Save First Baptist Church of Sterling

Have you wondered where all of the most recent leaders of First Baptist have gone?  Have you wondered why the only members of the First Baptist Church of Sterling that remain consistent is Bishop Patterson and Co-Pastor Francene Patterson?  Have you wondered why in spite of all of the money that is collected from members, visitors and friends, that the church seems to never climb out of financial crisis?  Does it seem a little bit strange that the church filed for bankruptcy without any leader knowing about it but instead found out first from friends, associates, and the Washington Post?

Things are not right at First Baptist and have not been for a long time.  Bishop Patterson refuses to be held accountable for anything he does.   He believes that he owns First Baptist and that everyone else, as he put it so eloquently over two months ago, "you are responsible for tying our shoes and nothing else".

As you know, Trustee Mingo made several allegations of improper behavior on the part of Bishop Patterson.  Instead of addressing them, he not only fired those who made the allegations, but refused to discuss the issues or disclose them to the congregation.
 
All non-profit organizations are required by law to be governed by an oversight organization such as a board of directors, trustees or other supervisory body.  The oversight for First Baptist Church of Sterling was established in its bylaws and articles of incorporation.  Bishop Patterson has refuses to honor these governing documents of the church and has moved out those who do not agree with him or has attempted to hold him accountable.  This lack of oversight and accountability has led to a number of issues that have put the future and credibility of the church at risk, including:
 

*  Bishop Patterson has continuously claimed that he has not been paid at various times throughout the year.  Contrary to what he has stated, he has been getting paid, and has been receiving more in salary and housing than what was approved by the Board of Trustees, the bankruptcy clerk and Great Nations, the organization that granted the church a loan to clear its debt.  He also violated another condition of the loan to the church in that he was ordered to remove Co-Pastor's salary from the payroll of the church in order to improve the church's  ability to meet its financial obligations.   Bishop Patterson, without proper approval,  moved his Co-Pastor's  salary from the church to the King Solomon's Christian Academy.
*  Bishop Patterson and Co-Pastor Patterson have inappropriately used the funds from the King Solomon Christian Academy, which is a legal entity under a 501 3(C) provision, as his personal company in order to spend money however and whenever they like for their personal gain, again without oversight or accountability.
*    Bishop Patterson has had illicit interaction with several female members of the church (this is completely verifiable by witnesses).
*     Bishop Patterson used the pulpit as a vehicle to pressure and ridicule members of the congregation and the leadership in order to drive them from the church
*    Bishop Patterson does not believe that he is accountable to anyone.   true.

It is time-out for nonsense in the name of Jesus.  It is time-out for selfishness that only separates us.  It is time for Bishop Patterson to go elsewhere and leave First Baptist!  It's time.  If you are in agreement, please sign this petition.  Let's make our opinions, thoughts and desires known.