Friday, November 12, 2010

Pastor Aaron Witcher arrested

Aaron Witcher A Baptist pastor in Roy, Utah was arrested for having a sexual relationship with a teen from his church. Pastor Aaron Witcher, formerly of the Genesis Project, and recently running his own congregation from the Roy Community Center calling it the Crosswalk Christian Training Center. Witcher is in the Weber county jail awaiting his day in court. He also goes by the name Pastor Soulja. He was caught in a car with a young girl, an alert police officer thought there was something fishy going on. The police officer was right.

The sergeant who made the contact with Pastor Witcher felt there was reason to do some follow-up. Investigators did further interviews with the girl who is now 16 and discovered the pastor had been having sexual relations with this girl for some time.

"We think that we will find in this case that for a long period of time this individual has used his positions to get close to young people as a predator for sexual gratification," said Roy Police Chief Greg Whinham.

It is important to note that Roy detectives think there are more victims. Plus, his computer equipment was sent to the FBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces. This pastor looks dirty. Roy police are asking that anyone with information concerning Witcher call 801-774-1063.

Witcher was released from the Genesis Project for conduct unbecoming a pastor. Pastor Matt Roberts says the “conduct” was not related to sexual misconduct. Something else happened, something they are not willing to talking about in public. By this time in my life, I know enough to worry about the back story. Poor performance is a good indicator of future performance.

I have few questions – did the Genesis Project do a background check? Did they provide adequate oversight in its youth program? Did they know that Witcher was counseling a girl one-on-one, and continuing the counseling process after his termination?  Did they interview the kids after he left to determine if there were any lingering issues?

I think its time to talk about certification for pastors. I think it would make sense to establish some kind of official certification process before allowing pastors a shot at government provided tax exemptions, not to mention the right to counsel people. But more importantly, when pastors are dismissed for misconduct, a governing agency could maintain a record which could help prevent future cases of abuse. I know, its a dream.

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thesexyatheist's avatar - Go to profile

thesexyatheist 69p · 752 weeks ago

Certification is a great idea. If they are supposed to be "policing moral conduct" then they should go through a process like the police. Awesomeness.

Kriss
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mikespeir's avatar

mikespeir · 752 weeks ago

From the Genesis Project "About Us" page: "We know there are no perfect people." Still, it goes on to say, "First and foremost is a personal, living, growing relationship with God through Jesus. This is the foundation to a new life that will radically change you."

Well, to be fair, it didn't say, "...change you for the better."
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
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Floored's avatar

Floored · 752 weeks ago

I know this man. And I'm shocked! I NEVER would have thought he would be capable of this in any way. I really feel bad for his family right now and of course any victims.
2 replies · active 743 weeks ago
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anonymous's avatar

anonymous · 752 weeks ago

A background check was done on Aaron at Genesis Project and it came back clean. Genesis project is doing and has always done whatever they can to protect their members, especially their Youth. We take this very seriously, but it will not break us, or stop us from doing doing good, and brining happiness to so many people in our community. If Genesis Project knew that there was one-on-one counseling going on then it would have been stopped. It is not fair to judge a church for ONE of its members. It's no one's fault but his own, and you can't put the blame on anyone else. Open your eyes and don't be so judgemental of a place where wonderful things happen. Maybe you should try attending Genesis Project yourself to see what it's like, because it has changed my life for the better, and that can never be taken away from me no matter what bad decisions people choose to make.
11 replies · active 752 weeks ago
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thomas's avatar

thomas · 752 weeks ago

I went to a mens bible study at genesis. Basically right at the start the guys were talking about how they wanted sex from their wives but did not want to do their part with what their wives wanted. They didnt wanna lay there or talk they just wanted sex and sleep. Pretty interesting to be the first topic there. Well further on in the study they were talking about the first sin and how women should submit to their husbands. They claimed that woman was the first sinner and everything was her fault and thats why she should submit. ABSURD! I know the bible enough to know it does not say that. I gave them a verse to read in another book of the bible, this verse says that woman was not the first sinner and that it was adam, not eve. Right in fornt of their eyes and after I read it aloud, the teacher repeated his comment, eve was the first sinner and the first sin was her fault. WOW huh? Then as they were talking about how women should submit to men and basically how they deserve their wives to submit with out doing anything at all, I pointed out how yes women should submit to their husbands 100% BUT! BUT! BUT! Husbands should be 100% obediant to the Lord. If the man is not 100% obedient to God then the woman should not be 100% submissive to the husband. You would have thought I has 2000 plus womens rights activists behind me with how they were looking at me. After that when ever I had somehting to say I was ignored and even told to shhhhshh a few times. To say the least I never went back.

My whole point with all of this is that it does not surprise me one bit at all that a man like this was at their church in a position of leadership. If a so called bible believing church is disciplined enough to completely ignore that the bible is saying the complete opposite of what their lesson is teaching just to not go out side the lesson, then why wouldnt they ignore what the people in their church are doing? Also I met soulja a few times their and both times he was very openly aggressive and angry about something and the people there just seemed to over look it all. Lastly I didnt even know soulja at all, never did a back ground check on him either, but from other baptists in the area I had heard enough about him to know he wasnt an honest man, and also how he makes him self seem like hes a big star kinda tells you he seems like hes more "self made" and not really giving the credit to God where it should be.

