Church Members Sue Pastor

WXYZ-TV Action News/May 16, 2005
By Mary Conway

Members of a Mount Clemens church suspect their pastor has been breaking one of the Ten Commandments. Monday, a judge ordered him to prove otherwise or go to jail.

Rev. Tyrone Martin of the Greater Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church was ordered to provide an audit in 5 weeks or face punishment from a Macomb County judge.

Martin is being sued by several members of his congregation who accuse him of misappropriating church funds. They say money is now missing.

Cherly hunter is one of the church members involved in the legal action. Hunter says Martin is refusing to account for as much as $80,000 of the church’s money. "There were moneys that were misappropriated," she says. "We have proof of that."

After the Monday court hearing, Martin refused to answer questions. "I’m hungry. I’m cold. I’ve had a busy morning and I’m ready to go home," he said.

Some church members told 7 Action News that aside from the financial issues, they were offended that the reverend tried to have everyone who raised questions or disagreed with him voted out of the church.

"This man is the minister. He should have read the Bible," said congregant Alpheria Pouncy. "I haven’t read anywhere in there where they ever put anybody out of God’s house."