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Church reacts to former pastor’s arrest
Published Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Members at Grace Christian Fellowship Church said “there isn’t a strong enough word to describe” what they felt when they learned their now-former pastor had allegedly used their church as a platform to sexually abuse and torture multiple young male church members.
One church member, who is related to one of Aaron’s victims and agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity Monday, said as soon as Ralph Lee Aaron, 54, was placed in handcuffs on the initial charges of sexual abuse of a child under 12 and sodomy, he ceased to be the church pastor. On Wed., Oct. 21, the church officially terminated him.
Tuesday, law enforcement officials announced Aaron is now facing 152 charges that include possessing and producing child pornography and allegedly abusing and sexually torturing multiple young boys while on church camping trips.
“Anger, hurt, lied to, all those words you can think of — that’s what we felt,” the church member said. “When (law enforcement) first said it, there was doubt, but once the evidence started coming out, the emotions started running. We didn’t know if we should be hurt or be angry.”
Members said Aaron had been at the small church on Shreve Road for a little more than three years, after previously serving at Andalusia’s Victory Baptist Church and another in Samson. Grace’s 50-plus-member congregation said first and foremost, “we are a family and we’re going to remain a family and stick by one another.
“As hurt as everyone is and what we are going to have to go through in the days ahead, all we can do is stick together and look towards God,” the member said. “We haven’t lost a member and we don’t want people to keep from coming to our church. We have erased (Aaron) from anything that had his name on it.”
The church member said counselors are being brought in to help the congregation deal with the tragedy.
Comments
Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 4:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Polygraph his wife!!
Posted by lakecook (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this is why people are scared to send their children to church
Posted by jujaphillips (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree. Question the wife and other family members. I just can't believe that she didn't suspect something.
Posted by bamafootball (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ah now, I've never heard of anyone "scared" to send their children to church. Seems to me, that sounds more like an excuse. This is an awful situation, no doubt about it, but it can happen anywhere, even when you "send your kids to school" there's things that's happened. You just gotta keep hoping and praying that it don't. I hope no-one blaims this church, or any other church as far as that goes, for what this disgusting man(if you wanna call him that)has done. Hopefully he will punished to the fullest with no breaks while he's on earth, then let God do the rest.
Posted by william99 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is why the Bible tells us not to put our trust in any man, only God alone.
Posted by sweetnannie (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's like......don't send your children to your neighbor's house to play. We should always beware of where our kids are. Sometimes it's not enough. We should train our kids younger to stick together with a friend. Never be alone with anyone. Never go over here, with just one person. Always have someone with them at all times. I don't see how a wife could not have known of this. Sorry. There had to be some kind of sign over that many years. This church is hurting, but never put the church before the children, never. That's why the children don't trust us as adults, we don't listen or believe them. Wake up adults and parents.
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
William99...you are right. The one sure way to be disappointed is to put your faith in man. Only Christ is perfect and not capable of sin.
I want to be a good Christian but I could take this thang out in the woods and put a rope around it's neck and hang it in a tree as easily as taking a drink of water. How do I reconcile those contradictory feelings?
Posted by harbert62 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Parents must stop trusting unsupervised people with their children, a person with evil tendencies use this position to do their evil i.e.,church workers, teachers, coaches, boy scouts, girl scouts, boys clubs, girls clubs. Sadly, this makes it difficult for the people who are genuine in their efforts to help children, genuine people beware,,always have another adult present to protect yourself.
Posted by weasel (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All we can do now is pray for this church, the members, and most of all the innocent children.
Posted by mmo (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't send your children to church. GO with them.
Posted by hammer1 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree take your childrento Church that is the way it should be.
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Flicknose: You have a very disturbing way of putting things. Nor do I and others appreciate your strange use of the Scriptures. You are never welcome on any thread that you have blogged on. Might you ask yourself why?
Don't interfere with these good people and their children.
Posted by purelogic (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The congregation did not know this man's true heart, and many seem to accept this. So why are those same people so quick to cast the blame on the wife? Maybe she did and maybe she didn't, and the truth should come out before it's over. We should remember many close "acquaintances" have already admitted to not having a clue as they have explained on previous posts on these blogs. So this man was obiously an expert at hiding his true nature. It's natural to question the people in his family. However blame should not be thrown around until the truth is known. Enough innocent has been victimized in this tragedy already.
