CHARLOTTE (NC)
The Roys Report [Chicago IL]
July 10, 2024
By Sheila Stogsdill
A South Carolina pastor is taking time to “rest” after his status as a convicted sex offender became known.
Pastor Don Logan’s presence on sex offender lists in Indiana and South Carolina was reported in May in the Wartburg Watch. His church announced Sunday that he will not be leading services at Fort Mill’s Eternal Church until at least September, the Fort Mill Sun reported.
Pastor Jacob Collins and Elder Lorne James announced Logan would enter a “time of rest,” saying it was needed after the revelations of his criminal past and because he is fighting cancer, the paper reported.
Logan will not be “preaching, shepherding staff, or having administrative responsibilities,” Collins reportedly said.
In a statement Collins read to the congregation on Logan’s behalf, Logan reportedly said his family is “taking time to heal and seek emotional restoration and peace while we discern if we can bear the cost of continuing for me, my family, and the church.”
Logan’s sex crime was explained Sunday, according to the Sun. When Logan was 29 years old, he pleaded guilty in 1997 to felony sexual misconduct with a minor, a 14-year-old girl.
In his address to the congregation, James reportedly said Logan told church leaders about his conviction when he joined the church a decade ago. But leaders did not inform the rest of the voting church members of Logan’s conviction, according to the newspaper.
Collins also reportedly told parishioners that Logan “had a profound encounter with Jesus” while in prison in Indiana.
The Sun reported Logan was required to register as a sex offender in Indiana for a limited time, which has since elapsed. Logan recently learned he was required to register in South Carolina.
Chad Hollowell, Executive Pastor of Eternal Church, told the Wartburg Watch that the church’s leaders felt that sexual sin with a minor did not permanently disqualify Logan from preaching. Hollowell reportedly added that church leaders believed Logan was above reproach.
Hollowell also stated in the interview with Wartburg Watch that the church’s leaders think Logan is of proven character.