Former youth pastorβson of senior pastorsβjailed for alleged sexual assault of minors. Prosecutors have charged youth pastor Jackson M.
Gatlin, 35, with assaulting teen girls between and at Vineyard Church in Duluth, Minn. He was a volunteer youth leader at the time, but was later hired into the position and remained there until his employment was suspended in December He was officially fired in February Since October, when the church was made aware of the abuse, it has responded in force, working with GRACE to investigate the matter and keeping both church members and the public posted on developments.
Gatlin escaped punishment for his crimes for more than a decade. The church says it informed the police in November. Vineyard says Gatlin is accused of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and spiritual abuse. He was charged with criminal sexual conduct on Oct. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. To make a donation, click here.
And in September, the church started a new sermon series on lament. Lament gives us permission to wrestle with our sorrow instead of rushing to the end.
Lament is how we bring our sorrow to God and process it. Steve Rabey is a veteran author and journalist who has published more than 50 books and 2, articles about religion, spirituality, and culture. He was an instructor at Fuller and Denver seminaries and the U. Air Force Academy.
