Pastor of First Baptist Church of Warrenton indicted by a federal grand jury

The pastor of a Warren County church has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of tax evasion.

[Kari J Jones]

Sad I say, sad! He was such a fine pastor... so sad!

[Leavemalone]

u guys are retarded and you need to leave him alone its not like he commited murder! and he is still such a FINE pastor!

[ATTENTION]

I'M ASKING you this one question?! Have you ever done anything bad? Anything that could have hurt your reputation? Well the answer is probably yes well you probably prayed! And that is the best thing to do! We will continue praying for not only him but for everyone who has been spreading this and turning things into a demeaning devil process. May God Bless! LOve,........

[Brother in Christ]

Yes, I agree it is sad....very sad....but when Dr. Otis Ray Hope was Senior Pastor of Montrose Baptist Church in Rockville, MD he stole over $500,000 from the church and bought the YMCA in Haagerstown, MD for $500,000. Prior to his coming to Montrose Baptist Church, he was at the Comite Baptist Church in Louisiana. This guy has a "history" of greed. He is evil...Beware of him...he is a wolf dressed in sheeps clothing! I am not judging him...the Lord will do that. But, you cannot ignore the facts. He has so many "other names" that he has used...O.Ray Hope, Otis R. Hope, O.R. Hope, R. Hope, Ray Hope,...etc...you get the idea. beware of him...he will steal the money from your church and you won't even know it until it is too late...and he is long gone.

[Dave Scott]

I hope that none of you have never done anything wrong , I'm sure you are all perfect & don't have to ask god to forgive you BUT I'm sure you aren't perfect ! All I can say is that Pastor Hope has made alot of changes in the church in the short time that I've been going there & I am so grateful for the push he gave me -- otherwise I would still be lost . He is also human & I am sure GOD will forgive him -- WHAT ABOUT YOU ! Maybe instead of condeming him we should pray & help him like we are supposed to do ! All my prayers will include him & his family ! Once again ... should we hold someones past against them ? Please advise me , I know I've made alot of mistakes & wrong decisions in my past .. but .. unless I've read it wrong ( in the bible ) God has forgiven me for those sins !

[Gary Johnson]

I was at Montrose under Ray and I had the chance to get to know him a little. I feel bad for him and his family. God did work through him in some very special ways at Montrose. He was a dynamic Pastor, but unfortunately he was also a modern day Esau. Let's not beat him down more. Let's instead pray for him, his family, and the congregation that he was pastoring. How is Christ being glorified when Christians attack Ray. He messed up, many times., but he is still a brother in Christ. We all have some form of "thorn" in our flesh.

[Christine]

Wow...I don't know what to say. My parents, brother and I were also members of Montrose when Pastor Ray was there. He was right there when my dad, brother and I were baptized. Every once in a while I'd wonder what happened to him after leaving Montrose, which is how I found this article. Despite his actions, I can't deny that his sermons invoked thought and inspiration that strengthened my Christian faith. I pray for him and his family.

[Brother in Christ]

Ray Hope has a record of using many alias' that's how he has been keeping ahead of things. If you look him up...he has used the following names: Otis R. Hope, Otis Ray Hope, O. Ray Hope, ORay Hope, Ray O. Hope, Rayo Hope, R. O. Hope, O. R. Hope, just to name a few. Why would a person use so many different names, unless he was trying to "hide" something. I do find it interesting that he has done this. He was married to a woman by the name of Margaret, but he may not be now. He is an "interesting" character to say the least. I don't have to judge, as God will do that, if He isn't already doing so. The Bible does speak of "wolves, dressed in sheeps clothing"...and when it comes to Otis Ray Hope....beware! This guy is very clever and has set up so many "dummie" companies to shelter his money that only the Lord knows where. BEWARE!!!

[old friend]

I have known Ray since college. He has always loved himself and $$$ more than anything else including the Lord. Sorry to say that, but it is simply what I have observed over the last 30 odd years. Ray not only changes his name, he also changes his birthdate to make it harder to trace past troubles. Sad, he was our frat chaplin back in '76. We all thought he was so above sin. DeWitt pegged him right after all!

