He’s coming back again.
Following the resignation of senior pastor Mike Baker amidst a scandal involving his son Caleb Baker nearly eleven months ago, Eastview Christian Church in Illinois has announced the appointment of Pastor Brandon Grant, a former staff member, as his replacement.
Grant, who previously led the ministry for college students and young adults, known as Fuel, at Eastview Christian Church, left the megachurch approximately eleven years ago to establish Rise City Church in San Diego, California.
In a recent video announcement shared on YouTube, the church revealed that Grant had been selected from a pool of forty candidates. Alongside his wife, Jamie, and their four children – Elyse (13), Shepherd (11), Hope (9), and Connor (7) – Grant expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the new lead pastor at Eastview Christian Church, noting that it was where he and his wife initially met.
Reflecting on their time at Rise City Church, where they facilitated the establishment of thirteen additional churches, the Grants expressed both gratitude and excitement for their future at Eastview. While acknowledging Rise City’s impact, they shared their anticipation for the next chapter, citing a belief in God’s plans for the congregation and the broader community.
Grant emphasized the honor of joining Eastview’s legacy and envisioned a future marked by spiritual growth, unity, and impactful ministry endeavors. He expressed optimism about the congregation’s future, both at Rise City and Eastview Christian Church.
In a subsequent update, Rise City Church announced Grant’s resignation as their lead pastor, effective March 31.
The appointment of Pastor Grant follows a challenging period for Eastview Christian Church, marked by allegations of sexual misconduct involving former pastor Caleb Baker and accusations of a cover-up involving his father, former senior pastor Mike Baker. An independent investigation prompted Eastview to address power dynamics within leadership and implement policy reforms for enhanced accountability and transparency.
In response to these revelations, Mike Baker launched Song & Sword Church, embarking on a new chapter in his ministry journey.