Maisey Cook Facebook
John Lowe II, an Indiana church pastor, confessed that he committed “adultery” twenty years ago when a woman in the congregation swiftly corrected him — she was only SIXTEEN when the now 65-year-old man preyed on her. “The lies and the manipulation have to stop,” Bobi Gephart told him in front of the whole church.
The incident is now viral after a family member uploaded the woman’s brave admission to Facebook.
In the video with over 350 thousand views, 43-year-old Bobi Gephart came forward to a microphone. She told their church in Warsaw, Indiana, how pastor Lowe groomed her as a teen. She said the abuse started when she was 16. Sixteen happens to be the legal age of consent in the state. Unfortunately, the woman who stood on stage with her husband said the memories of the pastor still traumatized her. She accused him of taking her virginity inside his church office and making more sexual advances after that.
‘For 27 years I lived in a prison… I lived in a prison of lies and shame. Lying to protect the Lowe family. For years I thought I was a horrible person, having suicidal thoughts and not realizing what had been truly done to me.’
The woman also revealed that her brother motivated her to tell what had happened.
‘I would still be in a prison if my brother had not just approached me two weeks ago with what he had seen as a teenager that bothered him all these years: his pastor in bed with his younger sister.’
Pastor Lowe II had just told the church that he ‘sinned’ 20 years ago by committing adultery, without mentioning how old the woman or girl was. He asked the congregation to forgive him for the “deep wound” he caused by their encounters.
I committed the adultery. To say it plainly: I didn’t make a mistake, I didn’t have an issue, I didn’t have an affair, I didn’t make a misjudgment – I sinned. I need to say that, and you deserve to hear it.”
After Bobi Gephart spoke, Lowe returned to the mic and admitted that his involvement with her as a teen was a fact. Churchgoers insisted he admitted to having sex with the teen more than twenty years ago. He responded, “yes, we did it.” The Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to WANE 15 on Monday that there is a pending investigation into the matter.
Lowe announced that he would be stepping down, in accordance with church bylines and the recommendations of the board before his confession.
On Monday, the church released a statement regarding the incident on its Facebook page.
“In the wake of what has now been revealed, we are hurting and broken for a woman who has lovingly attended and served in the church for many years, as well as for her husband and family. It is our deepest prayer and commitment to love, support, encourage and help her through a process of healing in any way in which we are able. New Life is likewise devoted to ministering to and with all of our members through this difficult season, that we might not only survive this, but experience together abundant grace, unity healing – all for the glory of God, and the preservation of His church.
Our brokenness extends to Pastor John B. Lowe II, his wife and family as well. For 42 years, New Life has taught and preached a Cross-driven message of repentance, forgiveness and restoration; a ministry of reconciliation which has been both led and modeled by Pastors John and Debbie Lowe. As healing occurs in their hearts. Their marriage and family, we are committed to demonstrating the same support, encouragement, counsel and forgiveness that has come to define the collective heart and ministry of this body. As of Monday, May 23, 2022, Pastor John B. Lowe II tendered His resignation with New Life Christian Church and World Outreach.”
