Joe.My.God. LGBT News
NPR reports:
Pastor John Lowe II admitted a grave sin in an address to his church on Sunday, saying he committed adultery and asking for their forgiveness. But then things took a sudden and dramatic turn: A woman stepped forward to say Lowe had sex with her when she was only 16.
Lowe’s initial remarks at New Life Christian Church and World Outreach in Warsaw, Ind., had seemed to satisfy the congregation. He received a standing ovation after he confessed, calling for privacy and healing and saying he was stepping down.
But as Lowe set the microphone down, a woman and her husband approached the stage and picked the mic back up. “I was just 16 when you took my virginity on your office floor,” the woman told Lowe, who stood at the front of the pews.
From the New Life Christian Church:
In the wake of what has now been revealed, we are hurting and broken for a woman who has lovingly attended and served in the church for many years, as well as for her husband and family. It is our deepest prayer and commitment to love, support, encourage and help her through a process of healing in any way in which we are able.
New Life is likewise devoted to ministering to and with all of our members through this difficult season, that we might not only survive this, but experience together abundant grace, unity healing – all for the glory of God, and the preservation of His church.
Our brokenness extends to Pastor John B. Lowe II, his wife and family as well. For 42 years, New Life has taught and preached a Cross-driven message of repentance, forgiveness and restoration; a ministry of reconciliation which has been both led and modeled by Pastors John and Debbie Lowe.
As healing occurs in their hearts, their marriage and family, we are committed to demonstrating the same support, encouragement, counsel and forgiveness that has come to define the collective heart and ministry of this body.
As of Monday, May 23, 2022, Pastor John B. Lowe II tendered His resignation with New Life Christian Church and World Outreach.
To all concerned, please be assured that, until now, none of this was disclosed to or known by any of the staff, ministers or personnel of New Life.
As with the church in general and the public at large, we too are responding to this without anticipation; praying and striving only to see that the Lord’s good, perfect and eternal plans will ultimately and visibly prevail. Life is messy. Believers are messy. Church is messy. God is not.
Fort Wayne’s ABC News affiliate reports:
The Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office confirms with ABC21 News an investigation is underway. ABC21 spoke with Indiana University Law Professor Jody Madeira in general about Indiana laws.
“The statute of limitations is set by Indiana Code 35-41-4-2. It covers several offenses involving children including molestation, vicarious sexual gratification… sexual misconduct with a minor, and incest,” Madeira explains.
“Normally it says that these crimes must be prosecuted before the victim reaches the age of 31, however, there’s an exception to that. The exception is basically that if the state obtains a recording, a confession that provides evidence sufficient to charge the crime.”
Watch the confession below.