BE ENCOURAGED? GWINNETT PASTOR CHARGED THOUSANDS TO DISABLED MAN’S CREDIT CARDS

Cops: Gwinnett pastor charged thousands to disabled man’s credit cards

5:46 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2015 | Filed in: Local News

There is a lot to be encouraged about in this world.  I think we ought to be encouraged to stay strong as we go on about our daily business, be encouraged to stay focused on whatever task there is at hand, be encouraged to treat others properly, and by all means be encouraged to watch out for wolves in sheep clothing. 

That is what I want to talk about today (wolves in sheep clothing).

AJC.com is reporting the following:

Robert Whittaker, the pastor of Gwinnett’s Be Encouraged Ministries, has been in jail since February.

Whittaker is accused of using a disabled man’s credit cards to make thousands of dollars in purchases.

Snellville police are asking any potential victims to come forward.

A new watch.

A girlfriend’s trips to the salon.

New wheels for a friend.

Robert Whittaker (Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office)

A Snellville pastor has been in jail for more than two months, accused of commandeering a disabled man’s credit cards — and opening new ones — to purchase those luxury items and more.

Police are searching for other possible victims.

Robert Whittaker, the founder and pastor of Be Encouraged Ministries, was charged with exploitation of a disabled adult on Feb. 5. He has remained in the Gwinnett County jail — a place he’s very familiar with — since.

Snellville police Chief Roy Whitehead said that Whittaker’s latest legal troubles began when he “offered to care for” a disabled church member with short-term memory loss while his wife was at work.

“While caring for the man, (Whittaker) convinced (the victim) to open credit cards at various locations and authorize him to make charges on the card,” Whitehead said. “… Whittaker also opened credit cards in the victim’s name authorizing (Whittaker) to sign and make charges.”

Whittakers’ alleged purchases included a new watch, hair appointments for a girlfriend and car repairs and new wheels for a friend.

The alleged victim’s wife reportedly found out after she started getting calls from creditors “wanting payments on accounts she didn’t know they had.”

“She said she contacted Mr. Whittaker by text and told him that she knew he had been spending their money and would have to pay it,” an incident report said. “He said he would in a text back, (but the victim’s wife) hasn’t heard from him since.”

Online records show Whittaker’s most recent arrest was his 12th in Gwinnett County, with prior charges ranging from aggravated assault and drug trafficking to driving without a license. In a video on the Be Encouraged Ministries Facebook page, the pastor talks about growing up in Buffalo, snatching purses and robbing drug dealers.

Here is a youtube.com video of this thief  pastor.

“Pastor Whittaker was incarcerated for robbing and selling drugs until he decided to change his life and worship GOD,” the Facebook page says. “He is a real dude that doesn’t judge anybody for who they used to be but encourages them for whom they will become.”

I think you should be encouraged to stay away from this man and begin to listen to God for yourself instead of every person who comes by and pretends to know God.

Snellville police are asking any other potential victims to come forward. Detectives can be reached at 770-985-3555.