In 2009, David Chatham was convicted of possession of child pornography and sentenced to six years in federal prison. His Southern Baptist pastor reportedly argued for leniency at the time, citing Chatham’s “dedication to Christ.”
Now Chatham is pursuing ministry training at Southern Baptist schools. He was a student for several years at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in a ministry leadership program. Chatham currently says he’s been admitted as a ministry student at Liberty University, a school with informal ties to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
Chatham claimed on his LinkedIn profile earlier this summer, which we’ve archived, that he was enrolled at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, in an online Master’s in Applied Ministry program.
After The Roys Report (TRR) asked Chatham about his enrollment, the reference to Liberty disappeared from his LinkedIn profile. Chatham told TRR that he had been accepted to Liberty but was not enrolled.
Liberty’s description of its Applied Ministry program notes it will help students “meet the spiritual needs of your community in impactful ways.”
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Liberty University did not reply to multiple requests for comment regarding Chatham’s acceptance at the institution or whether the school conducts criminal background checks. Liberty has been the subject of multiple lawsuits claiming it did not provide adequate protections for women who were sexual victims on campus.
Before applying to Liberty, Chatham was enrolled for several years at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in Wake Forest, North Carolina, in its online Master’s in Ministry Leadership program. SEBTS claims its program will help students “develop strategies to maximize leadership impact.”
However, a source contacted SEBTS in April of this year, asking how a convicted sex offender was allowed into its master’s program. TRR has obtained correspondence showing that Chatham ceased to be a student at SEBTS as of July 6.
TRR reached out to SEBTS for comment about Chatham’s prior enrollment, but the school did not respond.
Chatham, a public relations consultant from Raleigh, N.C., possessed at least 3,400 pornographic images, according to a 2009 article in the Charlotte News Observer. The article adds that some of the images were “particularly violent” and others “depicted very young children.”
The 55-year-old now works for Angel Oak Creative, a Christian marketing agency that specializes in serving non-profits.
News of Chatham’s prior enrollment at SEBTS and apparent acceptance at Liberty comes as the SBC is reeling from an independent investigation into alleged cover-up of abuse within the denomination. The investigation found that the SBC “often mishandled” abuse allegations and mistreated survivors.
Chatham enrolled at SEBTS
In a video posted to YouTube this past February, Chatham introduced himself to SEBTS classmates and stated he has been enrolled at SEBTS in the Master’s in Ministry Leadership for the last few years. He added he is taking one class per semester while working full-time. Chatham does not disclose his criminal history but mentions that his pastor had helped him through a “significant crisis” in 2009.
Last spring, a source who wished to remain anonymous noticed Chatham’s enrollment and began emailing SEBTS administrators with concerns. That source has since shared his email correspondence with TRR, and TRR has confirmed the source’s identity.
The source first reached out to SEBTS on April 27, asking the school whether a student with a criminal background involving child pornography could be admitted to the Master’s in Ministry Leadership program.
Mark Silverthorn, SEBTS interim director of admissions, responded that SEBTS has an “extensive vetting process,” including “a criminal background check.”
Silverthorn said that when “concerns are discovered,” the school implements “tailored procedures to provide the highest level of protections.” These potentially could include limiting the student to taking online classes and prohibiting the student from living on campus or interacting with certain populations.
According to our source, SEBTS later confirmed that Chatham was studying online only. TRR reached out to SEBTS for confirmation, but SEBTS did not respond.
Silverthorn then connected the source with Jonathan Six, SEBTS vice president of institutional advancement. In an email May 6, the source thanks Six for their conversation the same day and also provides multiple links with information on Chatham’s criminal history.
On May 22—the day the report on the SBC’s handling of sex offenders was released—the source again emailed Six, asking what decision the school has made about “the situation regarding David Chatham.”
Six replied the same day, “Today is truly a sad day for the SBC and especially the survivors of abuse who have been so horrifically treated. . . . As when we last spoke, I can assure you that Southeastern will handle all cases of abuse and the discovery of abusers with the utmost care and attention.”
The following day, the source replied: “My concerns were how a federally prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced sexual predator landed at SEBTS as a student in the Master’s of Ministry Leadership program in the first place. I cannot help but wonder how the two—the story of David Chatham—are intertwined.”
