Post by anointedteacher on Nov 7, 2007 22:33:00 GMT -5
The News 4 Trouble Shooters spent months investigating the founder of the Family Praise Center on Northeast Loop 410, and investigating claims that he asked women for phone sex, had extramarital affairs and used church funds to silence his victims.
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Rick Hawkins is a showman. He's a charismatic and powerful preacher saving souls in the name of the Lord. He also shapes the lives of students at his School of Excellence, a charter school bearing his name. Hawkins is the author of several books, including advice on relationships.
Hawkins is also a preacher with a problem. Hundreds of followers have made a mass exodus, leaving his Family Praise Center church recently because of word that he has been caught up in a sex scandal.
A woman who says she was victimized by Hawkins sexual advances asked us not to reveal who she is. She doesn't go to Hawkins' church anymore because of something she says happened when she turned to her pastor for counseling for a personal matter.
Instead of comforting her, she says Hawkins hit on her during a phone conversation, even though he knew she was married.
The woman told us, "He first mentioned to me that he was in bed naked, and it caught me off guard."
She says Hawkins' inappropriate comments went even further.
"He asked if I would like to have phone sex, and he also asked me questions about me masturbating and if that was something that I did frequently or was interested in doing." She says she was confused, frustrated and hurt by his advances.
She was hurt even more when she talked to other women who claim they have also been the target of Hawkins' sexual advances. We've confirmed Hawkins had several extramarital affairs before he and his wife divorced last February.
One of his affairs recently caused the break up of a marriage between two of his church employees.
We've also learned Hawkins has used thousands of dollars in church funds, money put in the collection plate, to silence many of those affected by his sexual advances. In exchange for the money, they agreed not to talk about what happened. A former book keeper even left the church in protest over those payments.
We also uncovered another one of Hawkins indiscretions, again with another married member of his congregation.
In an e-mail, the husband of that woman confirms the incident. Trouble Shooter Brian Collister asked about allegations that his wife was sexually harassed by Hawkins.
He wrote: "My wife and I have suffered immeasurable emotional and spiritual set backs that we are just now recouping from as it pertains to the situation and circumstances that you have mentioned."
He declined to talk on camera about what happened that made them leave the church.
Meanwhile, church leaders have also fled the flock. Paul Rodriguez, a former deacon of the church, came forward to talk to us. His daughter was married to Hawkins' son until they recently divorced.
Before that, Rodriguez says his daughter spoke to him about one of Hawkins' affairs.
"So, Maria calls me one day and says, 'Dad, I really need to talk to you.' And she says, 'You know, what, Dad? I don't know what to do anymore. Pastor Rick has been in an adulterous relationship with one of the members of the church and she's married, and it's going on continually.'"
Rodriguez says he is not coming forward to hurt Hawkins, but to get him to repent and get straight with God. He told us, "I love him. He never did anything to me."
We tried repeatedly to get an interview with Rick Hawkins to talk to him about the allegations.
His attorney even sent us a letter asking us to not air our story until we have an opportunity to discuss the matter, but neither Hawkins nor his attorney would interview with us.
So, we caught up with Hawkins several weeks ago as he made his way into a service.
Brian Collister: "Rick, we wanted to ask you about the affairs with women. Wanted to ask you about the affairs and paying them with church funds. Can we talk to you about it? Any comment at all?"
He didn't answer, but a group of men moved us away from Hawkins. After we tried to talk to him, at his next service, Hawkins surprised his congregation by announcing he would be cutting back on his preaching.
He made this comment when explaining why: "The last three years have presented challenges to me, some self inflicted, self induced. Others brought on by other situations."
Although Hawkins is not talking, one of his victims is, in hopes that others who still pray here will know the truth.
She said, "It impacted my life very dramatically. It caused me to not to reach out to get help, anticipating that someone may want to hurt me, as well. It has taken time for me to heal."
We're not the only ones investigating Rick Hawkins. A group of more than a dozen local pastors is also looking into all of this, and is considering publicly admonishing him. They meet Wednesday to hear from some of his victims. We'll let you know what happens.
