In response to our inquiries, the communications team for the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office released this statement to 13News Now: The conclusion of a case by order of nolle prosequi does not have the same legal effect as a not guilty finding. christiane: please be aware that for many years, Rock Church on Kempsville Rd. This exoneration comes after nearly 11 months of delays and continuances. I think the size of the sanctuary was big enough to accommodate large numbers of attendees, and the location certainly is also a factor in choosing. I figured more time would be needed, but wondering if I had missed something. In a promotional video for the company, Blanchard tells pastors and church leaders I believe that the blessing that the Lord has given us at our church can be a blessing to you, explaining that his own search for high definition LCD screens to use during services had been stymied by outrageous and exorbitant prices. . According to the Info/About section of the website for Rock Church: OUR PASTORS Access to MinistryWatch content is free. Gimenez, Robin Blanchards mother, co-founded the church and was its senior pastor from 1999 until the Blanchards took that role in 2013. Just like that one abusive pastor who made sure he was a police chaplain (i.e. But these are CHRISTIANS. Other prohibitions include alcohol and tobacco use. Although everyone must address their own convictions and consequences, our assignment as believers is not to condemn, but to be agents of Gods love, healing, justice, and reconciliation. Despite once expressing no objection to sealing records pertaining to a child sex solicitation charge against Rock Church International Pastor John Blanchard, the Chesterfield County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office in Virginia now opposes that idea as a special prosecutor considers whether the case should be reopened amid a cloud of controversy. John Blanchard at this time," the post said. Set in as the lead pastors in October 2013, John & Robin received their ministerial training while serving under Bishops John & Anne Gimenez for over twenty years in full time ministry. John Blanchard is among 17 men accused of solicitation of prostitution after an online sting operation by law enforcement. Charges dismissed for Rock Church pastor, but what happened to the other men arrested in the same case? Attorney William R. Blaine, Jr. was named earlier this month as the special prosecutor to review the case. When you have crazy faith sometimes it makes you do crazy things, Blanchard said. REV. All that is being said are allegations at this point. Play Video. On the Rock Church website, Blanchard is described as having grown up an atheist with a dysfunctional childhood, adding, Johns heart is to reach a generation with a message of hope through the healing and delivering power of Jesus Christ., There is one business named Zion Solutions that is incorporated in Virginia, and state records do not list Blanchard as a company official. Rock Church is committed to honesty and integrity in dealing with charges or accusations of sexual misconduct or immorality among its leaders and will support any investigation arising from accusations of violation of this standard among its staff and leaders in an effort to find the truth and to protect its members, church families and their children, at all times, the statement continued. so that might also be WHY slain police funerals were held at that location. Davenport did not provide those explanations during her announcement to the press Thursday and walked away from reporters without taking questions. In the documents, investigators say they posed as a 17-year-old girl online for prostitution and received a message from Blanchard. RELATED: Charges dropped against John Blanchard, Virginia Beach pastor accused of trying to solicit a minor, In the messages with the undercover detectives, Blanchard agreed to meet at a place by the Chesterfield Mall, but first, he asked the person: "Are you affiliated with law enforcement in any way?". Blanchard was one of 17 men arrested on Oct. 29, 2021, for solicitation of prostitution from a minor.. After agreeing to meet with a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl, the pastor was arrested and then released on bond. She explained she preferred not to describe her assault in detail for the sake of her teenage daughter. Education. Sellers took another job around 2013 but continued to attend the church, completing a training program for church lay leaders and becoming deacon in charge of Rock Churchs ministry to single women. Virginia Church Urges Believers Not To Condemn As Pastor Arrested in Sex Sting Op Steps Away From Duties Again: Scandal-Plagued Virginia Pastor Returns to Pulpit, Threatening Legal Action. In a statement posted Wednesday, the church asked believers not to condemn., Under the guidance of our legal counsel, We cannot make a statement or comment concerning the accusations against Rev. His wife was there in court, Sellers said, referring to her December 2018 hearing. Hes Out, Hes In, Hes Out, and Hes In As He Deals With Allegations of Soliciting Sex From a Minor. You work for us," Franssen said. Sunk cost fallacy Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Some of the cases had sufficient evidence to support felony convictions, and some did not. Will check in weekly w/ bondsman.. