Redemption Christian Church children’s minister under investigation for possessing child sexual abuse materials
A children’s youth minister at Redemption Christian Church in Jasper has been terminated after leadership there recently learned of an investigation into his possession of child sexual abuse materials.
According to church officials, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation notified the church of the investigation involving online sources of the materials and met with the former youth minister, 22-year-old Aaron Lockman, on Tuesday. The agents seized Lockman’s electronic devices at the church.
He was subsequently released on his own recognizance while the investigation is ongoing.
Though no local victims have been identified, in response to the situation, church leaders met with the adult volunteers who work in the youth and teenage ministry on Thursday evening to notify them of the allegations against Lockman.
During the meeting, Tammy Lampert, executive director of the Southwestern Indiana Child Advocacy Center Coalition (SWICACC), also provided guidance to the volunteers on potential conversations with children and teenagers in the church’s youth and teenage programs regarding the allegations and any possible victimization.
Also, on Thursday evening, the church emailed all the parents of children in the youth programs to notify them of Lockman’s termination. The church released the following statement on Friday afternoon.
We are horrified, angry, and grieving the actions of, and allegations against, the church’s former Jasper Campus Children’s Minister Aaron Lockman.
We are cooperating fully with the authorities investigating this matter and are a transparent resource to them during this investigation.
When we learned of the investigation, we immediately terminated Aaron Lockman’s 14-month employment with Redemption Christian Church and barred him from church properties.
While we are intensely hurt by this event — and grieve for the victims of these activities — we fervently believe in God’s restorative justice and care for the most vulnerable, and we always seek to reflect that care.
Executive Minister Daniel Ross stated the church was not prepared to say anything else until Lockman was charged.
Senior Pastor Darrel Land plans to address the congregation regarding the situation during services this Sunday.
Though it is a federal investigation, Lockman could be charged in Dubois County. However, the Dubois County Prosecuting Attorney’s office could not provide any other information due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
This story will be updated.
Full disclosure: This reporter is a member of the Redemption Christian Church congregation.
