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First Baptist Church (Hammond, Indiana)

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First Baptist Church, Hammond
Map
LocationHammond, Indiana
CountryUnited States
DenominationIndependent Baptist
Previous denominationAmerican Baptist
Websitefbchammond.com
History
FoundedNovember 24, 1887 (1887-11-24)
Founder(s)Allen Hill
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)John Wilkerson

The First Baptist Church of Hammond is an Independent Fundamental Baptist megachurch in Hammond, Indiana, a suburb of Chicago. It is the largest church in the state of Indiana, and in 2007 was the 20th largest in the United States.[1] Though founded in 1887 by Allen Hill, it was under Jack Hyles' leadership from 1959–2001 when it became one of the megachurches in the United States and during the 1970s, had the highest Sunday school attendance of any church in the world.[2] In 1990, the church had a weekly attendance of 20,000.[3] It also operates Hyles-Anderson College, a non-accredited institution established for the training of pastors and missionaries, and two K-12 schools, called 'City Baptist Schools' (for children of the bus route of the church) and 'Hammond Baptist Schools' (for children of the members of the church). John Wilkerson is the senior pastor at First Baptist Church.[4]

Leaders in the church have faced accusations, lawsuits, and convictions for sexual crimes over decades. These in include the Preying from the Pulpit expose in 1993 and the 2013 conviction in federal court of former pastor Jack Schaap of the sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl.

History

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First Baptist Church was founded in November 1887, by Allen Hill of Jennings County, Indiana.[5] Its first meeting was on November 14, 1887, with 12 members on the 28th. However, it originally met in the Morton House Hotel which stood on what is currently the 100 block of Willow Court. Allen Hill's pastorate was short lived at approximately 4 months.

By April 1888, B.P. Hewitt became the church's permanent pastor and Allen Hill went on to start several other churches. Needing more room, Hewitt moved the church's meeting place to the Hohman Opera House at the corner of State and Hohman. In 1889, the church erected its own structure for $2,358 when Marcus Towle, Hammond's first mayor and member of FBC, donated land on Sibley Street to the church.

Subsequently, on January 3, 1901, Pastor E.T. Carter proposed a new building, and the first service was held on April 14, 1901. On November 27 of that same year, Carter announced his resignation for a job at the Central Baptist Orphanage in Michigan.

During the early and mid 1970s the church's Sunday school used carnival-like entertainment along with free transportation by a fleet of over 200 buses to attract thousands of people from the Chicago Southland and northern Indiana. In 1975, the weekly attendance was at 14,000, with a peak of over 30,000 in March of that year. Time magazine described the church's claim of having the "world's largest Sunday school" as "rock solid for the U.S., if not the world."[2]

In January 2013, John Wilkerson became pastor of Hammond, following a January 13, 2013, service with a 94% of the 2,078 members' votes.[6] Wilkerson was previously connected to the church, notably Wilkerson graduated from Hyles-Anderson College in 1989, and his wife Linda graduated in 1990.[7]

Activities

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The church in 1889.

First Baptist Church has several outreach ministries, including Prepare Now Resources, Hyles-Anderson College (not accredited by any recognized accreditation body[8]), Fundamental Baptist Missions International, Hammond Baptist Schools, City Baptist Schools, Chicago Baptist Academy, Memory Lane Cemetery, Christian Womanhood Magazine, First Baptist Church Little League, Nursing Home Ministry, Sailor Ministry, Truck Driver's Ministry, Bus Ministry, Blind Ministry, Pathfinder Ministry (Educable Slow), Homeless Ministry, Rescue Mission, Public School Ministry, Inner City Chapel Ministry, and Deaf Ministry. The church also has several services in Spanish and some Asian languages.

Until 2011, First Baptist Church also hosts three national conferences. The first Pastors' School invites pastors, assistant pastors, Christian leaders, school administrators, and Christian laymen to a week of training and learning. Its Youth Conference is held in mid-July and is for the youth and teenagers of Christian churches nationally. The final conference of the year, held every October, was the Christian Womenhood Spectacular for Christian women of all ages. Currently First Baptist Church still hosts the three national conferences. The first widely known as "Servant's Conference", youth conference, and ladies conference. The Church also hosts youth camps and youth revivals.

48th Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the church in September 2011, when he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana.[9]

Every Memorial Day, the church and Hyles-Anderson College students and officials honor veterans of a particular conflict at Memorial Park. In 2008, the group honored those who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and in 2009, veterans of the Korean War were honored.[10]

Controversies

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In 1989, the paper The Biblical Evangelist published a story "The Saddest Story We Ever Published", accusing Jack Hyles of sexual scandals, financial misappropriation and doctrinal errors.[11] These charges were denied by Hyles who deemed them "lies".[12]

