Another Baptist pastor, Terry VanHoutan, was arrested for sexual abuse, and get this, he has a 2001 conviction for indecent exposure. I wonder if his church conducted a background check before licensing him as a pastor?
For several years VanHoutan has been involved with First Baptist Church in Bettendorf. TV6 contacted the head deacon there. He says VanHoutan was licensed as a minister through the church, but was not an employee of the church or pastor of the congregation. VaHoutan was the leader of an adult ministry there, called Celebrate Recovery, for several years until his arrest. The group of 30-40 adults used the church facilities and met there weekly.
At least the press reports do not name children.
Technorati Tags: Baptist,Clergy Sexual Abuse
