A megachurch pastor in Tennessee who believes in conversion therapy and preaches that homosexuality as a sin just admitted to a forced “sexual incident” with a 17-year-old girl… and the crowd went wild.
42-year-old Andy Savage preaches at Highpoint Church in Memphis. Last Friday, a woman named Jules Woodson came forward to accuse him of sexual assault.
Related: Another Antigay Pastor (Allegedly) Caught With His Hand In The Underage Cookie Jar
The alleged incident happened back in 1998 when Woodson was in high school and Savage was working at a Baptist church in Houston. One evening after church, he offered her a ride home.
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“As he was driving me towards my home, he passed the turn he should have made to go to my house,” she writes in a blog post. “I asked him where he was going. I don’t remember his exact response [but it was] something along the lines of ‘you’ll see,’ or ‘it’s a surprise.'”
Savage turned down a dirt road. At a dead end, he parked the truck and turned off the headlights.
She continues:
Andy unzipped his jeans and pulled out his penis. He asked me to suck it. I was scared and embarrassed, but I did it. I remember feeling that this must mean that Andy loved me. He then asked me to unbutton my shirt. I did. He started touching me over my bra and then lifted my bra up and began touching my breasts.
After the assault, Savage told her not to tell anyone about it. Woodson says she became consumed with “fear, shame, anger and hurt.” When she approached church leaders, they told her to not to say anything and that it would be handled internally
Nothing was ever done.
After the blog post went viral, Savage took a moment to address the allegations with his congregation last Sunday.
Related: Shocker: Another antigay pastor’s twisted sex life finds the light of day
“Until now, I did not know there was unfinished business with Jules,” he said during the service. “Jules, I am deeply sorry for my actions 20 years ago. I remain committed to cooperate with you toward forgiveness and healing.”
His remarks were met with a standing ovation from churchgoers, followed by a prayer led by another pastor.
Savage followed the remarks up with a formal written statement published on the church’s website. In it, he admitted to what he called a “sexual incident” with Woodson and insisted he had already taken “full responsibility” for his predatory actions.
“I was and remain very remorseful for the incident and deeply regret the pain I caused her and her family,” he declared, “as well as the pain I caused the church and God’s Kingdom.”
He went on to say that even though he kinda sorta raped a teenage girl one time, he’s never done it again since then, nor does he ever plan to again. So everything’s cool, right? Right?!
“There has never been another situation remotely similar in my life before or after that occurrence,” he said.
In addition to being pro-conversion therapy and anti-all-things-gay, Savage appears in a video series called “Sex Nation” that bashes homosexuality, pornography, divorce, and “sexual atheism.” He’s also been a vocal critic of other guys accused of sexual misconduct:
Woodson filed a report against Savage with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children last week. Unfortunately, because of the the statute of limitations, authorities say they are limited as to what they can do; however, Capt. Dan Zientek of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says “some possible options” may be available.
In the meantime, Highpoint Church says it stands by Savage and has no plans on removing him from his post.
Related: Pastor who delivered inauguration sermon believes ‘filthy’ homosexuals ruined America
girldownunder
“I’m so very sorry I was caught”, please allow me my time to make up an excuse for my disgusting behaviour”.
Andy Savage
Sexual predator
CastleSF
It was 20 years ago and he has since expressed regret and acknowledged his wrong doing. The woman can still sue him because what he did was wrong but it’s better to close the old chapter and move on.
DCguy
Let me rephrase what you said.
Well he killed a child, but he has since expressed regret and acknowledged his wrong doing, the parents can still sue him because what he did was wrong, but it’s better to close the old chapter and move on.
If that phrase doesn’t ring right to you, you should ask yourself why you consider it ok that he raped a young girl and got away with it. In other words, why is rape ok with you?
Daniel-Reader
The passage of time does not remove a crime, much less excuse it. How disgusting to try to brush off such a thing. Since he admitted to it, he should be on the offender list and be prevented from living near schools and having unsupervised contact with minors.
Juanjo
He expressed regret after being revealed as a rapist. Not much of a valid point there.
JungleBoi
Of course he “expressed regret” – he got called out fit! It’s better to shun and ostracize him than let him off the hook. How many others has he not expressed regret for? There are more.
charlietex
Let me guess. You are a Donald Trump supporter?
Clay83
You are low life pond scum, how dare you try and brush under the carpet the rape of this woman! People like you are the reason we are having this surge in woman coming forward with stories of rape and predatory behavior, men need to pay for the things they have done, even if it was 20 years ago, he was an adult and knew what he was doing and must face the full force of the law
irbaboon
GO BACK TO RUSSIA YOU TROLL!
startenout
Or let’s see if THIS resonates…
It was 20 years ago he assaulted YOUR mother or sister or cousin or friend and he has since expressed regret only now that he has been publicly outed and acknowledged his wrong doing with far less vitriol than he has castigated others. The woman can still sue him because what he did was wrong but it’s better to close the old chapter and move on with hypocrisy.
