Attorney: Accused pastor will preach

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A Grand Rapids pastor accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from his church will preach again on Sunday, according to his attorney.

Rev. Arthur Pearson of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church was arraigned in early January on charges of embezzling between $50,000 to $100,000 from the church.

Jerry Ashford, who is an attorney for and brother-in-law of Pearson, said that Pearson will be preaching after a judge allowed the congregation to decide whether to let him back on church property.

Judge Dennis Lieber had originally denied the congregation's request to handle the matter internally, but granted it on Monday after supporters attended a hearing.

Lieber did prohibit Pearson from handling any finances or church business.

Ashford said the congregation has voted two to one to allow Pearson to preach despite the criminal charges.

"The next step for us is for the attorneys to get together to try to create some direction and specificity as how bringing Pastor Pearson back on to the property is going to work for the membership," said Ashford.

The matter has left the congregation deeply divided.

Ashford said Pearson has not had anything to do with church money matters since October 2011 when an audit revealed that more than $200,000 was missing.