On June 5, the source sent an email, asking for an update and stating, “Praying you all have made the correct decision in removing David as a student immediately.”
On July 6, Six replied, “I can confirm that David (Chatham) is not a student at Southeastern.”
SEBTS did not respond to multiple requests by TRR about its policy related to criminal background checks; how it handles the possibility that it is equipping registered sex offenders for the ministry by allowing them to be enrolled in its ministry degree programs; and the reasons that Chatham is no longer enrolled at SEBTS.
The SEBTS website admissions page states, “Each applicant must authorize Southeastern to obtain a background check in order to satisfy the admission requirement. The only exclusion to the background check are special exemptions made for distance learning students who are admitted through a short application for one course off-campus.”
It continues, “If the background check indicates criminal behavior the applicant may not be awarded admission. Students may appeal the decision, and will have the opportunity to present information disputing the background check.”
Repentance and ministry?
According to an article in the Charlotte Observer on September 20, 2009, Chatham was an experienced public relations specialist who knew “the power of a compelling story and the need to get ahead of a negative one.”
Chatham says he accepted Christ on February 12, 2009—two months after being caught in a sting operation and pleading guilting to child pornography, but before he was sentenced. Chatham then reportedly began counseling and recovery programs. He also launched a blog about his experience, partnered with groups who fight child sex abuse material, and let psychiatrists film an interview with him.
The sentencing guidelines called for Chatham to receive eight to 10 years. But his Southern Baptist pastor, Ricky Mill, reportedly spoke on Chatham’s behalf, asking for leniency in sentencing.
Chatham declined to speak with TRR on the record either by Zoom or email and answer our questions about his enrollment at SEBTS and his purpose for seeking a ministry degree.
Chatham’s interest in a ministry degree raises questions about whether child sex offenders should ever be allowed in ministry positions. In a podcast with TRR in 2020, world-renowned trauma expert, Dr. Diane Langberg, argued that they should not be allowed in church settings, nor should they want to.
“(W)hen somebody really begins to understand who they have been, how they have deceived themselves and others, and the impact that they have had on vulnerable human beings, the person most afraid of them being around (a vulnerable) population is them,” Langberg said.
Dee Parsons, a victim advocate who runs The Wartburg Watch, wrote a post about Chatham in 2009. She told TRR, “If Chatham is truly a man of God, he would not want to put himself in a situation where he could be in touch with kids.”
Chatham was released from prison on December 5, 2014. According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, a registered sex offender will remain on the registry for 30 years but may petition to be removed after 10 years.
Kim Roberts is a freelance writer who holds a Juris Doctor from Baylor University. She has homeschooled her three children and is happily married to her husband of 25 years.
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18 Responses
IMO the SBC leaders are not concerned about male sex offenders in the SBC. I do not have any confidence that this will ever change. The good old boys network has worked for decades and what incentive is there for it to change. The SBC sure has fallen over the last 40 or so years.
I’m guessing that Joshua Duggar of the famed family “unreality” TV show has ministry to look forward to once he serves his 12 year sentence even though he never admitted trafficking in child porn and said it was another guy at his work. How’s that for repentance?
The most troubling thing is how it even got as far as it did, because as you know, but for the reporting on it, he would have completed his educational requirements and likely be a youth pastor somewhere, or at least have authority over others in the church who would allow him access to children.
Pedophilia does not go away. People can repent of it but they are never cured of it and must maintain vigilance over their own behavior and should never have access to children. Period.
There are certain things that disqualify one from certain occupations forever. If Bernie Madoff had lived long enough to get out of prison would he be able to get a job at Goldman Sachs or any other investment firm just because he repented of his wrongs? No. It’s a one strike and you are out rule and this should apply to ministry as much if not more than with other occupations.
It should be looked at again!
