The number of Americans who identify as Christian has declined steadily for years, but that drop shows signs of slowing.

HOUSTON – Kirbyjon Caldwell, the former pastor of a Houston megachurch, was sentenced to prison Thursday after admitting to bilking investors out of millions of dollars alongside a Louisiana investment adviser. Caldwell was sentenced to six years in prison after he pleaded guilty in March to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In 2013 and 2014, about $3.5 million was “invested” and divided between Caldwell, Smith and others, prosecutors said. Caldwell used about $900,000 to maintain his lifestyle, pay down personal loans and mortgages, according to the Justice Department. Smith pleaded guilty to the same charge in July 2019.