonable amount of money and cant live with such a heavy
burden. The case is still under investigation, while police are searching for
Pastor Kwabena Bonsus fomer neighbour.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201501061159.html
Kenya: Pastor Commits Suicide Over Love Affair
By Robert Omollo
6 January 2015
A pastor in West Kodumo sublocation, Kabondo Kasipul constituency has
allegedly committed suicide in a love triangle puzzle.
The New Apostolic Church preacher Michael Oywaya, in his 40s, is said to have
had frequent domestic quarrels with his wife over his alleged involvement in an
extra-marital affairs.
Residents said Oywaya picked up a quarrel with his wife on Saturday before
hanging himself in the kitchen.
One of his daughters found the body and raised the alarm.
His body was taken to the Rachuonyo Level Four Hospital mortuary as police
launched investigation.
http://midrandreporter.co.za/124065/pastor-murders-other-pastorsthen-commits-suicide/
Pastor murders other pastors, commits suicide
EBONY PARK A pastor shot and killed two other pastors before turning the
gun on himself on 24 March in Ebony Park.
March 27, 2015
Ivory Park warrant Officer Neldah Sekgobela said the 69-year-old pastor
allegedly had a short quarrel with one of the deceased who is believed to be
his son-in-law. The three were believed to be pastors for different branches of
the church. It is alleged that the deceased invited the two victims to his house
to discuss something about the church before he left for Mpumalanga, for
personal reasons, said Sekgobela.
The deceased allegedly asked his son-in-law to come along with his wife, the
deceaseds daughter. While having a conversation, the deceaseds daughter
went into one of the bedrooms and a few moments later heard gunshots.She
62
went to the lounge where the men met and found her father holding a firearm.
One pastor was already dead and her husband begged her to run away before
he died. The witnesss father went into one of the bedrooms and shot himself.
He died instantly.
A case docket for two counts of murder and an inquest docket have been
opened at Ivory Park Police Station. Police are investigating the matter to find
out the motive of the killings.
63

Why Are So Many Pastors Committing Suicide?

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