Church releases 2 statements after ex-Abilene pastor arrested for child sex crime
ABILENE, Texas — Pioneer Drive Baptist Church released two statements after former Abilene pastor Jeff Berry was arrested for a child sex crime -- one to the congregation and one to the media.
As KTXS first reported on Monday, Berry was arrested in Franklin, Tennessee on a charge of indecency with a child by contact out of Taylor County.
According to the now unsealed indictment, Berry is accused of touching the genitals of an underage boy on or about March 1, 1996 when Berry worked for Pioneer Drive.
After KTXS broke news of the arrest, the church emailed a letter to the congregation.
In it, Pastor Stan Allcorn called Berry a friend. He asked people not to speculate until we know all the facts and to have compassion for all involved.
Email to the congregation
Dear Church Family,
On KTXS news last night it was reported that a former employee of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Jeff Berry, was arrested and jailed in Nashville, Tennessee, on a child sex crime. The alleged offense dates back to the mid-1990s in Abilene. Our employment records reflect that Jeff Berry was employed as a music intern at Pioneer Drive for nine months in 1985-86 and was re-hired for a similar position on September 1, 1995. He continued in this position until May, 1996.
Jeff Berry is the 55-year-old son of Pioneer Drive members, Russell and Paula Berry. We love this family deeply. Just as our church rejoices with fellow members in good times, we also stand beside them offering prayer and strength in difficult times. This is exactly what we will do for the Berrys. They represent the best of our church and we will remain by their side.
We also pray for the alleged victims. Our hearts go out to any and all who have ever been abused in this way and to their families as well. May God bring healing and peace to their minds and souls.
Jeff Berry is my friend. I love him as a Christian brother. We have served in revivals together on two occasions. I am praying earnestly for Jeff today and will continue to do so.
We do not have all the facts surrounding this situation. We do not know the full story. I would urge against speculation and for compassion toward all involved. I would also remind us that God can bring good and even victory out of the most troubling and tragic circumstances. Please join me in praying for Him to do so now.
Grace to you,
Pastor Stan
The statement to the media said "Pioneer Drive is committed to the safety of our children and does not take these matters lightly."
Full Statement to the Media
A former employee of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Jeff Berry, was arrested and jailed in Nashville, Tennessee, on a child sex crime. The alleged offense dates back to the mid-1990s in Abilene. Our employment records reflect that Jeff Berry was employed as a music intern at Pioneer Drive for nine months in 1985-86 and was re-hired for a similar position on September 1, 1995. He continued in this position until May, 1996.
Pioneer Drive is committed to the safety of our children and does not take these matters lightly. Our hearts go out to any and all who have ever been abused in this way and to their families as well. We pray for God to bring healing and peace to their minds and souls.
We fully intend to cooperate with any local authority and encourage others who have information regarding this circumstance to do so as well.
In a divorce affidavit obtained by KTXS, the victim in the 1996 case said the abuse by Berry started when he was in middle school.
"He turned out all of the lights and had candles instead; he had us both lie on the floor next to each other in the dark to watch a movie," said the victim.
The alleged sexual abuse was not reported until October 2018.
A second victim is also mentioned in the divorce affidavit.
