Locating to this area in May, the youthful youth pastor at Family First Assembly will be absent for awhile. But it's not for health problems, tragedy, a business conference or even a vacation. ...more

September 27, 2008

Though the weather outside was clear and cool, a tempest continued to tear at the First Baptist Church at the Mall. ...more

November 5, 2007

LAKELAND - In his sermon today at Lakeland's prominent First Baptist Church at the Mall, Pastor Jay Dennis urged church members to trust God in the face of troubling storms. ...more

November 4, 2007

It was the moment Jay Dennis and the huge congregation he leads have dreaded for days. ...more

November 4, 2007

LAKELAND - It was the moment Jay Dennis and the huge congregation he leads have dreaded for days. After two weeks of investigation, Lakeland police arrested a trusted church member and accused him of sex offenses involving three boys he mentored at the church. ...more

November 3, 2007

The investigation is continuing into an accusation of sexual abuse by a volunteer at Lakeland's First Baptist Church at the Mall. ...more

October 31, 2007

LAKELAND - The investigation into an accusation of sexual abuse by a volunteer at Lakeland's First Baptist Church at the Mall is continuing, Lakeland police said today. But no arrests have been made. ...more

October 30, 2007

The Lakeland Police Department is investigating allegations of sexual abuse involving middle school and high school students who have attended First Baptist Church at the Mall. ...more

October 29, 2007

The Lakeland Police Department is conducting an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of abuse of middle school to high school aged students who attend The First Baptist Church at the Mall, or who have attended the church in the past, according to Lakeland police. ...more

October 28, 2007