Although I’ve not continued my coverage of the AME Church internal scandals for quite some time, dozens of readers have asked me about the latest, regarding John Hunter, formerly of First AME in Los Angeles.
Without offering a lot of conjecture and rumor I will simply point you toward the most recent Los Angeles Times story and the fact that this issue is getting tremendous coverage in the San Francisco area. I will not be so arrogant to believe that my reporting ultimately led to Hunter being disallowed to assume the pulpit at Bethel AME…but I will say, I’m sure I’ve opened some eyes along the way and helped Bethel in some ways be “prepared” for this moment.
A number of press outlets have either contacted me for comment, information on the most recent sexual misconduct lawsuit settled or references for other guests…all to which I’ve either declined (interview requests) or passed along other more suitable names to forward this discussion.
My job here is done and I’ve been tasked by the Lord with something new. My investigation into the illegal activities of the AME church has come to an end. It is now up to the rest of you to keep up the battle, now that you know the truth.
For press and those who have emailed me…this is Mo’Kelly’s only statement.
“I…told…you…so.”
Respectfully,
Mo’K.
______________________________
SAN FRANCISCO — In an unprecedented move, officials of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest black pulpit in the city, have rejected the troubled Los Angeles pastor assigned to lead its flock.
The Rev. John J. Hunter was recently transferred from First AME, one of the nation’s most prominent black churches, after an eight-year tenure marred by a sexual harassment lawsuit, a federal tax investigation and the questionable use of church credit cards.
Hunter was slated to make his pastoral debut at Bethel AME this month, but church officials drafted an emergency resolution barring him from taking control. They said the assignment could “impair the legacy, reputation, relationships and goodwill” of the church in the community.
When Hunter, cloaked in his white pastor robe and carrying his Bible, showed up at the church Nov. 4 ready to preach, church officials said, they confronted him in the foyer and demanded that he produce the signed declaration from Bishop T. Larry Kirkland stating his new assignment.
Hunter did not have a copy of the declaration and church officials blocked him from taking the pulpit.
The rejection — unheard of in the AME denomination — pits the small, 650-member congregation against the executive orders of Kirkland and has many churchgoers questioning the ramifications of their protest.
Neither Hunter nor Kirkland could be reached Sunday for comment.
Full story HERE.
RELATED: The Mo’Kelly Report Cited by the Los Angeles Times for its Coverage of The Dealings of John Hunter
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