Baptist youth pastor Joshua Hugh Finney turned himself in to authorities after a young female alleged that Finney engaged in sexual intercourse with her when she was 15.
Finney turned himself in earlier on Tuesday and is currently in the detention center awaiting a bond hearing.
First Baptist Church Conestee is located near Donaldson Center about a mile south of Conestee Dam.
Source: Youth Pastor at Conestee Church Charged With Sexual Misconduct
It’s a family run church – Tony Finney is listed as the pastor on the unofficial website.
I’m thinking Joshua Finney is not going to lose his job over this.
Update 5/30/2012 – Finney was booked on two charges. Lewd act: committed on a minor under the age of 16 and Criminal sexual conduct with a minor
Update 5/30/2012 – Anonymous comment assert that Joshua Hugh Finney was fired by his pastor father. There is no evidence available to support this assertion.
25 comments:
I am thinking you need to get your facts straight. He was already removed from the youth pastor position. So maybe before you start making comments on something you know absolutely nothing about, get your facts correct.
That's exactly right. He was removed a long time ago. Let him who has no sin cast the first stone. But for the grace of God there go I.
Yes, he was removed a while back. I know this Pastor and I'm sure his heart is broken. I also know this church ( I don't go there) and I know they will pull together to help his wife, kids, the pastor, and Josh is he wants it. Tony Finney is a good man and great pastor which was shown by him removing his own son from that position.
Wow - the same person posted three times as if they were three different people. Who would do that?
There you go again making assumptions. I posted the first comment. I can tell you without a doubt I did not post the other comments. All you know is what you have heard from the media. As I said before you have absolutely no idea what you are saying. That was just made clear by your comment.
Many lives have been damaged by one young man's actions. His own, the young lady in question, his parents, his wife, his children and the church family that loves them all.
It is so sad. He knew better, he was taught better, yet he gave in to sin.
I feel sorry for his family, I feel sorry for the young lady, I even feel sorry for him, he had a good job, a good family, people who loved and supported him.
I pray he will straighten his life out. I pray the young girl will be able to move on and not let this have more negative impact than it already has.
I pray for his family, their hearts are breaking! Yes, I know the people involved, I don't go to their church and I've never posted on this site before.
But after reading this, and knowing that he not only was removed from his position, he was not even attending church there, you have to say something.
Since you all seem to know the 'facts', how about providing a few. When did the allegations surface? when was he fired? was he fired or is he on administrative leave? Was the congregation notified of the allegations before he turned himself in? Does the church have a sexual harassment or a staff fraternization policy? Was there a background check? Did children go through any kind of sexual harassment training? Did the church offer any kind of press release after the arrest? Well?
I agree with the other post. I have known the family all my life and also attended the church until I moved. Mojoey I will pray for you. This is an issue that should be between the two families and the authorities. Not discussed on a stupid blog trying to cause problems
Your response is what I expected. You cannot or will not provide meaningful information. You are the only poster (I know these things by the way). You are after protecting the family business and nothing more.
I don't know all the facts but I do know a few. I tried to post this earlier but for some reason it didn't post. I know that Josh was removed from his position for 'immoral conduct' (all the definition that I as an outsider heard). That was months ago, but I'm not sure the exact time.
I do believe that ANY organization, church or anything else should have EVERYONE that works with children undergo a background check. I also believe they should have a sexual harrassment policy that is enforced.
Since the youth pastor job was a 'voluntary position' and he had a full time job, he was removed, that is all.
I don't believe the church did a news conference. I'm not sure that would have helped, maybe I'm wrong though.
I do not know if any of the church was aware the immoral conduct was with a minor- they may, or again they may not have been, I wasn't but I don't attend there. I do know many of the church members learned of the charges when they heard it on the news.
I believe in grace and mercy BUT I believe we MUST protect our children! If Josh is truly repentant God can and will forgive him, however as a parent I would not allow my child to be part of any function he was connected with because seldom does a predator act just once. My job is to protect my child!
You said he probably would not lose his job over this (referring to youth pastor), that is wrong, he did. But my comments are not meant in any way to defend Josh or any of his actions. It was wrong, it hurt innocment people. I believe he should suffer the consequences mandated by law. I believe that parents would be advised to be wary of thier children being around him.
If I were his wife I'd be wary of our children being around him. The same with the rest of his family. They may not agree but that would be my take.
He came from a good famiily, he has a good wife and children, he has(had) a good job (besides being a youth) none of those things means he should not be held accountable!
Since there are a number of Anonymous, just for the record I posted the 1:07 pm & the 10:25 am. I didn't post nor do I know who posted the others.
Joshua Finney was removed from the youth pastor in the summer of 2011. As of January 2012, he no longer attended that church. If you had actually done a little research, you would have seen that at the time of his arrest, he was residing in NC. Also, the church was aware of some form of misconduct, which is why Josh Finney was removed as youth pastor. Having family that attend that church, it is my understanding that Josh Finney lied to the church AND TO HIS FAMILY, INCLUDING HIS FATHER, about the situation. And, if you knew Tony Finney at all, and discussed this situation with him, he would be the first to tell you that his son was wrong and needs to accept the consequences for his actions. I whole heartedly agree that Josh Finney needs to be punished for his crime, but to attack his father and his FORMER church, especially since you've never been there (your profile says you're in California) is wrong. Why don't you move out here and visit the church for a few months before you start making assumptions about people who don't know. And I'm not anonymous. My name is Ann.
