Virginia Megachurch Terminates Another Pastor
- Carrie Dedrick
- Updated May 29, 2014
Virginia megachurch Richmond Outreach Center (ROC) has fired its pastor of seven weeks. Pastor Joe Donahue had taken over for the church founder Geronimo Aguilar after the former pastor was arrested for sexual abuse charges.
The alleged abuse occurred before Aguilar formed the church reports The Christian Post.
The ROC reportedly let Donahue go without reason given. He had moved from Atlanta, Georgia with his family of six to fill the position. No mention of the pastor’s release is posted on the megachurch’s website.
“We understood that it would be difficult (a sea of red-flag warnings), but we never anticipated anything like what has occurred since May 22. Despite ongoing encouragement from the board of directors, and without warning, I was terminated,” said a statement from Donahue.
Donahue had entered the position with a nine phase plan to rebuild the church and overcome the scandal of the past.
“I believe the Lord has great plans for the future of the ROC, and my hope is to still be a part of it. I want to see the church functioning as a New Testament Church...and I hope the ROC family understands my heart,” he said.