[Brother in Christ]

This is not surprising to me at all about Otis Ray Hope. What I do find surprising is so many people who are his supporters. I'll admit that he is a "charmer", a good public speaker, but not all that knowledgable of the Bible which is "interesting" for him to be a preacher. What is even more interesting is that the Baptist Conference does not post anything about him; does not warn other congregations about him; and they just let him continue on doing what he does best. When he was the Sr. Pastor of Montrose Baptist Church in Rockville, MD he set up a business to recruit foreign students to attend Montrose Christian School. The company he set up collected over $580,000. The company that he set up collected the funds, but never gave them Montrose Christian School. In the 10 year period he was there and then a year or two before he left Montrose Baptist Church, he had purchased the YMCA in Hagerstown, MD which he named "Shiloh Ministries" at a purchase price of $500,000. Doesn't anyone find this "interesting"? While being the owner of Shiloh Ministries he obtained a loan from a bank in the amount of approximately $1,750,000. Where is that money, and what did he do what those funds? I suspect that more than likely the money that he borrowed is sitting "off-shore" somewhere in bank accounts of his extended family members, or in the names of ficticious companies all "dummied" and "orchestrated" by him. Allegedly he has divorced his wife Margaret Hope (mother of Kristi Hope McCusker and Michael Hope). It is also interesting that Otis Ray Hope has a "history" of moving around from one street address to another. Over the past 10 year period, he has lived at more than 10 street addresses all in different cities. Seems to me like he is "on the run" and trying desperately to keep ahead of the authorities who have been after him. More than likely "Brother Ray" will find someone to lend him the money to pay off the IRS and avoid serving a jail term. Should that happen, well he may be beating the system here on earth, but ultimately he will be judged by the Lord, Jesus Christ. He may be the one of the redeemed in Heaven wearing a crown of "stubble or hay" or he may hear the words..."depart from me you wicked servant" ...if he doesn't turn himself around. A person can always fool themselves, and others, but you cannot fool the Lord.

[Too Late Smart]

Thank God for the IRS! Because of the indictment, the members of First Baptist Church in Warrenton, GA, began seeking information on Dr Ray Hope. As a result, he is gone from our midst after only five months as our pastor. Our church is hurting from his short pastorate here. Dr Hope is charismatic, intelligent, an excellent preacher and, in my opinion, has the potential to become the leader of a cult! As of this date, he is still married to Margaret and has two teenaged children besides two adult children. I feel sorry for the family for what he is putting them through.

[Charles R - NC]

ATTENTION wrote:

I'M ASKING you this one question?! Have you ever done anything bad? Anything that could have hurt your reputation? Well the answer is probably yes well you probably prayed! And that is the best thing to do! We will continue praying for not only him but for everyone who has been spreading this and turning things into a demeaning devil process. May God Bless! LOve,........

This is indeed truly sad that Ray Hope has once again deceived another church congregation. My condolences to the congregation. It is equally sad to see this man, who studied for years to enter into the ministry as a pastor and developed a the gifts of excellent communication and preaching given by the LORD has to just squander the blessing for personal gain and greed. It is a shameful fact that too many Christian's, particularly Baptist, have become Scripturally weakened to the point of of not being able to distinguish that which is evil from holy, and sin from righteousness. God calls the pastor as the leader of the congregation to be an example before HIS people and above reproach. The pastor is to be a man of integrity and meet the requirements of the Holy Scriptures, Ray Hope meets neither. If the church settles for anything less then God's standards, then the church as a whole is compromised before the world and receives the due scorn from those outside the church. Ray Hope is not a man or (pastor) worthy to every set his foot behind any pulpit and communicating the Word of God no matter how well he preaches and communicates. The Holy Spirit does not bless or anoint such a person. Praise the LORD that he resigned from this church before he destroyed it the same way he did several others. It is better to have a man who is faithful to the LORD in all areas of his live and be a fair or even poor-preacher then a unfaithful and ungodly man preaching behind the pulpit.
So, before anyone laments over this person (Ray Hope) for leaving this church, don't do it, and praise God instead. I Know this man personally, and have seen him divide many families and destroy the faith of many others. He is not worthy to be called by the title pastor or minister. Yes, pray for him that God would cause him to repent and make restitution to each and every person that he wronged. Pray for his wife also, she needs your prayer more then him.
It is not being judgmental to call sin out as sin. Stand up for what is right in the LORD's sight and not what appears to be right in you own sight, like those in the Book of Judges.
The facts about Ray Hope are easy to find anywhere on the internet search, inquiry of the Baptist papers, or a simple background check. My prayers go out to this church congregation that the Lord will heal them and strengthen them through this time of trial. His actions are an on going pattern over the years. This sir is called habitual sin that testifies to the fact this man is unqualified to be a pastor at any church. God holds that pastor to a higher standard then you or I. It is great that you wish to trying to see only good in people and over looking sins, This is an un-biblical world view and destructive for the church as a whole. Un-repented and habitual sin has no place in the church. This is called church discipline and must be applied scripturally and lovingly.

[Sick]

I have also known Otis Ray Hope. For my whole life. Let me tell you how sickened i am that people can think and say such sad things about a follower and leader of christ. I am very young and i still know that christians are not supposed to act like this. Lets clear one thing up okay has anyone noticed that all the names listed are the same things O. Ray Hope, Ray O. Hope etc. I can't believe the things that i have read in these coments. Not one single person has the right to say that O. Ray Hope should not set foot behind the pulpit ever again. I want everyone to know that me and my family are suffering but guess what! We are strong and God is with us. As long as we have each other we'll be allright. Yea pray for us but don't put us down! As most people have. I am so sickened to hear that people think that my father loves money and other things but you know what at the end of the day we all know that he loves his family and God. Again i am so sad and put down bye people that i am sick to my stomach. We are out of Warrenton and we are never going back. It was Fun. Sincerely, and goodbye warrenton.

