A former teacher has been arrested for sending a bomb threat to the prominent Florida megachurch Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale.
Melissa Ann Redway, a former teacher at the church’s Westminster Academy and a former choir member at the congregation, was arrested on Monday over an email she sent to the church.
Redway had been laid off as a teacher at Westminster after she suffered a brain injury that made her incapable of performing her duties, reported the South Florida-based WPLG Local 10.
Redway had also lost her position in the Coral Ridge Presbyterian choir, with authorities reporting that she “did not accept the news well and attempted to rejoin the church choir.”
In one instance, a witness said Redway arrived at choir practice wearing a cassock, ran down the aisle, and exited the church, according to CBS Miami. Church employees also reportedly received incoherent emails from Redway referencing specific concerts.
Redway sent a threatening email to the church’s executive director in February, allegedly writing, “I first need to blow up the whole entire church with me at the concert …” according to an arrest report cited by the South Florida-based NBC 6 News. The threat referenced a concert scheduled to be held at the church on Feb. 20. An arrest warrant was issued in April.
Authorities explained that one church leader found Redway’s behavior to be “increasingly concerning,” while her mother told police that Redway was “acting a little out of character, anxious, and stressed about the church situation,” NBC 6 News added.
Redway faces second-degree felony charges of threatening to throw, project, place, or discharge a destructive device and sending a threat to kill or injure someone. Bond was set at $7,500.
A prominent megachurch, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church began holding worship services at an elementary school in 1959, with the congregation being officially chartered in 1960..
D. James Kennedy was the first pastor for the congregation, being appointed in June 1959 and holding the position until his retirement in August 2007. He would die at age 76 a month later.
Kennedy was succeeded by Tullian Tchividjian, a pastor and grandson of the Rev. Billy Graham. Tchividjian would resign in June 2015 after confessing to an extramarital affair.
In March 2016, Coral Ridge Presbyterian leadership chose Rob Pacienza, a staff member who had served in other pastoral roles at the congregation, as the new senior pastor.
“After a comprehensive and exhaustive search, we are pleased to announce that we found the best candidate right underneath our noses,” Rod Hayes, chairman of the church’s Pulpit Search Committee, announced at the time.
“Rob brings a unique mix of appreciation for the history and tradition of Coral Ridge as well as a burning desire to capture the hearts of our city of Fort Lauderdale with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are excited about welcoming Rob to his new position of leadership at Coral Ridge and look forward to how God will use him in our midst.”
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