Julie Roys

Crossroads Church investigating pastor Brian Tome over 2015 ‘humor’ Crossroads Church pastor Brian Tome has been suspended pending an independent investigation into decade-old allegations of “inappropriate physical humor.”

Crossroads Church founding pastor Brian Tome has been suspended pending an independent investigation into decade-old allegations of “inappropriate physical humor,” after the church reopened a previously resolved complaint amid renewed scrutiny over leadership standards
julieroys.com/crossroads-c...

Embattled Bethel Church shuts down alumni Facebook page, prompting backlash Embattled Bethel Church in northern California has temporarily shut down a private Facebook group for alumni, prompting sharp backlash.

Bethel Church has temporarily shut down the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry alumni Facebook group, which has more than 5,000 members, amid mounting abuse allegations and criticism over its handling of leadership misconduct.
julieroys.com/embattled-be...

Nathan Peternel, AG pastor, to undergo ‘structured restorative process’ over homemade sex tapes An Indiana megachurch pastor will enter a “restorative process” after homemade sex videos of him and his wife surfaced amid his son’s child sex abuse case.

Indiana megachurch pastor Nathan Peternel has been ordered by his Assemblies of God district to enter a “structured restorative process” after homemade sex videos of him and his wife surfaced during a child sexual abuse case involving his son.
julieroys.com/nathan-peter...

Religious ties shape how Black Americans define family, Pew study finds Black Christians are more likely than religiously unaffiliated to consider nonrelatives a part of their families.

A new Pew Research Center study finds 77% of Black Americans consider at least one nonrelative part of their family, compared with 63% of other adults — and religion plays a key role.
julieroys.com/religious-ti...

Examining Todd White’s ‘Fauxpology’ Julie Roys and Dr. Julia Dahl analyze Todd White’s fauxpology, questioning whether it reflects genuine repentance or strategic image repair.

Is Todd White truly repenting—or delivering a carefully crafted 'fauxpology'?

Image repair analyst Dr. Julia Dahl joins me to dissect White’s video apology, exposing how vague language and reframing failure shift focus from the real issues of misconduct.
julieroys.com/podcast/exam...

Russia’s persecution of Ukrainian churches continues as war enters fifth year As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, churches in occupied territories face raids and pressure to submit to Moscow’s control.

As Russia’s war enters its fifth year, Protestant and independent Orthodox churches in occupied Ukraine face raids, closures, and pressure to submit to Moscow’s control as authorities tighten their grip on religious life.
julieroys.com/russias-pers...

Cancelled sexism panel ignites ACNA conflict A cancelled sexism panel discussion sparks fresh conflict in the Anglican Church in N. America over women’s ordination and abuse prevention.

A cancelled panel on sexism and abuse has ignited conflict in the Anglican Church in North America.

After Interim ACNA leader Julian Dobbs called off the event, priest Esau McCaulley revived a diocesan version—fueling debate over women’s ordination and abuse reform.
julieroys.com/cancelled-se...

Exclusive: Co-writer of CCM hit at center of ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’ says film erases her history Crystal Lewis says feature filn 'I Can Only Imagine 2,' centered on the band Mercy Me, erases her central role co-writing hit song “Even If."

Singer-songwriter Crystal Lewis says new MercyMe film 'I Can Only Imagine 2' rewrites history, depicting Tim Timmons as sole writer of “Even If.”
Lewis claims she wrote the song amid personal tragedy & was sidelined as credits—and royalties—shifted without her consent.
julieroys.com/co-writer-of...

Acts 29 VP removed from leadership after confessing to ‘long-term extramarital relationship’ Acts 29 has removed U.S. Vice President Terry Jones after he confessed to a long-term extramarital relationship.

Acts 29 has removed U.S. Vice President Tyler Jones after he confessed to an extramarital relationship. Leaders said his conduct violated biblical standards & accountability expectations. His home church, Vintage Church in Raleigh, NC, also removed him from leadership.
julieroys.com/acts-29-vp-r...

Georgia Senate panel advances clergy abuse bill after survivor Swinson’s testimony A Georgia Senate panel advanced a bill to criminalize sexual relationships between clergy and adults under their spiritual authority.