In 1991, a First Baptist Church of Hammond deacon, A.V. Ballenger, molested a 7-year-old girl in her Hammond Sunday school class.[13][14] During a Sunday school class "a church worker reportedly witnessed the act and removed the girl from the room, police said."[15] The Chicago Tribune in a 1991 article reported that Hyles was sued for $1 million by the parents of the girl.[15] The paper reported the "lawsuit claims Hyles and the church had not fulfilled their obligation to ensure that children were protected from harm during Sunday school."[15] Furthermore, the lawsuit "claims the minister told the child's parents that Ballenger 'just loved children,' and, 'You don't have a case.'"[15] The church settled the lawsuit out of court and the terms were not disclosed.[16] At the criminal trial, three young women testified deacon A.V. Ballenger "had fondled them years ago."[17] One of those girls testified that she was molested on the Hammond church bus.[18] A former security officer at the church testified he saw Ballenger fondle a young girl in 1978 or 1979 in a Sunday school room after being called to the room by a female teacher.[18] In 1993, Ballenger was sentenced to five years in prison.[19][20]

In 1993, WJBK aired Preying from the Pulpit, a news series, examined "allegations of child molesting, abuse and sex scandals in several churches across the nation appear to be part of a pattern of such scandals among churches affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Hammond."[21] It examined fresh claims of sex abuse in five different fundamentalist churches where church workers who molested children were traced back to Hyles-Anderson College.[22][23][24] Besides the abuse, the program examined Hyles' teaching, including a 1990 sermon where "Hyles pretended to pour poison into a glass and asked an associate pastor, Johnny Colsten, to drink from it. Colsten said he would."[25] The report "said the sermon has the 'ring of Jonestown' to it—the mass suicide in Guyana in 1978 by followers of cult leader Jim Jones."[25] Hyles called the program "poor journalism" and organized a national campaign to respond.[26] The Times of Northwest Indiana also condemned WJBK's series, calling it "highly irresponsible" and "a monstrous overreach".[27]

In 1997, Hyles and the First Baptist Church of Hammond were sued "for negligence in connection with alleged sexual assaults on a mentally disabled church member over a six-year period"[28] The lawyer for the woman, Vernon Petri, "says Hyles is a defendant because he failed to protect the woman", such that "controls have to be set to be sure things are conducted appropriately."[28] However, Christianity Today pointed out that no criminal charges were ever filed in the case. Also, Hyles denied the allegations that either he or his church were negligent in the care of the woman in an October 12 advertisement in the Hammond Times.[28] According to the lawyer, "a church program instructor led her to a room and served as a lookout while two to three males raped her."[29] The women developed a "serious" infection and doctors "found, embedded in her, a plastic object."[29] The "civil suit filed in Lake Superior Court in Gary claims the Chicago woman was "induced by agents" of the church in 1991 to ride a bus to attend Sunday."[29] The women and church settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum.[30]

After Hyles' death in 2001, Jack Schaap, Hyles' son-in-law, succeeded as pastor. Schaap's sermons were controversial.[31] On July 31, 2012, Schaap was fired "due to a sin that has caused him to forfeit his right to be our pastor".[32][33][34] Schaap reportedly admitted to deacons of the church that he had an adulterous affair with the young woman, who was 16 years old at the time.[35][36] Since 16 is the age of consent in Indiana,[37] sex with the girl would not have constituted statutory rape. The case was turned over to the Lake County Sheriff's Department (Indiana) for investigation.[38]

In September 2012, Schaap was charged in a U.S. District Court for taking a minor across state lines to have sex with her (the Mann Act) and pleaded guilty.[39][40][41][42]

In October, nearly a quarter of the Hammond church staff were laid off.[30] An article in the January 2013 issue of Chicago magazine about First Baptist Church stated, "A string of assaults and sexual crimes committed by pastors across the country have one thing in common: The perpetrators have ties to the megachurch in Hammond, Indiana."[30]

In January 2013, Schaap asked the court for the minimum 10-year sentence, claiming he was under great stress, exhausted and depressed at the time of the relationship.[43] In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors revealed that Schaap "groomed" the girl, including kissing the victim during counseling and had sex with her in his office.[44] In March 2013, Schaap was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for having sex with an underage girl.[45]

On May 4, 2022, Schaap was given an early release from incarceration.[46]

In 2023, Joseph Eyer a former deacon, was sentenced to 2 and a half years for molesting a teenage boy over several years in Gary, Indiana. [47]

