Leonardo Blair

Latest

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  Aug 18, 2022

  Church sells prime real estate worth $1.2M for ‘$10 and other good and valuable considerations’

  Leaders of the historic First Baptist Fort Lauderdale church in Florida have been accused of discreetly selling a prime piece of the church’s property in downtown Fort Lauderdale worth more than $1.2 million for just “$10 and other good and valuable considerations” to a New York City-based global real estate development and investment firm.

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  Aug 17, 2022

  Pastor apologizes after cursing 'broke' congregation for not buying him luxury watch

  A Missouri pastor has apologized after a video clip in which he threw a spiritualized tantrum from the pulpit and called his congregation "broke, busted and disgusted" and "cheap sons and daughters" for not "honoring" him with a watch from the luxury brand Movado went viral. 

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  Aug 16, 2022

  Pastor calls for end to gun violence after second son is shot dead

  A Louisiana pastor is calling for an end to gun violence in her neighborhood days after she lost a second son in a fatal shooting that occurred near her home and her church. 

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  Aug 16, 2022

  Pastor Tavner Smith confirms Venue Church is in foreclosure, says his first reaction was fear

  Pastor Tavner Smith of the once-popular Venue Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has confirmed that the $4.86 million property where his congregation gathers for worship each Sunday is in foreclosure, saying he was initially scared when he saw the notice from the bank.

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  Aug 15, 2022

  Hillsong Church allegedly made 'large cash gifts' to founder Brian Houston, family: lawsuit

  Though Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston boasted about his denomination’s “record of excellence in financial accountability globally and an unwavering commitment to financial integrity” just over a year ago,  a new lawsuit filed by a suspended employee alleges the megachurch misappropriated donations and gave "large cash gifts" to Houston, his family and other church leaders.

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  Aug 1, 2022

  Digital religion makes faith experience richer for millennial believers, study finds

  For religious millennials — a generation with one of the lowest rates of participation in organized in-person religious activities in North America — engaging with digital religion has made their faith experience richer, while some who don't go to church have found religion in digital spaces, a new study suggests. 

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  Jul 29, 2022

  Brooklyn pastor robbed of jewelry being sued for allegedly scamming parishioner of life savings

  Bishop Lamor Whitehead of  Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries in Brooklyn, who claims he and his congregation lost jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of dollars during a livestreamed robbery at his church on Sunday, allegedly scammed one of his parishioners of her life savings, which he's accused of using to purchase a $4.4 million mansion in New Jersey, according to a lawsuit filed in the Brooklyn Supreme Court.

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  Jul 28, 2022

  15-year-old boy fatally shoots self, 3 siblings in Alaska; parents not home at the time

  A 15-year-old boy fatally shot himself and three of his multiple siblings after they were left at home alone Alaska State Troopers reported Wednesday.

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  Jul 27, 2022

  Pastor Ted Haggard accused of inappropriate male touching and drug use in new ministry

  Former National Association of Evangelicals President Ted Haggard, who faced a sex scandal in 2006, has been accused of inappropriately touching at least two young men and illicit drug use during his new ministry.

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  Jul 27, 2022

  Fellowship Baptist Church removes JD Hall from membership, says wife did not want abuse reported

  Fellowship Baptist Church in Sidney, Montana removed its former pastor, Jordan Daniel "J.D." Hall, from membership due to a failure to show repentance amid allegations of drug addiction and physical abuse.