correction: The original statement didn't say anything about "past issues".

There are some serious questions that should be asked, based upon the news paper article.

(1)Why did the Church not report the incdient two weeks earlier when told by a “Trusted volunteer?” Was it because the leadership with in the Church hoped that nothing would ever come of it? Or perhaps the child would not tell anyone and it would all blow over? Or to protect the Church name at the Expense of a child? One can only speculate.

If I’m not mistaken isn’t their a state law that requires public servants to report to the appropriate authorities if they even suspect child abuse? Why didn’t the Church do this?

(2) According to the news paper the Childs family had to report the incident. How sad if they Church new about it two weeks erlier.

(3) What were the issues that the Church was aware of when they hired the man? If they didn’t relate at all to this incident why then did the pastor even bother to make the statement “The release, signed by Pastor Rhys Stenner, noted that when Davis was hired in 1998, “those hiring were aware of some issues,” If they didn't apply why even make that statment?

(4) Is authorities looking into the possibility that their may be several other victims?

I know this is a large Church and I suspect that I will get a lot of bad comments from asking these questions. I’m not asking them to be mean, but to bring to the attention of everyone that when such behavior is even suspected it should be reported to the appropriate authorities then and not wait until the child tells her family and they report it two weeks later.

Thank God’ for this brave child or this guy would still be at New Hope Baptist Church lurking in the shadows for another victim.

I smell a law suite!

It's funny to me how the paper can choose to word things in such a way that may misrepresent the truth. It is my understanding that the employee was released immediately after the church found out about the situation. The "two weeks earlier" referred to the two weeks prior to the press statement being made. Also, does anyone in their right mind think that a church with so much at stake would hire someone with prior issues dealing with ANYTHING that could have to do with harming a child? There is nothing in that for them, why would they risk that?

Momofthree,

I know this has to be hard on both the Church and the pastor, and based upon those posting here it would appear that New Hope was doing all that could be done to head something like this off.

The raw truth is it happens all the time at schools, daycare's and yes even in some Churches and it would appear that New Hope had done all that it could in screening workers, volenteers.

My only concern was if the Church had waited two weeks before reporting it to the family or police.

Then my second concern is, why the pastor would say that there were past issues but the Church hired him any way. I agree I couldn't imgine a Church hiring someone with prior issues of harming children, maybe the pastor should have consulted with others before releasing the press release (There is safty in a multitude)

I don't go to New Hope but I'm sure that both the Church and it's leadership will learn from this and make New Hope an even safter place in the future.

Best regards.

If this happens here imagine those Riverdale churches!

"I’m not asking them to be mean..."

Why would you think for one minute that your questions are "mean"? Because you're asking them about a "church"? Not even a church and its leaders are above the law (remember the pedophile priests). This isn't the dark ages and you won't be persecuted for asking pointed questions.

Your questions are good ones and should be answered.

Wouldn't expect anything less from that weird place.

So a new blogger signs up today. "Marta Rider" and has two postings of note- one calling New Hope weird and one disparaging Peachtree City. So you signed up to blog and that is the best you got? pretty pathetic. Watch getting shanked on the CTran to MARTA.

It's funny you should say that. Just last night I carved a shiv out of the bottom of my toothbrush to protect myself on MARTA.

Also, I don't exactly know what you mean by "that is the best you got?" Are you saying I'm a softball blogger or something? Because I would agree. I feel as though I'm in Karate Kid with that kind of talk.

Perhaps it was bad communication on my part. It is easy to sign up on blog, then throw out venom with anonymity, but to what purpose. I struggle to see what the point was of any of your posts. But no matter. I have seen some weird things in my life, everything from santeria to the occult of the crystal. If you thing that New Hope is weird, then your threshold is very low for weirdness. of course, then I wonder why a MARTA rider comments about wierdness. You are surrounded by it on every commute.

I just didn't find it valid. There are racists, sexists, homophobes, etc. all over this site (mudcat to name one), and you decide I am the one to go after. Maybe it's because you attend New Hope, or perhaps you're the type who defends all Christian churches. The simple fact that I'm a MARTA rider could even have set you off. Who knows? All I can say is that I am speaking from personal experience. It's an incestuous (not familial) environment, something I do find very weird and do not care to be around. If you like surrounding yourself with people just like you, feel free. And yes, MARTA can also be very weird, but for opposite reasons, and I find it's often entertaining.

I think that your criticisms of this church is laughable. Most churches are geared to evangelism-constantly seeking outward. Your use of the term incestuous is just silly and shows you as no more than a lout. I thought it was intestesting that you signed up just to throw bombs-and not even effective ones. Lots of people take mass transit, most don't use it as a badge of honor. Your picture of Smith and Carlos is an interesting tell as well. I think generally, people expose themselves on these blogs for what they are. I have seen plenty of hate going around on both sides of the political spectrum and all races. Stand up against all of it, or I guess you can snipe at a church and Peachtree City. If you think it is telling that I commented to your inane quotation, I think it is telling that you commented to begin with.

What a strange use of the word. By using this word, you are intentionally berating the members of this church. You go and attack mudcat? You have to wake up and get a clue. Attacking a group of people simply because of this incident. That's like saying "the muderous bank robber used a MARTA bus to escape. Therefore, all MARTA bus riders are muderous bank robbers."

