This article courtesy of the The Citizens Voice. Originally I had posted a different news story, but this one has additional information so I am replacing it for the original post.
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By Bob Kalinowski
Pastor Brian A. Neiswender repeatedly fondled the girls while playing hide and seek in the dark and teaching one-on-one music lessons, according to arrest papers.
The 26-year-old Baptist minister surrendered to authorities Wednesday to face charges of indecent assault and corruption of minors in connection with the alleged sex crimes at Christ Community Church, 100 W. Dorrance St.
The two girls, now 17 and 18 years old, came forward in February. They said the abuse dates back to August 2003 and lasted for years.
Church leaders were advised of Neiswender’s alleged improper conduct at least two times, according to arrest papers filed with Magisterial District Judge Paul Roberts in Kingston.
The first time, a rule was briefly implemented that his lessons would no longer be one-on-one, the girls said. The second time, Neiswender apologized and “church members said they would take care of the situation,” but it’s unclear if any action was taken. A phone call placed to the church was not returned Wednesday.
Kingston police Capt. John Jorda said there is another local victim whom police are trying to locate and there might be one more.
Neiswender currently is the pastor of student ministries at Heritage Baptist Church in Lakeland, Fla. Local authorities have advised Florida investigators about Neiswender’s arrest and they are “looking into matters” there, Jorda said.
Neiswender’s profile on the Web site for his Florida church portrays a loving husband and father dedicated to helping young people connect with God.
His profile says he is a graduate of Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit and mentions he served at the church in Kingston. Four pictures on the site are of him with his wife and young daughter.
One of the alleged victims said she didn’t want to come forward at the time because she didn’t want to get Neiswender in trouble. The most recent contact documented in arrest papers is when Neiswender sent two “unusual” picture messages to one of the girls in June 2007, police said.
Just days after the victims came forward, police say they wiretapped a phone call between Neiswender and one of the girls. He “apologized several times for what (he) had done” to her, according to arrest papers.
Neiswender has been cooperating since contacted by police, Jorda said.
His attorney, Jair Novajosky, noted Wednesday his client came to Luzerne County to answer to the charges within 48 hours of being notified about them. He assured his client would show up for future court dates.
Neiswender was released on $50,000 unsecured bail, meaning he didn’t have to post any money but would be responsible for that amount if he failed to show up for court.
Representatives from his Florida church did not return phone calls or e-mails Wednesday.
Filed under: In the News - Abuse & the Church | Tagged: abuse in the church, abuse of power, child abuse, child molestation, child sex abuse, church abuse, Clergy Abuse, clergy sex abuse, sexual abuse, spiritual abuse
Proverbs 6: 16-19….. There needs to be a change in the heart,, THESE 6 THINGS THE LORD HATES, YES, SEVEN ARE AN ABOMINATION TO HIM:
17 A Proud look , A LYING TONGUE. Hands that shed innocent blood.
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil.
19 A FALSE WITNESS WHO SPEAKS LIES. AND ONE WHO SOWS DISCORD AMONG THE BRETHREN.
2nd Timothy 2:19 The LORD knows those who are HIS, and , let everyone who names the name of CHRIST depart from iniquity.
Titus 1:7-9 For a Pastor must be BLAMELESS, as a steward of GOD, NOT SELF WILLED, NOT QUICK TEMPERED, not given to wine, NOT VIOLENT, NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY, but hospitable, A LOVER OF WHAT IS GOOD, SOBER MINDED, JUST, HOLY, SELF CONTROLLED, HOLDING FAST TO THE FAITHFUL WORD AS HE HAS BEEN TAUGHT, that he may be able by SOUND DOCTRINE both to EXHORT and CONVICT THOSE WHO CONTRADICT. ( DOSE YOUR PASTOR MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS OF OUR LORD ??? ) If not than why do you sit under his teachings ????? Is there meat to eat or are you still being weened on milk ???
Heb. 5: 12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of GOD: and you come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is UNSKILLED IN THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.for he is a babe….BUT … Solid food belongs to those who are of full age. that is , those who by reason of the use have their senses exercised to discern both GOOD AND EVIL
MATH. 7:21- 27
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