Jessica Eturralde

Savannah

TV Host. Investigative Journalist. Writes on Religious Freedom in Central Asia. | Military Wife. Boy Mom. Jesus Follower. Too many tabs open rn.

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Articles

South Africa Police Rescue Missionary Who was Kidnapped at Gunpoint

1 week ago | ministrywatch.com | Jessica Eturralde

A TN missionary to South Africa who was reportedly kidnapped and held for ransom has been safely recovered following a shootout that left three dead. On Thursday, April 10, as 45-year-old missionary Josh Sullivan stood in the pulpit of the Fellowship Baptist Church during a prayer meeting of about 30 attendees—including his wife, Meagan, and their six children. At least four masked men stormed into the church and kidnapped the pastor at gunpoint. The incident happened at around 7 p.m. local time.
FL Church Employee Charged With Embezzling Over $500K

1 week ago | ministrywatch.com | Jessica Eturralde

Florida police have charged a church financial secretary with bilking her church out of nearly half a million dollars. On April 11, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) arrested Melissa Ganey English (Rhoden), 44, for allegedly embezzling funds from Amelia Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach, where she worked. Court documents say English managed the church’s finances for about 11 years—the last five of which she reportedly embezzled.
WEEKLY REVIEW: Snapshot of Top Ministry Happenings From This Past Week

1 week ago | ministrywatch.com | Kim Roberts |Jessica Eturralde |Christina Darnell

Here at MinistryWatch, one of our goals is to equip donors with the information they need to make wise decisions with their giving. That’s why we manage our database, which rates more than 1,000 of the country’s largest ministries based on their financial efficiency, financial transparency, and their donor confidence score. Each week, we highlight ministries in our database that have had rating changes, plus a brief explanation about why it matters.
Sexual Abuse Allegations at Ohio Megachurch Prompt Scrutiny of Church Practices

2 weeks ago | ministrywatch.com | Jessica Eturralde

Faith Life Church, a megachurch in New Albany, Ohio, faces mounting scrutiny as a current abuse scandal prompts questions about past allegations to resurface. A recent string of sexual abuse allegations has an earlier financial investigation, and widespread criticism over its use of employee nondisclosure agreements (NDAs).
Gospel Star Marvin Sapp Responds to Backlash After Offering Clip Goes Viral

3 weeks ago | ministrywatch.com | Jessica Eturralde |Fiona Andre

Pastor and Grammy-nominated gospel artist Marvin Sapp is addressing criticism after a resurfaced video went viral on X showing him instructing ushers to “close the doors” while taking up a church offering. The clip, taken during the 109th Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Convention in July 2024, shows Sapp directing ushers to shut the doors as he called on 2,000 people to “plant a seed” of $20 to raise $40,000. “I said, ‘Close the doors,’” Sapp repeated. “Ushers, close the doors. Close the doors.
Pastor Gets Nearly 30 Years for Stabbing Family, Torching Home

3 weeks ago | ministrywatch.com | Jessica Eturralde

A Kansas City youth pastor has been sentenced to over 29 years in prison for stabbing his family and setting his home on fire. On Wednesday, March 26, a judge sentenced Matthew Lee Richards, 43, to 188 months for one count of attempted first-degree murder and 165 months for a second count. The sentences will run consecutively, totaling 353 months—or just over 29 years in prison. Both charges are classified as level 1 felonies, the most severe under Kansas law.
Jury Awards $124M to Sisters Who Claim Abuse From Pastor

3 weeks ago | ministrywatch.com | Jessica Eturralde

A jury says a Fort Worth pastor is liable for $124 million in damages in a sexual assault civil case—following a settlement that included giving the church property to his victims. In 2017, police arrested and indicted Jose Francisco Bernal for allegedly sexually assaulting two girls in his church’s youth department at Tabernaculo de Vida-Iglesia (Tabernacle of Life) Pentecostal Church.
WEEKLY REVIEW: Snapshot of Top Ministry Happenings From This Past Week

1 month ago | ministrywatch.com | Bob Smietana |Jessica Eturralde |Kim Roberts |Christina Darnell

Church Featured Ministry Watch News Weekly Review Steve Lawson breaks silence, Robert Morris indicted, plus database changes and ministries that joined ECFA Here at MinistryWatch, one of our goals is to equip donors with the information they need to make wise decisions with their giving.
Steve Lawson Breaks Silence

1 month ago | ministrywatch.com | Jessica Eturralde

After six months of silence, pastor and theologian Steven Lawson, 73, who stepped down from ministry following an adultery scandal, has published a public confession admitting his sin and repentance. On March 12, in his first tweet on X since before the scandal broke, Lawson addressed his followers in a nearly 500-word tweet disabled for comments. “It is with a shattered heart that I write this letter.
NJ Bishop Charged With Drugging, Sexual Assault of Minor

1 month ago | ministrywatch.com | Jessica Eturralde

Last month, police arrested Charles B. Brinson, 64, the bishop of Brinson Memorial Church in Trenton, New Jersey, on allegations of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy while the teen was unconscious. A local health center contacted Trenton police after the teen disclosed the assaults while receiving treatment, authorities said. According to authorities, the victim reported that on two separate occasions in January and February 2024, he was visiting Brinson’s home.