DATE: Tuesday, November 25, 1997            TAG: 9711250550

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY TONY WHARTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   54 lines

LEADERLESS BAPTIST CHURCH PROMOTES ASSOCIATE PASTOR

The congregation of Atlantic Shores Baptist Church, whose founding pastor, George Sweet, left in disgrace three months ago, has promoted associate pastor James Wolfcale to succeed him.

About 650 members of the congregation voted Sunday night, almost unanimously, for Wolfcale to become senior pastor.

``I'm excited,'' said Wolfcale, 35. ``I'm anxious to help in any way I can. It's a great church. I'm just going to try to solidify and continue what's been started.''

The Atlantic Shores congregation was devastated in August by the news that the Rev. George Sweet, who had built the church from a tiny group that met in hotel rooms in 1981, had made a ``tragic mistake'' and would have to leave the ministry.

Neither Sweet nor the church ever said exactly what the mistake was. Sweet said that it had happened several years ago and just recently came to light, and that he and his wife would begin counseling.

He has not spoken publicly since and has not returned to the church, even as a member.

Wolfcale takes over a church that has risen to considerable size and prominence in South Hampton Roads, one of the foremost examples of the new strength of conservative Baptist churches in the suburbs. Its main sanctuary on Kempsville Road generally runs four services on Sundays, and it also has a thriving Christian academy and youth center.

The Christian Coalition has regularly distributed its voter scorecards at Atlantic Shores before elections. Using his politically conservative stature in the pulpit as a springboard, Sweet ran for Congress in 1994 as a Republican, but lost.

Another member of the church has moved to higher office, however: Republican state Sen. Mark L. Earley, a longtime friend and parishioner of Sweet's, was elected attorney general three weeks ago.

Wolfcale is originally from Youngstown, Ohio, and joined Atlantic Shores almost five years ago. He has been a pastor for 10 years. He and his wife, Shelly, have two children.

Wolfcale, more reserved than Sweet, said he has no new plans for the church yet. He wants to proceed with the church's efforts to reach young people and expand its ministry.

``We're going to continue the original vision,'' he said. ``The church has been through a lot, but it's very resilient. I'd say right now we're very united. This church means a lot to its congregation.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

BILL TIERNAN/The Virginian-Pilot

Atlantic Shores Baptist Church named Rev. James Wolfcale as its

pastor Sunday night. Originally from Ohio, Wolfcale was an associate

pastor at the church. The church's former pastor, Rev. George Sweet,

left in disgrace three months ago.

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