Saturday, January 25, 2014

Was the murderer Jeremy Whitman a pastor?

I’ve read more than a few comments from members of the Lancaster Baptist Church, at least I think they are members, that suggest murderer Jeremy Whitman was just an administrative assistant and not a pastor. I have proof that this is lie. Whitman was at least an assistant pastor and was a former youth pastor.

Evidence:

Cary Schmidt of Lancaster Baptist Church removed a post from November of 2009 naming Jeremy Whitman an Assistant Pastor. (Much love for the Wayback Machine!!) Why would a good Christian remove evidence that a murder was a pastor? I think we all understand the answer. He was trying to protect his precious church. 

The following is a list of people that represent some great reasons to use twitter—even if you’d rather not post anything! They are wonderful, genuine servants of God. These are lives worth emulating! If you use twitter, you would benefit and be encouraged by following these leaders:

@PaulChappell – Dr. Paul Chappell, Pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church, a great pastor, great leader, and a genuinely godly man. It’s a blessing to serve the Lord under his leadership.

@wcbcdrr – Dr. Mark Rasmussen, Vice President of West Coast Baptist College, one of the most encouraging, faithful, knowledgeable, and fruitful men I’ve ever known. He’s a great leader and a great educator with a huge heart for people.

@johngoetsch – Dr. John Goetsch, Executive Vice President of West Coast Baptist College. He’s a great preacher, a very authentic Christian, a tireless laborer, and a steadfast life worth emulating.

@timchristoson – Tim Christoson, an Associate Pastor at Lancaster Baptist who leads and administrates adult ministries, Sunday school, and building programs. He’s a great leader with a servant’s heart and a faithful testimony.

@LarryChappell – Larry Chappell, Assistant Pastor, Sr. High Director and leader of the video and multimedia production of Lancaster Baptist Church. He’s a humble, godly, faithful Christian servant with an encouraging spirit and godly influence.

@cnav – Carlos Navarrete, Spanish Pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church. Carlos is wise beyond his years and a great encourager and leader.

@bryansamms – Bryan Samms, West Coast Baptist College teacher, leader and a tremendous preacher of God’s Word.

@JRWhitman – Jeremy Whitman, Assistant Pastor at Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell’s assistant. Great man and friend!

@jeremylofgren – Jeremy Lofgren, Director of Graphics and Web ministry for Lancaster Baptist and extremely knowledgeable about media ministry. He’s one of the most faithful men I know and I have great admiration for him.

@TheBaptistEdu – Dr. Manuel Salazar, Administrator of Lancaster Baptist School, an exemplary Christian and a great educator with an amazing heart!

@petermordh – Peter Mordh, Director of Advancement office at West Coast Baptist College and one of the finest young leaders you will ever know.

@danaschmidt – Dana Schmidt, my wife and best friend!

@terriechappell – Terrie Chappell, Pastor Chappell’s wife and the greatest pastor’s wife on this planet.

@LBC_Today – Lancaster Baptist Church updates and announcements.

Further Evidence:

Pastor Paul Chappell of Lancaster Baptist Church refers to murderer Jeremy Whitman as “our assistant pastor” in a post on his blog. 

Teaching God's Word

September 24, 2007 by Paul Chappell

I was talking with my wife Terrie this morning and she shared with me that the Ladies Bible Study began with nearly two hundred ladies in attendance. Terrie loves the fall season, and she has always enjoyed teaching God’s Word to children and ladies.

This morning I had the privilege of teaching soulwinning principles to a wonderful group of pastors in the state of South Carolina. This was a Striving Together Meeting hosted by Pastor Brent Armstrong.

I always miss my wife and family when I am preaching, but it is a joy to know that we are laboring together for the Lord, as we teach His Word and encourage His people.

As our assistant pastor, Brother Jeremy Whitman, helped me this morning, we were able to encourage God’s people through teaching and through a video presentation about West Coast Baptist College.

