TENNESSEE
Local 8
[with video]
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) — After a three-day investigation, nearly two dozen men were arrested on charges related to human trafficking, including Jason Evan Kennedy, a pastor of children’s ministry at Grace Baptist in Karns.
Grace Baptist responds
Those with the church say Kennedy lost his job as a result of the arrest.
The release stated:
“The actions of the children’s pastor for which he has been arrested were part of his life outside the church, and we have received no questions or concerns related to his conduct within the church or its ministries.”
It said Kennedy was hired two-and-a-half years ago. Church administrators got a background check on Kennedy and it turned up no issues at the time. It did not indicate any previous problems. Church leaders believed Kennedy was a good fit because he listed a children’s pastor as a reference on his application. That pastor affirmed Kennedy had no issues in his background.
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