God has given us free will, to do as good or as evil as we can. Thus logically it's the simplest answer not to trust anyone. The way we must interact with people in this world however, some trust must be given to others. We must trust that our banker is going to handle our money and not squander it away. We must trust that when we leave our home for work, that our home will still be there when we return. As we can't be with our children 24 hours a day, we must trust someone to guard them in our absence. These stories makes it hard to find trust enough to do any of these things.
My child has never been with anyone outside of daycare and rare occasions with other family members. This can't stay this way forever. One day even more trust will have to be given. But it's absolutely terrifying that one day there will be some bastard out there like this, and I won't be there to protect anymore. "Can I go over to so and so's please?" No you may not. "But why?" Just because I said so, will be the only reply. And trust is broken, and we see the after effects.
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My point exactly!
Posted by bamagirl07 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Purelogic: I agree. Like I posted in another thread, not every spouse of a serial killer, child molester, rapist, etc always knows what is going on. Dennis Rader's (BTK) wife didn't know what he was doing, and he never harmed his children either. He, also, was involved with the church. And wasn't he (and I could be wrong because all these stories run together to me) linked to his killings by the typewriter he used to write his letters, which was located in the church? That may be incorrect. But anyway, my main point is that his wife or any other family member had a clue he was capable of such things. It's just sad. So very sad for these boys. My heart goes out to each and every one of them and their families!
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Purelogic, my 'point exactly' comment was for flicknose.
Like the spoiled child who wants attention by annoying, obtusive behavior.
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am far from being the most intelligent person in Andalusia or for that matter on this forum. That being said...I am intelligent enough to realize that just because I hear a jackass braying I dont have to confront it and try to bray as loud or louder. I will leave you all to decipher that statement.
Posted by flagirl (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Im curious to know.How many kids were in the group that this pervert was taking to the woods on his excursions and were there no other adults there to chaperone?
This animal pulled the wool over Alot of people in Andalusia and has destroyed their trust.How many kids did this demon baptise then turn around and molest.Did he marry you?Did he preach over your family members casket.
The man is a demon.Let him swing till the rope snaps!!!!!!!
Posted by lulubell (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What difference does it make how many children were involved. What matters is the fact this man is nothing more than a monster and should be hanged for what he did. The children are going to go through life looking over their shoulders and far in front of them due to this monster!
Posted by harbert62 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
biscuitsandhoovergravy---Christians are human so we get angry, it is easy to understand anger over the abuse of a child,,the hard part is that we have to continue to love the abuser,,we have to look at the soul, not the physical person, but see the soul,,just pray about it and you will get peace..
Posted by AceLee (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I remind you all that while the pastor has done a horrible thing to these young boys, to remember that all acts are born of prior engagement. It's not enough to throw someone in jail: this solves nothing.
You have to understand them, completely. WHY did he become a child molestor? Was it a psychological disorder? Brought on by trauma?
I feel horrible for those young boys, but I feel even worse for the blender of hell this former pastor is going to go through.
Posted by purelogic (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AceLee, I'd say it's a good chance the perpetrator had something for a "push" towards this behavior. But there is always a choice, or free will for each of us. Each of us must acknowledge that we are in control of our own actions, and therefore must take the full burden of the responsibilities for our actions.
We can not use our past to excuse our actions today. In the cases of mental diseases, it makes no difference, the safety of many over rules any rights of one that is sick and dangerous. It might make a difference to God, but he would make that call in the end and not any man who can be fooled over and over.
That's how I see it anyway.
Posted by lakecook (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
so you christians are going to judge me about not going to church with my children. You don't know me and i do TAKE my children to church when i can. Most Sundays i'm at work feeding your ungreatful ass! This is to bamafootball FU !! You should not be judging ANYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by silverdime (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lakecook you are over reacting to bamafootball. As for Aaron, it should be swift justice. Not a long drawn out thing. For the sake of the victims.
Posted by Estragon (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shammy,
What happened to the posts by floknos? They appear to have all been purged from the Star-News' blogs. I was beginning to think that South Alabama might have its own Lawrence Ferlinghetti, a poet laureate who is both brilliant and insane. Made for an interesting reading.