This Friday, I will have the privilege of teaching the Practical Theology class of West Coast Baptist College, and then of course, the joy of preaching and teaching God’s Word at Lancaster Baptist on Sunday. Second Timothy 2:2 says, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Thank you for your interest and prayers in our life and ministry as we labor to teach God’s Word in this needy hour.

 

- See more at: http://www.paulchappell.com/2007/09/24/teaching-gods-word/#sthash.CAxmGIRk.JM5CSG5Q.dpuf

I am sure I can find more evidence with a little digging, but I think these two posts settle the issue.

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Look at facts's avatar

Look at facts · 586 weeks ago

Check your dates... Just because someone was once a pastor doesn't mean they were recently a pastor....
I taught 6th grade for 2 years, but now I work in a college office. Lol 6th graders are crazy so I wanted to change.
Jeremy Whitman had not been a pastor for quite some time. I fact he had not been affiliated with the church in Months.
His family has gone through a lot these few days. What he has done wasn't right, but the church wasn't involved.... :-/ there are a lot of other churches to incriminate though so don't feel to bad about getting it wrong with this one.
9 replies · active 585 weeks ago
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Robert's avatar

Robert · 586 weeks ago

Look just because he went nuts doesn't mean that our whole religion is like that, I know of him and I know a lot of ppl who were close to him, point is you shouldn't be downing Christianity like this, it's not your place, people don't down the how whole religion of Islam for what happened in 2001, and tho one was much more worse, a life is a life, whether it is 3000 deaths or just 1 death. You are just making an issue because you have nothing better to do, please before making all this stuff up about bro Whitman you need to understand his family wasn't ok with what happened and I'm sure they are hurt, they lost a father and and a husband you, just cause you don't agree with the Christian religion doesn't mean you run it into the ground, what bro Whitman did was not right at all but it doesn't make it ok for you to just be making waves of this whole issue.
1 reply · active 585 weeks ago
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Jessica C's avatar

Jessica C · 586 weeks ago

He had been an assistant/youth pastor a few years ago; and I know he then worked in office administration. He hasn't been working there for a year, and then he left his family and the church a few months ago. I would remove something that called him a great man and friend, too. I would think we've all had friends who changed, who weren't the person we once knew. It doesn't mean we were wrong for loving that person at the time.
The church has reached out to BOTH families, and is trying to help the children. Imagine your having your dad walk out on you, and then just a few months later, hearing what horrible things he did? I think a good idea would be to help them so they don't follow a dangerous or destructive path themselves through the turmoil and overexposure they are experiencing. We are all free to point out error, but shouldn't we point out truth, too? What are you doing to support right behaviour besides point out what's wrong?
3 replies · active 585 weeks ago
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Chris's avatar

Chris · 586 weeks ago

Jeremy was Paul Chappell's assistant and just happened to also be an ordained pastor, but didn't actively preach as many would assume a pastor does. Just because you have a title of "assistant pastor" does not mean you are actively pastoring or preaching sermons. In fact, at my church, I have yet to hear one of our assistant pastors preach one sermon. He does what Jeremy did...help the other pastoral staff. No lie or cover-up is intended. When you have a church congregation of over 4,000 people, not all the members are fully informed. I am willing to bet that if you asked even half of the members of LBC, they would not have known that Jeremy was an ordained pastor. They only saw him in the administrative assistant role and Sunday School teacher and never heard him preach. Hence, their comment of admin asst.
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Chris's avatar

