Pictured: John Radcliff II and wife Kathy Radcliff
DANIEL WHYTE III, PRESIDENT OF GOSPEL LIGHT SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL, TELLS ALL BISHOPS, PASTORS, PRIESTS AND THEIR WIVES OF ALL DENOMINATIONS IF THEY CONSIDER THEMSELVES “ADDICTED TO PORNOGRAPHY,” IF THEY HAVE EVER THOUGHT ABOUT TOUCHING A CHILD IN A SEXUAL WAY, AND IF THEY HAVE EVER THOUGHT ABOUT COMMITTING INCEST WITH ANYBODY IN THEIR FAMILY — INCLUDING STEPCHILDREN — WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN CAUGHT OR NOT — PLEASE VOLUNTARILY GET THE HELL OUT OF THE MINISTRY ASAP!
NETTIE, W.Va. (BP) – A former pastor of at least two Southern Baptist churches in West Virginia faces dozens of sexual abuse related charges.
A spokesperson for the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists (WVCSB) confirmed to Baptist Press that John Radcliff II has served as pastor of Nettie Baptist Church in Nettie, W.Va., and Calvary Baptist Church in Bolair, W.Va. He resigned from the Nettie Church after his initial arrest in September.
Radcliff’s wife Kathy was also arrested. She was allegedly aware of Radcliff’s crimes and perhaps facilitated them.
Radcliff is accused of abusing multiple young girls over the course of decades, beginning as early as 1987.
His arrest in September, stemming from events in 2018 and 2019, spurred a multi-county investigation, which led investigators to many more victims, some of whom were abused from the ages of 3 and 4 through 12 years old. Local news media reports that some victims came forward in 2004, but there were no findings from an investigation.
“The allegations against John Radcliff and his wife, Kathy, are unthinkably horrific,” the WVCSB said in a statement. “We are deeply grieved by this news. The WVCSB’s primary concern is for the care and protection of those impacted by this situation. Our Caring Well Task Force is working closely with the association to offer guidance and support to the affected churches.”
According to local news reports, many of the victims are Radcliff’s nieces. Radcliff allegedly forced them to perform sex acts on him and sexually abused them multiple times throughout their childhoods.
“First and foremost, our prayers are with those who have been harmed and the churches affected, asking God to bring healing, peace, and restoration,” the WVCSB statement said. “We also pray for the Radcliffs, asking God to lead them to confession and to repentance. We recognize that sin brings painful and far-reaching consequences, but God’s mercy and grace through Christ offer redemption and the power to rebuild what is broken. Finally, we lift up our law enforcement and judicial system, trusting them to seek the truth and administer justice in accordance with the law.
“While the WVCSB does not hold direct governance or authority over Southern Baptist congregations in West Virginia, we are committed to providing support during times of crisis. Our desire is for churches and ministries in our state to be safe for survivors and free from abuse, reflecting the gospel. We aim to assist churches in fostering healthy relationships within their congregations and communities while promoting best practices during challenging circumstances.”
The WVCSB has established an in-state sexual abuse hotline, available 24/7. The number is 304.760.8994. “This confidential resource provides assistance in reporting abuse and seeking support related to sexual misconduct,” the statement said.
Radcliff faces charges in several West Virginia counties. Bond has been set at more than $1 million.
If you are/have been a victim of sexual abuse or suspect sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity, please reach out for help at 202-864-5578 or SB********@gu****************.com. All calls are confidential.
IF YOU WERE TO DIE TODAY, WHERE WOULD YOU GO: HEAVEN OR HELL? IF YOU’RE NOT SURE, “BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED” FOR JESUS CHRIST SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT WORDS EVER SPOKEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD WHEN HE SAID, “FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.” READ FURTHER RIGHT HERE:
THE BIG QUESTION
GOSPEL LIGHT MINUTE X #447 WITH DANIEL WHYTE III
This is the “Chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #447 titled, “The Big Question” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.
