Kentucky churches confront several cases of sex abuse by church leaders

KENTUCKY
Herald-Leader

By Valarie Honeycutt Spears — vhoneycutt@herald-leader.com

On the Sunday that followed the arrest of a former youth leader on sex-related charges, the lead pastor at Southland Christian Church addressed the issue with the congregation.

Chris Hahn, the lead executive pastor, said Southland Pastor Jon Weece talked about the “sadness we feel over what’s gone on in the last week.” During the sermon Sunday, Weece reminded the church of Southland’s procedures for hiring employees and accepting volunteers, Hahn said.

Jonathan David Hall, 29, of Danville is accused of sending sexual emails and text messages to a 15-year-old girl he met through church. Hall, who was released from his role as a youth leader at Southland Christian Church’s Danville campus, was arrested Sept. 18. He faces charges of unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sex.

Hall’s case is the most recent example of a persistent problem at churches in Kentucky and across the nation, officials said.

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