NEW ALBANY — The Ohio Attorney General’s Office recently refused to investigate alleged sex crimes involving a megachurch, but did examine its finances five years ago. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s charitable law section probed Faith Life Church’s finances after a May 2020 complaint filed by a former member and employee of the church. The […]
Gary Keesee
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Faith Life Church statement claims inaccurate media reports on sex abuse case
MOUNT VERNON — An attorney representing a New Albany megachurch entrenched in an investigation involving sexual abuse issued a statement over the weekend that attempts to set the record straight on “inaccurate reports.” Katie Taber, a partner at Asiatico Law, issued the statement on behalf of her client — Faith Life Church — on Friday […]
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Crisis of faith: Sex abuse allegations surround Keesee-crafted religious empire
MOUNT VERNON — Gary Thomas Keesee, an Ohioan with a shy disposition, and Drenda Shelaine Hocott, a blonde southern belle from Georgia, met in college. They both attended Oral Roberts University, situated on a 385-acre campus just 20 minutes south of downtown Tulsa, Okla. Both shared a burning desire to serve God — whom they […]
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‘Truth will prevail:’ Faith Life Church pastor preaches Sunday amidst sex crimes investigation
NEW ALBANY — The head pastor of a megachurch under investigation for links to alleged sex crimes preached Sunday about applying lessons found in the Bible as a way to weather storms. “All hell is breaking loose out there … but truth will prevail,” said Gary Keesee, pastor of Faith Life Church, during one of […]
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Sex crime allegations involving Faith Life Church focus of joint law enforcement probe
MOUNT VERNON — The Knox and Licking County sheriff’s offices are jointly investigating allegations of sexual misconduct connected with the Faith Life Church in New Albany. The church and its more than 3,000 members are led by co-pastors Gary Keesee, and his wife, Drenda Keesee, who recently took office as Knox County commissioner. The Ohio […]