New Hope is a fairly typical "Seeker Friendly Church". They have big crowds and they want large collections. When it comes to screeing for the people that are looking for easy access to children they are soft. But you will see them having all the trappings of security--- name badges, sign in, talk a good game.

I worry about my own children at our own church and the "issues" that a couple of "pastors" who were asked to leave. Like the one who would not give up his personal password to the church computer.

New Hope requires employees and volunteers to submit to yearly background checks.

Parents can come in an volunteer in their childs class in a public school, and often not need to have a background check done.

I have gone through the same hoops to volunteer in the elementary schools as I have for volunteering in the student ministry with New Hope. All have background checks and if you are stating that New Hope's security is soft, then Braelinn, Oak Grove, and Peeples is even spongier. The truth of the matter is that background checks look into police records, for the most part only going back 7 years. The issue comes when there is no previous record of offenses, but maybe a whisper or two of a rumor. I am unsure of what "issues" this person had previously, but I can guarantee that a criminal record for molestation or molestation accusations was not among them.

I am aware of the "issues" and I can assure you that they had NOTHING to do with children or molestation or anything of that nature. And as soon as church leadership became aware of what had taken place they immediately took action.

Too bad the " issues " were missed by overlooking them or simple failure to do a better background check. Clearly something failed, as for the statement that once the " Issues " were known by the church leaership something was done, no matter it was too late. Since the crimes happened where, you got it, on the church’s campus on New Hope Road.

Who cares if the " issues " were NOT related to past molestaion, the fact there where" Issues " should have disqualified the individual in my world.Anyway until we know exactly what the past issues were, who can say for sure if they weren't related to any sort of molestation. Given the fact something or somone failed to find this or simply decided to overlook the past, was the root cause for this in my opinion.

Lets see what could be "issues" that would give a church pause... I know people who are in their 40's who got in trouble as a teenager. One of them I know has a criminal record for shoplifting. It is now 25 years after the fact and there has been no other behavior to raise any red flags. Are you saying that someone who has changed their life should not be employable? How about infidelity? Lets say someone was unfaithful and had a bad breakup 15 years ago. This can be considered an "issue" for the church. Does that mean that they should not be employed in a maintenance capacity? So if the issue was infidelity or even pornography, as I have assumed that it was one of these, does that make this person a risk for molestation? If that is the case, 1/4 of Fayette county should probably stay away from kids.

A speedy trial and a rope.....

Don't Spread My Wealth.... Spread My Work Ethic

I would say a FAIR trial.
As for a rope, if Munford is accurate regarding the "press release", seems as though the church has already judged and handed out rope with its mentioning of employee record information and the generic yet leading "issues" clause.

The signature is a little pompous, que no?

Fine then let's spread your wealth and my work ethic.

Better????

Don't Spread My Wealth.... Spread My Work Ethic

Seriouso, ese. It doesn't read a little pompous to you?

You praise both your wealth and work ethic in one sentence. Lil pitchy, dawg. Maybe you meant it in the most humble of ways.

I like your signature line.

It's not easy being the carbonunit

Too bad that concept has been lost in this country. They're coming after our wealth there buddy..... Guess when they take away our wealth then perhaps we can give them our work ethic to go along with it. I won't be needing mine after that.

Don't Spread My Wealth.... Spread My Work Ethic

Guess it's just carbon.

I guess you working hard and building a little something upsets the king of rock and roll (real humble there I suppose huh ese?).

I like you signature too Git.

¿Y usted piensa que usted es Elvis?

Evil Elvis was Glenn Danzig's nickname back in the Misfits days. Oh, here's an interesting tidbit for you, too: Elvis wasn't a real king.

HTH.

Perhaps if the reference were about Morrissey, eh? I understand Latinos are quite taken by Moz.

I do like that you've adopted my fondness for using LA Mexicano lingo in text, vato. Imitation being what it is and such.

Never did I say the message in and of itself upset me, only that saying it about one's self was a little pompous -- and it is. So is the goofy signature about not lowering standards so up yours. I don't necessarily disagree with that message either, but again ... it's a truly pompous thing to say about one's self.

Telling others how moral, upright, smart, sound and wealthy we are IS pompous. But sanctimony is a way of life in Fayette County. I can understand why it would be applauded.

I prefer Julio Jaramillo to Elvis Crespo, homes. Thanks for asking.

Don't Spread My Wealth.... Spread My Work Ethic

You got a burr up your butt tonight? Go pull those tighty whities off which you've had on all day that have you all bunched up and pissy. Relax and chill a bit bro.

Don't Spread My Wealth.... Spread My Work Ethic

we need a MARGARITA MIXER

I will not lower my standards.. So UP YOURS..

GUN CONTROL Link

Maybe I should take up drinking again? Would help soothe the rough feeling of the shaft we're feeling.

Don't Spread My Wealth.... Spread My Work Ethic

There are times when I am almost sorry that I did quit drinking, although I suspect that no matter how much I drank it would not stop the hemorrhaging of wealth that we are now seeing.

It's not easy being the carbonunit

Something very wrong is taking place in our country right now. And it bridges party lines from top to bottom.

I'm out of here..... It don't pay....

Don't Spread My Wealth.... Spread My Work Ethic

61 for you, 39 for me.

Talk about demoralizing.

Didn't mean it in a bad way.

Don't taze me, bro.

I figured that you were not trying to hurt anyone's feelings.

It's not easy being the carbonunit

We all have those days....

Don't Spread My Wealth.... Spread My Work Ethic