A former music minister who was convicted in 2008 for raping a 12-year-old girl in his Baltimore, Maryland, church will soon be the Missouri state director of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International.
Timothy D. Price III, once sentenced to prison for his crime, has rebuilt his ministry career as the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of St. Louis.
The appointment to the Baptist organizational role marks another step in Price’s return to church leadership, years after his statement in court drew a sharp rebuke from the sentencing judge. Price remains a registered sex offender and is listed on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Sex Offender Registry, which contains a current photograph.
The St. Louis church has now publicly defended Price after a Facebook page focused on church abuse questioned his leadership and raised concerns about his access to children.
The exchange occurred after a Facebook poster identified as “50 Years of Abuse at Willow Creek Community Church” asked First Baptist whether Price had served prison time for raping a child.
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The page posted lengthy comments criticizing Price’s return to ministry, arguing that church members, particularly parents, should have access to news reports about his conviction.
First Baptist responded that concerns about safety were legitimate. But a spokesperson for the church said Price’s record should not be used to impose permanent condemnation.
“We respect sincere concerns regarding safety. However, an online search does not determine whether someone has accepted responsibility or expressed remorse,” the representative wrote.
“Dr. Price does not hide his past, served his sentence, remains compliant and has lived without reoffending,” the church representative added. “Safeguarding is essential, but mockery, speculation and distorted facts are not biblical accountability.”
The Facebook page challenged that defense and accused the church of being unable to know whether Price had reoffended. It also urged church leaders to study expert literature about sexual predators.
In a second response, First Baptist disputed several assertions in the posts and said Price was not serving as a pastor when the crime occurred.
“We understand the seriousness of this matter and do not dismiss the harm associated with any offense involving a minor,” the church wrote.
The church also asserted Price “was not a pastor when the incident occurred and he did not know the victim’s age at the time. He learned the age only when detectives informed him.”
First Baptist said court-appointed professional evaluations found the crime was an isolated incident, and they concluded Price did not require treatment or pose an ongoing threat.
The church said accountability should not become “perpetual condemnation” after someone has served a sentence and demonstrated lasting change. It cited 2 Corinthians 5:17 and emphasized Christian redemption.
“We do not excuse wrongdoing or compromise the safety of children,” First Baptist wrote. “At the same time, accountability should not become perpetual condemnation after a person has served his sentence and demonstrated lasting change.”
Neither First Baptist Church of St. Louis nor the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International responded to comment requests from Roys Report (RR).
Price pleaded guilty in May 2008 to second-degree rape after being accused of sexual activity with the 12-year-old girl, according to contemporaneous reporting on the case.
He was 31 and worked as music director at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Baltimore. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
At his August 2008 sentencing, Price addressed the victim’s relatives and friends, expressing regret for his conduct.
“Every day, I’ve prayed for you. I’m not proud of what I have done. … I’m committed to making wiser decisions and better choices,” Price said.
His defense attorney told the court Price was “definitely remorseful for what happened.”
Circuit Judge Robert B. Kershaw said Price’s statement failed to reflect the seriousness of the crime.
“I’m troubled, quite frankly, by the statement by Mr. Price that he’s not proud of what he did but hopes to make wiser decisions. That doesn’t even come close to understanding” the gravity and nature of his crime, Kershaw said.
The Facebook critics highlighted that sentencing exchange. Price has not publicly demonstrated sufficient accountability for the harm caused to the girl and her family, they argued.
Price’s sermons at First Baptist have discussed his criminal history primarily through the themes of grace, survival and restoration, rather than through detailed descriptions of the crime.
He has referred to “bad decisions,” “mistakes,” “some things I did” and a “storm.” In one sermon, Price called himself a “poster boy for God’s grace.”
Price has also urged listeners to reject permanent identification with past wrongdoing.
“Just because you a felon, have a felony, that don’t make you a felon … that’s not what God called me … he still calls me friend,” Price said in a sermon.
Available sermon transcripts reviewed for this article contain no specific acknowledgment of the 12-year-old victim and no direct expression of sorrow for the harm inflicted on her.
Price has addressed abuse from the pulpit as a pastor counseling people who have experienced trauma.
