Youth Pastor Charged With Sex Abuse

Our Savior New American School in Centereach, New York, boasts that it provides an education from an Evangelical Christian perspective and proudly exalts God by having curriculum and faculty with an evangelical perspective. Per the school's website, this specifically means that the Bible is used as a tool of serious study, reference, and application. This is claimed in itself to greatly improve academic achievement and the moral climate in our school. Apparently, like all too many of the Christianist organizations, Our Savior also needs to better protect minors from sexual predators who talk about God and chastity but who cannot keep their hands off of their under age charges. Or at least such seems to be the case based on this Newsday story. Why is it that those who most preach against sex and wrap themselves in the Bible are the ones that are always obsessed with it? Here are some story highlights:

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A former Centereach private school teacher and youth pastor pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl. Rodney A. Jackson Jr., 29, of Patchogue, was arraigned before First District Court Judge John Iliou in Central Islip on charges of third-degree criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to Suffolk prosecutors.

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Jackson began a relationship with the student in April 2006 while he was a teacher and youth pastor at the Our Savior New American School, prosecutors said.

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School principal Dolores Reade said only that she was not aware of the court appearance. She declined to comment further, citing a "school policy that we do not discuss these things."The school is described on its Web site as a "private Christian School that offers a strong academic approach to education in grades Pre K- 12."

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As a final note, the school's website makes this boast:

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Many evangelical leaders have visited our school and call it a POWERFUL LIGHT in the darkness of this world. Leaders who have visited or spoke at our campus include, Dr. Robert Schuller of the Hour Of Power, Dr. Pat Robertson, Chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network and founder of the 700 Club. Dr. Luis Palau who is call by many as the "Evangelist to the World".