A Georgia Senate committee unanimously advanced a bill to criminalize sexual relationships between clergy and adults under their spiritual authority after survivor Hayle Swinson gave emotional testimony about abuse at Truett McConnell University.
julieroys.com/georgia-sena...

Christian publisher quietly removes Patterson and Sills from study Bible Essays by former Southwestern Seminary president Paige Patterson and former Southern Seminary missions professor David Sills have been quietly removed from the updated CSB Study Bible and the forthcom...

Lifeway Christian Resources, the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, has quietly removed essays by Paige Patterson and David Sills from its updated CSB Study Bible and forthcoming NASB Study Bible following sexual misconduct scandals involving both men.
julieroys.com/christian-pu...

Pastors' support for terminating sex offender's probation riles victim, who calls it an 'ultimate betrayal' An Arizona woman is opposing efforts by her abuser to end his probation, arguing that support from church leaders puts children at risk.

An Arizona woman is fighting her childhood abuser’s bid to end lifetime sexual offender probation, saying support from pastors and leaders at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria puts children at risk.
julieroys.com/arizona-past...

Twelve women allege misdeeds by fired NY Nazarene pastor After a New York Nazarene pastor was fired for misconduct, multiple women have come forward with other allegations.

12 women have come forward with credible allegations against fired Owego Church of the Nazarene pastor Jarrod Geistdorfer.

Church of the Nazarene District leaders in south-central New York say he forged ordination credentials and refused accountability.
julieroys.com/twelve-women...

Pentecostal pastor Ted Shuttlesworth Jr. steps aside after admitting affair Ted Shuttlesworth Jr., a Florida-based Pentecostal pastor and evangelist, says he is stepping away from ministry after admitting he engaged in sexual activity outside his marriage, according to letter...

Florida Pentecostal pastor Ted Shuttlesworth Jr., co-pastor of Miracle Word Church in West Palm Beach, has stepped away from ministry after admitting to an extramarital affair.
julieroys.com/pentecostal-...

Disgraced N.C. pastor starts new church, announces new $1 million property After being fired for sexual misconduct involving female staffers, pastor Jordan Green has launched a new church just four miles away.

After being fired in 2024 for sexual misconduct, North Carolina pastor Jordan Green has launched a new church and purchased a 25-acre property four miles from his former congregation for $1.1 million.
julieroys.com/disgraced-n-...

Beloved Houston pastor shot and killed by mistake Pedro Cantu, a 62-year-old Houston pastor, was accidentally shot and killed during a home burglary on Saturday.

A beloved Houston pastor was accidentally shot and killed during a late-night home burglary when a relative fired at an intruder but struck him instead.

julieroys.com/beloved-hous...

‘Too much love to give’: Report finds Vineyard pastor abused women in two states A new investigation found that former Vineyard pastor Denis Roy sexually abused and exploited women for nearly two decades.

A new independent investigation found that former Vineyard pastor Denis Roy sexually abused and exploited women in Virginia and Indiana for nearly two decades, often targeting subordinates and congregants, while church leaders repeatedly failed to hold him accountable.
julieroys.com/report-finds...

US Protestant foreign missions face upheaval as some denominations refocus efforts U.S. Protestant foreign missions are scaling back or dismantling longtime missionary programs amid budget pressures and theological shifts.

U.S. Protestant foreign missions are in flux as mainline denominations scale back or dismantle longtime missionary programs amid budget pressures and theological shifts — even as evangelical and non-denominational agencies continue sending thousands overseas.
julieroys.com/us-protestan...

Georgia church that hosted Trump accused of not reporting child molester A Georgia prosecutor faulted two pastors for not reporting an employee who sexually molested a 15-year-old child two and a half years ago.

A Georgia megachurch that hosted a major Trump event is under scrutiny after prosecutors said its pastors failed to immediately report a church leader who later pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a teenage boy.
julieroys.com/georgia-chur...

Georgia senators introduce bill to criminalize clergy sexual exploitation Georgia legislators have introduced a bill amending the state’s criminal code to make clergy members criminally liable for sexual offenses.

