Memphis mega-church pastor admits he molested a minor

[essentialsaltes]

I would not want to be guilty of providing 'graphic description of the alleged assault, and links to the same', so you'll just have to find the story yourself. You can search on the title or some of the following quotes to find the story.

"Twenty years ago Memphis mega-church teaching pastor Andy Savage sexually assaulted a high school senior who was 17 years old.

According to Fox 13, the Highpoint Church leader admitted to the act on his social media platforms. At the time, Savage was in college and working as a staffer at a Texas Baptist church now known as StoneBridge."

--

"She was told that the associate pastor would inform the head pastor and the church would deal with the situation. In the days that followed Savage went on as though nothing was outside of the norm. In fact, he even taught a workshop titled “True Love Waits” about sexual purity and abstinence."

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"Jules Woodson has filed a police report about the incident."

 

[Chesterton]

I would not want to be guilty of providing 'graphic description of the alleged assault, and links to the same', so you'll just have to find the story yourself.

That's okay. We don't mind doing some of the work. You do so much for us, always going above and beyond the call of duty to bring us these kinds of stories.

 

[citizenthom]

I haven't been on the site in some time so I assume there's some subtext to your declining to link to the victim's actual description? I just read it myself and her account, while specific, is not especially graphic (except insofar as an adult's having coerced sexual contact with a 17-year-old is per se graphic and disturbing).

 

[essentialsaltes]

I haven't been on the site in some time so I assume there's some subtext to your declining to link to the victim's actual description? I just read it myself and her account, while specific, is not especially graphic (except insofar as an adult's having coerced sexual contact with a 17-year-old is per se graphic and disturbing).

This thread was edited by mods and I got a yellow card.

 

[majj27]

Oh man, this story, already horrific, just gets worse as you learn more about it.

After he decided/was asked to leave and thrown a huge, friendly "Farewell" party, the church (where Jules and her parents still attended) considered BRINGING HIM BACK.

And it just gets uglier...

 

[JackRT]

Smacks of Roy Brown.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

I haven't been on the site in some time so I assume there's some subtext to your declining to link to the victim's actual description? I just read it myself and her account, while specific, is not especially graphic (except insofar as an adult's having coerced sexual contact with a 17-year-old is per se graphic and disturbing).

I read an article. And didn't see anything. That shouldn't been aloud.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Mega pastor gets a standing ovation from his congregation as he apologizes for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old two decades ago...

However it was the final conclusion to his remarks that was met with a standing ovation. In closing, Savage added for 'Any painful memories or fresh wounds this has created for anyone, I am sorry and I humbly ask for your forgiveness, I love you all very much,' to which the audience stood up and roared in applause.


I see this update has also been posted in the Christians-only News forum.

 

[wing2000]

"She was told that the associate pastor would inform the head pastor and the church would deal with the situation. In the days that followed Savage went on as though nothing was outside of the norm. In fact, he even taught a workshop titled “True Love Waits” about sexual purity and abstinence."

The church leadership should be held accountable for the lack of action...

 

[essentialsaltes]

Update: he resigned.

"As I’ve reflected during my leave of absence, I have come to see that many wrongs occurred in 1998. The first was my inappropriate relationship with Jules, which was not only immoral, but meets the definition of abuse of power since I was her youth pastor;"

 

[TerranceL]

'Any painful memories or fresh wounds this has created for anyone, I am sorry and I humbly ask for your forgiveness, I love you all very much,'

Such a brave soul apologizing for a crime he committed 20 years after the fact when there is little chance he'll face any justice.

"Hey guys sorry I raped one of the young women you've sat next to in these pews for the last 20 years, but I'm totes sorry about it now."

Then applause.

Astonishing.

 

[majj27]

Update: he resigned.

"As I’ve reflected during my leave of absence, I have come to see that many wrongs occurred in 1998. The first was my inappropriate relationship with Jules, which was not only immoral, but meets the definition of abuse of power since I was her youth pastor;"

"Inappropriate relationship"? That's an odd way to spell "sexual assault".

 

[Ringo84]

Oh, no problem. All he has to do is pray for forgiveness and I'm sure many of the people who follow him will easily forgive him. So nice to be the pastor of a megachurch and have the rules not apply to you because you prayed for forgiveness.
Ringo

 

[majj27]

Oh, no problem. All he has to do is pray for forgiveness and I'm sure many of the people who follow him will easily forgive him. So nice to be the pastor of a megachurch and have the rules not apply to you because you prayed for forgiveness.
Ringo

Sounds a bit cult-like.