Pastor Faces Charges After Lavish Spending On Gambling
A pastor in Maryland, Daniel Champ, has been formally charged with stealing over $135,000 from the First Baptist Church of Harford County. Authorities allege that he used the funds for personal indulgences, including sports betting and food deliveries. Champ, 42, is expected to appear in court later this month and has been removed from his role in managing church finances. He was also ordered to leave his church-owned residence.
The financial misconduct reportedly took place between January 2019 and October 2023, when church officials began to notice suspicious transactions and missing funds. Following an investigation, Champ was arrested and later released on a $15,000 unsecured bond. His personal expenditures included payments through services like DoorDash and PayPal, raising concerns about the misuse of church donations.
Members of the congregation expressed frustration, particularly over the leadership’s failure to promptly inform them of the situation. One unnamed churchgoer criticized the lack of transparency, stating that the community deserved honesty, especially since the financial contributions came directly from the people. The incident has stirred a sense of betrayal among the church community.
Adding to the controversy, Champ’s final sermon before stepping down occurred in September 2023, during which he preached about the dangers of preaching for personal gain. In hindsight, his words have been viewed as deeply ironic, given the allegations he now faces. The church’s website has since gone offline, and its public communication has been minimal since the charges came to light.
The case highlights broader concerns about financial accountability in religious institutions and the importance of transparency from church leadership. Many in the community are still grappling with the news and calling for clearer communication and accountability moving forward.