Reporting the Truth.
Restoring the Church.
By Mark A. Kellner
Timothy Price III and First Baptist Church of St. Louis, where he serves as senior pastor. The church says it disclosed his 2008 rape conviction to a regional bishop before his appointment as Missouri state overseer. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
Did leaders of the charismatic denomination, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, know that a man slated for state leadership was a child rapist?
The church pastored by convicted child rapist Pastor Timothy D. Price III claims Price told denominational leaders of his past conviction.
Presiding Bishop Joseph W. Walker III said yesterday he stands by his original statement that he was never informed. However, the denominational leader Price reportedly informed of his criminal past — Regional Bishop Edward Houston Stephens Jr. — refused to answer Roys Report’s (RR) inquiry about the matter.
Price was convicted in Maryland in 2008 in a case involving the rape of a 12-year-old girl. Roys Report (RR) disclosed on Sept. 4 plans to install him as the fellowship’s Missouri state overseer.
Within 24 hours of RR’s report, Walker issued a statement saying Price had “tendered his resignation” from the position before his planned Sept. 16 installation.First Baptist Church of St. Louis disputed the denomination’s account in a Facebook post, saying its regional bishop “was fully informed” of Timothy Price’s conviction before his appointment. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
Walker’s first statement said, “This information was not known to us at the time of his appointment.”
Walker reiterated this claim in his statement yesterday. “At no point prior to the announcement of his elevation was I made aware of the nature or seriousness of his criminal history,” Walker said.
But Walker acknowledged that some denominational leaders had knowledge others did not as they considered Price.
“I also want to acknowledge, with the humility this moment calls for, that in our preliminary conversations surrounding this matter, not everyone was in possession of the same information at the same time,” Walker said.Timothy Price III remains listed on the Missouri State Highway Patrol Sex Offender Registry. (Photo courtesy of Missouri State Highway Patrol)
That acknowledgment came after First Baptist publicly disputed the fellowship’s earlier statement that Price’s criminal history was unknown when he was appointed.
On Monday, the church posted on Facebook, “Dr. Price did not conceal his case from the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, International when he first affiliated with it. The Central Regional Bishop who was responsible for considering his appointment was fully informed.”
The statement said Price disclosed the matter directly when the leadership opportunity arose and he encouraged the regional bishop to take whatever time was needed.
“Following that disclosure, the decision was made by the Central Regional Bishop to proceed,” First Baptist said.
The church went further, saying fellowship leaders again discussed the issue after renewed social-media attention and decided to proceed with Price’s elevation.
“As the public attention continued to escalate, Dr. Price voluntarily offered his resignation from the proposed leadership appointment because he believed stepping aside would be in the best interest of the Fellowship,” the church said.
First Baptist said any suggestion that Price concealed his history or obtained the appointment through deception was “false material.”Bishop Edward Houston Stephens Jr. pastors Golden Gate Church and serves as Central Regional Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
RR called Golden Gate Church, where Bishop Stephens pastors. An employee refused to put the call through to Stephens, said, “We decline to comment,” and hung up.
Walker’s new statement did not identify which fellowship leaders knew details about Price’s criminal history, or when they learned them.
Walker cautioned against making definitive statements without documentation.
“It would be neither wise nor loving to speculate publicly about who knew what and when, without full documentation in hand,” Walker said. “Speculation offered without evidence is hearsay.”
Walker said the recommendation to elevate Price had been made “in good faith,” based on information available at the time and affirmations from respected ministry leaders.
“Once the full facts became known, I acted swiftly and decisively because the safety and wellbeing of God’s people will never be a matter I approach lightly or delay in addressing,” Walker said.
Walker said the fellowship is strengthening its internal vetting and accountability processes.Bishop Joseph Walker III is international presiding bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. ({photo courtesy of josephwalker3.org)
Walker also said the controversy had weighed on him personally as a husband, father and longtime church leader.
He called the new statement his final communication on the matter. Further speculation or exchanges would not serve a needed period of healing, he added.
First Baptist, meanwhile, has continued defending Price while acknowledging his criminal history.
The church said the “present online controversy” concerns “renewed circulation and commentary regarding a case that was adjudicated 18 years ago.”
It also repeated its position that Price did not know the girl’s age until investigators told him.
“Dr. Price remains committed to living in a manner that honors God, respects the person harmed, protects the vulnerable and demonstrates accountability through his conduct,” the church said.
The statement continued: “Redemption does not erase consequences, and grace does not eliminate safeguards. At the same time, accountability should remain grounded in truth rather than permanent public condemnation, misinformation or harassment.”
Mark A. Kellner is a reporter based in Mesquite, Nevada. He most recently covered statewide elections for the New York Post and was for three years the Faith & Family Reporter for The Washington Times. Mark is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and also attended Boston University’s College of Communication.
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