ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA – Shane Wiggins, the former pastor of Baldwin Baptist Mission Church in Louisiana, was reportedly arrested on April 9 on charges of child rape and sexual abuse. Prior to this, it was revealed that Wiggins had already disappeared, abandoning the members of Baldwin Church in early February.   

This information was disclosed in an email interview with Baptist Message by Chris Holloway, the pastor of Little Pass Baptist Church, which sponsors Baldwin Baptist Mission Church. Pastor Holloway also serves as a mission strategist for the Gulf Coast Baptist Association.   

Wiggins, currently held in the Lamar County Jail in Texas, is expected to be extradited to Morgan City, Louisiana, to face investigation for charges of child rape and sexual abuse.

According to Pastor Holloway, Wiggins previously served as the pastor of Baldwin Baptist Mission Church before 2011 and returned in 2015 to lead the small church, which had an average attendance of only about 10 people.   

"Shane left town around the beginning of February," Pastor Holloway said, adding, "The last conversation I had with him was on January 28, 2025."

Pastor Holloway also stated that Wiggins was replaced by Warren Gaidry, the associate pastor of Little Pass Baptist Church, on February 12, and that Baldwin Church merged with Franklin First Baptist Church on April 13.   

"The members of Little Pass Church strongly condemn the allegations against Shane Wiggins, and we sincerely pray for the victims and their families," Pastor Holloway expressed. "We trust that God will bring them healing and restoration," he added, "and we also sincerely pray for Shane Wiggins and his family, that he will have true repentance and a change of heart."

This incident has caused significant shock in the local community, and the relevant denomination has stated that it will do its utmost to investigate the truth and support the victims.

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