HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) — A northwestern Indiana megachurch has hired a new pastor after firing his predecessor amid a sex scandal.
The Post-Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/X9haXv ) members of Hammond's First Baptist Church voted Sunday night to give the job to John Wilkerson. He's been pastor since 2006 at First Baptist Church of Long Beach in nearby LaPorte County. Wilkerson received 95 percent of the more than 2,000 votes that members cast. He needed to receive at least 75 percent.
Former pastor Jack Schaap was fired in July. He pleaded guilty in September to taking a minor across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
The church has about 15,000 members, operates two K-through-12 schools in the Hammond area and Hyles-Anderson College in Schererville. Wilkerson is a 1989 graduate of the college.
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Information from: Post-Tribune, http://www.post-trib.com
