Christian Post: “A Virginia megachurch pastor who is facing a felony charge of soliciting prostitution from a minor has agreed to step down from his leadership position at his congregation. John Blanchard, the lead pastor of the Rock Church of Virginia Beach, was one of 17 individuals arrested in an October sting operation aimed at capturing people seeking sexual relations with minors online. In a statement posted to its website in response to the arrest, the Rock Church explained that Blanchard had ‘voluntarily stepped back as lead pastor and from all his ministerial duties until this present situation is totally resolved.’ ‘During this season, Bishop Anne Gimenez will be stepping in as Lead Pastor and sharing the pulpit with Pastor Robin Blanchard,’ said the church.”
“We would ask that the privacy of the Blanchard family be respected as they walk through this difficult journey together.’ Rock Church also stated that it ‘condemns sexual immorality of any kind and in any form by its members and leaders,’ and is ‘committed to honesty and integrity in dealing with charges or accusations of sexual misconduct or immorality among its leaders and will support any investigation arising from accusations of violation of this standard'”