Romero is no longer pastor of Stedfast Baptist Church, as of January 2019. We’ve held back reporting on this story to allow the dust to settle, and because, frankly, it’s always discouraging to have to report on moral failures, no matter who it is that commits them.
From the Christian Post:
Donnie Romero, an adherent of the New Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Movement and controversial founder of Stedfast Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, resigned due to sex with prostitutes, gambling and marijuana use.
“I just want to let you guys know that I’m stepping down as the pastor of Stedfast Baptist Church,” Romero revealed to his church as his voice quivered in a video posted by the church on YouTube on Jan. 2.
“I haven’t been ruling my house well. I’ve been a terrible husband and father. I’m the one at fault in this situation. My wife and my kids they are not to blame. I love Stedfast Baptist Church, love my family. This is the best decision for my family and this church to make,” he said as a baby cooed in the background and his congregation listened in silence.
“I’m very sorry for the hurt this may cause people, the discouragement. I’m so sorry. I love you guys. I wish I didn’t have to get to this point,” Romero added before walking off the stage.
Romero said in his apology that he planned to continue to attend Stedfast Baptist Church, however, as soon as he resigned, very quickly after, Jonathan Shelley was announced to be the New Pastor at Stedfast (Including the Florida “satellite” congregation, Stedfast Jacksonville).
Shelley’s first act was to restrict Romero from attending the church.
Below is Romero’s confession and apology:
