Junction City Church Rocked by Scandal

WIBW
August 18, 2012

http://www.wibw.com/home/localnews/headlines/Junction-City-Church-Rocked-By-Scandal-166313866.html

The congregation at a Junction City church has been left stunned in light of an alleged sex scandal and police investigation.

Sources say Edwin Young, the former pastor at Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church recently and abruptly resigned. This week, his son, 25-year-old Jordan Young, the church’s music minister, was arrested by Junction City Police on suspicion of sex crimes involving children. Those close to the church say he also works in the youth ministry.

He was taken into custody at the Junction City Police Department at 11:30 AM on Monday, August 13, 2012 for Aggravated Indecent Liberties With a Child, Attempted Criminal Sodomy and Solicitation of a Child.

Nathan Dudley has taken over as pastor of the church in the midst of the controversy. He says it is a trying time for members.

"At this time, all that we can say is that there were allegations of misconduct that were presented to us and we immediately turned the information that we had received over to the proper authorities and they began a very thorough investigation of their own which we are fully cooperating with... We appreciate the support that we’re receiving from Junction City during this very trying time in the life and history of Faith Tabernacle," Pastor Dudley told 13 News during an interview at the church, located on Burke Drive in Junction City.

A former church member who asked to remain anonymous says she feels for the 400 people who worship there as they try to make sense of what’s happening.

"I’m sure that they’re absolutely in shock and just concerned for their own children, concerned that their kids might be involved, concerned for who else might be involved, not knowing if you can trust the person you sit next to because maybe they knew something, maybe they should have done something, wondering yourself if you should have seen something that you didn’t, that you didn’t want to question or you didn’t want to think about. All of those things come into play and I’m sure would just rock the church to its core. They lost their pastor. The person in charge of their music that they respected is gone all of a sudden then he’s arrested," she said.

"I can’t believe that everything is coming out that is. I’m glad that it is coming to light though but I’m just so thankful I’m gone and I feel for the people who are still there. It bothers me that there are still people there that are dealing with this on a regular basis," the former member added.

Pastor Dudley says counselors are being brought in for church members who feel they need one.

Junction City police remain light-lipped on the church probe,

calling the case sensitive because of the allegations concerning children. They classify the investigation as ongoing.

Jordan Young made his first court appearance Tuesday at the Geary County Courthouse. His bond was set at $250,000. On Wednesday, August 15, 2012, he remained in the Geary County Jail.

Geary County Attorney Steve Opat says Young is not allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 21. He was assigned an attorney with the Public Defender's Office to represent him. Another hearing has been set for August 21, 2012 at 9 AM.