In a shocking revelation, a Maryland church leader is charged with misappropriating a substantial sum from his congregation.

Daniel Champ, a 42-year-old pastor, is accused of diverting approximately $135,000 from First Baptist Church of Harford County for personal use, including sports betting and online shopping, the Christian Post reported.

The case surfaced last week when WJZ-TV, a CBS News affiliate, reported the allegations against Champ. Stemming from an investigation into irregular bank activities and missing funds, the pastor faces charges of theft and embezzlement.

Authorities officially charged Champ early last month and later released him on an unsecured bond of $15,000 on April 11. The court has scheduled his arraignment for later this month, where he will respond to these accusations.

Investigations Reveal Misuse of Church Funds

Church authorities began reviewing the finances after they noticed unexplained transactions and discrepancies in the church’s financial statements, dating from January 2019 to October of the previous year. This review set off the events that led to Champ's arrest.

Investigators discovered that someone had misappropriated the funds and spent them on several personal expenses. They allege that Champ used the church’s money for sports gambling, food deliveries through DoorDash, and purchases via PayPal.

These revelations came just a month after Champ had delivered his final sermon at the church on September 8, where he ironically discussed the importance of integrity, referencing a biblical passage from 1 Thessalonians 2.

A Congregation Betrayed by Lack of Transparency

Following the exposure of these financial indiscretions, a congregation member expressed their disappointment with the church's secrecy. "I was very disappointed that they didn't come out honestly and tell us what was happening, why they weren't forthcoming and honest,” shared the frustrated churchgoer.

The same member added to the discourse on transparency, emphasizing the responsibility of church leaders to be forthright about financial matters. “Because money goes to that church, that's the people's money. And why weren't they honest? Why didn't they just tell people? I think they need to come clean and be honest with the people. I think the people need to know,” the member remarked.

Amidst these charges, Champ faced immediate repercussions; he was prohibited from accessing the church's bank accounts and instructed to vacate his residence on church property.

Church Struggles to Regain Trust

The church has taken steps to address the situation, including restricting financial access to its accounts. These measures aim to safeguard against further unauthorized transactions and restore trust within the community.

Currently, the church’s official website is down, possibly for updates or due to the ongoing investigation. This digital silence adds another layer of complexity for a congregation eager for answers.

The irony of Champ's last sermon, where he highlighted the sincerity required of preachers, stands in stark contrast to his alleged actions. "They’ll come, and they’ll preach to you, and even though some of what they say is true, they’re doing it out of the wrong heart. They’re not doing it sincerely because they care about your soul. They’re doing it because the more people they get on their side, the more money they make," he proclaimed in his sermon.

As the legal process unfolds, the First Baptist Church of Harford County hopes to move past this troubling chapter. The community's focus remains on healing and ensuring such breaches of trust are not repeated. The forthcoming court hearing will likely provide further insights into the depth of these allegations and the future of Daniel Champ's pastoral career.