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	Man Now Faces 14 Counts in Church Sex Assault Case By Nadia Moharib Edmonton Sun October 6, 2007 http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Alberta/2007/10/06/4555440-sun.html Calgary — Child abuse investigators say three young women summoned the courage to come forward and help police gather enough evidence to lay charges against a man now accused in a church sex-crimes scandal. Cops revealed yesterday charges were laid in connection with the alleged offences against the victims, as both youth and adult parishioners, at Centre Street Church between 1994 and 2003. The accused, Kelly Malcolm Grant, 43, faces 14 counts, including sex assault, sexual interference with a child under 14 and sexual contact with a youth by a person in authority. He is a former youth volunteer at the church and now a parishioner, along with his wife and their three children, at Westview Baptist church. Centre Street executive pastor Kervin Raugust said he is devastated by the news someone once with the church allegedly committed criminal acts of betrayal. "We feel pain over this - this isn't the way it's supposed to be," he said yesterday. Raugust stressed Grant was never a youth director with the church. "He was a volunteer and has never been on staff," he said. He said Grant volunteered in the youth ministry department prior to 2004, and he and his family have not been associated with the church for more than two years. He said his heart and prayers go out to the alleged victims, Grant's family and Grant himself. Child abuse Staff Sgt. Jim Rorison said the investigation was launched two years ago. The victims were under the age of 14 at the time when the alleged assaults began. Hayley Whelpton, who has known Grant and his family for years, was shocked by the allegations. "He is an amazing person with a great heart - we presume not guilty because we know him," she said. Grant is in custody and police said they intend to oppose his release. nadia.moharib@calgarysun.com
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