SAY IT AIN'T SO
Minister Jonathan Wayne Ballard was arrested December 15th at the Straightway
Ministries offices on HWY 421 by New Hanover County Detectives with the
Sheriff's Office for 6 counts of Indecent Liberties with children and
3 counts of First Degree Sexual Offense. Ballard is currently being held
on a ten million dollar bond.
The arrest rocked the faith of perhaps the hundreds of young people who
have worshiped and learned at the feet of Rev. Ballard. Ballard was one
of the few that knew how to reach the kids, his ministry was successful
and young people loved him.
Over the next couple of days the congregation and leadership of the church
will undoubtedly be asking themselves, "What would Jesus do?"
about these allegations. How would Jesus react?
The damage done is unfathomable. How can you measure the betrayal to a
community of fellow Christians by the humiliating charges brought to light
by these alleged carnal acts committed against cherished innocence? How
can this be possible? It is the accusation that will cause the damage
and not the alleged act.
Every now and then we learn of the stray and infinitesimal accounts of
a law enforcement officers that go bad. If we can't trust a cop who can
we trust? A Priest? The ministers and pastors who lead us and guide us
in the ways of our God? For them to betray us by attacking the innocence
of our young people is nearly unforgivable but so are the criminal acts
committed by anyone who is entrusted with the protection, education and
security of our faith in God, in justice or in our country.
Teachers marrying and having sex with 14 year old students in pagan rituals,
nursing home operators who neglect the elderly and convalescent causing
pain and suffering, legislators and elected officials that accept bribes
for favors, judges and prosecutors who parlay prejudicial bias and political
cronyism into a racketeer's fortune and lastly, the corrupt few that carry
a badge and a gun, what could be worse? What punishment could be enough
for these violators of the sanctity of our society?
What would Jesus do about any of them?
Community in outrage over excessive bond
SPEAK OUT IN THE FORUM
