UPDATE:: VGF Church founder had illegal relationship with teen student, impregnated her after graduatingThe pastor of large church outside Heath has left the church he founded after leaders of the congregation learned he committed a "sexual sin" more than 30 years ago.
More details have emerged about the “sinful” and “illegal” actions committed by the founder of one of the largest churches in Licking County, Ohio, that led to his resignation in October.
John Schouten, who founded VGF Church (formerly known as Vineyard Grace Fellowship) in Heath, has admitted to having an inappropriate years-long relationship with a teenage student when he was a newlywed teacher at Liberty Christian Academy over 30 years ago.
The relationship, which occurred before Schouten was a Christian, resulted in the girl becoming pregnant at the age of 19 after she graduated from the school.
Although Schouten officially parted ways with VGF in October, only a few details were reported in the media at the time out of privacy concerns. It was noted that Schouten committed "wrong, evil and illegal" acts that only involved one accuser and took place before his spiritual conversion in the 1980s.
Pastor John Schouten has mutually parted ways with VGF Church, located at 4905 Jacksontown Road.
A
statement about Schouten's departure was prepared by church elders and
read to parishioners Oct. 7 after Sunday service. An email with the
entire statement was sent via email to parishioners that same day. The
email was sent to The Advocate Thursday.
According to the statement, Schouten's actions were described as "wrong, evil, and illegal."
Heath pastor leaves over decades-old 'illegal' actions
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