Chris · 586 weeks ago

Let me ask @mojoey a couple questions. 1. Have you ever stole ANYTHING (even a piece of candy when you were a young child)? 2. Have you every lied (even a little white lie to your mom and dad)? If you answer yes to either, then you are a lying thief and will always be the rest of your life. If you haven't stolen anything or lied in a couple years, then you are a former thief and liar. Let me help you out, we are all full of sins and need the covering of Jesus blood to save us. While I don't condone what Jeremy did, this was not in line with any Christian teaching, and certainly not what LBC is all about. This is one man's decision that we will never know exactly why. We don't really need to know why. Last question: What were you trying to achieve by proving some comments were a lie? Did you succeed? Do you feel better by contriving your own conspiracy theory? What we need to do is pray for BOTH families because this is a tragedy and nobody wins. Instead of pouring more fuel on the fire, why don’t you break out your checkbook and send the Ungerman family some monetary assistance. Instead of talking about it, do something of real value that helps and doesn’t hurt the situation.
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Christina D. · 586 weeks ago

I personally knew Brother Whitman and his family, and they are all some of the greatest sweetest people I know. Faithful Christians, and it sucks that through circumstances, or whatever drove him to leaving his family and doing this, is all that most people will remember of him!! I for one want to remember the man who before the "change" happened was always there for anyone who needed him, including my brother. He tried to help many learn about, accept, and grow in Christ for his whole adult life!! I was always amazed at how busy he was, even with his family, always serving the Lord. My prayers and condolences go out to Mrs. Whitman and the kids, and I hope that the Lord can give them all some kind of strength and comfort during this difficult time. I know I will still see him in eternity no matter what he did!! His past and future sins were forgiven when he accepted Christ.
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Paul's avatar

Paul · 585 weeks ago

Ok, so you proved that Jeremy Whitman had the title "Asst. Pastor." Now what? Why was it important to point that out?

I'm going to guess that you've never been to Lancaster Baptist Church, so allow me to fill you in on a few things. (I spent 4 months there at the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013.)

1. Cary Schmidt is no longer with LBC. He is in his second year as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Newington, CT. http://ebcnewington.com/more-information/our-past...

If you're pressing the minor details of this story, I just want to make sure you're consistent. ;-)

2. "Asst. Pastor" can have a very broad meaning at a church the size of LBC. In the average church the assistant pastor may simply be the man under the pastor of the church. No necessarily so at LBC. LBC has thousands of members and dozens of ministries. I don't know what type of assistant pastor Jeremy Whitman was. He could have been over a large portion of the ministry or a very small portion, and his position may never have reported directly to the main pastor, Paul Chappell.

3. I'm not sure how pointing out that Whitman was an assistant pastor at LBC somehow damages the reputation of LBC. People are judged, befriended, promoted, etc., based on who they are NOW, and who they HAVE BEEN. There is no way to tell the future. Was LBC supposed to know what would happen years in the future to one of their pastors? I've got news for you. One of their current pastors may do something similar 5 years from now. Oh, and so may your best friend. Understand?

I did not know Jeremy Whitman well, but I did know him. He was honestly one of the friendliest, most sincere people I've ever met. Always had a smile. Always willing to serve others. The tragedy surrounding the events of recent days does not take away from what he WAS. And someone choosing to remember the past Jeremy Whitman is no blemish on them. All you need to do is put yourself in their shoes for a moment, imagine it was your close friend who committed the crime, and understand that you probably would feel the same way.
13 replies · active 585 weeks ago
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erecher's avatar

erecher · 585 weeks ago

In response to my above comment as to whether the church reached out to Erik's family, this is what Pastor Chappell's updated blog said, "Our church has also reached out to the victim’s family, the Ungermans, with financial assistance and spiritual encouragement." - See more at: http://www.paulchappell.com/2014/01/25/an-update-...
1 reply · active 585 weeks ago
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Mojoey's avatar - Go to profile

Mojoey 107p · 585 weeks ago

Reposted from blogger comments.

