Pastor punched in face at altar
(11/23/05 - KTRK/TULSA, OK) - A Tulsa pastor was preaching about praise and thanksgiving when someone in the audience threw a punch at him. Billy Joe Daugherty is the pastor at the Victory Christian Center. His sermons are broadcast in 40 countries. When it was time for altar call, Steven Rogers reportedly punched Daugherty in the face and knocked him down. He had thought Rogers was ready to receive the Lord.
"The Bible says we may be knocked down, but we aren't knocked out," Daugherty said. "We're still in the game. And that's the message of life."
Daugherty kept preaching Sunday, even with a shiner and blood streaming down his face. He didn't press charges, but Rogers allegedly hit two other people that same day, so he will face those charges.
(Copyright © 2005, KTRK-TV)
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=nation_world&id=3661029
(videotape on URL below)
http://www.nbc5.com/irresistible/5390295/detail.html
Church Pastor Punched
Church Members Subdue Man
POSTED: 9:43 am CST November 23, 2005 UPDATED: 10:01 am CST November 23, 2005
TULSA, Okla. -- An Oklahoma pastor was attacked by a man in his congregation last Sunday, and the assault was captured on tape.
Every Sunday, the Rev. Billy Joe Daugherty calls people to the altar for prayer at the Victory Christian Church in Tulsa, Okla.
Last Sunday, Daugherty was standing in front of the praying group when a man punched him.
Church members subdued the man and Daugherty went right on preaching with blood running down his face.
Police said the attacker was Steven Rogers, 50.
Although the pastor needed two stitches and received a black eye, he didn't press charges against Rogers.
Police were holding Rogers on unrelated charges.