[Sister in christ]

You know what if you read what "Sick" Said. and you realize who is talking. it will make yourself feel sick to you stomach to realize that a twelve year old knows that Christian's should not be acting like this. I feel very sorry that she has to see what she has read in the following comments. Like she said pray for her family but don't put them down like people have.

[Enlightened]

Wow, so many lastest sites on "Ray Hope". People/fellow Christians, please "wake up". You are Christians, not "idiots"! As others have written, Ray has been doing these things for many, many, years. Someone previously commented how this is "a mistake" that Ray has made and haven't we all made mistakes. Dear Brother/Sister, this is no mistake. THIS IS HIS CHARACTER/LIFESTYLE!

[your crazy]

hey you dont know him personally so dont talk about his life style. think of one MISTAKE YOU HAVE. and then let me tell you that it is Your CHARACTER OR LIFESTYLE.

[X vistor]

We were at Warrenton church and I knew something was wrong..he won't visit, he said he didn't like to....He doesn't visit the sick in the hospital. At the end of the service he never once tried to get anyone to come up front...he wasn't the preacher that he claimed to be. I also find it amusing that the deacons in the church are everything but innocent, one is going to prison also.I remember some of his sermons and how dare him talk about all the sinners in the world. He hasn't learned his lesson until he goes to jail and serve a few years but I don't think he will change. I don't feel sorry for the family they also reap the dollars coming in, houses, cars,etc. So don't cry now. Ray Hope is a weak man...not a man of God...he made his choice, so now live with it.

[mean spirit]

I am very good friends with the family. And i will tell you that they don't want you to you feel sorry for them. I believe and know that he is a man of God and how dare you say that in the church it shouldn't be talked about sinners cause every church that you go to should talk about sinners and everyone does sin. Unless you think every body is perfect which they are'nt. Why was he supposed to visit every single member in the church while they were sick? Does anybody know how many funerals he did while there? A lott. And he visited soo many people while they were sick. Don't talk about his family God has blessed him and his family and they have given back and still do.

[Brother in Christ]

While Otis Ray Hope was the Senion Pastor serviing at Montrose Baptist Church, there was a man who was a member of the church. He came to the church on day, and came into the Pastor's Office (Ray Hope's Office) and sat in his chair and then shot and killed himself while sitting in the Pastor's Chair. The next day, the church was having its' Easter Pagent, and Hope was in the Worship Center with another member of the church. I overheard Otis Ray Hope say to the other person present with him..."the show must go on.....what he did was stupid, and I don't feel sorry for him!...It doesn't matter, the program will go on, and we will make no mention of it!"

How sad, that an individual committed suicide and Otis Ray Hope wasn't man enough to feel any compassion....other than for himself!

Why would a Pastor change his name, his date of birth, and have so many addresses that he "presumbably" has lived at so many times....unless he was trying to "hide" or "run" from something or someone? Think about it? While at Montrose Baptist Church, he successfully diverted approximately $580,000 from the Christian School there at Montrose. In a short time thereafter, he purchased the YMCA in Hageerstown, MD for $500,000. I'm sure if you check his credit history, there is no "loan" or "mortgage" on the place....so how did he get the money? He used the money he diverted from Montrose, to purchase the YMCA.....and then he took a $1.750,000.00 loan on the place a few years later. Where is that money? More than likely, his love of self, and money....he has cleverly diverted the funds to off-shore bank accounts....in the names his family members.

I feel sorry for Ray, his wife Margaret, his children.....but most of all....I feel very sorry and saddened for those churches, and church members that have been negatively impacted, divided, and financially "crippled" by what Ray Hope has done. I do agree that Ray has made his choice.....and this time, it just may "cost him."

[Truth]

When Ray Hope went to Montrose Church, he disbanded the Montrose School Board because members objected to his plans and would not approve them. The school ran an ESL program that attracted foreign students seeking to study in the US. Magically, someone established a corporation to run an ESL program, and it began to interact with foreign parents on behalf of the school. The corporation charged foreign parents $10-12K for tuition per child and using his authority as Pastor of the church with authority over the school, Hope determined that the school should only charge each student about $3K for tuition. There were about 60 students enrolled in the program allowing the corporation to net about $500K each year for maybe 3 years. Part of these funds were used to provide high salaries and bonuses to corporation personnel. Supposedly, Hope's daughter served as financial secretary and wrote the checks.