An Alabama-based pastor and church planter is confined to Russell County Jail after he was arrested last month in connection with an armed bank robbery along with a female accomplice. Pastor Kevin Robert McDonald led Landmark Church in Phenix City, AL. He remains in jail according to Court Officials. McDonald was arrested in connection to an armed robbery of Phenix City Girard Bank.
The 40, year old, is still in custody as he has not yet been able to post a $100,000 bond. According to authorities, McDonald entered the bank with a handgun and demanded money before taking off with an undisclosed sum. A police report read, “A white male subject entered the branch, produced a handgun, and demanded money.” Nobody was hurt and the pastor was apprehended in Columbus and charged with first-degree robbery.
Shortly afterward, an accomplice was arrested as well. Lindsay Dara Jenkins was charged with first-degree robbery in connection to the heist but has posted bail. Landmark Church has not answered the calls to comment on the issue. According to their website McDonald and his longtime wife, Jennifer, had been saved since January 2009 “and have spent the last 15 years spreading the love of God.”
The website explains “Kevin was ordained through Nazarene Bible College. He has pastored churches in California, North Carolina, Kansas, and Missouri and planted over 15 new churches along the way.” He is a father of three and a now-deleted description says “Kevin’s passion for preaching and living in community with God’s people has enabled him to lead thousands to Christ and baptize over 600 people over the last 15 years.”
Before he turned to religion, McDonald was addicted to drugs. He said, “I have only been a Christian for 12 years. Before I was a Christian, I was pretty broken. I was hooked on drugs, alcohol, and many other bad things. When I came to Christ everything changed.” According to a video on the church’s Facebook page, he was mentored by a man who showed up at his door with the Gospel and he just “stepped into it.”
He explained “He saved me, my marriage, and everything else. I was so excited about what Jesus did for me that I wanted to spend the rest of my life sharing this really amazing Good News. Nine years ago, I started as a pastor and have loved every minute of it!” The pastor said “Seeing people come to Christ and seeing people grow. There is no greater joy than seeing God work in someone’s life. “
He said his church was unique because “We have such amazing people. They love really really well! The people are what makes us a church. Each time we gather I can promise you will walk away feeling loved, encouraged, and equipped.“ He also advised teens, “Make a commitment now. So many young people say, “I will get serious about my faith later when I am older”. This is dangerous. Get serious now about your faith! You won’t regret it. It is worth it to learn this when you are young! “
Watch a Video of the Disgraced Pastor Here:
According to the Pastor, the hardest part of his calling was ” I want to do well in preaching each week. I want to stay in tune with what God wants me to share! I have to pray my guts out each week to make sure this happens. ” He concluded by saying, ” I am most encouraged when people live out the Gospel with all their heart. Not just talking about it but truly living it out. When I hear stories of how someone on our church lived out the Gospel, I am very encouraged. ”
Featured image: Screen shot from embedded video.