SC Pastor’s Wife Steals Over $400K From Local Church

Wife of Baptist preacher faces charges for stealing from local churches over span of five years

A South Carolina woman faces charges after local police said she stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a church in Greenwood County, just south of Greenville.

Shelley Strickland, 54, was arrested Aug. 9 after confessing to stealing $404,414 from First Baptist Church of Ware Shoals, SC, according to reporting by The Roys Report (TRR). She may face additional charges for theft at other nearby churches.

The Ware Shoals Police Department told TRR that Strickland has worked as the church’s financial secretary since 2017 and began her theft scheme in 2019 to pay for credit cards and personal expenses. Strickland took from many accounts, including the church’s emergency fund.

Strickland also worked as a financial secretary for Emerald Baptist, Callie Self Memorial Baptist, Providence Baptist, and Lakeland’s Baptist, according to the incident report. Local authorities are conducting investigations into the finances of these churches also.

Investigators say the money was spent on meals at expensive restaurants and trips to the Smoky Mountains, among other vacations and family expenses over the years. A pastor became aware of the issue when a new financial secretary reported discrepancies in the church’s finances. The scheme reportedly continued until February 2024.

Strickland’s husband, Mark Strickland, is pastor of First Damascus Baptist church in nearby Bradley, SC. The couple lives in a parsonage owned by the church.

If convicted, Shelley Strickland faces up to 10 years in prison.

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EDITOR’S NOTE:  Why does MinistryWatch report on financial fraud in the church? We report on them because one in three churches will be victimized, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. We also report on them because these crimes have real victims and cost taxpayers and other stakeholders billions of dollars every year. Even small crimes in small churches have huge consequences. We also report on them to remind our readers that they do not have to be victims. There are steps you can take to prevent financial waste, fraud, and abuse in your church or ministry. To find out more, click here.

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