received an honorary doctorate from Midwestern Baptist College, an unaccredited Bible college in Pontiac, Michigan. The Chicago Sun Times wrote about Hyles on the occasion of his death, "When he chose the interests of poor, inner-city kids over millionaire church members, they said he'd never keep the doors of his church open." However, Hyles "proved them all wrong. In the process he built one of the largest congregations in the country, a college, six schools, and a vibrant ministry that will now have to survive without him." Matthew Barnett, while discussing his work at an inner-city Los Angeles ministry, explained how he learned from Hyles. Barnett described Hyles as a tremendous soulwinner and a great influence throughout the Chicago area. Hyles is honored in Founder's Park at his college, where life-sized statues of Hyles and his widow have been erected. Controversies Accusations of improper sexual behavior and financial and emotional abuse are elements of Hyles' legacy. In 1989, the paper The Biblical Evangelist published a story "The Saddest Story We Ever Published", accusing Hyles of sexual scandals, financial misappropriation and doctrinal errors. These charges were denied by Hyles who deemed them "lies". He was accused of a decade long affair with his secretary, Jennie Nischik, who happened to be the wife of a church deacon, Victor Nischik. In 1991, a First Baptist Church of Hammond deacon named A.V. Ballenger molested a 7-year-old girl in her Hammond Sunday school class. During a Sunday school class "a church worker reportedly witnessed the act and removed the girl from the room, police said." The Chicago Tribune in a 1991 article reported that Hyles was sued for $1 million by the parents of the girl. The paper reported the "lawsuit claims Hyles and the church had not fulfilled their obligation to ensure that children were protected from harm during Sunday school." Furthermore, the lawsuit "claims the minister told the child's parents that Ballenger 'just loved children,' and, 'You don't have a case.'" The church settled the lawsuit out of court and the terms were not disclosed. At the criminal trial, three young women testified deacon Ballenger "had fondled them years ago." One of those girls testified that she was molested on the Hammond church bus. A former security officer at the church testified he saw Ballenger fondle a young girl in 1978 or 1979 in a Sunday school room after being called to the