DATE: Monday, August 18, 1997               TAG: 9708180049

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY TONY WHARTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   62 lines

PASTOR LEAVES CHURCH HE CREATED, NURTURED

Rarely in 16 years had the Rev. George Sweet missed a Sunday preaching at Atlantic Shores Baptist Church. But the congregation formally learned this Sunday that he will not return.

``I fully understand I will never be your pastor again, but I believe Atlantic Shores' greatest days are ahead,'' Sweet said in a letter to the congregation read by the interim pastor, the Rev. James Wolfcale. ``This is not George Sweet's church. This is God's church.''

Sweet, 43, was not there. On Friday, he publicly acknowledged that he has resigned from the church he founded because of a ``tragic mistake'' that he made several years ago.

He did not elaborate on the mistake. In Sunday's letter, he also said, ``Actions in my past that have recently come to light have morally disqualified me for the ministry.''

He said that he and his wife, Cindy, would seek counseling. Sweet referred to himself as ``broken and ashamed.''

No scandal had ever been attached to Sweet. He built Atlantic Shores from a few Baptists meeting in a hotel room in 1981 to one of the largest churches in the area, including its own large Christian academy. It has been a stronghold for Christian conservatives, and counts among its members state Sen. Mark L. Earley, now the Republican candidate for Virginia attorney general.

Rumors flew through the 4,000-member congregation this weekend. On Sunday, church leaders allowed the news media to attend only on the condition that they not interview or photograph individual parishioners, and church members were asked not to comment.

The church's usual four Sunday services were compressed into two because of the circumstances. The parking lot and the 1,700-seat sanctuary were filled to overflowing.

As services began, many in the congregation were quietly crying. Deacons and ushers moved through the aisles, stopping to comfort parishioners.

After 25 minutes of singing by the choir and members, Wolfcale addressed the congregation. He chose for his text the New Testament's chapter of Philippians, in which the imprisoned Paul writes to early Christians and talks about their struggles. In particular, Wolfcale pointed to Philippians 4:4-7, in which Paul advises Christians not to worry, but to pray and give thanks. In return, he says, they would have peace in their hearts.

``Let love of Jesus be your love and desire,'' Wolfcale said. ``This is a new day in the life of Atlantic Shores Baptist Church, and it requires great courage.''

Wolfcale said that he had talked with the Rev. Jerry Falwell on Saturday. Sweet graduated from Falwell's Liberty University in Lynchburg and remains close to Falwell.

Wolfcale said that Falwell told him, ``The work is more important than any of us. It must go forward.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]

In a letter read in church Sunday, the Rev. George Sweet cited ``a

tragic mistake'' he made several years ago.

NHAT MEYER/The Virginian-Pilot

Members of Atlantic Shores Baptist Church, some in tears, leave the

morning service Sunday after learning that their pastor had

resigned.

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