MinistryWatch’s Top 10 Stories for the Month of April

The following stories had the most page views at the MinistryWatch website during the month of April. We present them here in a “countdown” format, from 10 to 1. The first few sentences of each story are reproduced below. To read the entire story, click on the link. To read the Top 25 stories of 2024, click here.

10. Burk Parsons’ Trial Expected in Late April or May

By Kim Roberts. Burk Parsons, senior pastor at St. Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida, and a teaching fellow at Ligonier Ministries, will be tried by the Central Florida Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) sometime between late April and mid-May, according to an email sent to members of the St. Andrew’s congregation. The trial will not be public.

9. Sexual Abuse Allegations of Ohio Megachurch Prompt Scrutiny of Church Practices

By Jessica Eturralde. Faith Life Church, a megachurch in New Albany, Ohio, faces mounting scrutiny as a current abuse scandal prompts questions about past allegations, including an earlier financial investigation and use of employee nondisclosure agreements (NDAs). The Licking County Sheriff’s Office launched a criminal investigation in February 2025 after multiple women, including the daughter of church founders Gary and Drenda Keesee, accused former Chief Media Officer Tom Keesee—a son of the church founders— and another former youth leader of sexually abusing them.

8. Investigation of Dr. Michael Brown Substantiates Reports of Misconduct

By Kim Roberts. An independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Dr. Michael Brown of The Line of Fire “concluded that Brown’s actions toward the two females were inappropriate and unacceptable for his leadership position within the ministry.” Brown was accused of sexual misconduct by crossing physical boundaries with a 21-year-old woman, Sarah Monk, who was working as a secretary at Brown’s FIRE School of Ministry, based in Concord, North Carolina. While admitting to a close relationship with his accuser, Brown claimed the relationship was “totally non-sexual in every way.”

7. Former Orange CEO Re-Classifies Relationship With Joiner as Abusive

By Kim Roberts. Former Orange CEO Kristen Ivy has changed her characterization of the relationship she had with Orange founder Reggie Joiner. In April 2024, Orange announced the resignation of both Ivy and Joiner because of a past “inappropriate relationship.” Now, Ivy says what she previously called “inappropriate” was really abusive.

6. Troubled Calvary Chapel Cary Sells for $7 Million

By Tony Mator. Pastor Rodney Finch’s Calvary Chapel Cary has sold its 9.8-acre church property in Apex, North Carolina — and this time, it’s for real.

5. Bob Jones University President Josh Crockett Announces Possible Role Change

By Kim Roberts. In the continued saga of leadership changes at Bob Jones University (BJU) in Greenville, South Carolina, current President Josh Crockett has announced he may be changing roles if he is called to pastor Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville.

4. Paula White’s Passover Promises

By Kim Roberts. Paula White, televangelist and spiritual advisor to President Donald Trump, suggested to donors who give at least $1,000 to her ministry between April 12 and 20 that God would release seven supernatural blessings upon them.

3. Appalachian Bible College Whistleblowers to Receive No Relief From Accreditation Agency

By Kim Roberts. Professors who say they were fired from Appalachian Bible College in West Virginia in retaliation for filing a complaint with the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) will get no relief from the accrediting agency.

2. Orange to Conduct 3rd Party Investigation Into Founder Reggie Joiner

By Brittany Smith. Orange is one of the largest children’s ministries in the country. With $25 million in revenue, the organization hosts an annual conference that draws thousands of people to its three-day event in Atlanta, Georgia. By the numbers, the organization appears to be thriving, partnering with over 10,000 ministry leaders to offer training and teaching materials, according to its website. But in April 2024, events emerged indicating all might not be well. Both its founder, Reggie Joiner, and CEO Kristen Ivy resigned unexpectedly from the organization.

1. Is Bob Jones Facing Closure?

By Kim Roberts. Falling enrollment, faculty cuts, and administrative resignations — Bob Jones University appears to be a college in turmoil. While some alumni are critical of recent decisions, they are also cheering for change in hopes the school they love can survive.

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