Youth Pastor Robert L. McFadden III was arrested for “child seduction” in Lafayette, Indiana. Child seduction is when a youth pastor sleeps with one of his or her students and the student is over 16 but under 18.
McFadden pleaded not guilty. He’s accused of starting with a message and moving on to bigger things.
McFadden is accused of fondling and having sex with a 16-year-old girl last month. According to court documents, McFadden was giving the girl a massage on April 12th when he touched her inappropriately. The documents say, two days later he had sex with her.
At least he resigned after claiming that youth ministry was, “no longer his calling.” He worked for Evangelical Covenant Church of Lafayette from August 2007 to November 2009. I read the church website, there is no mention of McFadden or the rape allegations. He was removed from the institutional memory of the church. Why does a church hide from scandal? It is the perfect opportunity to learn and grow. Though in my experience, it is often squandered.
