Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Pastor Matthew Jarrell commits suicide

MatthewJarrellPastor Matthew Jarrell was in jail facing charges that he committed a sexual assault when he killed himself. His death came as a shock to his church, as did the charges of sexual misconduct.
"I've been here for five years and I've never seen anybody -- never seen a woman in his office without his wife there," Parcel said.
Some people cannot handle the shame of being confronted with their own failures. I’m sure this Baptist pastor did not think he had any other way out of the mess he was in.
Jarrell was the pastor at Open Door Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas. The website reads:
Thank you for visiting and we covet your prayers during this difficult time.
We will update this site as more information is available. However, during this time, we will continue to serve the Lord as we have for the past 46 years.
Hope to see you Sunday,
The Entire Church Membership

Somehow I don’t think "The Entire Church Membership” wrote that note.

Jarrell hanged himself with a bed sheet. Why do people kill themselves? I’d fight for every last breath, even if I were in prison.

How does it work for a Baptist? If he kills himself in a state of sin can he enter heaven?

Jarrell was charged with sexual assault in 2007. The charges were based on actions that were un-pastor like.
The woman asked for a ride home, and Jarrell offered his truck. Jarrell stopped in a secluded area off Martins Branch Road and forced the woman to perform sexual acts, police said. The woman later escaped and called police, who arrested Jarrell Thursday morning.
Here is the thing – the church should have known about his arrest. Why was it that they did not know? Ignorance like this leads to young women being raped by wayward pastors.

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Thinkb4ujudge's avatar

Thinkb4ujudge · 724 weeks ago

Wow you really are ignorant. You really don't know anything about hard times in life, do you? Before you go being judgmental about everything first and foremost consider his family. He leaves behind a wife and four children who have done absolutely nothing wrong. I don't know- and neither do you- if this pastor really did rape this woman or not. Some reports say he confessed to that crime but in court confession is not proof of guilt. This woman just simply made a phone call accusing this pastor of raping her. Where was the DNA? No reports that I have read say anything about her going to a hospital. As far as your comment of "Why do people kill them self" goes the answer is lots of reasons. There are many people who have killed themselves in jail or prison and then proven later innocent. Just because he killed himself doesn't mean he raped this woman. And if you have never been through a situation like this don't you dare say you know what you would do. Don't say you would fight for every last breath- even if you were in prison because you don't know what you would actually do unless you were in that situation- which I hope, for your sake, that you never have been nor never will be. And also you saying the church not knowing of the arrest leads women to being raped by wayward pastors is one of the most ignorant and illogical things I've heard. The church had nothing to do with the pastor being arrested.
4 replies · active 651 weeks ago
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Unbeliveable's avatar

Unbeliveable · 724 weeks ago

One, I know everyone at the church did not know about the fires in Pa, 2003 Prositution and gun charge, about the sexual assault in 2007 bc he was "supposably" in the hospital, and certainly did not know he was going to bars. The fact is that no one knew this man for what he really was but only for what he pretended to be. He stood in the pulpit sunday after sunday preaching against the very things he was doing!! Yes he may have helped alot of people but does that override your crimes. This isnt an affair or a theft, these are horrible crimes, not mistakes! Does the church have some blame in this, heck yes! Someone hid this, whether it have been hidden for 4 yrs or one day, it was WRONG to hide such a thing from people who looked up to him. I know people loved and want to support his family but why is no one caring about these issues. No one is addressing these issues and want to just "go on." No, it doesnt need to be forgotten, it needs to be addressed cause the people hiding this information are wrong, or perhaps they have skeletons of their own to hide. People trust their kids to these people in camps, schools, and during activities. The congregation isnt too concerned about it but just what if it would have been their daughter. Would they be so forgiving then, I think not!
4 replies · active 574 weeks ago
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Forgiveness's avatar

Forgiveness · 724 weeks ago

I went to church w/ Matt and his family when I was younger. And none of this makes sense....none of it. The whole situtation is breaking his friends and families hearts. It was horrible to hear that he committed suicide....horrible. I can't imagine what he must have felt right before he took his life....can't even imagine. If he did the things he admitted to my heart goes out to his victims....noone has the right to do this to another human being. And only a court of law has the right to pass sentence/judgement on his actions, afterall this is America. That being said, he didn't need to take his own life....I believe in a God who forgives us of our sins....I believe in REDEMPTION. I Hate what he may have done....but, I LOVE him in Christ.
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DeLaura Press's avatar

DeLaura Press · 724 weeks ago

Pastor Jerrell is human, a child of God. It saddens my heart that some people are so quick to judge. Most importantly right now are his wife and children plus his parents if they are still living.
Please join me in prayer, Dear merciful Jesus, I humbly come to you today thanking you for all your many blessings. I can not praise your name enough, glory hallelujah, praise God, thank you Jesus, thank you my sweet Lord. I ask you today heavenly father to help the Jerrell family and let them remember the husband/father they knew and loved. I also ask you Lord to help heal all who have been hurt. You are the Master Physician and can heal all great or small. I ask these things in Jesus name, amen
CONTINUING TO KEEP THE FAITH!
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Disgusted in TX's avatar

Disgusted in TX · 724 weeks ago

I knew that man, I found he to be an arrogant, short tempered narcissist. I had family members who went to him for counseling. if they dared to disagree he went nuts, because quote "I'm a professional!, I'm specially trained!". He was also very proud of his Jack Hyles connection.
Do not forget about his 2003 charge in Maryland for soliciting prostitutes and handgun violations. It was after that when he moved to Texas. You can still pull that record up online. His home and church also burned down in PA,. An accelerant was used in the church while he was in other part of building.