SPEEDOSWIMMER
Dumbfrak lemming Asian
DCguy
This is what’s left in the Republican and Evangelical base.
He isn’t being held to task because these right wing evangellicals are ok with rape. Look at the Duggar family’s church. Not only did every “Friend” from church Mister Duggar talked to about Josh molesting his sisters turn out to be a child molester themselves, but they train the girls that they are to submit to men.
This isn’t surprising, this is who they are.
Rex Huskey
DCGurl: you syllogism is greatly flawed as per usual. you are the narrow minded bigot with a conclusion always looking for a proposition. you’re also a damn idiot.
just saying…
DCguy
@Rex Huskey
I see one of anti-lgbt troll Mo Bro’s screenames is doing what they always do. Try to deflect the topic by changing it or just lobbing vague attacks.
So in other words, they couldn’t dispute the comment, so tried to dodge it that way.
Oh, and just a thought, using “GURL” as an attack just makes it more obvious that you’re just another anti-lgbt troll.
So to repeat, the guy admits he assaulted the girl, nothing was done and the church full of Good Republican Evangellicals gave him a standing ovation.
Ladies and gentlemen, your women hating, sexual assault loving Republican base.
CastleSF
DCGuy – Your handle implies that you are a male but you sure sound like a woman who may have had sex issues with men. You are angry and vindictive and you seem to have hidden agendas to absolve the women and put all the blame on men.
Juanjo
Who are these troll socks defending a rapist?
DCguy
Look at what this screename said……..
“”””CastleSF , DCGuy – Your handle implies that you are a male but you sure sound like a woman who may have had sex issues with men. You are angry and vindictive and you seem to have hidden agendas to absolve the women and put all the blame on men.””””
—————————————–
Do you notice two things?
1. To Republican trolls, being anti-rape apparently is being anti-man.
2. The largest insult he could think of was to tell me I sounded like a woman for defending a sexual assault victim.
THIS is the Republican Party and today’s evangelicals. IT isn’t RAPE that’s wrong, it’s punishing people for it. And people who are opposed to rape are just man hating hysterical women.
THAT is the GOP today.
Rex Huskey
***your syllogism
iron
nice choice of words. grad ? jd
am_psi
Did he rape her though? She was above the age of consent (17 in Texas) and he asked her for sex and she did it. I didn’t see anywhere in her quotes where he forced her to do anything or that she offered any sort of objection.
DCguy
And again, thanks for proving that the right wing doesn’t care about sexual assaults.
am_psi
Well, if she was legally able to consent and did so, there was no sexual assault. All she described was a sexual encounter she regretted having after the fact. There’s nothing here that suggests that if she just said “No, thanks.” that he would have done anything but take her home.
Heywood Jablowme
But he took her to the middle of nowhere. What was she going to do, say no and walk home 8 miles (or whatever), she may not have even known exactly where she was.
zackdc1
She was a minor and he was a youth pastor…under Texas law, a pastor who has a sexual encounter with someone under 18 is guilty of sexual assault.
Bromancer7
The problem is that he, as her pastor, was in a position of power, and used that power to coerce her into doing something she had no interest in doing. That’s what makes it inappropriate.
am_psi
The article doesn’t say he was her pastor, only that he was working at the church. He was only 22, so probably not in a position of authority.
startenout
If he was working at the church in any capacity from preacher to janitor, then you do not drive a minor (or any other aged woman) to the middle of a dark road in the pretense of driving her home, take out your dick and tell her to give you head and then tell her not to tell anyone! Why Ian that so hard for you to register(ed sex offender?)!
Vince
Here’s the thing. The Roy Moore camp would love to dilute the rape meaning. I don’t think this is good example we should be looking to use.
She wasn’t a minor at the time and someone asking you for sex isn’t the same as forcing you into it. She had sex with him because she believed he loved her. Misguided but it is consent.
zackdc1
She was a minor and he was a youth pastor…under Texas law, a pastor who has a sexual encounter with someone under 18 is guilty of sexual assault. No consent here.
Vince
It’s actually under 17.
Mick406
Did they have ‘sex’? The story only said she gave him a (partial?) BJ and that he fondled her breasts. Is that considered rape? I thought rape was only forced FULL sexual intercourse.
Daniel-Reader
Age doesn’t matter under Texas law if a clergymember does so to someone under their charge. No consent can be given by victim in such cases. See Texas Code Sec. 22.011
Vince
Better yet. If i was use this as an example then I’ve been raped many times. Where’s my justice!!
He BGB
Imo I think he wants to get away with it with just an apology and prayer. Not so fast. Also why did the congregation go wild and applause. Are they idiots? Lambs to the slaughter. I used to appreciate Christians but they’ve become more of a political judgmental group. Wish they would go back to being like Christ and doing good and letting god do the judgments. And stop putting words abd translations in the bible that aren’t there. It all started with AIDS, and they freaked out…..
He BGB
And gay marriage pushed them over the edge, I guess.