…”Sexual abuse is a sin against God and a crime against the civil order. In every case, if there is suspected sexual abuse of a child the church should report the incident to the civil authorities. With the sexual assault of adults, the church should provide a refuge for survivors and should walk with them towards involving the authorities and bringing perpetrators to justice. In all of this, the church should deal openly with what has happened in the church while caring for all those who were harmed. No one who has committed such offenses should ever be in any ministry arena where such could even conceivably happen again….” Russell Moore
https://www.russellmoore.com/2019/02/10/southern-baptists-and-the-scandal-of-church-sexual-abuse/
With the Jerry Falwell Jr debacle, and the Jane Doe’s sexual assaults on campus and now this, Liberty University has lost all credibility as a Christian university said to say. The whole administration needs to be removed and rebuilt from the ground floor up.
I found that the links tying Liberty to the SBC did not work.
The implications of this article is to create the impression that this person who served their time, is getting further education in order to use ministry opportunities to abuse people, correct? Can we pass judgment on the SBC, the help this man has received, or those who enroll students at Bible colleges from what is in this article?
What is this article asking us to do? To be alert, informed, or to cancel?
What are the limits of 1 Corinthians 6?
@Richard – what do you think should be done? What is a Biblical response?
@ Don Jones- Why is the issue that needs action? To prevent education, ministry, or grooming children? As far as I read, I did not see that he was convicted of anything other than viewing/possessing child porn. Yet, I also see that he was saved, received help, and worked against abuse. Again, what is the issue?
A biblical response to what? Does Jesus Christ not transform sinners ( 1 Corinthians 6)?
Yes, Christ transforms sinners. But some sins, like preying sexually on minors, disqualify people from leadership forever. Someone convicted of these crimes can never be above reproach–a biblical requirement for elders.
Your comment suggests that “cancelling” this man’s ambition to be a minister of the gospel is an inappropriate response. Please tell me that’s not what you mean.
@ John McCollum- Every believer in Jesus Christ is a minister of the gospel. If not, the blood of Jesus Christ did not cover every sin, we have not been raised to new life in Him, and the Holy Spirit cannot use imperfect vessels. What do you think that I mean?
Jullie,
Thank you for covering this story. I remember being outraged when one of my pastors at the time from providence Baptist Church, asked the judge for leniency for Chatham because he was now in “Bible study.” This was my church which had over a dozen boys molested by an SEBTS student. Those molestations was one of the reasons I started my blog. Back then, I felt rather alone. I am so grateful there are folks like you out there holding the church to accountability.
Before we pass judgment on this man, we need the answer to this question-
What is Chatham’s position on women as pastors?
@Greg Culross
What does your question about what Chatham’s position on women being pastors has to do with the article at hand? However, to answer your question, scripture is very specific in that women are not to be pastors, more specifically, God has not called women to be the head pastor of a church.
My point is that it seems very easy to get kicked out of Baptist denominations for allowing women to preach.
But as the SBC report shows, it is very hard to for a man to get kicked out even after sexually abusing women and/or children.
I am happy to learn he repented and found faith in Christ. Now he should “make it [his] ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
And be joyful everyday that he is no longer bound to that sin. He should give his testimony often and be mentored by mature men in Christ. But he should never be allowed to be in leadership or to be around children.
This man currently lives on the same street as a public park and an elementary school. How is this allowed if he’s registered?
Sin disqualifies us of many things in life. Examples are, teachers that physically assault students, lose their teaching license, nurses who neglect patients lose their license, etc. etc. The good news is that God doesn’t give up on us, and when we truly repent, He forgives us, and gives us a different assignment. A truly repentant soul humbly accepts this new assignment, rather than demanding that others trust them. Trust is always earned and never extracted.
We are warned repeatedly throughout Scripture to, “Be on guard,” from Proverbs to the Gospels and in between. Wisdom recognizes that we face individual predilections and weaknesses due to the sinful nature. We are also warned in Thessalonians to, “Avoid the appearance of evil.” And frankly, what could appear more evil than an adult male sexually preying on innocent children, and then demanding that parents hand their children over to his care? It is mind-bending to think that a seminary would think that such a history of abuse would appear as a good candidate for ministry.
I pray that his repentance is sincere, and if so, I believe that there are MANY important positions that can be filled in the Kingdom of God, that don’t require the supervision of families and their children. All service is of equal importance in the kingdom (I Corinthian 12), and true joy comes from serving in the capacity that the Lord calls us to.