Joe.My.God. LGBT News
Christianity Today reports:
The man who launched America’s largest and longest-running Christian music festival has been “indefinitely suspended” from the ministry and his church following his arrest Wednesday on charges of child molestation.
Harry L. Thomas, founder of the Creation Festival and senior pastor of Come Alive New Testament Church in Medford, New Jersey, has been accused of sexually assaulting four children over a 16-year period between 1999 and 2015. The church stated that the alleged misconduct was “unrelated” to his leadership.
Thomas, 74, has been charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault, three counts of sexual assault, and four counts of endangering the welfare of children, according to the prosecutor’s office in Burlington County, New Jersey, where Thomas lives and where his church is located.
NJ.com reports:
During a first appearance in Burlington County Superior Court on Thursday, public defender Anthony Aldorasi entered a not guilty plea to the charges on Thomas’ behalf.
The pastor entered the courtroom with a walker. He was receiving medical treatment prior to the court appearance, with an officer guarding him in a medical facility following his arrest, authorities said.
Burlington County Superior Court Judge Thomas Kelly called the situation “complicated,” noting “there’s relationships involved,” and “not just one alleged victim, but a multitude of four” alleging crimes that carry “serious criminal charges.” A detention hearing was postponed until December 19, at Thomas’ request.
(Tipped by JMG reader Greg)