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‘We take this seriously’: FL church’s abuse prevention accreditation matter of ‘gospel integrity’

Florida Baptist executive pastor Chris Dotson believes that building a fence really high is a matter of “gospel integrity.” He takes this conviction to heart in guarding South Tampa Fellowship against sexual abuse.
  • January 14, 2025
  • Florida Baptist Convention
  • Florida, Latest News
By earning ECAP accreditation, South Tampa Fellowship is seeking to provide a safe environment for children and students to learn about God. Photo provided by South Tampa Fellowship.
(Photo courtesy of the Florida Baptist Convention/South Tampa Fellowship)

‘We take this seriously’: FL church’s abuse prevention accreditation matter of ‘gospel integrity’

Florida Baptist executive pastor Chris Dotson believes that building a fence really high is a matter of “gospel integrity.” He takes this conviction to heart in guarding South Tampa Fellowship against sexual abuse.

“We take this seriously,” Dotson said. “We want to ensure that the church is the safest environment for our children and students as we seek to help people find and follow Jesus.”

With South Tampa senior pastor, JJ Johnson, serving as chairperson of a special committee tasked with examining policies and procedures governing sexual abuse allegation reporting, survivor care and prevention within the Florida Baptist Convention in 2021–22, the church found it critical to use an outside, third-party organization to assist it in evaluating and auditing its policies and procedures.

That is where the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP) comes in.

Read full story, click here. 


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jessica Pigg and originally published by the Florida Baptist Convention. 

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