Latest news with #pastor
The Herald
20 hours ago
- The Herald
Limpopo pastor in court for rape of 14-year-old girl in church
A 40-year-old pastor, who was arrested for the rape of a 14-year-old girl at a church in Sibasa earlier this month, appeared in the Thohoyandou magistrate's court on Monday. He was remanded in custody until July 30 for profiling and further investigation by the police. The incident happened on July 9 when the suspect allegedly called the minor to come to the church premises. Upon arrival, the victim found the pastor alone in the church office. 'It is alleged that the suspect locked the door and forced the victim to perform sexual acts before repeatedly raping her. The suspect then allegedly instructed the victim to remain silent about the incident,' police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said. The girl disclosed the ordeal to her family on Saturday and the suspect was arrested on Sunday. TimesLIVE
News24
2 days ago
- News24
Limpopo brothers arrested for allegedly killing their father
Two brothers have been arrested for the murder of their father in Limpopo. Officers discovered the 55-year-old man severely assaulted and unable to speak, according to police. Also in Limpopo, a pastor is expected to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court for the rape of a 14-year-old child at church. Limpopo police have arrested two brothers for the murder of their 55-year-old father in Ga-Mothapo village, Tjatjaneng, over the weekend. Police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said police responded to a domestic violence complaint just after 11:00 on Saturday. 'Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered the 55-year-old victim who had been severely assaulted and was unable to speak. 'Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had been assaulted by his two sons following an argument,' Ledwaba added. The man was certified dead on arrival at the hospital and the sons, aged 29 and 32, fled the scene immediately after the incident. 'Police launched an intensive manhunt and successfully arrested both suspects at a hideout in a nearby village during the early hours of Sunday morning,' Ledwaba said. They are expected to appear in the Mankweng Magistrate's Court on Monday, 21 July. READ | In an unrelated incident, a 40-year-old pastor has been arrested for the rape of a 14-year-old girl at church in Sibasa, Limpopo. Police said the incident occurred on 9 July 2025, when the pastor allegedly called the girl to the church. 'Upon her arrival, the victim found the pastor alone in the church office. It is alleged that the suspect locked the door and forced the victim to perform sexual acts before repeatedly raping her. 'The suspect then allegedly instructed the victim to remain silent about the incident,' Ledwaba said. According to the police, the victim 'courageously' disclosed the ordeal to her family on Saturday, and the family notified the police. The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit is investigating the case. Police said the pastor was arrested on Sunday and would appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Monday. Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said: 'We encourage parents and guardians to maintain open communication with their children and to report any suspicious behaviour immediately.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Megachurch pastor John MacArthur dead: 'His faith became sight'
LOS ANGELES – John MacArthur, the 86-year-old pastor of a Los Angeles megachurch, died after being hospitalized with pneumonia, his church announced July 14. "This evening, his faith became sight. He faithfully endured until his race was run," Grace to You, the media ministry he founded, posted on X on the evening of July 14. MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in the working-class community of Sun Valley since 1969, contracted pneumonia last week, associate Pastor Tom Patton told the congregation at a July 13 service. "He was admitted into the hospital and may be in the presence of the Lord soon," Patton said. "We place our dear pastor at the feet of the glorious savior, whom he has served so faithfully for so many years and now awaits his final command to be in his presence forever." MacArthur, like some other preachers across the United States, catapulted into the public spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic when he hosted large gatherings despite city policies to limit congregations to small numbers outside. MacArthur is survived by his wife Patricia, their children, 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. USA TODAY has reached out to Grace Community Church. Jimmy Swaggart dead at 90: Televangelist dies weeks after going into cardiac arrest Pastor John MacArthur's death draws reaction The announcement of MacArthur's death drew an outpouring from those who followed him. "He was my spiritual father as a teen in 1979," Randy Robertson posted to the announcement of the death on Facebook. "Under his expository preaching on Sundays and Wednesdays the foundation of my new faith was firmly established." Adam Boyer added, "Praise the Lord for an exemplary life of faithfulness and service to Christ, whom he is now seeing face to face. Every day I want to be more like the man John MacArthur was." Pastor MacArthur's diagnosis comes days after televangelist Jimmy Swaggart died The news comes after the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart was buried in Louisiana. A global televangelist in the 1980s before an adultery scandal diminished his influence, Swaggart died on July 8 in a Baton Rouge hospital. Swaggart, who was 90, never regained consciousness following a heart attack in his home on June 15. His publicist told USA TODAY he died surrounded by family and loved ones. This story has been updated to include video. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pastor John MacArthur hospitalized with pneumonia, Grace Church says Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Earle-Sears shakes up campaign for Va. governor as fundraising, polls lag
RICHMOND — GOP gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears has asked her campaign manager — a pastor with no political experience — to step away from that role amid calls from some fellow Republicans to shake up a campaign that is lagging in fundraising and polls, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Influential evangelical pastor and theologian John MacArthur dead at 86 after health battle
John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, died Monday at the age of 86 after a battle with pneumonia. "Our hearts are heavy, yet rejoicing, as we share the news that our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has entered into the presence of the Savior," read a Monday-night post on the X account of "Grace to You" which is MacArthur's media ministry. "This evening, his faith became sight. He faithfully endured until his race was run." The announcement comes after associate pastor Tom Patton told congregants at a July 13 Sunday service that MacArthur had been hospitalized with the illness, according to The Roys Report. "This week, Pastor John contracted pneumonia," Patton previously said during the service. "He was admitted into the hospital and may be in the presence of the Lord soon." California Pastor John Macarthur Hospitalized With Life-threatening Illness As Church Community Rallies MacArthur began his work at Grace Community Church after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary in 1969, according to the church's website. Throughout his time in leadership, the church's two morning worship services reportedly grew to fill the 3,500-seat auditorium to capacity, with thousands of members joining various training programs and fellowship groups. Read On The Fox News App In 1985, MacArthur became president of The Master's University, a four-year accredited liberal arts Christian college located in Santa Clarita. One year later, he founded The Master's Seminary, a graduate school specializing in preparing men for full-time pastoral roles and missionary work, according to Grace Community Church. MacArthur also served as president and featured teacher with Grace to You, a nonprofit organization specializing in the development and distribution of his audio recordings, books and the "Grace to You" television and radio programs. Additionally, MacArthur penned nearly 400 books and study resources, including The Gospel According to Jesus and Our Sufficiency in Christ, with his titles being translated into over two dozen languages, according to the church's website. California Pastor John Macarthur 'Doing Better' After Sudden Illness The pastor previously made national headlines in 2020 after a California judge ruled the church could continue holding in-person services despite Gov. Gavin Newsom's statewide coronavirus restrictions. MacArthur had suffered from years of health complications, including a sudden onset of illness while preaching at a 2023 service. Since then, he has reportedly undergone multiple surgeries targeting atrial fibrillation and other conditions. However, his health reportedly continued to decline, with Patton telling members of the community that the pastor's recovery from "three surgeries in the second half of 2024" was "slower than expected," and saw "occasional setbacks affecting his heart, lungs and kidneys." Popes Who Have Served The Catholic Church For The Past 100 Years: Champions Of Truth, Faith And Love Earlier this year, MacArthur was hospitalized while undergoing a "second procedure" on his lungs, the outlet reported. MacArthur is survived by his wife, Patricia, four children and fifteen article source: Influential evangelical pastor and theologian John MacArthur dead at 86 after health battle