I think this is very sad but it does not surprise me about him or that someone like this was at the "bible believing yet bible ignoring" genesis project.
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
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Only1TrueWay's avatar

Only1TrueWay · 752 weeks ago

You are a complete liar thomas, and you know it.
I don't know where people like you come off spreading crap like that,
but it will catch up with you one day.

I am a regular at Genesis, and I challenge anyone who
thinks there is an ounce of truth to that crap to come check it out for yourself.
Hate speech and gossip like that of thomas is something you
will find lacking at the Genensis Project, as well as all the other crap he just spewed.

Don't bother trying to provoke a discussion either tommy boy.
Not worth my time...

Peace, be still...
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
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anonymous's avatar

anonymous · 752 weeks ago

CHRISTIANITY DOES MAKE PEOPLE BETTER. IT'S ALL ABOUT WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT AND NOT WHAT GOD GIVES YOU!!! IF YOU DIDN'T GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT THEN THAT'S FINE, BUT THAT DOESN'T SPEAK ANYONE BUT YOU. AND NO YOU CANNOT BLAME THE CHRISTIAN PEOPLE FOR ONE'S CHOICES. YOUR ACCOUNTABILITY IS YOURS AND YOURS ALONE. IF YOU DONT LIKE GENESIS PROJECT THEN THAT'S FINE, BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ENJOY IT INCREDIBLY, AND IT HAS DONE WONDERFUL THINGS FOR THE CITY OF OGDEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO DESPITE THE NEGATIVE THINGS PEOPLE WANT TO SAY. IF YOU HATE SOMETHING SO MUCH THEN WHY WASTE YOUR TIME MAKING UP LIES. FIND SOMETHING ELSE BETTER TO DO BECAUSE YOUR WORDS WONT BRING US DOWN, AND YES "ONLY1TRUEWAY" PEACE BE STILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11 replies · active 752 weeks ago
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anonymous's avatar

anonymous · 752 weeks ago

AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT EVERYONE IS FORGETTING THAT AARON WAS RELEASED FROM HIS DUTIES FROM GENESIS PROJECT IN ORDER TO PROTECT ITS CONGREGATION AND ITS BELIEFS. AND NO ONE THERE IS SAYING THAT WHAT HE DID WAS RIGHT, AND WE ALL BELIEVE THAT HE WILL BE JUDGED BY GOD AND JUSTICE BE SERVED TO HIM FOR HIS ACTIONS, BUT THAT DOESN'T CHANGE US AS A CHURCH OR WHAT WE BELIEVE.
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thomas's avatar

thomas · 752 weeks ago

I can assure you Im not lying. The guy who was leading the study was a blonde guy who said he was over the mens ministry. There were also I wuold say 5 other guys there give or take. One of them was a guy who had quite a few tattoos. He had an oultine of a sleeve and I personally told him he looked like a guy who use to run around the Ogden area that people called seven. I my self have sleeves and a quite a few other tattoos. Im sure if i were to go back to the people there they would remember me. At least the guy with the tattoos and the guy who was teaching the class. I still have the study guideline that we was given where you filled in the blanks. If you think Im lying I could scan and email anyone who needs it and show you what was being taught and then give you the bible verses I read to the class. Im a christian and I have no reason to lie about anything. I thought the Genesis Project was awesome and I was stoked because the days I went there did not intefere with my regular schedules at my home church. I loved the place until that day. I won't worship in a place that teaches false doctrine. Again I have no reason to lie and if needed I could send scans of the lesson passed out and then give the verses that say the opposite of what the lesson was teaching. Not my doing just my noticing.
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Trisha's avatar

Trisha · 752 weeks ago

even if that was what really happened, what has that got to do with aaron witcher. why dont you all focus on the issue at hand, not a church that he tried to take advantage of. why bring things into this that are irrelevent.
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thomas's avatar

thomas · 752 weeks ago

i was just saying i met him there and after what happened there with me in a mens bible study class, im not surprised he came from there. If you still think im lying email me at thomasamoorejr@hotmail.com we can go from there. I have nothing to gain from lying and i dont appreciate being called a liar
1 reply · active 743 weeks ago
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The South's avatar

The South · 752 weeks ago

I also knew Witcher quite well, and was at genesis the day he first show up to perform on a Friday, that sunday he played drums with the band at service, and by wednesday, he was taking over the youth. My wife and I met with the pastors, as we were gonna oversee the Friday services, we warned both Matt and Jeff about Witcher then. They both said they had heard from several people that Witcher was not what he seemed. Once Witcher showed up at Genesis, they both simply ignored us. We left once we saw that Soulja was making way into the ministry there. I had a falling out with Soulja prior to this, because I told him he was fake and not practicing what he preached. I never thought he was messing with the youth, but I questioned him on why he had been in ministry at so many area churches and left. I feel sorry for his wife and kids, along with his one true friend who blindly followed him wherever he went. As far as pastor Matt, how dare he say they did an extensive background check, those that were at Genesis when Soulja showed up know the truth, whether they admit it or not.
1 reply · active 752 weeks ago
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Tom's avatar - Go to profile

Tom · 741 weeks ago

The truth shall set you free!
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Unknown's avatar

Unknown · 727 weeks ago

Aaron witcher was a great man who fell short like we all do so rember this those without sin cast the first stone. so basically shut your mouth in less you really knew aaron.
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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