Pastor hit by sex scandal clings to faith for comfort

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

"I remain strong in faith that God will bring me through," were the only words the Reverend Dr Paul Lewis, the globetrotting Jamaican evangelist embattled by a sex scandal, uttered as he exited the Savanna-la-Mar Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Neatly attired in a three-piece black and grey suit, the pastor seemed calm and composed as he spoke with The Gleaner.

Lewis is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. He is scheduled to return to the Savanna-la-Mar Resident Magistrate's Court on October 19. He is on a $300,000 bail bond.

Prosecutors are alleging that, last June, the evangelist met the 15-year-old at a church convention in Little London, Westmoreland, where he was a guest preacher.

He reportedly exchanged telephone numbers with the girl and, in a subsequent meeting, took her and a 14-year-old female companion with him on a trip to Clarendon.

Questionable hotel stay

On their return to Westmoreland, the girls stayed with him at a Negril hotel. It was during that night that the alleged sexual encounter took place while her companion watched.

Attorney-at-law Keith Bishop said Lewis remains optimistic that he will be absolved of wrongdoing.

"Pastor Lewis is a Christian who believes that his faith will take him through this difficult period and, as his defence counsel, we intend to see this one through and declare his innocence," the lawyer said.

Bishop reiterated the weakness of the case, based on the evidence that was previously presented, and that the matter should have been dismissed long ago.

According to Bishop, it is now in the hands of Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Dirk Harrison, who will review the file and make a decision on the future of Lewis' case.

The accused pastor holds a doctorate in divinity and is an ordained minister. He is the founder and president of The Messengers For Christ Ministries World Healing Center, based in New York.

Lewis has authored several books, with his most recent being Walking In The Spirit.