Bruce Garner
Whether any actual “sex act” was completed is immaterial. The teenage girl was sexually assaulted by an adult in a position of authority in an institution that was part of her life. She didn’t say “no” because she really couldn’t say no. That’s part of the mindset of guys like this and all who sexually assault others: When there is a power differential it is almost impossible to say no to advances. This was also a clear boundary violation. In the training courses we use to try and safeguard God’s children, this young pastor is the picture perfect example of wrong behavior with another. He fits all the characteristics as do those who helped him hide his sins. “Don’t tell any else” is the hallmark of those who have done wrong, know it and want to hide it.
There is a mindset among a fairly sizeable number of men (regardless of sexual orientation) that allows them to treat others in sexually inappropriate ways just because they can. It’s part of our heritage as men that we are supposed to be the one in charge, to hold the power, etc. etc. etc.
The bottom line is that Andy Savage (he seems to live up to his name….what irony) should be fired or asked to resign from his position just like every other person who has owned up to sexual assault over the last few months. He did wrong. In church terms he sinned and grievously at that. Yes repentance and forgiveness and all that involves is required if we are to be the church we profess to be. That doesn’t blot out the sin and never will. He still has responsibilities. Some faith communities call that penance, others use different terms.
As far as the twerp earlier in this discussion making a snarky remark about a poster not being male because the language used “sounded” female: Get a grip jackass. There are men who have sensitivity to others. And that doesn’t make them “girly” or sounding like a girl. You’ve got issues with which to deal, so do that before you overlay your issues on others.
Bruce Garner
Sorry about the formatting. As it comes across on my screen words are divided where they should not and letters get separated from words. I don’t know if it a fluke of the site or not, nor do I know how to correct it. Then again, maybe it’s just my computer!!!
SiamSam
If Queerty is so concerned about “power differentials” and statutory rape of minors, why not start covering cases of female teachers sexual abusing male high school students?
Juanjo
Do you ever have anything to post other than logical fallacies? That’s a rhetorical question, you need not respond.
DCguy
SiamSam, you were already exposed as another of MoBro’s screenames on the other thread, why are you still breaking out this screename?
t
He’ll be announcing his bid for the senatorial race next week.
Jacques
Well boys I guess you know what that means… A great big gang bang with this fag hating priest on the bottom… According to the whole congregation we’ll have a standing ovation for it and it will certainly teach him a lesson of not flaunting that heinous act. He’ll be walking funny for years and have a new respect for gays, especially well endowed ones. So come on guys everywhere, who’s game?
CastleSF
What an atrocious and hateful person you are! The punishment you suggested is ten times worse than what this pastor did to that young woman, who would be considered an adult in some states and other parts of the world at the time the unfortunate incident took place. The end doesn’t justify the means no matter how morally superior you think you are.
SiamSam
@CastleSF Just look at Jacques. He’s simply projecting his favorite rape fantasy.
Shaugn
So these supposed Christians forgive a technical child molester and cannot forgive LGBT people or even try to grant them some respect. Mr. Savage may be a very good man now that he has grown up and trying to do what’s best as he believes it to be. Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. I’ll bet most of his congregation support our commander-in-hatred and follow that path too. Enough with all the hate mongering, left or right, stop the crap grow up and move on.
SiamSam
Apart from the quite false claim of child molestation, that’s a f*cking good point.
joopThe Netherlands
Onze a rapist, always a rapist and this criminal should be locked up like the law demands. Religious freedom is no excuse to rape a girl or anybody else in that matter.
Lock him up and let the inmates have some fun with him.
Clay83
What is most surprising is how so many men on this site seem to condone the abuse.
BOB K
STUPID SENSATIONALIST HEADLINE!
“Pressured a girl into oral sex” would be more accurate and we don’t even know how much pressure he used.
Could we save the word rape for situations where there is no consent ?
Herman75
He’s hot looking. They probably applauded the idea of him boffing. Praze Jeebuz.
Jaroslaw
Did anyone consider this pastor didnt have to admit to anything? It is hard to imagine a serial rapist admitting anything. And acknowledging the female in question is a legal adult who at some level consented is not the same as condoning rape.
Rex Huskey
he was suspended too. at least he tried to get her off after she blew him
JarodD
Im all for rightfully trashing a gaybashing cult leader but in this case theyre playing this off like he’s some middle aged guy who forcibly assaulted a child when that’s not what happened. He was 22 and she was 17. The cognitive difference between 17 and 18 is negligible. She was clearly aware of her actions and at no time did she say in her statement that he forced her. She also said that he asked her on two occasions to which she by her actions agreed. Furthermore she was clearly interested in the interaction because she added the information about how she thought he loved her, this would have no bearing on the story if not to justify her own interest in him and as a result a motivation for her actions. She in no way (as mentioned in this article) indicated to him any semblance of displeasure during the encounter and only after the fact did she have regrets and decide to contact officials. Aside from violation of the (arbitrary) age of consent, no wrong was done by this guy. Her feelings of fear anger and hurt are clearly products of her biblical upbringing that promotes shame around all sexual acts aside from a man and woman who are married doing missionary but not for pleasure, only when trying to conceive a child.