TX Calvary Chapel Pastor Fired After Child Pornography Arrest

A Houston-area church has fired its longtime pastor after local police arrested him on child pornography charges.

Calvary Chapel of The Woodlands announced its board had unanimously stripped 63-year-old Bruce Hollen of his lead pastor role on May 8, the same day that Montgomery County authorities arrested him. The church website stated, “He may not hold himself out as a leader in any capacity for the church, and he may not speak on behalf of the church in any capacity.” All other information on the website was disabled, and the church’s social media accounts, including its official Facebook page, were taken down.

Hollen was charged with possession with intent to promote child pornography, a second-degree felony in Texas. Authorities said he possessed sexually explicit photos of girls between the ages of 9 and 12. His arrest followed a sting operation targeting internet crimes against children. Hollen was booked into the Montgomery County Jail, and his bond was set at $30,000.

The Woodlands Calvary Chapel is part of an evangelical church association that originated from Chuck Smith’s Calvary Chapel in southern California. The church is known for its expository teaching, contemporary worship music, and emphasis on evangelism. Although Calvary Chapel congregations operate independently, pastors must adhere to “Calvary Church Distinctives.”

Despite the website being largely disabled, a cached page outlining the church’s beliefs mirrors those of many other nondenominational churches: belief in inspired scripture, the trinity, the divinity of Jesus, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the ministry of the Holy Spirit through exercised Biblical gifts, and believers’ baptism. The page reads, “Our desire is to know Christ and be conformed to His image by the power of the Holy Spirit. We do that by preaching the gospel and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”

The incident raises questions about accountability and honest dealing, as Micah 6:8 reminds us that justice, mercy, and humble service are essential.

Source: Read the original report