Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 119. No.8	FEBRUARY 24, 2010

Glad Tidings pastor arrested for sexual abuse

Marion Barnes, a pastor at Glad Tidings Christian Center, was charged Feb. 15 with five counts of sexual abuse of a minor.

The charges were filed with Kentucky State Police by 18-year-old Alexandria Owens, who is described as a niece who lived in Barnes’ Ekron home.

Barnes, 57, was charged with three counts of first-degree sexual abuse and two counts of third-degree sex abuse. KSP reported the charges were filed Monday morning, and he was arrested Monday night.
Barnes was released from the Meade County Detention Center Feb. 17 on a $10,000 cash bond posted by his wife, Cheryl.

He was ordered to have no public offenses, alcohol, illegal drugs, must stay 500 feet away from the victim, and cannot have any contact with children under 18 or be in an establishment where children are present.

Another child under their supervision, age 11, is now staying with her father in Louisville.
According to Terri Karnes, a spokeswoman for the church, the alleged abuse did not happen on church property.

“Glad Tidings and all its members are requesting the community to pray for our church and all those involved,” she said in a statement.

Barnes’ minister license has since been suspended by the Assemblies of God Church, and the Glad Tidings website was not available soon after.

Barnes was installed as a senior pastor there Jan. 15, 2006.

The Barnes began attending Glad Tidings in 1988 and served as associate pastors there from 1991 to 1996.

They then moved to Louisville, where Barnes assumed the pastorate of New Hope World Outreach Center in the Portland area.

There, they helped to organize the River City Love Squad, which conducted outreach to homeless people.

Barnes has also served as chairman of the Meade County Clothes Closet’s board of directors.
It is unclear from reports why the Barnes’ had custody of the two girls or when the victim moved out of their home.

According to the police report, the alleged offenses occurred over a span of three years, with the most recent occurring Feb. 8.

Other offense dates are said to have occurred on May 16, 2008, Sept. 25, 2008, Jan. 7, 2009, and Nov. 25, 2009.

The police report says the abuse happened “on average one to two times a week for three years. The victim told us typically if she wanted to go to the movies for example or to do something, the perp would make her sit with him while he masturbated.” It went on to describe touching of the victim’s body that was sexual in nature.

Neither party could be reached for comment.

Barnes is expected in court Wednesday, Feb. 24.

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