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	Pastors Speak Highly of Vandeventer's Character As a Chaplain, Minister to the Sick By Nick Schneider Greene County Saily World September 20, 2011 http://gcdailyworld.com/story/1765212.html Two church pastors spoke Tuesday morning about Randall Vandeventer's character and his ability as a hospital chaplain, who frequently ministered to hospice patients. The Rev. Mike Roth, pastor of Saron United Church of Christ in Linton and the Rev. Andrew King, pastor of Vandeventer's home church, Highland Park Church in Bloomington, testified at the sentencing hearing for Vandeventer, who was convicted in August of child seduction. They were among the contingent of family, friends and fellow church members who attended the Greene Superior Court hearing. Roth said he represented the Linton Ministerial Alliance that had hired Vandeventer to serve as the chaplain at Greene County General Hospital. Roth said he had observed Vandeventer in his ministerial role at the hospital and among hospice patients for two or three years. "I thought he was excellent," Roth said in pointing out that many times the chaplain went above the call of regular duty. "Randy has some musical talent so it wasn't unusual for him to bring his guitar along when he made visits." Roth said conviction of the felony crime ends Vandeventer's opportunity to continue in his previous ministry capacity. Since Vandeventer's incarceration, Roth has visited him regularly at the jail and he said, "He has continued to be a pillar of faith. He's continued to be a strength there (in the jail) for himself and the other people (the inmates)." Roth pointed out that Vandeventer has organized a bible study group in the jail that is very well attended. In closing, Roth asked the judge "to have a compassionate heart" saying there are two sides to every story. The Rev. King, who said he has served as Vandeventer's pastor for the past five years, called the defendant a "tender man" whom he had observe ministering to people showing kindness and a genuine love for helping the church. "Our church as a whole is very supportive of Randy Vandeventer," King said. "Our church loves Randy and Lea (his wife). We are here for them." King told the judge that he believed probation would be a proper sentencing option considering he would be under close counsel with the church family and ministry staff. King acknowledged that Vandeventer's ability to function in any kind of ministerial leadership role is gone. "It's pretty much over. This (conviction) does it in," King said. After the hearing, King said there would be an appeal in the case. "This (case) was a travesty," King said without hesitating. "Had he had competent (legal) counsel (during the trial), we wouldn't even be at sentencing." King was making reference to the legal representation of Worthington attorney Patricia Bowman for Vandeventer's jury trial. On Aug. 11, Bowman withdrew her appearance on Vandeventer's behalf and was replaced by Indianapolis attorney Luther Garcia. King stressed, "His previous representation was not up to par. The attorney now is top flight. This thing is going to turn around. They are going to appeal." King, who is a former chaplain for the sheriff's department in Spokane, Wash., said he's worked as a pastor in six similar cases in the past and the outcome were much different than in this case. "This is the first time anyone has gone to jail. It's because of the county it happened in," he bluntly stated. The pastor said the church stands behind the defendant. "We are not here to determine guilt or innocence. But we support this man. He has ministered among us for years. Randy Vandeventer is a fine man."
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