In a surprising turn of events, Pastor Mark Thompson of Riverstone Church in Texas received a standing ovation from his congregation after confessing to a troubling incident from his past. During a service last Sunday, Thompson reflected on an encounter he had in 1999 with a then-17-year-old girl, whom he described as a “youth group member.” He characterized the event as a “mistake” and requested forgiveness from both the congregation and the victim.
“Over two decades ago, while I was serving as a youth pastor, I had a regrettable interaction with a high school senior,” Thompson explained. “I have since sought forgiveness from her, her family, and the church leadership.” Surprisingly, instead of facing condemnation, the congregation responded with applause, treating his admission as if it were a triumphant performance rather than a confession of wrongdoing.
The victim, Sarah Mitchell, has a different perspective on the encounter. In a blog post on Watch Keep, she detailed her experience, revealing that Thompson had offered her a ride home after a church event. “Instead of taking me home, he drove in the opposite direction,” she recounted. “When I questioned him, he said it was a surprise. He then exposed himself and made inappropriate requests.” Mitchell described how Thompson, after the incident, begged her not to tell anyone, pleading with her to keep it a secret.
Thompson’s public apology seems more focused on preserving his reputation than genuinely addressing the harm he caused. He stated, “In hindsight, I realize there was more I could have done for Sarah,” but many feel his words lack sincerity. Mitchell, through an advocate, expressed her disgust at Thompson’s attempt at an apology, emphasizing that it was not an acknowledgment of the crime it truly was.
During the time of the incident, church officials chose not to report Thompson to the authorities. Instead, he quietly left his role and has since built a successful career within a large church community. Due to the statute of limitations in Texas, he cannot face legal consequences for his actions.
Despite the past, Mitchell hopes that sharing her story will empower other victims of sexual assault, especially in church settings, to speak out. “I want others to know they’re not alone and that their voices matter,” she affirmed.
If anyone deserves recognition, it’s Sarah for her courage in coming forward.
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Summary
Pastor Mark Thompson of Riverstone Church confessed to a sexual incident from 1999 involving a minor, receiving applause from his congregation. Victim Sarah Mitchell shared her experience and criticized his apology as insincere. She hopes her story will encourage other victims to speak out.
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