Army Chaplain Probed Over Coerced Baptisms

The Army’s chief of chaplains has begun an official inquiry into reports that a Southern Baptist chaplain in Iraq has been offering U.S. troops baths in exchange for being baptized.

“It’s simple. They want water. I have it, as long as they agree to get baptized,” Josh Llano, a 32-year-old chaplain who describes himself as a Southern Baptist evangelist, told the Miami Herald.

According to the newspaper, Llano required soldiers to listen to a 90-minute sermon before taking part in an hourlong baptism ceremony featuring Bible quotations.

Lt. Col. Eric Wester, spokesman for the Army Office of the Chief of Chaplains, said Army Chief of Chaplains Gaylord Gunhus “was very concerned about the appalling report as presented.”

He is awaiting word from a land force commander to determine the details of Llano’s activities.

“I cannot verify that he’s encouraging people to be baptized in order to obtain a bath,” Wester told Religion News Service.

“What I can say is that the Army chief of chaplains has requested additional information about the accuracy of the quotations and details of the actions of Chaplain Llano.”

John Yarbrough, vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board, issued a statement Wednesday saying that the board is disturbed by the report but has not been able to contact the chaplain to ask him about the story’s accuracy.

“Such behavior does not represent the views of Southern Baptists concerning baptism nor is it acceptable behavior for any chaplain, pastor or other Christian believer,” he said.