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just read on WSFA.com that one week from Fri. D.A Gambril will sit down with that thang and his mouthpiece "to see if we can seek a resolution".
Posted by dickie (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD BE PRAYING FOR THE VICTIMS IN THIS AND THE OTHER FAMILY MEMEBERS THAT ARE HAVING TO READ ALL THE MEDIA ON IT PLUS IF HE GUILT AND ONLY GODS KNOWS THAT AND HE WILL BE PUNISH TEN TIMES WORSE SINCE HE WAS A PASTOR.
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AceLee, and actually everyone: Do you not remember that Satan is involved in pornography and sexual abuse? He is the Author!
When we start analyzing psychologically, we are near to excusing the choices this man has made. THERE IS NO EXCUSE!
Once you begin on this road of perversion, you are hooked by Satan himself.
This fellow at some time in his life, viewed things he should not have. His soul told him not to. He did anyway.
Satan and his minions of devils are here to tempt us to grievously sin. This fellow did not turn away. He looked further, and further. And then he acted upon what was now part of him.
Now he is in jail for using young innocent boys by sodomy and torture while he filmed and passed it on to his network of pedophiles!!! He could care less of his victims, as I see it. He is only concerned about beastiality! Isn't that the real name of this?
Ace Lee: You may not get the swine flu vaccine for good reasons, but, you are jiggling on this one!
We can psycho-analize all sins until they are no longer sins, but abnormalities. The Truth remains - when we allow the temptations to enter us, and we act on them - the victims pay the price!
Satan's victory!
God forbid. Civil justice MUST be done!
Only Jesus, the Christ, who took our sins upon Himself, can purify, cleanse and restore from such corruption. Here again this person must choose.
In the meantime, punishment and incarceration by our Justice is honored by God.
The children must be continually in our prayers and hearts for their healing. They will be in ours.
Posted by newsman2010 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i personally think the man needs to be executed it seems mighty strange that members of that church did not know about this pastor and what he did to their small kids and who knows what other so called precachers, ministers etc,etc, may e doing the same thig behind closed doors, loed knows there not saints, its a sad state of affairs when u cant feel safe in church znymore i hope they give him death by lethal injection.
Posted by ToldYouSo (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 12:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw the interview with D.A. Gambrill on WSFA and my clear understanding was that the "solution" could only involve "life without parole". Unfortunately, in this case, today's sentensing guidelines may not allow for the death penalty. I'm not sure about this but feel Mr. Gambrill will seek and secure the ultimate penalty.
Posted by flagirl (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 12:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's not hard to believe somthing like this can happen right in front of your face if you dont open your eyes and take a look at what our world has become.It'shappening to innocent babies and children every day in cities and towns all around us.This animal came to town with a mission.Take control of your kids saftey.Know who they have any contact with,their preacher,scout master ,ball coach,anyone that might BE showing too much interest.NOW IS THE TIME TO BE A OVER PROTECTIVE PARENT.
My prayers to the victims and their Families
Posted by OMC (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can anyone explain why this man was not charged back when charges were brought against him the first time in 2005?
Posted by harbert62 (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is NOT the same thing as sending your children to school and church, there they are surrounded by adults and children,,trusting an individual, unsupervised, with your child is not to be considered,,I remain so very sorry for these children and their families...
Posted by harbert62 (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Will the person who commented from Samson please come back and explain what happened at that Church, was she saying that Ralph Aaron committed similar acts in Samson, is this why he was dismissed from that Church,,also, consider the Andalusia Church he was USING in 2005, why was he forced to leave there? Is it possible that some Churches hide this information in order to protect their reputation, i.e.,ATTENDANCE!! Hats off to Grace Christian Fellowship Church for exposing this sin and saving some children from these tragic circumstances,,let us all support this church and watch them come back with God's blessings...If any Church has been aware of Mr Aaron's problem, and allowed it to go unchecked, how can God be among them?? Just asking?
Posted by harbert62 (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OMC this is an important question,,,also the Samson Church, same question,,would it be lawful for any church to hide a sexual offender? Is knowing this and not exposing it, actually hiding a sexual offender? Lots of questions as to why churches don't use the 'blackball' system if they suspect this kind of behavior. Just think of the pain that could have been prevented!!!
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