Pastor John Lowe II stepped down from his position at the New Life Christian Church when his past misconduct was called out by a churchgoer, Bobi Gephart. Bobi, now 43, walked to the stage and told the church with a microphone that the pastor was grooming her since she was 16.
The 43-year-old told the church, "For 27 years I lived in a prison... I lived in a prison of lies and shame. Lying to protect the Lowe family. For years I thought I was a horrible person, having suicidal thoughts and not realizing what had been truly done to me."
"I would still be in a prison if my brother had not just approached me two weeks ago with what he had seen as a teenager that bothered him all these years: his pastor in bed with his younger sister."
Bobi confronted the man with her husband, Nate, beside her, "I was just 16 when you took my virginity on your office floor. Do you remember that? I know you do."
"You did things to my teenage body that should have never been done. If you can't admit the truth, you have to answer to God. You are not the victim here."
Bobi was the exact same age as Pastor Lowe II's child with wife, Debbie Lowe.
Nate added, "This is a lie. This is not just adultery. It's another level. It happened for nine years. When she was 15, 16, the grooming started."
He then showed the pearl necklace his wife received from the church and a "purity ring" the pastor gave her during the time they had an affair. Nate spoke after returning the items to the church that they were not stretching the truth in any sense and encouraged other women to speak up as well.
The mass was angry, with one screaming at him, "If you did it, you need to admit it!"
"We need to hear from our pastor!" spoke another.
Another was heard yelling, "Give him the microphone!"
"I told you I committed adultery and that it went on far too long," Lowe spoke on stage.
A member screamed at him, "You didn't tell us she was 16!"
He admitted, "It was wrong. I can't make it right. I can't make it better. That's just the way it is. It's not all true, but it did happen, yes."
The age of consent in Indiana was 16 years old, and Lowe probably won't face any charges for what he did. But he had stepped down and was removed from the church's website.
"This long-held secret first came to light when a woman in the church came forward and disclosed the relationship to various people within the church," read the statement the church made.
"When confronted by others in church leadership concerning that report, Pastor Lowe confessed privately that the adultery did, in fact, occur. In anticipation of Pastor Lowe’s public confession during our church service, the woman in question and her family were invited to be present."
"She did attend and, together with her husband, also addressed the congregation, indicating that improper sexual conduct first occurred when she was 16 years of age and continued into her twenties. She tearfully described living with deep shame and pain over the ensuing years."
"In the wake of what has now been revealed, we are hurting and broken for a woman who has lovingly attended and served in the church for many years, as well as for her husband and family."
"It is our deepest prayer and commitment to love, support, encourage and help her through a process of healing in any way in which we are able."
"Our brokenness extends to Pastor Lowe, his wife and family as well."
"For 42 years, New Life has taught and preached a Cross-driven message of repentance, forgiveness, and restoration; a ministry of reconciliation which has been both led and modeled by Pastors John and Debbie Lowe."
"As healing occurs in their hearts, their marriage, and family, we are committed to demonstrating the same support, encouragement, counsel, and forgiveness that has come to define the collective heart and ministry of this body."
