WA - Everett pastor tries to solicit underage prostitute, SNAP responds
We are disturbed by the report of a Baptist pastor in Washington attempting to solicit a girl he knew to be a teenager for prostitution. This is horrible on several levels.
To abuse a child is bad enough, but to pay for the opportunity to abuse a child speaks of a depravity that is deeply rooted. We are grateful to police in Everett for apprehending Rev. John Lawlor, and we urge them to seek out others who he may have abused. We also call on church officials at First Baptist Church in Everett to aggressively seek out those within their congregation who may have been hurt by Rev. Lawlor.
According to court documents, Lawlor moved to Washington from Idaho only a year ago. We suspect it’s possible that he may have hurt kids while he was there as well, so anyone with knowledge as to his previous parishes should seek out victims there, and urge victims and witnesses to come forward to police.
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director