Shelby Roberson said...
He was a pastor there. I use to go there and witnessed first hand his assistant pastorial role.
8:24 PM
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Joe Bananas's avatar

Joe Bananas · 585 weeks ago

You are correct about the overreaction about cover-up etc. However, why did their god not protect these special chosen leaders and the work of this venerable church from such horrific crimes?!! And...how much more vulnerable are we mere sheep?!! In addition, I was in the church service the next Sunday, and witnessed the Evangelical Revival Speaker threaten the whole congregation! YES, Dr. John Goetsch threatened that his god may do something terrible to your children if you do not stay TRUE to god!!! THIS CHURCH IS GANSTA!!! I am NOT kidding about this threat...I was deeply offended and you can listen to the entire message at the LBC webcast, where Goetsch gives a homily about when he threatened a drunk man that god may: "do something to his little daughter to get his attention..???!!! WHAT THE FLOCK??!!! Then, Goetsch continued to threaten the entire congregation!! GANSTA!!!
2 replies · active 585 weeks ago
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Guest's avatar

Guest · 585 weeks ago

Paul
“Ok, so you proved that Jeremy Whitman had the title "Asst. Pastor." Now what? Why was it important to point that out? “

It is apparently very important….especially to the “gawd” of LBC. Him and all his IFB affiliates have been on overdrive the last week deleting any and all references to Jeremy Whitman’s involvement in the IFB movement. The IFB is a very powerful group and when they have people like Lancaster’s mayor and his law firm fighting for them on the legal side of things….they can do whatever they want. Deleting 20 years of a man’s life off the internet is no small task.

Also, if it wasn’t very important to the IFB crowd…why are posts being deleted on all site where people post. Mr. R. Rex has his legal crowd either threatening lawsuits or whatever to get the posts deleted.

Why did this not make national news? The first drive by made it to ABC coverage but the follow-up died. No coverage.

Why did the AV Press/AV Times leave out the fact that the shooter shot himself near his parents house? His parents are the ones who most likely found him? Look at some of the other news articles. They give very specific details…but here…..nothing…..why?

If I knew of any way to make this public and get someone outside the realm of this crooked city to investigate further I would.
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Anonymos's avatar

Anonymos · 585 weeks ago

It is unnerving to hear these people say that Jeremy was a different person than the one they knew. Why don't they ever consider that for 20 years he was pretending to be who LBC demanded he be to keep his job, friends, and family. Perhaps he had had enough and lost it.
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FarAwayNow's avatar

FarAwayNow · 585 weeks ago

Will the press push to discover the actual motive? Why let a local story with 623 current comments die off? People WANT TO KNOW what drove this man everyone seemed to adore to commit such a horrific act?

His parents found him? I weep for them. No parent should ever have to see that EVER.
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guest's avatar

guest · 546 weeks ago

Jeremy Whitman fell to the addiction of prescription drugs. No Christian is perfect, no Christian is above the law. The world is filled with those who fall, those who are bad and those who hurt people. This individual blogger is no more clean that anyone else, you have an agenda just like everyone else, you make judgement calls just like everyone else. So you find a few facts and then twist them to suit your needs, sounds like normal everyday corruption. EVERY HUMAN BEING in this world has skeletons, every human being is capable of change, positive or negative but as an atheist, which by the way you are either an atheist or agnostic, not both, (I was once agnostic), then what Jeremy did by your standards is no big deal because there is no morality, there is no payment, there is no punishment, there is no justice, just a blip in your billions of years, that no one will remember, no one will pay, no one will care. The thing about being is Christian is simple, my choice is my choice alone, no one else is responsible just me, but if I am right, I am forgiven. If you are right..... then nothing matters....... but if you are wrong..... only you will answer for that. God Bless and I hope you find what you are looking for, but I pray one day you will stop looking for what you think you want and actually look for what you need.
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lisa 's avatar

lisa · 507 weeks ago

i have kept quiet for 2 years almost but its over... i want answers. i need peace in my life and i need to help get to the bottom of what really happened to my dear friend jermey.. yes i knew him. we all knew the same man. i know my friend would never do that... i know the ifb knows all too well how to cover something up... i also know that lbc has most the lancaster pd in their pockets... so... who has the real story of what happened to our friend?
1 reply · active 505 weeks ago

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