Megachurch Pastor Axed over Cell Pics of Makeout Session with Teen

By Anthony Bartkewicz
New York Daily News
August 2, 2012

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/megachurch-pastor-axed-cell-pics-makeout-session-teen-article-1.1127319

Megachurch pastor Jack Schaap was axed over cell pics of makeout session with a teen.

The pastor of an Indiana megachurch lost his job after being careless with cell phone pictures showing him making out with a young woman.

The girl may be as young as 16, and police are now investigating Jack Schaap.

Schaap, 54, was fired from First Baptist Church in Hammond on Tuesday after 11 years in the pulpit, a church spokesman told WBBM-TV.

Former First Baptist member Trisha Kee said Schaap left his cell phone behind and a deacon picked it up to bring it to him.

“The deacon then saw a text come through from a teenage girl in the church, and it was a picture of Jack Schaap and this girl making out,” she said.

The spokesman would not confirm the girl’s age, but said she was thought to be over 18. Others believe she is about 16, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Jack Schaap’s megachurch in Indiana.

Either way, Schaap was fired over what the church called an “improper relationship with a young woman.”

The Lake County Sheriff and the FBI are investigating whether she is underage.

Schaap is married to the daughter of former First Baptist leader Rev. Jack Hyles and has two adult children.

His published books include “Marriage: The Divine Intimacy” and “Dating with a Purpose: Common Sense Dating Principles for Couples, Parents, and Youth Workers.”

Contact: abartkewicz@nydailynews.com