Oldham of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee (EC) said in a statement to Baptist Press, “We grieve over this tragic episode in this teen’s life. NOBTS also includes a criminal background check as part of our screening process for admission.”īailey’s wife Tiffany, also a 2010 graduate of the seminary, is a Baptist Collegiate Ministry staff member at Tulane and Loyola universities. A student who applies for any degree at the seminary is required to have a church endorsement and provide multiple references. “Our concern for the churches our graduates will serve begins during the admission process. “We take very seriously the ministerial training role entrusted to us by Southern Baptist churches,” Kelley said. We pray for all those affected by this tragic situation. We have a zero tolerance for such behavior on the part of students, faculty or staff and applaud the swift response of First Baptist Church upon learning of the situation. “We profoundly regret the apparent reprehensible conduct of this former NOBTS student. NOBTS President Chuck Kelley issued a statement to Baptist Press on March 6, noting: But we have confidence in our Almighty God, and we are experiencing daily the comfort and encouragement of His Holy Spirit.”īailey, who had served at First Baptist for about two years, is a 2010 graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS). “We do not know what the future may hold. “We are clinging to one another and the promises of God’s Word,” Crosby said. We are struggling with feelings of anger, grief, sadness and confusion. Jonathan was a friend and a colleague in ministry. “We ask for prayers for our young people and their families, especially those most affected, as well as our entire congregation. “The safety of children in our care is and will remain our highest priority,” the pastor said. To this end, we are fully cooperating with criminal authorities as they continue their investigation,” Crosby said. “We want the justice system to work as it should in this case. That has come to an end.” The pastor noted that Bailey’s “behavior is no longer hidden, and his breach of professional ethics and moral failure are now exposed.” He experienced instruction and correction, as do we all, but nothing observed by our staff or reported to us by parents or volunteers indicated that he had the capacity for such a horrible breach of trust.”Ĭrosby said the church was “deceived and manipulated by someone who knew how to navigate church life, who knew the vocabulary of our faith and who believed that he could break the rules without being discovered. As an employee of the church, Jonathan was under the daily scrutiny of fellow staff members, adult volunteers and parents of youth. The committee did not learn of any negative incident or circumstance. Our search committee called references and references of references. “As we do for all potential employees, we ran a criminal background check on Jonathan Bailey before he received an offer of employment. If convicted, Bailey could face a sentence of up to 10 years in prison without parole or probation, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune daily newspaper.Ĭrosby, in March 6 comments to Baptist Press, recounted: He was arrested again on sexual battery March 4 after the youth disclosed additional details of Bailey’s improper contact with her. 23 with indecent behavior with a juvenile and was freed on bond. 9, the day that allegations were reported to him and to police of sexual misconduct by Bailey with a 14-year-old girl in First Baptist’s youth group.īailey, 33, was charged Feb. ![]() worship service to address the dismissal and arrest of former youth minister Jonathan Bailey.Ĭrosby told local media that Bailey was fired and escorted off church property Feb. ![]() A family meeting of the church, led by Pastor David Crosby, was held at 1 p.m.
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