Also, you have the church's phone number. Why not call for yourself and get the answers. You claim there is no evidence of Josh Finney not being the youth pastor, yet several people have told you differently and you don't believe them. But then, I don't think you would believe anyone concerning this issue.
As I said in a previous post I know some of the facts but not all of them. However, as days pass, more questions come to my mind. I know this family and have always respected Josh's dad and mom. Wasn't a close friend but do know a number of people in the church.
In talking to them in recent weeks there are questions that are coming to me that I can'r find answers to. Now don't get me wrong, they don't owe me answers but as a member of the public these are things that concern me.
When this situation began in 2009, and it was discovered in early 2010, my understanding is the church new Josh had been sending personal texts to a young woman. Did anyone know she was 13? If so, why was this not dealt with more harshly?
Where was her mom in all this, why was she not demanding this top and that he be held accountable? Where were the church people, seriously, no one in the church knew a minor was involved? I find that had to believe. At that point Josh said he ended it and everyone believed that. But were there no precaustions taken to assure he had.
I understand he is the pastor's son. I understand people there love the pastor and his family. But what about this sweet young girl, who tells her it wasn't her fault? Who reassures her that she is still beatiful, funny, talented and that this incident doesn't define who she is.
I don't understand the defensiveness of the church rather than outrage that one of their 'own' had done this.
My heart is burdened over this whole situation...my heart breaks for the young girl who will always be reminded of this relationship...my heart breaks for Josh's wife and how she must feel...my heart breaks for his parents who have to be devastated and my heart breaks for this church...Satan is a roaring lion walking about seeking whom He may devour...
Typical Independent Funda-"Mental" 1611 KJV Hypocrite. Reminds me of Josh Glidewell who admitted homosexual desires to another preacher after he was arrested for preaching on the street corner back in 2007. Anonymous we know you are a liar. Just go back to your once-saved, always-saved KJV cult and shut up.
Josh Glidewell actually confessed to homosexual "thoughts" and not desires. Those were his words. I don't want to accuse him of something he did not say. He also said the Devil put the thoughts into his head. This was after he preached against homosexuality.
his wife & sweet innocent children are the victims here. the young girl invovled knew exactly what she was doing, i know we as parents always blame the adult, but be real, a 13 yr old knows right from wrong. i'm sure he did not force her. were there rap charges...nah i didnt think so. he is expected to be the more responsible party & THAT HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN! this went on for a very long time. yes people involved did know her age. strangley her mother did not remove her from this enviroment. what is that CRAZY! often people in this enviroment are blind to their surroundings. if @least one adult in the congragation can pick up on something not appearing right with the two of them why could others not notice the closeness of the two. why did the wife not follow her intuition that she must have felt. we can begin with three people being responsible #1 Josh Finney-gave satan free reign to indulge in his lust, #2 Mother of the girl-idiot,people pleaser/complete posser, #3 the girl-young girl who was very sneaky. & any1 in the church who kept quite. it takes a fool to believe that texting is all that was involved..come on 1st baptist you know i'm speaking the truth. remember bloggers her mother kept her there a minimum of 6-12 months after the texting drama. yes he was removed & quickley left the state. parents it is no ones responsibility to protect our children other than our own. monitor those text! watch your children's behavior. do not be so disconnected that you can't pick up on a change in their life.
Blaming an innocent CHILD? Really? Joshua Finney is a child predator end of discussion. Anyone who defends a child predator is just as disgusting. He took a child's innocence away from her. He was a role model and someone she looked up to. He took advantage of the situation and her...
The mother said in court that she had approached the "pastor" and told him what was going on, so who's to blame now! The pastor said to NOT go to the police as it would ruin the church. Well this church should be ruined if that is the case.
Friend of Christ, We (our family) know this entire family, we are now shut in. Tony and Lynn are good people and, and friends. We remember Josh as a teenager going fishing with his dad and him. I'm so sorry for everyone involved. May God begin healing for everyone. Question: How can we love God whom we've not seen, if we can't begin forgiveness and learn the love of God. Saved by His amazing Grace,learning to learn on Him
Though there is no excuse for his actions. I remember the good hearted teenager I spent time with at church And at the lake. No parents loved their son more and tried to teach him the right way.I personally know of two other situations much like this that did not end so badly for every one. God bless this church and his parents.
We've known Tony and Lynn since before either of their children were born. They have been steadfast in their love,walk and life with our dear Lord. So I remind my dear friends and brethren of our Lord, you are not alone. Holding everyone of you to in prayer. And my brother, my sister remain steadfast. We truly know what you are going through. There are no answers but, there is a thrice Holy God. AND our the Lamb of God that does understand broken hearts. May God send the Light to your heart's in such troubling times. From, children of God and friends to our pastor. God be with you.
Since this episode, there has been at least one other sexual offender come to work with the youth and bus youth at this church. I don't think the church has adopted a child-safe policy.
Josh Finney now lives in LaGrange,NC and is employed by Fellowship Baptist Church in Goldsboro,NC as youth and adult choir director. My understanding is some members of the church just found out this week (last week in March 2019).
Was there no background check here?
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