TULSA (OK)
Tulsa World
By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer
Published: 5/26/2012
The Rev. Bob Yandian, pastor for 32 years of Grace Church, one of Tulsa’s largest churches, announced he will step down in one year and that his son will take over the church.
Yandian has deep roots in the Tulsa charismatic/Pentecostal community, where he has a reputation as an excellent Bible teacher.
“I’m not retiring from ministry. I’m retiring from pastoring Grace,” Yandian said from the pulpit Sunday. …
Grace was plunged into a nearly decade-long period of challenges and difficulties in 1992 when one of its teachers was arrested for molesting young boys.
“It was the hardest time we’ve ever known as a church,” Yandian said.
Aaron Thompson is serving a 25-year prison sentence for molesting nine boys over a five-year period.
“It was devastating,” Yandian said. “He was the most popular teacher we had.”
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