Police are searching for a pastor who is accused of sexually assaulting and impregnating a teenage girl, according to reports.
Jacob “Jake” Malone was on staff at Calvary Fellowship in Pennsylvania, according to Bill Bateman, another pastor.
The girl met Malone at a church in Arizona first when she was 12. Later, when she was 17, Malone reportedly contacted the victim and invited her to live with his family in Minnesota, according to a police report.
The victim then moved with Malone and his family to Pennsylvania. Police say the victim says this is when the molestation began.
NBC Philadelphia reports police say the victim says she is now pregnant with Malone’s child.
Church leaders confirmed the pregnancy to the Philadelphia Post-Gazette. Malone resigned late last year after admitting the pregnancy.
Bateman told the Post-Gazette church leaders informed the congregation of the situation on Sunday.
“Our church’s goal in difficult moments like this is to protect the innocents, first of all,” Bateman said. “And, number two, we strive to bring about repentance and restoration of the offender.”
Calvary Fellowship posted the following update on their Facebook page:
An update from your pastors this morning:
On behalf of the entire staff, we want you to know how deeply we share in your pain over the recent unfolding events in the life of our church. With so many developing details, we want to be as transparent with you as possible while still working closely with authorities. Here are a few things that may bring a sense of peace to you as we traverse this valley together:
1. Safety has been a constant concern at Calvary for years. Every staff person (as well as every volunteer who has any contact with children) is thoroughly background checked and, if meeting certain criteria, fingerprinted by the State of PA. The staff participates jointly in ongoing education classes on issues related to sex crimes, mandatory reporting, etc. Jake Malone passed every check and participated in every educational forum. He flew completely under the radar, deceiving even those who were closest to him. We know this is hard to imagine, but we assure you that no one suspected anything until very recently.
2. As soon as we had information, we reported to all proper authorities (multiple venues). Getting information was treacherous and difficult, and had it not been for the Lord shining light into darkness, we would probably still be looking in vain for the truth. All authorities were contacted and we immediately complied with everything they asked.
3. We have had no surprises with law enforcement and have been incredibly grateful for their careful work in bringing justice while protecting the main victim, whom we love (as we do all victims involved).
4. We continue to work with the authorities. They have never asked us to do anything that violates our conscience or the prescription for dealing with this kind of sin as laid out in scripture.
5. Counseling has been ongoing with those closest to the situation and has been offered more recently to others who are greatly impacted by these events. If you feel like you need to talk to someone, please email Pastor Bill at [email protected] and let us know.
6. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8) We cling to the knowledge that the Christian life is a battle and that Jesus has already won. If we suffer for His sake, it’s no fun, but we count it a privilege.
7. We are praying diligently for you and will keep you updated as we are able. Please pray for us, too.
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