In the weekend services at Berean Baptist Church in Minnesota, lead pastor Wes Feltner addressed the church in a pre-recorded video message (embedded below). He announced that he removed his name from consideration to be the new pastor at First Baptist Church Clarksville, Tennessee. He also stated that he is taking a leave of absence while Berean investigates allegations of his pastoral abuse. He mentioned the victims by name, Megan and JoAnna. I pulled out a few of his statements:
They organized to destroy my career and reputation.
My family and I are facing serious and withering attacks.
There’s a reason God has placed a call on my life to preach the gospel.
Feltner ends his message with an appeal to the message of “amazing grace.”
Megan and JoAnna have stated that this isn’t the first notice that Berean has been given of Feltner’s abusive behavior.
Around 2014: Berean Baptist Church, Burnsville, MN: Former Youth under Wes Feltner at First Southern Baptist Church spoke with the Executive Pastor at the time—it is unknown if any investigation was performed.
Listen below to Wes Feltner’s pre-recorded video message shown in the November 9-10 worship services at Berean Baptist Church.
Seventeen years ago, two teens approached a Southern Baptist church in Indiana with allegations that their youth pastor had used his position of authority to sexually abuse them. Now they’re speaking up. https://t.co/NmgKIov5OX— HuffPost Women (@HuffPostWomen) November 9, 2019
🙌 Thankful for the #PowerfulMessage in the sermon and #Apology this morning. God is working, seek Him first. Praying with @FBCT_Voice and for them. #ChurchToo @wartwatch @watchkeep @SNAPNetwork @russ_meek @SBCForSuchATime @SusanCodone @ChristaBrown777 @Truthinlight84 pic.twitter.com/PpClfyrnK4— Meg Frey (@mrsdafrey83) November 10, 2019
Parent Leader Shares Her Account of 2002 Abuse By Wes Feltner- “I have maintained my silence for 17 years. Today, I choose to speak out and join Megan and JoAnna to help put an end to pastoral abuse. Godspeed, ladies!” #churchtoo #sbctoo #caringwell https://t.co/jKiz2kTnFC— Amy Smith (@watchkeep) November 11, 2019