Shane Wiggins, former pastor of Baldwin Baptist Mission Church in Baldwin, Louisiana, was arrested April 9 in Texas and is awaiting extradition to Morgan City to face allegations of child rape and molestation. Chris Holloway, senior pastor of Little Pass Baptist Church and mission strategist for the Gulf Coast Baptist Association, confirmed Wiggins had abandoned the Baldwin congregation by early February.
Holloway last spoke with Wiggins on Jan. 28. Wiggins, who previously led the mission before 2011 and returned in 2015, was replaced on Feb. 12 by Warren Guidry, associate pastor of Little Pass. The Baldwin congregation, averaging 10 attendees, officially merged with First Baptist Church Franklin on April 13. Holloway expressed deep sorrow, condemning the alleged crimes and offering prayers for the victim, Wiggins’ family, and for repentance. Wiggins is currently held in Lamar County Jail, Texas, awaiting transfer to Louisiana.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by the Baptist Message.