Being Above Board
I’ve had several attempts to spam my Weblog comments from one person quite closely involved in the ugly sexual misconduct case involving Paul H. Valentine. I know who the individual is that is doing the spamming, and I understand their need for privacy. Anyone who knows me personally, though, knows that I don’t like anonymity on the Internet because it, in my mind, usually ends up causing more problems than it solves.
However, I’m going to take the unusual step of actually offering up the link being spammed, because I want to give the appropriate context to it: www.phvalentine.blogspot.com. This is an attempt by someone very, very close to the victim in this case to cut through lies involved in this matter. When you read the words of the writer, weigh them in that light. I’m sure that the writer would publicly state their name given other circumstances. Know, however, that the writer has the right mindset here. To quote from an entry:
All because Paul is unwilling to confess his sin, repent, and seek forgiveness. Yes, please pray for Paul. Pray that he will finally do the right thing, that justice will be done, and he can move on with his life in whatever direction God leads him.
As to how I feel about all this, since some of you have asked: I’ve long forgiven Paul for this, but if all I’m hearing is correct—and I have no way to know either way—I fear that Paul’s deceit may have been covered for in the past by the Mississippi Conference. If so, that absolutely and utterly angers me. While we Christians are called to forgive our brethren as Christ forgives, people who abuse the trust of the Church in official positions should not continue to hold positions of trust! While I am never one to discount the power of the Gospel and grace to heal one of sin, I’m also quite aware that some sins are just that much harder to excise. To quote a song by Brother Henry:
“There are some sins if you shake hands with / You can never come clean again”
It’s clear all throughout the Discipline when you read passages concerning the conduct of ordained elders that they are to be held to a higher standard. Failure of the Church to do so is a violation of the compact built upon trust and love between the leadership of the Church and the laity. That’s inexcusable.
Hopefully I have satisfied Joe Bloe’s desire to get a link to his exposé and have placed it within an appropriate context. You can always feel free to email me about it; this entry will disallow comments from the outset.
Paul Hamilton Valentine is currently staying at [removed]
When he returns to Mississipi, his home address is 10936 Highway 57, Vancleave, MS 39565. [Phone numbers removed.]
This information is published as a public service using public information. Seriously, it’s in the phone book.
October 31st, 2004 at 18:40Yes, and while it is public information, it doesn’t necessarily have to get spread in public, does it?
I’m debating taking it down. I’ll sleep on it.
October 31st, 2004 at 21:34Take it down if you want to. This is your web site, you make the rules. It’s your call.
His home address was published in the newspaper, along with his full name, age, and place of employment. Anyone with a phone book or the ability to dial 411 could get this data.
Personally, I’m much more concerned with protecting other children in the future, than about what has already happened. Law enforcement will deal with what has already happened-that’s their job. God will forgive if there is a contrite heart–that’s HIS job. My job is to protect children–my own and others.
October 31st, 2004 at 22:25As the addresses were in the paper, I’ll leave them. Anyone really wanting to dig up the info can do it on their own.
What paper did it appear in? I know that I saw name/age/hometown/employer in the Sun-Herald, but I don’t think his address was posted online.
October 31st, 2004 at 23:32Geof,
November 1st, 2004 at 00:07You absolutely satisfied my desire to get a link to my exposé and you have placed it within an appropriate context. I am sorry I didn’t do a better job of explaining myself form the beginning. Thank you for your patience and understanding of a weblog rookie.
In Christ,
Joe
And by the way, I’m sure you know already, I’m not the “Concerned Parent” poster. But since you asked his address was posted at the Mississippi Press site.
November 1st, 2004 at 00:14In Christ,
Joe
Here’s a summary of just some of the places the story has appeared. So far, it’s something like 11 newspaper stories and 5 TV news stations, from New Orleans, LA to Nashville, TN and everywhere in between: Hattiesburg, Jackson, Meridian, Memphis…
Computer seized for evidence
Biloxi Sun Herald – Biloxi,MS,USA
… Ray Akins said Tuesday. “We did get the computer and gathered up other undisclosed evidence.”. Paul Valentine, 34, of Vancleave, youth minister at St. …
Youth pastor arrested for alleged sex with teen
Pascagoula Mississippi Press – Pascagoula,MS,USA
… year-old girl. Officers with the Ocean Springs Police Department picked up the Rev. Paul Valentine, 10936 Miss. 57, of Vancleave …
Youth Pastor Charged With Sexual Battery
WLOX – Biloxi,MS,USA
… charged with sexual battery. The Reverend Paul Valentine was taken into police custody Thursday in Hattiesburg. He was charged with …
Youth minister arrested
SunHerald.com – Biloxi,MS,USA
… Paul Valentine, 34, of Vancleave, youth minister at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs, is being held at the Ocean Springs City Jail. Det. Lt. …
Ocean Springs youth pastor charged with sexual battery
November 1st, 2004 at 06:46Biloxi Sun Herald – Biloxi,MS,USA
The Rev. Paul Valentine of Vancleave was taken into police custody Wednesday in Hattiesburg. He faces two counts of sexual battery. …
The Mississippi Press printed his home address.
November 1st, 2004 at 06:49Okay.
[Just so y'all know, since there's been confusion: comments left here sometimes get held up for moderation. I moderate ANYTHING with a link these days because of comment spam---the same folks who brought you email spam have shifted over to leaving it on Weblogs. It's just lovely. Not only do links trigger it, but certain phrases and words do---and any sexual assault case is going to come very close to doing it. That's why comments have been held up from time to time.]
November 1st, 2004 at 07:28Joe Blow left spam comments on my site, too. What’s up with that?
(insult edited out by author)
November 1st, 2004 at 11:52I knew the last comment would be held because of the link. That’s why I posted it separately; so I could get the thank you posted while you had a chance to check out the link. I’m trying to learn to play right.
November 1st, 2004 at 20:25In that case, Joe, you may not want to spam other people’s sites who post here. Since you’re trying to play right and all.
Just sayin’…
Stepping away now,
November 2nd, 2004 at 14:12Well, Paul had his preliminary hearing this week, to hear the evidence. He did not even show up to testify in his own defense, or to hear the evidence against him. He stayed at home with his mamma and let his lawyer do the dirty work. His own lawyer appeared clueless, he probably doesn’t know the facts because Paul probably hasn’t been forthcoming with him.
For the record, Paul no longer lives in Vancleave. His home phone number has been disconnected and the family that owns the home and was renting it to him states that he has moved out.
His current address is 1024 Hidden Creek Drive, Berea, KY 40403.
(Geof can remove this if he doesn’t want it posted).
November 5th, 2004 at 10:24Mississippi Methodist Youth Minister Jailed for Sexual Misconduct
Well, it appears that justice has been done: Paul Valentine was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual misconduct with one of the members of his youth group. [See also the story from The Mississippi Press about Valentine’s sentencing.]
May 29th, 2006 at 14:22I hav…
Well, here’s an update. The 15 year old girl Paul sexually assaulted is now 18. She made a 32 on her ACT, graduated 17th in her class two years early, went to college, and bounced from boy to boy, trying to feel whole. She is now addicted to cocaine, living with some punk, and dropped out of college. Please pray for her, and all the victims of abuse, for the problems that follow them for the rest of their lives…
Joe
April 28th, 2007 at 22:35