There were also members of Open Door who knew about his 2007 charges. A few did not just find out, "3 weeks ago".

I already knew that with him and his fellow cronies, rules that they applied to others, did not apply to them. He pastored 2 churches for a while, Open Door and Miller Road, they eventually merged. Previous pastor Parks asked him if he wanted in, Jarrell did because it was Hyles old church. Jarrell then paid him 10 grand out of Miller Roads funds in a leveraged buyout And that is a fact, not a rumor. Parks liked prostitutes too, and also had slept with quite a few women at the church, including someone I knew very well. Parks wife caught them in the act in the building. Parks threatened others with bodily harm if they talked about it. It was all swept under the rug. Birds of a feather I suppose.
People are getting angry, and saying.. we want to move on, it's time to heal. When there is a deep festering wound, you do not just slap on a bandage and hope it gets better. You have to remove the rot underneath. It isn't going to go away. In fact those that were afraid of Jarrell, are not anymore, and may soon speak out.
I'm from here and know darn good and well that if someone had done their wife, sister, daughter.... any women in their family like he did, they would be sore tempted to go postal on him. I'm disgusted with the double standard. it's why I left church behind. I feel sorry for his family, and his congregation, because the caca is about to hit the fan.
1 reply · active 707 weeks ago
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Not a fool in Texas's avatar

Not a fool in Texas · 724 weeks ago

I was a longtime member at Open Door...I grew up under the most wonderful, Godly man Bro. Matthews. When Jarrell took over the church, I immediately could see right through his facade. But I gave him a chance because of Bro. Matthews. Shortly, after he arrived I needed to speak with him regarding an issue I was having in our Sunday School class. My husband waited in the car for me. I went to his new office and he said, "The secretary is down the hall, but I am going to leave the door open because that is how rumors and false allegations get started. It's not that I don't trust you, I don't even trust myself." I KNEW RIGHT THEN that there was something seriously off about this 'man of God'. We left the church shortly after. We could not take anymore of his arrogance and bullying. I don't take well to a Pastor intimidating his 'flock'.

The members of Open Door have had the wool pulled over their eyes and I feel sorry for them. Con artists pick Christians to take advantage of because they are so trusting and believe so easily. That is exactly what he was....a con artist.... a salesman...a fraud... and a phony. It is too bad that he was never able to be tried under the justice system so the 'truth' could come out fully. Rather he took his own life, to avoid a trial.

The members of Open Door are the Church and they need to rally to rid their Church of any bad seeds. Wake up and be a little discerning! In the real world, background checks are run to make sure a potential employee does not have criminal records. The Pastor is the Head of the Church but the Church members get to decide. The sad thing is, how many unsaved people saw this on the news and will now never trust in a Church or a Christian and not be saved. What a tragedy! What a domino effect this has had.
2 replies · active 653 weeks ago
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deleted8470268's avatar - Go to profile

deleted8470268 143p · 724 weeks ago

Maybe there is hope for the faithful ? Churches must protect the Women,and children of the flock. Seems the Shepard's besides Fleecing the sheep ,also like doing that other thing with the sheep !
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Disgusted in Texas's avatar

Disgusted in Texas · 724 weeks ago

I knew he was a sob, but the rabbit hole grows deeper! I'm glad he can no longer hurt others.
FROM ARTICLE: http://www.ydr.com/premium/ci_18161823

In his truck, they found two knives, a stun gun, leather gloves and a leather police badge holder with no badge inside. A gold, five-pointed-star badge was found under the steering wheel dash.

In another part of the truck, police found a video camera and several handcuff cases, along with a machete and a video screen.

In a later interview with police, the woman told them Jarrell had said "I'm going to hurt you" if she didn't do what he wanted.~END

I hope they are able to solve other crimes with his DNA.
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
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PBC NonGrad's avatar

PBC NonGrad · 722 weeks ago

OMG this is crazy! Isn't Evangelist Randy Taylor from Mesquite? Also Oliver Araiza? I think there are a lot of perverted leaders in the IFB movement. You know what they say, be sure your sins will find you out!
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VONI's avatar

VONI · 718 weeks ago

ALL U HATEFUL PEOPLE NEED TO GROW UP.....HOW DARE YA'LL CAST STONES AGAINST MY PASTOR...MAY THE STONES BE CAST ON TO U...NO ONE IS PERFECT... WE R ALL SINNERS N IF U THINK OTHER WISE THEN IMA PRAY FOR YA....YA'LL AINT NO ONE TO JUDGE....ONLY GOD CAN...
2 replies · active 653 weeks ago
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jjarrell21276's avatar - Go to profile

jjarrell21276 76p · 651 weeks ago

i'd like to take all of you who keep throwing his "extended family"into this and kindly ask you to remove your heads from your asses.i am a cousin of his,i grew up with him.was he in the wrong,yes.am i attempting to defend him?no. am i defending my family name though?you betcha.citing his "extended family" lumps EVERYONE who is related to him in there. i can tell you this, as far as i know,none of us knew anything about any of this.just remember,before you just start randomly tossing stones,be sure your aim(or in this case,the "fact" you are stating) are just that.i'm not hiding behind a pseudonym,or just a first name calling out "extended families".i'm simply stating don't lump all of us into this,as a jarrell,as a human,i have done many things wrong,but his extended family WAS NOT part of this.
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kevin's avatar

kevin · 406 weeks ago

how did you get this story wrong, the woman didn't escape she was murdered by him in a truck, she didn't ask him for a ride home she was a prostitute. How do you get such obvious facts wrong? Police may have even connected him to several missing persons in San Antonio as well, also prostitutes which he may have murdered

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