Another day, another antigay pastor caught up in a prostitution scandal.
This time it’s 41-year-old Edward Ignacio Espinosa, who just stepped down from his position as community outreach pastor at Antioch Community Church in Waco, TX after being arrested for allegedly soliciting sex at a local massage parlor.
The Waco Tribune-Herald reports:
Espinosa’s charge stems from a massage parlor targeted by undercover McLennan County Sheriff’s Office investigators last year. Hundreds of men engaged in prostitution at two massage parlors in Waco between September and November, prompting investigators to raid the businesses in December.
Investigators found videos of men who paid for sex acts during massages, according to arrest affidavits for the business operator, Chun Yang Zhang, 47, of Austin. She was arrested Dec. 8 on a second-degree felony charge of human trafficking and arrested again Feb. 20, accused of running a third massage business where she forced women to engage in prostitution.
Espinosa has worked at Antioch Community Church for the past eight years, during which he regularly advocated for conversation therapy while preaching about the evils of homosexuality.
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He also worked very closely with Senior Pastor Jimmy Seibert, who once said that “homosexuality is a sin” was “Truth No. 1” from the Bible and claimed that 90% of people “in a full-blown homosexual lifestyle” also suffered from physical, sexual, or mental abuse.
When asked for comment on Espinosa, Seibert said: “Ed’s conduct was not only inappropriate but directly against our values and policy as a church and as the people of God.”
He added, “We continue to be committed to helping heal whatever is broken, whether on behalf of the victim or the victimizer, we believe restoration is still possible through Jesus Christ.”
So long as that victim isn’t gay, of course.
Related: Naughtier Than Thou: A Brief History of Antigay Religious Leaders Engulfed In M4M Scandals
HMFan
But, see, it’s okay if Espinosa does it cuz he’s not “homosexual” per se. He’s just looking to get a BJ and doesn’t care if that comes from a guy, a gal, a cow, or a saguaro cactus. What’s the big deal?
Brian
Not homoxexual per se? The article is pretty clear that the prostitutes were women.
Kieran
This is exactly why Jesus taught us not to throw stones or judge others. I hope you learned your lesson Edward.
JaredMacBride
What is “conversation therapy”?
CanadianGuy62
It’s like phone sex. Someone converses with you in an erotic way until you get off. It is VERY therapeutic!
blackhook
Who can be dumb enough to $upport these evangelical Wackos From Waco™?
glennmcbride
“Conversation therapy” – how does that work?
Mick406
I see you two “Mc / Mac Brides are thorough readers. I had to read it twice before I saw this mistake. That wasn’t the only mistake. This guy is hetero, per the story. Since he is ‘normal’, what he did is deserving of just a slight slap on the wrist.
CanadianGuy62
I don’t know if I’ll EVER tire of this stuff. Schadenfreude at its finest. ?
Clay83
You cannot trust these folks! They can spew as much hatred as they like but we should look and laugh knowing that they are brainwashed by their fairy tales
Brody
But enough about Democrats and the liberal agenda . . .
mrinfomation
Isn’t that the church that Chip and Joanna Gaines attend from HGTV’s Fixxer Upper?
Invader7
@Clay83_ Exactly. NEVER trust any religious figures,pastors, preachers, priests,ministers: they want ONLY -control,$$$$,power & property. YOURS specifically !!!