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! On the steps of the county courthouse, Davenport read a brief statement to reporters announcing new evidence against John Blanchard has come to light in the past 48 hours. At that persons request, Sellers agreed to meet in person with John Blanchards wife and mother-in-law, but the meeting never took place. When Blanchard arrived at the location, that's when detectives say they arrested him for soliciting a minor for prostitution. After setting up a place to meet in person, police arrested all of them on October 29, including Blanchard, 51. According to The Meryhew Law Group, a psychosexual evaluation is "a very effective tool" for helping those accused in cases of sexual misconduct. Except Blanchard would have been watching Hawt Lezbo Action a common theme in Straight Male Porn. Anderson referred us to comments he has already made to other media outlets and on his Facebook page. Today I decided to check out Rock Church International because the pastor has been in the news recently. On Nov. 1, Rock Church International announced in a since-deleted Facebook post that Blanchard would be stepping down from pastoral duties during legal proceedings. The two parties "agreed to disagree" about the decision. CBS 6 then went into Davenport's office to ask follow-up questions, but Davenport refused to speak further. the charges against Blanchard were withdrawn, or nolle prosequi, ahead of a criminal trial in October. Blanchard was one of 17 people arrested in Chesterfield County . However, she said she's worried about the working relationship between Katz and Davenport and if it could impact their efforts to keep Chesterfield as safe as possible. The incoming message from Blanchard did not answer that question but instead asked for more details about the meet-up location. Look at the bright side, at least there was no pool boy. Prosecutors recently set those charges aside. In the video she says he was found not guilty, which is the legal definition of acquitted. That said, she shows her copies of the police report, and I did a cursory search on the VA Course Cases website (https://www.vacourts.gov/caseinfo/home.html) for cases involving John Blanchard in Virginia Beach, and did not find anything. Blanchard was . Prayer Requests Hobbs added he believes the woman alleging sexual assault. It was inappropriate. He first appeared at the pulpit armed with a shofar he said he found in the host pastors office. Charges accusing Rock Church International Pastor John Blanchard of arranging to meet a person he thought was a teenage girl for sex in a motel room were dismissed Tuesday at the request of prosecutors, according to the Chesterfield County court clerk's office. The outpouring of love has been overwhelming and we appreciate all of those who have reached out to be an encouragement to us! We need to report sin wherever we see it and bring to justice illegal acts as these. Here is the statement on the homepage. Nancy2(aka Kevlar): Legalities aside, he has proven himself, beyond any reasonable doubt, that he is unfit to hold any office in a church pastor, deacon, elder, bishop, or anything else! Perhaps then the truth will come out. This postponement would go on several more times. He has spent the time in fasting and prayer and has invested much of his time in his family and education. There . Walking in the Spirit instead of the Flesh and all that. Like Douggie ESQUIRE of Vision Forum doing his Commanders Handmaid? So, if the statement on the front of the church website is not enough for the inquiring visitor, perhaps we need to add more context. oh my goodness, what a mess. If so, why was he in the hotel? Maybe there enough evidence to convict this guy in a court of law, maybe there isnt. I cant seem to able to locate updated information. My dad was a pastor. Rock Church - John Blanchard - Defeating Leviathan. John Blanchard returned to the . The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more. https://julieroys.com/scandal-plagued-virginia-pastor-returns-threatens-legal-action/. Davenport eventually agreed to have a special prosecutor appointed to review the case after public backlash and the receipt of new information. Gimenez remains the churchs bishop. Christian college asks Supreme Court to stop Biden's trans dorm directive, M.I.A. You can read more about the church's response here. The "minor" was an undercover detective posing as a 17-year-old sex worker as part of a prostitution operation, police said. The married father of two was charged with solicitation of prostitution of a minor and use of a vehicle to promote prostitution, both felonies. She said knew she knew it was wrong done with and yet somehow she found herself at his house. Blanchard, the pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach, was arrested and charged for solicitation of prostitution in Chesterfield County in 2021. Certainly. I cant seem to able to locate updated information. God will hold them personally accountable if they dont. You can read more about his first court appearance here. Rock Church expects pastor John Blanchard to resume church duties after charges withdrawn. Sellers said that after she pushed for accountability for Blanchard, she lost the support of her church. I do not view this case, as one of a non-white pastor. Thankfully, there was a nolle prosequel, which means the charges could be brought against Blanchard again. Travel 11-16 to 18 to Atlanta. As followers of Christ, we must remember that redemption, salvation, grace, mercy and healing are all gifts given to the children of God. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) Virginia Beach pastor John Blanchard is stepping back from his lead pastoral duties at Rock Church International, according to a statement from the church. in central to three cities: And yes, no church is better than an apostate one. I was so nave that I didnt even realize, until after replaying it to a friend and talking to an attorney, what had actually happened, Sellers said. He wants to look into this more carefully and determine why the charges were dropped. Rock Church International Pastor John Blanchard is seeking to have prostitution-related charges filed against him in 2021 expunged from his record, online court records show. This apostolic ministry is committed to equipping people from the cradle to the grave to fulfill the purpose of God. Chesterfield County Police arrested Rock Church Pastor, John Blanchard, in October 2021 on prostitution charges. By now this sound familiar. 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