A charismatic Baptist denomination has canceled the slated appointment of a pastor to a state leadership position, after learning that the pastor raped a child 18 years ago.
The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International announced Saturday it will not install Timothy D. Price III as its Missouri overseer. Price, who currently pastors one of the oldest congregations in St. Louis, Missouri, was convicted in 2008 of raping a 12-year-old girl.
On Saturday, Presiding Bishop Joseph Warren Walker III confronted Price, who immediately resigned, according to a statement by Walker emailed to RR.
Walker confronted Price at noon Saturday and sent his public statement three hours later, the church told RR.
Price, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of St. Louis, remains listed on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Sex Offender Registry.
“It has come to the attention of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International that Dr. Timothy D. Price, III, a pastor within our Fellowship who was slated for appointment as Missouri State Director, was convicted of a sexual offense in 2008 and was a registered sex offender before he became affiliated with this Fellowship,” Walker said in his statement.
Walker said fellowship leaders did not previously know about Price’s history.
“The moment it came to my attention, I moved swiftly and personally to address it directly with Dr. Price,” he said. “There was no delay, and there will be none in how we respond.”
Walker said the organization has removed Price from leadership positions and responsibilities within the organization.
However, the fellowship said it has no authority over Price’s position at First Baptist Church of St. Louis.
“As to his position as Senior Pastor, that is a matter beyond the jurisdiction of Full Gospel as each church is autonomous and free to make its own decisions regarding its leadership,” the statement said.
First Baptist Church of St. Louis has not responded RR requesting comment about the fellowship’s decision.
Walker accepted responsibility for the fellowship’s failure to uncover Price’s record before the appointment.
“Let me be direct. The safety of children and the integrity of pastoral leadership are sacred, non-negotiable priorities of this Fellowship,” he said.
“When we fall short of that standard, as we did here, the responsibility rests with me as Presiding Bishop,” he added. “I do not shift that weight elsewhere, and I offer my sincere apology to our Fellowship, to the State of Missouri, and to every family who has trusted us with their leadership.”
Price will not be permitted to hold other jurisdictional or auxiliary positions in the organization.
“Dr. Price has offered his resignation from his appointed position as Overseer of the State of Missouri and that resignation has been accepted effective immediately,” the statement said.
“He will not be allowed to serve in any jurisdictional or auxiliary positions within the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship.”
Price’s St. Louis church previously defended Price when a Facebook page called “50 Years of Abuse at Willow Creek Community Church” questioned his leadership and raised concerns about his access to children.
“We respect sincere concerns regarding safety. However, an online search does not determine whether someone has accepted responsibility or expressed remorse,” a First Baptist representative wrote in the Facebook exchange.
The representative added: “Dr. Price does not hide his past, served his sentence, remains compliant and has lived without reoffending.”
First Baptist also said Price was not a pastor when the crime occurred and asserted he did not know the victim’s age until detectives informed him.
“We understand the seriousness of this matter and do not dismiss the harm associated with any offense involving a minor,” the church wrote.
The church said court-appointed professional evaluations concluded the crime was isolated and that Price did not require treatment or pose an ongoing threat.
“We do not excuse wrongdoing or compromise the safety of children,” First Baptist wrote. “At the same time, accountability should not become perpetual condemnation after a person has served his sentence and demonstrated lasting change.”
Price pleaded guilty in May 2008 to second-degree rape after being accused of sexual activity with a 12-year-old girl, according to contemporaneous reporting cited by RR.
He was 31 at the time and worked as music director at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Baltimore. After he was sentenced to seven years in prison during an emotional 75-minute hearing in August 2008, Price collapsed on the floor.
Price also addressed the victim’s relatives and friends.
“Every day, I’ve prayed for you. I’m not proud of what I have done. … I’m committed to making wiser decisions and better choices,” Price said.
Circuit Judge Robert B. Kershaw criticized Price’s statement as inadequate to the gravity of the crime.
“I’m troubled, quite frankly, by the statement by Mr. Price that he’s not proud of what he did but hopes to make wiser decisions. That doesn’t even come close to understanding” the gravity and nature of his crime, Kershaw said.
The fellowship said it is strengthening vetting and background screening at state, regional and international leadership levels following the Price appointment.
It also said it will institute ongoing accountability reviews for people serving in positions of trust.
Walker said the fellowship’s response reflects a distinction between redemption and eligibility for leadership.
“Redemption through Christ does not erase consequence, and grace exempts no one, myself included, from accountability,” Walker said.
He pledged “transparency, humility, and vigilance” as the fellowship revises its safeguards.