“You was abused a long time ago, but God said it was necessary … right now I’m producing glory after this,” Price said in one sermon.
The Facebook exchange places those themes of redemption and accountability in direct conflict as Price prepares to assume a broader leadership role within the Baptist fellowship.
First Baptist closed its response by saying questions asked sincerely could be addressed respectfully, while public accusations should be “truthful, complete and supported by verified facts.”
“We believe in accountability, safeguarding and the redeeming power of Jesus Christ,” the church wrote.
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.
12 Responses
Has the churches insurance company weighed in?
Well, he apologized to Jesus so everything should be fine. Except…
“The church also asserted Price “was not a pastor when the incident occurred and he did not know the victim’s age at the time. He learned the age only when detectives informed him.”
well, that’s a loophole you could drive a very large mega church through. He didn’t know the victim’s age. If he had, would that have made it any better?
Was this forcible rape or was the statutory rape? And does his position as a minister have nothing to do with this?
This certainly reminds me of The situation at the Pawley Island church
Our country is becoming more evil every year. Non stop wars. Christians making excuses for evil behavior. And the “Jesus forgives me so leave me alone” mentality is disgraceful. Think of how our country spiritually is circling the drain then look at the behavior in our churches. All those greedy evangelicals and Christian music needing the dove awards which is nothing more than self worship. Oh and of course throw in a few , I give it all to Jesus as they make a fortune allegedly serving God. Matt 7:21-23 will be your reward.
Don’t forget Paul warned us that these kind of churches would
be a problem in the last days also :
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 3:5
Are there not a lot of irate churches that constantly rail against
seemingly anything that might indicate the Bible still works ?
This is truly ludicrous, unbelievable and evil!! How deceived can these people be??? Mr. Price, go get a job! You have no right to be a pastor, anywhere!!!
“Was not a Pastor when the incident (CRIME) occured”
Apart from the contempt this thoughtless statement shows towards victims, ethical Christians & clergy. Becoming a Pastor or Priest just adds to power & opportunity to coercive, control & exploit.
This is the most qualified candidate they can produce? An illiterate child rapist? Well done, church!
My sense is that Timothy Price’s ego is fundamentally problematic in the real-life events in which he has embroiled himself; that placing him in complex tension with the Biblical understanding of God and God’s eternal forgiveness. That sense perhaps shared by a sentencing judge.
The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, in so appointing Timothy Price, has placed itself in a difficult position regards testifying as to the nature of God and the forgiveness to be had in giving over to God; God’s grace seems poorly testified to across the living example of Timothy Price.
How can they put him in any leadership role after this moral failure. Forgiveness is extended when we repent, but restoration is not a given in crimes such as this, scripture is clear about what should be done to any who harm a child.
The man did not know she was 12? He may not know her exact age so I’m sure she still looked like a minor. Since it was in church, I’m sure she had parents there she was dependent on. The man did not make a “mistake”. He made a choice to sin against the Holy One and a child with sexual immorality, outside of marriage with a CHILD. What was he doing since his release to earn the title of a PASTOR?
I’m sure Moses killed an Egyptian task master was not a mistake. It was called murder back then. He SERVED as a shepherd over sheeps for 40 years before he became a shepherd over people.
I have no clue why a church would let a proven rapist become a staff member. Hallelujah that this man knows Jesus forgave him and that those in a position to hire for the church feel he is repentant and reformed. The church has huge liability with this man on staff and it clearly doesn’t benefit the congregation in any way! If I had a daughter of any age God would be “leading me” to a different church. The good old boys network at work.
There are some people who shouldn’t be allowed in church leadership. This is one of those situations.
According to the civil law, he has completed his sentence. He may have honestly repented and confessed his failings to God- that is between him and God.. However, he should have never been allowed to be in any position of leadership in a church.
Christian leaders are called to be beyond reproach. Raping a 12 year old is certainly not beyond reproach. He should have been disqualified from any position of trust in a church, school, or other community organization.
This church utterly failed in protected their congregation. And they are making excuses and explanations now? There is no excuse for that.
It also concerns me that he would seek a position of leadership. It makes me wonder how genuine his contrition actually is.