Missouri pastor remains in pulpit after sex crimes allegations
MONITEAU COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -
A Missouri church is facing criticism from within its own ranks over a pastor accused of child sex crimes who refuses to step down.
Pastor Travis Smith has been exonerated of two child sex crimes cases, and now charged in two more.
Baptist leaders are concerned, while his congregation is steadfast in their support.
In several small mid-Missouri towns surrounding the county seat of California, MO, Smith's name can invoke the response, "Say no more."
Before being pastor at the First Baptist Church in Stover, Smith was youth pastor at Pilot Grove Baptist Church.
"The whole thing just made me sick. The whole thing was sickening," said a woman who didn't want to reveal her identity.
She said she left Pilot Grove when Smith took the position, partly because of word-of-mouth involving the 16-year-old at the center of one of the recently charged cases and partly because of sexually explicit remarks she said Smith made to her behind closed doors and the attitude she encountered when she tried to establish boundaries.
more . . . http://www.kctv5.com/story/20113134/missouri-pastor-refuses-to-step-down-despite-accusations-of-sex-crimes-against-children
