Mancini resigns ‘due to infidelity,’ NAMB terminates agreement with Future Church
By BP Staff
ATLANTA (BP) – According to a story first reported by ChurchLeaders.com, Will Mancini, church leadership and vision consultant, has left Future Church “due to infidelity” and has entered a restoration process.
As a result of the moral failing, the North American Mission Board, who had used Mancini and Future Church extensively in training and consulting, has canceled its agreement with the organization.
A NAMB spokesperson told Baptist Press that “NAMB had an agreement with Future Church, of which Will Mancini was a cofounder, to provide leadership equipping to [Southern Baptist] pastors, state conventions and local associations. NAMB’s agreement with Future Church has been terminated because of Will’s resignation. However, it is still our heart and mission to serve pastors and churches well, and we will continue to provide them resources to ensure the health of their ministries and the spread of the Gospel.”
Mancini, the cofounder of Future Church, worked alongside hundreds of Southern Baptist churches during his time with the organization as well as with Auxano, an organization he founded and later sold to Lifeway Christian Resources.
Former Illinois pastor arrested on grooming charge
By IBSA Staff
Editor’s Note: In support of the sixth strategic action of Vision 2025 adopted by messengers to the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting, Baptist Press will continue to report every instance of sexual abuse related to Southern Baptist churches or leaders of which we are made aware.
MATTOON, Ill. (BP) – Keith D. Green, a substitute teacher from Ashmore, Ill., was arrested May 17 by Mattoon Police on a charge of grooming. Green briefly served as pastor at two Illinois churches more than four years ago.
Mattoon Community School District #2 notified police of the allegation that Green had contacted a female under age 17 using an electronic device, in an attempt to solicit sexual encounters. Green was employed as a substitute teacher in the region at the time, according to published reports. Police gathered evidence and statements from Green and the victim that led to his arrest, which occurred at the Charleston Police Department. He was jailed in Coles County on one count of a Class 3 Felony awaiting a bond hearing.
Green was employed as pastor at West Union Baptist Church for six months, ending in April 2015, and at Clarksville Baptist Church for 13 months, ending in January 2018, according to IBSA records. The charge against him was for a 2022 incident not involving either church.