“HAVE YOU BEEN BORN AGAIN?”
The question is not “Have you joined a church?” or “Are you trying to do your best?” or “Do you have religion?” but “Are you twice-born?” Jesus Christ said in John 3:3, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”.
We enter the physical world by birth. Spiritual life likewise is entered with a birth. We become members of a human family by birth; we become members of the family of God by birth, by being “born again.” There is no other way to get into the human family except by birth, and there is no other way to get into God’s family except by the new birth. Neither education, nor cultivation, nor reformation, nor “turning over a new leaf,” will accomplish this. What is needed is not a new “leaf” but a new “life”! “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).
A New Nature Needed
By physical birth we become partakers of human nature; by being born again we become “partakers of the divine nature”. A Christian is the product of a divine “begetting”. The second birth is not an improvement of the old nature; it is the imparting of an entirely new nature. The old nature is hopelessly corrupt and incapable of ever being made fit for His presence. The new birth requires a creative act of the Holy Spirit. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature”.
Not “Trying” But “Trusting”
“Trying to follow Christ” is not Christianity. Christianity is not imitation of Christ, it is the indwelling of Christ. Christianity is not trying to do anything. It is trusting Christ Who has done it all! He has “finished the work” and there is nothing left to do but simply to receive and trust Him. He shed His precious blood on the cross and the work is all done once and forever! Cease trying and begin trusting! Believers will progressively become more and more like Christ, but by His power, not their own.
What Must I Do To Be Saved?
Simply “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”. The Bible says in 1 John 5:1, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God”. The Bible states in John 1:12,13, “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”.
You are born again, you become a Christian by trusting a Person—receiving a Person. The very moment you do this, the Lord Jesus Christ comes in and life begins!
What Is Meant By “Believe”?
To “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” means more than simply believing the historic facts concerning Him. Intellectual belief about Christ is not sufficient. The belief that brings salvation must be “with the heart,” that is, with the whole being. This belief also includes repentance: “Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”. The Bible states in Acts 17:30, “God … now commandeth all men every where to repent”.
The faith which saves, then, includes the necessity to repent, and to receive Christ as Saviour and Lord, to rest upon Him alone for salvation. It means to trust Him so utterly and completely that, if He should fail, there would be no hope at all!
May I Know That I Am Born Again?
This is an important question. We know that we are born again by the testimony of God’s Word. God says in John 5:24, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life”. Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as explained by God’s Word? If so, then you are saved, you are “born again,” you have “passed from death unto life.” God says so! Take God at His Word, and go on your way rejoicing!
One Final Word
You may “belong to a church,” you may be “trying to do the best you can,” you may be “striving to live right.” Your outward life may be the model of moral correctness, and you may be looked up to, honored, revered, and respected. Yet, if you have not been “born again” you are just as lost as if you had never heard of Christ. Yes, you may teach in the Sunday school, read the Bible, sing, shout, “feel happy,” and all the rest—but if you have never been “born again” you are still in your sins and a stranger to the Lord Jesus Christ!.
If you want to be saved from the wrath to come and from an eternity in Hell, and if you believe that Jesus Christ suffered, bled, and died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again from the dead and you are willing to trust Jesus Christ with all of your heart so you can go to Heaven, please pray with me what is called the sinner’s prayer: Holy Father God, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and I admit that I have sinned against You and that I have broken Your Ten Commandments. I have lied before. I have stolen things before. I have lusted after people and things before. I have dishonored and disobeyed my parents. I have taken Your holy Name in vain. For Jesus Christ’s sake, please have mercy and grace upon my soul and forgive me of all of my sins, my failures, and my faults. As I now believe in Your Holy Son the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that He suffered, bled, and died on the cross for my sins, was buried and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to repent of my sins past. Help me to turn from my old, evil life and follow You in the new life. For it is in Your Name I pray. Amen.
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