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Accused pastors' father speaks out
Updated: 7/9/2002 9:38:51 PM
By: Doug Shupe
The father of the two men police have accused said he is struggling to come to terms with what has happened. News 8 Austin's Doug Shupe spoke with Pastor Hank Thompson of the Capitol City Baptist Church Tuesday afternoon.

"I do not believe all that's there was done by them, but we'll have to wait to see what the court says,” Pastor Thompson said.

He said he wants everyone to wait for the facts to be heard in court before judging his sons. "I think there could be so many witnesses that will come forward in this town that know those boys, who will tell you they are compassionate boys. They've always cared about young people.”

Pastor Thomspon is a father who's grief stricken and worried about his sons, his congregation, and his reputation.

Pastor Hank Thompson
The pastor admitted he preaches to his Capitol City Baptist Church congregation about disciplining children. This quote comes from an audio tape News 8 Austin obtained from a former member of his congregation:

“My mom would discipline me, but after she was always tender. She'd always hug me afterward. She'd always say to me this – I used to never believe her. She'd always say, ‘Son this hurt me worse than it hurt you.’"

But Thompson said his sermons never encourage parents to punish severely, frequently, or out of anger: "It must be done out of love, patiently, and it should be only for severe matters."

Pastor Thompson said there's a no discipline policy in his church, but he said he's unsure about the policy of the Spanish congregation, which his sons operate in the same building.

Whatever the policy is, somehow, by someone, a young boy was severely injured following a Bible study at that congregation. Now a father and his sons’ futures could change drastically.

When asked about his sons now behind bars, he said, "My concern is that truth comes out. I believe they are sorry with all their hearts that they ever did it too, thinking they were doing good. I think they are broken about it to that. They will, I believe with all my heart, they will be honest. They will pay the price they have to pay with dignity and with respect to the law, but I don't believe we're guilty in any major manner. I believe, I think what they are being accused of, when the truth comes out, my boys will be exonerated.”