All articles tagged with #pastor
British pastor Cheryl Bartley was charged with gross negligence manslaughter after 61-year-old Robert Smith drowned during a backyard baptism at a private Birmingham home; the incident, reportedly livestreamed on Facebook, occurred in Oct. 2023 and Bartley is due in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on May 14 as the case continues.
Christina Ennen, Senior Pastor at Gulf Shores 1st Presbyterian Church, died December 30, 2025 at University Hospital in Mobile, Alabama. Born March 24, 1974 in Decatur, Illinois, she pursued ministry after high school, led church and community initiatives, and is survived by her husband Mike Ennen and two children, Anne Sturm and Ty Ennen. A memorial service with visitation is planned February 7 at The Bridge in Greenville, Illinois (visitation at 1:00 p.m., service at 2:00 p.m.).
A South Carolina pastor, John-Paul Miller, was indicted on federal charges of cyberstalking and making false statements related to his wife Mica Miller's death by suicide in 2024, with allegations including posting her nude photo online and harassing her over a period of time. The case highlights serious issues of domestic abuse and cyber harassment, with Miller scheduled for arraignment in January 2026.
U.S. Marshals arrested Pastor Joseph Lyle Campbell in Missouri, who is accused of sexually abusing underage girls over a period of more than 40 years, involving multiple victims and multiple church affiliations.
A Maryland pastor and father of three, Daniel Fuentes Espinal, who overstayed his visa by 24 years after fleeing Honduras, was detained by ICE and is awaiting a court hearing. His family and community are advocating for his release, highlighting his contributions and the bureaucratic challenges he faced in obtaining legal residency. The case has drawn criticism from local lawmakers and community members, emphasizing concerns over immigration enforcement practices.
A Honduran-born Maryland pastor, Daniel Fuentes Espinal, who overstayed his visa by 24 years, was detained by ICE and is awaiting a court hearing, sparking community protests and calls for his release amid broader immigration enforcement concerns.
In Antioch, California, Pastor Nick Neves, who is trained in mixed martial arts, successfully subdued an axe-wielding vandal attempting to break into the First Family Church on Thanksgiving morning. Neves used his martial arts skills to wrestle the suspect to the ground and hold him until police arrived, without causing significant harm. The suspect was arrested, and Neves was unharmed. The incident occurred shortly after the church had completed a community project to help those in need.
Pastor Nick Neves of First Family Church in Antioch, California, used his martial arts training to thwart a burglary attempt on Thanksgiving. After responding to an alarm, Neves found a man who had broken into the church with an axe. Neves restrained the suspect using Brazilian jiu-jitsu until police arrived. The suspect, who caused significant damage, was arrested and faces multiple charges. Neves expressed no animosity towards the burglar, hoping the incident might lead to personal reflection and change.
A pastor in Antioch, trained in martial arts, successfully subdued an axe-wielding burglar who broke into his church on Thanksgiving. Pastor Nick Neves used his skills in jujitsu and kickboxing to wrestle the intruder in the church parking lot until police arrived. The church, known for its charitable work, had recently provided groceries to 130 families, highlighting the irony of the attempted theft. Neves expressed hope that the burglar would choose a better path in the future.
A pastor trained in martial arts thwarted a burglary attempt at his Antioch church on Thanksgiving by wrestling the axe-wielding intruder until police arrived. Pastor Nick Neves, who has a background in jujitsu and kickboxing, managed to subdue the burglar without causing harm. The church, known for its charitable work, had recently provided groceries to 130 families, highlighting the irony of the attempted theft. Neves expressed hope that the intruder would choose a better path in the future.
Reverend Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, a beloved Los Angeles pastor, civil rights leader, and community activist, passed away at 94. He served as pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles for 27 years, growing the congregation from 250 to 18,000 members. After retiring, he joined USC's faculty and established the Passing the Mantle program, leaving behind a legacy of service, community engagement, and spiritual leadership.
A pastor in California has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for allegedly paying hit men nearly $40,000 to shoot his daughter's boyfriend in a murder-for-hire plot. The pastor, Samuel Pasillas, and another man, Juan Manuel Cebreros, were arrested as part of the investigation. The victim was shot multiple times in October 2023 and the police later uncovered evidence that Pasillas met with the hit men, paid them, and provided information on the boyfriend's whereabouts. Both suspects have pleaded not guilty, and the investigation is ongoing.
A California pastor, Samuel Pasillas, has been accused of paying nearly $40,000 for hit men to shoot his daughter's boyfriend, resulting in an attack that wounded but did not kill the victim. Pasillas and another man, Juan Manuel Cebreros, were arrested on charges related to the murder-for-hire investigation. The incident took place in Riverside, California, and both men are being held on a $1 million bond.
California pastor Samuel Pasillas was arrested for allegedly paying hitmen nearly $40,000 in a murder-for-hire plot against his daughter's boyfriend. The victim was shot multiple times while driving in Riverside in October 2023 and survived. Pasillas, a pastor at a Spanish-speaking church, pleaded not guilty to charges including solicitation for murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Another man, Juan Manuel Cebreros, believed to be one of the gunmen, was also arrested and charged. The motive for the plot remains unclear, but authorities suggest it could be related to Pasillas' religious beliefs.
A Victorville pastor allegedly hired hitmen to kill the man dating his daughter, paying them almost $40,000. The victim survived a drive-by shooting in Riverside and the plot was uncovered by investigators. The pastor and one of the alleged hitmen have been arrested and pleaded not guilty, while another suspect is being sought.