HiddenMysteries: Christianity Today: Youth Pastor's "Creations 4 Christ" includes child molesting!

A Bullitt Central High School wrestling coach and local youth pastor was charged yesterday with sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl, the sheriff's office said.

By Daarel Burnette II

A Bullitt Central High School wrestling coach and local youth pastor was charged yesterday with sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl, the sheriff's office said.

Clayton James Pruett, 25, allegedly had inappropriate sexual contact with the girl at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where he serves as a youth pastor, said Lt. Detective Scotty McGaha of the Bullitt County sheriff's office.

Pruett, who is also a substitute teacher at Bullitt Central, is being held on a $100,000 cash bond in the Bullitt County detention center, McGaha said.

He was arrested after the girl and her mother told police that Pruett made inappropriate sexual advances toward the teen at Pleasant Grove Baptist, and that the behavior had continued for more than a year.

McGaha said the advances began when the girl was 14 and intensified after she turned 15. The worst offenses happened in July, he said. He declined to elaborate.

Pruett could not be reached for comment. John E. Spainhour Jr., a lawyer at Givhan and Spainhour, the firm representing him, would say only that Pruett is innocent until proven guilty.

School board attorney Eric Farris said there is no indication that any inappropriate behavior occurred at Bullitt Central High.

Farris said Pruett has been suspended without pay until the completion of the investigation or court proceedings.

Pruett has been Bullitt Central's assistant wrestling coach since February and has worked 10 times as a high school substitute teacher in the Bullitt County school system, Farris said. He last substituted in late October.

He has served as the youth pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist for two years, said the Rev. Von Smith, pastor of the 250-member church in Shepherdsville.

The church has placed him on voluntary administrative leave, and he has stepped down from all responsibilities until the matter is resolved, Smith said.

Smith, who has been pastor of the church for 1½ years, declined to comment about the allegations or about Pruett.

"It is our duty as a Christian family to love each person involved and to refrain from judgment until all information has been received and the judicial system can determine the necessary actions to be taken."

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church's youth ministry, known as "Creations 4 Christ," has an average of 20 children in grades six through 12, Smith said. The youth meet on Wednesdays and Sundays and take occasional field trips.

Smith said he plans to meet with parents and the youths this weekend.

http://www.courier-journal.com

Christianity Today: Youth Pastor's "Creations 4 Christ" includes child molesting!

Saturday, December 22 2007 @ 07:28 PM CST