Youth minister in Georgia accused of rape (Updated)

Brian Richard Gray (Sheriff’s department photo via www.ajc.com)

Update: A local newspaper reports that the church is asking for prayers. “Especially for the victims,” a church elder said. Read that story.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that a Church of Christ youth minister accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old church member has been jailed:

Thursday afternoon, Brian Richard Gray, 32, was extradited to Georgia from Alabama, where he was arrested Tuesday at a family member’s home, Oconee Sheriff Scott Berry said.
Gray, of Winder, faces charges of rape and and child molestation stemming from a relationship with a teenager he knew through the Monroe Church of Christ. Gray allegedly visited the teen several times in her family’s Oconee County home while her parents were away, Berry said.
Deputies believe there may be other victims, and that Gray could face additional charges, Berry said. The church has cooperated with the investigation, he said.

Read the full story and a previous story about the case.

• Feedback
  I know many people who have known this young man all his life, and I have heard nothing but praise for his spiritual strength and great faith. Nothing justifies any sinful behavior, but people should know that last November, his life was devastated by a terrible car accident that took the life of his three-year-old daughter and left his wife paralyzed. This kind of anguish can leave a person vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. What you see in this story does not define the life of this man, though there will be terrible consequences. Please pray for healing for all involved.

  Philip

  November, 13 2010

  <a href=”https://christianchronicle.org/article2158987~Across_the_nation,_January_2010″ rel=”nofollow”>This item</a> appeared in the Chronicle in January 2010:
  <blockquote>
  GEORGIA
  MONROE � The 2-year-old daughter of Brian Gray, youth minister at the Monroe church, was killed in a traffic accident on Thanksgiving weekend. Authorities said Helen Gray, who would have turned 3 on Dec. 23, was strapped in a car seat.
  Her mother, Kristy Gray, suffered serious spinal injuries. Brian Gray was treated for minor injuries. Both he and his wife are graduates of Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala. More than 5,000 people joined the �Prayers for the Brian Gray Family� group on Facebook.com.</blockquote>

  Bobby Ross Jr.

  November, 13 2010

  This just makes my heart hurt. To experience the kind of tragedy he has gone through had to leave him vulnerable to Satanic attack. Obviously, you don’t condone his behavior. There will be many lives damaged from this. However, if ever a brother needs the prayers and mercy of his fellow believers, it is now.

  Buck

  November, 13 2010

  I know the victim of “Satan’s attack”…I have a hard time feeling sorry for a grown man that took advantage of children like that!! I have, unfortunately, known many people who have dealt with severe loss like losing a child or spouse and not ONE of them turned that bitterness towards an innocent child!

  Kerrie

  November, 13 2010

  We all need to read the story of David and the story of Saul. What Brian did was Satan moved but he had a choice and he chose the wrong path. He now must deal with the consequences and rightfully so. Media has a way of taking facts and changing it to be more appealing. I do not know the facts.
  I know God is a forgiving God and loves all. God knows each heart in this terrible ordeal. We are to pray for those that sin against us and pray for those who are hurting.

  Tammy

  November, 15 2010

  Nothing justifies sinful behavior and nothing would justify the crimes Brian Gray is alleged to have committed nor should he go unpunished if found guilty. But as a Christian parent who has had a child die, I can certainly understand what it is like to become more vulnerable to the attacks of Satan. Rather than making unChristian judgments (if Brian Gray is guilty then the courts will pronounce judgment), we should take this as a cue that Christians who suffer horrific tragedies need our love and support in some very tangible ways for a very prolonged period of time. No on ever gets over the loss of someone like a child but over the years (not days or months) with the right love and support a person can learn to live with the tragedy in healthy ways.
  Grace and Peace,
  K. Rex Butts

  K. Rex Butts

  November, 16 2010

  This is sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with all parties involved. As Christians, we are commanded to pray for our fellow Christians.

  Ashley

  November, 16 2010

  Brian Richard Gray pled guilty to multiple charges in an arrangement June 9th, 2011 in Barrow County Court Winder, GA. The arrangement called for him to serve 15 years of prison time plus 10 years of probation. Further he will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
  The original 58 count indictment could have brought, with a conviction, over 200 years of prison time. The plea arrangement alone could have brought up 70 years. Overall this agreement serves all parties well.
  The sentencing for Oconee County Watkinsville, GA is still pending at this time.

  Gary

  June, 10 2011