'The Church Will Continue to Pray'

First Baptist Canton responds to a civil suit that claims a teenage boy was allegedly sexually battered and the church could have prevented it.

First Baptist Canton has released a statement after the church, its senior pastor and two former employees were named in a civil lawsuit that claims a teenage boy was allegedly sexually battered and the church could have prevented it. "The church was made aware of these allegations more than two years ago, and has fully cooperated with law enforcement in their investigations. To our knowledge, the criminal case remains pending, and the accused has not been tried on these charges. The church takes very seriously its responsibility to ensure the safety of all of its members and attendees, especially children and youth. The church has referred the matter to legal counsel and will vigorously defend itself and its employees against these claims…

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Lawsuit: First Baptist Canton 'Enabled' Sexual Abuse

The parents of one of the victims, who was 14 years old at the time he was abused, have filed a civil lawsuit in Cherokee County Superior Court.

First Baptist Canton allowed a fired employee with a history of suspected sexual misconduct against children to return to the church as a volunteer, a misstep that led to the sexual battery of a teenage boy, the parents of the alleged victim claim in a civil suit. The boy's parents are suing the church, senior pastor George Anderson and former church employee Shawn Finch, alleging that they not only failed to properly supervise the volunteer and the children in their care, but tried to "downplay" the abuse in a meeting at the church. A Cherokee County grand jury in April 2011 indicted the volunteer, 29-year-old Matthew Brent Sheffield of Canton, in the alleged June 2010 sexual battery of the boy, who was 14 years old at the time. Sheffield…

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The Cherokee Vine

'God Encounter' Set Pastor's Course

The answer to a fervent prayer left Canton minister with no doubts about his future.

There's no doubt in George Anderson’s mind that God called him to be a pastor. He felt the nudge as a younger teen, but it wasn't until his sophomore year of college—when he was faced with declaring a major—that he knew for sure. "I was on my knees with my Bible in front of me and said 'I need you to speak to me through your word,' " said Anderson, pastor of First Baptist Church Canton. "I tell people to always get confirmation from God’s word. I’d rather have it in black and white so I can put my finger on it." While he counsels people now to look to the Bible for answers, the next step he took as a student is something he said he does not recommend to folks now. "I let my Bible fall open," Anderson said. He put his finger on the page and…

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