Bell Shoals pastor Forrest Pollock reported missing

TAMPA — A well-known Brandon pastor was reported missing Monday, assumed to have been piloting his own plane at the time of his disappearance, Hillsborough sheriff's officials confirmed.

Members of Bell Shoals Baptist Church were exhorted to pray for their pastor, Forrest Pollock, on Monday night, hours after he piloted a plane from North Carolina to Texas, according to the church's Web site.

Pollock, the Web site said, left Florida on Sunday afternoon, flying his own plane, bound for North Carolina.

Pastor George Thomasson signed the online plea, telling church members that Pollock had not been heard from since leaving North Carolina early Monday morning for Texas, where he planned to attend a conference.

"We have learned that Pastor has not yet reached his destination at the time of this writing," Thomasson wrote in a message posted at 9:30 p.m. "Everything humanly possibly is being done to locate Pastor's whereabouts. We are, however, appealing to all of our church family to pray earnestly for God's supernatural intervention."

Pollock is senior pastor at Bell Shoals, a politically active megachurch that has been in the news in recent years. Two years ago, its members gathered to protest the opening of a Valrico bikini bar. Last year, the church attracted protesters itself when it hosted a two-day conference with some of the biggest names in the national Christian right movement.

Originally from Oklahoma, Pollock, 44, has been married 17 years and has six children, according to the church Web page. He formerly pastored at churches in Baton Rouge, La., and Fort Worth, Texas.

Comments on this article

by steve	May 17, 2008 11:35 PM
where are the stories about such a great man feeding the poor, standing up for the down and out? only stories about hate!!!? Now might be a good time for these sheep to find a new cause beside hate.

by skocked	May 17, 2008 3:51 PM
What is wrong with the world today that we can't have compassion and mercy for this family? To lose a child is heartbreaking ,but to lose you soul mate and a child is unthinkable. Please have mercy on the friends and family that will read this

by Emily	May 16, 2008 2:30 PM
My heart nearly broke in two pieces when I found out that Pastor Pollock and his son,Preston were dead.All I can look on the bright side for ,is that he's in a better place now.I send my prayers out to the Pollock family.Best of luck.

by simeon	May 16, 2008 1:30 PM
I have worked with Forrest for 6 years, he was the most consistant Christian man that I have ever served with or known. He truly loved Jesus,his family,his church and the community. He was a Prince of a man. He was my brother my pastor and my friend.

by Matt	May 14, 2008 5:15 PM
Our prayers are with the Pollock Family and friends as well as our brothers and sisters from the Bell Shoals church family. I cannot fathom how this must feel..but I believe God is sovereign and in control and has a good and perfect plan for this.

by Goldie	May 14, 2008 1:22 PM
A woman lost her husband and a son. Children lost their father and a brother. Can we keep stay focused on this family's loss.

by LinSoo(who is coo)	May 14, 2008 11:15 AM
Can't we all just get along? We are talking about 2 human beings..just like yourselves, whether Christian, Jewish, whatever... go hug a tree, climb back in bed, or down a bag of Doritos ... anything is better than all this bickering.. sheesh!

by Gwen	May 14, 2008 11:14 AM
Pastor Pollock was such a wonderful preacher and leader. He will be missed! My prayers go out to his family during this very difficult time.

by Arlene	May 14, 2008 11:13 AM
According to the Bible, Do not gloat on other's misfortune or you will heap burning coals on your own head.

by Bonnie	May 14, 2008 9:01 AM
So sorry to hear of this tragedy. My prayers are with you all.

by Stacey	May 14, 2008 8:56 AM
It was clear Pastor Pollock had an amazing love for God and passion for sharing that love with others, especially the lost. Please be respectful in your comments during this time of intense grief for Pastor Pollock's young children and surviving wife

by hopeful	May 13, 2008 6:47 PM
My hope and prayer is that the church will now find a leader that promotes love and appreciation for all just like Christ did...not like the way some think Christ would treat others.

by Brenda	May 13, 2008 6:08 PM
Mike, Christians taking over & forcing an agenda? You mean like The Bible taught in public schools? The Ten Commandments on courtroom walls? Prayer before sports events? Gee, someone HAS already taken over and forced their will on the Christians!

