Posted on 12/12/2022 6:25:17 PM PST by Morgana
A man convicted of possessing child porn is now preaching and leading a ministry at an Iowa Christian and Missionary Alliance church—all with the pastor’s full knowledge and blessing.
In 2014, Michael James Colwell pleaded guilty to an aggravated misdemeanor of purchasing or possessing material depicting a minor in a sex act, according to his case records.
Colwell now regularly preaches and leads a couples’ ministry at Grace Community Fellowship (GCF) in Missouri Valley, Iowa. According to GCF’s pastor, Brad Westercamp, Colwell is a changed man.
“There was a drastic conversion, just a change in his life,” Westercamp said in a recorded conversation with TikTok influencer “Clumsy Gemini,” which was obtained by The Roys Report (TRR). Gemini is a pseudonym the TikToker, who regularly calls out abuse on her channel, says she uses for protection. TRR has verified Gemini’s real identity with online records.
“It didn’t change the consequences to his behavior,” Westercamp added on the recording. “Even to this day, he would never try to minimize what happened and what he did. But the rest of the story—the story that’s developed over the last few years—has been kind of a cool story.”
Westercamp confirmed in a follow-up email exchange with Gemini last week that he has known of Colwell’s criminal history. However, Westercamp insisted that Colwell’s work at the church doesn’t include supervising children.
“His focus has been on preaching, teaching and counseling couples through crisis,” Westercamp wrote to Gemini. “I cannot and will not, divulge the details of Mike’s personal life, but there was not contact with any minors in his charges. Mike has made restitution with the military, his community, his family, friends and with his God.”
(Excerpt) Read more at julieroys.com ...
Agreed, but CHildren’s ministry, Boy Scouts, or school teacher would be worse.
Leave them kids alone!!
So is redemption not possible?
Not good.Of course you want sinners in your church...first and foremost. But everyone...including him...should understand that he cannot be fully trusted,particularly around kids. He can worship,live as moral a life as he can and very possibly attain salvation. But that’s for the next life. In this life he must accept the limitations placed upon him.
Yes, redemption is possible, and we pray for it. In the pews, not necessarily leadership. The Catholic Church provided an example of what NOT to do.
Well and perfectly said. Amen.
Next he will be leading vacation Bible school for kinder gardener’s. This isn’t a church that Jesus or the Big Guy would recognize.
Just asking for trouble
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Well we’ve been told that there *is* a labor shortage in our country. Churches are feeling it too. /s
BS!!!
He should be castrated. Sex deviants are the biggest liars on the planet. For someone to get off on child porn means they are a disturbed character and should never be trusted.
How would you know that? Are pedo’s worse than politicians? At least pedo’s only rape one person at a time.
One CHILD;at a time……poor comparison.
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Last I checked, a child is a person.
Read 1st Timothy Chapter 3
more so verse 10
[10] And let these also first be proved: and so let them minister, having no crime.
Fair enough
But is there no redemption?
Redemption yes but he’s not gonna preach.
Let those without sin cast the first stone.
Don’t forget, he then told the prostitute, “Go, and sin no more”. Pair this with “Judge not, let ye be judged”. Two of the most misquoted bible verses to justify people not being called out for sin. It is our duty as Christians to call out and identify sin, with the caveat of you better have your ducks in a row with your soul as well, as you will be held to the same standard. Is it more Christian to pat the sinner on the head, say I love you anyway, and walk away? God convicts in many ways, and sometimes we are that vessel.
Of course redemption is possible - but does that make one suitable to preach?
I realize Paul seems to be a glaring hole in that argument but they also gave qualities for those put in teaching positions - like solid family men who kept their own household in line.
Being allowed into Heaven and being a teacher of the Word and being held as an example are different things.
Paul persecuted and killed Christian’s. I don’t know this man and neither do you. The pastor says his life has been transformed. That’s not for me to decide. The pastor is aware of his background. Considering what some do who are “wholly santified” I’ll take the pastors word for it
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