References

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  1. ^ "100 Largest U.S. Churches" (PDF). Outreach Magazine. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ a b Time magazine, "Superchurch", 1 December 1975, retrieved 7 August 2008
  3. ^ Dart, John (October 12, 1990). "25 of 100 Largest Congregations Are in California". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
  4. ^ "Staff | First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana". Archived from the original on 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  5. ^ Bill Dolan, Hammond Baptist church rests its faith in God, not any man, nwitimes.com, USA, July 31, 2012
  6. ^ "John Wilkerson to Replace Jack Schaap as First Baptist Hammond's Pastor". Christian Post. January 16, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
  7. ^ "John Wilkerson, our New Pastor". First Baptist Church. 2013. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved Jan 28, 2013.
  8. ^ Allen, Bob (2012-08-02). "Police investigate IFB pastor". Associated Baptist Press/News. Archived from the original on 2013-05-11. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  9. ^ FBC Music Videos (2011-09-11), Memorial Speech - Congressman Mike Pence, archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2017-12-24
  10. ^ Wilds, Mary (May 26, 2009). "Korean War vets awarded medals at Memorial Park". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
  11. ^ "The Saddest Story We Ever Published". The Biblical Evangelist. 1989. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  12. ^ Hirsley, Michael (28 May 1989). "Charges All Lies, Hammond Pastor Says". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  13. ^ "Jack Schaap, Pastor, Fired From Megachurch For Committing 'A Sin'". Huffington Post. 2012-08-01. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  14. ^ Lehmann, Daniel J. "Pastor Linked to Sex Abuse Lashes Out," Chicago Sun-Times, June 2, 1993. pg. 5
  15. ^ a b c d "Church leaders sued in sex-abuse case," Chicago Tribune, October 16, 1991.
  16. ^ "A civil suit filed against Ballenger and the church by the girl's family was settled almost two years ago." from Beeler, Amanda (March 31, 1996). "One step closer to the end". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  17. ^ "Ballenger: I'm innocent. First Baptist Church deacon to be". The Times of Northwest Indiana. June 6, 1996. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  18. ^ a b "Niece: 'Deacon fondled me'. More accuse Ballenger of". The Times of Northwest Indiana. June 25, 1996. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  19. ^ "Deacon gets 5-year sentence. Judge issues decision in". The Times of Northwest Indiana. July 3, 1993. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  20. ^ "Appeals court upholds molesting conviction of Hammond". The Times of Northwest Indiana. March 24, 1996. Archived from the original on 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  21. ^ "Detroit station probes abuse, church link". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 17, 1993. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  22. ^ "Pastor Linked to Sex Abuse Lashes Out," Chicago Sun-Times, June 2, 1993.
  23. ^ "Preacher has links to molest suspects." The San Diego Union San Diego, Calif.: May 17, 1993. p. A.7
  24. ^ "Detroit station probes abuse, church link". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 17, 1993. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  25. ^ a b Gruszecki, Debra (May 28, 1993). "Hyles: I'm no dictator. First Baptist leader defends". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  26. ^ "Hyles calls for national campaign to counter media". The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 20, 1993. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  27. ^ "Baptism by innuendo", The Times of Northwest Indiana. May 19, 1993. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  28. ^ a b c "Baptist Megachurch Faces Sex Suit". Christianity Today. 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-05-01. Retrieved 2006-05-01.
  29. ^ a b c Debra Gruszecki. Suit claims rape at church Northwest Indiana Times October 4, 1997
  30. ^ a b c Smith, Bryan (January 2013). "Let Us Prey: Big Trouble at First Baptist Church'". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
  31. ^ "Let Us Prey: Big Trouble at First Baptist Church".
  32. ^ "(Press Release) First Baptist Church Pastor Dismissed". First Baptist Church of Hammond. 2012-07-31. Archived from the original on 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  33. ^ "Hammond Pastor Dismissed For 'Improper Relationship With Young Woman'". CBS Chicago/WBBM Newsradio. 2012-07-31. Archived from the original on 2012-08-04. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  34. ^ Carlson, Carole (2012-07-31). "Pastor of Hammond mega church fired for 'sin'". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 2012-08-03. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  35. ^ Black, Lisa (2012-08-01). "Hammond church on fired pastor: 'We trusted that man'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-08-03. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  36. ^ Wisniewski, Mary; Johnston, Cynthia (2012-08-02). "Ex-pastor of Indiana church investigated for sex with teen". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2012-08-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  37. ^ Stanglin, Douglas (2012-08-02). "Ind. megachurch pastor fired over 'a sin' with teenage girl". USA Today. Archived from the original on 2012-08-05.
  38. ^ Zaimov, Stoyan (2012-08-01). "Jack Schaap Fired From First Baptist Hammond Church Reportedly for Adultery". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 2012-08-03. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  39. ^ "Former Indiana pastor charged, signs federal plea deal in relationship with teen". Chicago Tribune. 2012-08-01. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  40. ^ "Jack Schaap Confesses To Sexual Relationship With Teen After Firing From Megachurch". The Huffington Post. August 2, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  41. ^ "Jack Schaap Pleads Guilty in Teen Sex Case, Denies Knowing Act Was Crime". Christian Post. 2012-08-27. Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  42. ^ "Oh, Mann! Pastor says he was unaware of curious law". Chicago Tribune. August 27, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  43. ^ "Ex-Indiana megachurch pastor seeks minimum sentence in underage-sex case". The News-Sentinel. Fort Wayne, Indiana. Associated Press. January 5, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
  44. ^ Smith, Bryan (March 18, 2013). "The Five Most Revolting Details from the Evidence in the Jack Schaap Case". Chicago Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  45. ^ Smith, Bryan (March 20, 2013). "Jack Schaap Will Serve 12 Years for Sex with a Minor". Chicago Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-03-22. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
  46. ^ Colias-Pete, Meredith (May 16, 2022). "Former Hammond Megachurch Pastor Released From Prison". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  47. ^ Rosen, Caitlyn (June 23, 2023). "Merrillville man sentenced to 2 and a half years for molesting a 14-year-old". The Times. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
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