by Missy	May 13, 2008 5:32 PM
My love and prayers go out to the Pollock family. Brother Pollock is a wonderful pastor and I will miss his sermons. I know God will make something good out of this tragedy.

by JR	May 13, 2008 5:29 PM
I hope Curious understands that it was a small single engine plane.Doesn't cost much more than some cars. It was not a lear jet or other fancy jet. He enjoyed it as a hobby.I knew the man personally. He's given more to the needy than you ever will.

by casey	May 13, 2008 5:28 PM
i heard about the plane missing early this morning and i was shocked i would never think this would happen at the same church i got to. But sadly he left us but my prayers go out to the pollack family everybody will miss him dearly

by Dave	May 13, 2008 4:09 PM
Regarding the comment from curious about having his own private plane.Apparently the minister had a very successful business prior to being in the ministry and earned the money for the plane. The church was not involved in purchase.First class family

by sally	May 13, 2008 3:20 PM
My prayers and thoughts go out to the family in this time of sorrow. The father and son are now with the Lord. I also pray for the ones out there that cannot understand this.

by mc	May 13, 2008 3:16 PM
Thoughts and prayers from Baton Rouge to the Pollock family. You will both be missed.

by sally	May 13, 2008 2:41 PM
My prayers and thoughts go out to the family in this time of sorrow. The father and son are now with the Lord. I also pray for the ones out there that cannot understand this.

by Mike	May 13, 2008 2:12 PM
Brenda, Christians taking over the government and forcing their agenda on Americans IS interfering with a person's freedom of worship if they don't happen to subscribe to your same belief system

by Curious	May 13, 2008 2:02 PM
I've never heard of a pastor (not even the Whites) who has his own private plane. So much for helping the needy.

by Friend	May 13, 2008 1:39 PM
Rodney, The boy is 13 and if God's supernatural intervention is needed to save him and his father, then so be it. Hes a good man and good father. Theres a place for people like you.

by Garry	May 13, 2008 1:39 PM
All I know at the moment is that the plane went down, and Forrest and his son Preston were killed. There were two others on board I believe, but I do not know if there were any survivors. May God Bless the Pollock family in their time of suffering.

by Derrick	May 13, 2008 1:39 PM
Rodney, try to focus on the tragic loss of a man of God not on your private agenda. Brush up on your history of the founding of our nation so you can speak intelligently. That's right you'd rather regurgitate the thoughts of others. How tragic..

by Phil	May 13, 2008 1:37 PM
They will find some way of turning this into a pledge drive of some kind...

by Brenda	May 13, 2008 1:34 PM
If Rodney knew his American History better, he would know that the seperation of Church and State was originally meant to keep the government from interfering with a person's freedom of worship. Not to keep Christians from being politically active!

by dave	May 13, 2008 1:33 PM
What happened to the previous Pastor? Remind the public about that.

by Suzanne	May 13, 2008 1:33 PM
My prayers and sympathy go to Pastors family and church family. May God bring you peace in your heart knowing that Pastor is with Him today. I know how much he will be missed by all. He was truly a man of God!

by Rodney	May 13, 2008 12:04 PM
God's supernatural intervention? To help somebody who has so clearly subverted the sacred division of church and state? Yeah ...

by Christine	May 13, 2008 10:44 AM
Dear God, Please hear our prayers. We need our pastor alive and well. Help authorities find the plane. In Jesus Name, AMEN

by Jennifer	May 13, 2008 10:43 AM
Please take a moment of silence and say a prayer for our Pastor Forrest Pollack and his son Preston's safe return home. He is an AMAZING MAN with a beautiful heart & a beautiful family that need your prayer as well. And all God's people said AMEN!

by Sam	May 13, 2008 10:43 AM
Here's a good, hearty sarcastic thank you for the irrelvant mention how Bell Shoals Baptist has been involved in controversy with their role in the "Christian Right" movement. This was not exactly the time to take a cheap shot at conservatives.

by Kim	May 13, 2008 10:43 AM
My prayers are with you all at this time and hope that God will help to locate him and his son alive and ok.