Georgia senators have introduced a bill that would make clergy criminally liable for sexual exploitation of individuals under their spiritual authority — closing gaps that have complicated prosecutions of pastors and religious leaders.
julieroys.com/georgia-sena...

Kentucky becomes latest state to file ‘Trey’s Law’ Capping off a week of testimonials in multiple states regarding legislative changes for civil sexual abuse cases, Kentucky became the latest state to file “Trey’s Law” last week.

Kentucky has become the latest state to introduce “Trey’s Law,” a bill that would void nondisclosure agreements in civil sexual abuse cases. The measure is part of a growing, survivor-led movement to end what advocates call the silencing of victims through NDAs.
julieroys.com/kentucky-bec...

Hegseth frames Trump policies as ‘biblical’ in address to Christian broadcasters At National Religious Broadcasters convention the defense secretary said Trump is restoring America’s Christian foundations.

At the National Religious Broadcasters convention, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised President Trump as a “fighter for the people of faith,” and urged Christian leaders to be bold in politics.
Read more: julieroys.com/hegseth-fram...

Former worship pastor and American Idol contestant arrested in connection with wife’s murder Police arrested Caleb Flynn after responding to a burglary call at his suburban Dayton home and finding his wife Ashley dead.

A former Ohio worship pastor and American Idol contestant has been arrested and charged with murder after his wife was found shot to death in their home near Dayton.
julieroys.com/former-worsh...

Christian student performs CPR on street, saves Dallas man’s life Dallas Baptist University student Emma Dilley performed CPR on an unconscious Dallas man suffering an asthma attack, saving his life.

A Dallas Baptist University student sprang into action after finding a man unconscious in Dallas’ Oak Lawn neighborhood. “I figured I needed to put others before myself,” Emma Dilley said, describing why she hopped out and performed CPR until first responders arrived.
julieroys.com/christian-st...

Texan plans to turn Epstein ranch into Christian retreat Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico has been bought by a Texas businessman who plans to convert it into a Christian retreat center.

Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico has been purchased by Texas businessman and politician Don Huffines, who says he plans to turn the property into a Christian retreat center and has renamed it “San Rafael Ranch."
julieroys.com/texan-plans-...

New York Nazarene pastor fired for ‘wrongdoing’ starts new church A Nazarene pastor near Binghamton, New York, was fired for wrongdoing. But weeks later, the same pastor started a nearby church, focusing on redemption.

A Nazarene pastor in upstate New York was removed for “credible allegations of wrongdoing” and weeks later launched a new church 10 miles away. julieroys.com/new-york-naz...

North Texas pastor employed sex offender son at church-affiliated school Caleb Crawford worked as a contractor at Heritage Christian Academy in Haslet, Texas, as a music leader and maintenance worker.

A North Texas pastor is under fire after allowing his son, a registered sex offender, to work as a contractor at Heritage Christian Academy, the church-affiliated school of Heritage Baptist Church.
julieroys.com/texas-pastor...

Oklahoma abuse victim forgives father as he’s sentenced to prison An Oklahoma woman forgave her father in court moments before he was sentenced to 15 years for sexually abusing her.

Moments before her father was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing her, a Tulsa woman stood in court and told him, “I forgive you.” She said God gave her “chance after chance,” and she chose to extend that same grace — even as justice was carried out.
julieroys.com/oklahoma-abu...

Christians, other religious minorities in Iran face escalating crackdown Religious minorities in Iran are facing increased persecution, human rights watchdog organizations warned in a report released on Thursday.

Human rights groups warn that persecution of religious minorities in Iran is intensifying, with arrests of Christians nearly doubling in 2025 and harsher prison sentences, exile, and forced labor on the rise amid political unrest and regional conflict.
julieroys.com/christians-o...

First Baptist Orlando faces staff controversy over hosting TPUSA, cancels tour event A First Baptist Orlando pastor was placed on leave after opposing the central Florida megachurch’s now-canceled TPUSA event.

A First Baptist Orlando campus pastor was placed on leave and a worship leader reportedly resigned after opposing the church’s now-canceled plan to host Turning Point USA’s “Make Heaven Crowded” tour, igniting internal conflict over politics and Christian nationalism.
julieroys.com/first-baptis...