Reverend Harry L. Thomas, 74, of Medford, New Jersey pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges including aggravated sexual assault
A pastor who co-founded what claims to be the largest Christian music festival in the country has been charged with multiple sexual assaults allegedly spanning over a decade.
Reverend Harry L. Thomas, 74, of Medford, New Jersey pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges including aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Thomas had been the pastor at Come Alive Church in Medford since 1983, and co-founded the Creation Festival, an annual Christian music event held in both Pennsylvania and Washington state.
In statements, the church and festival both said that Thomas had been suspended indefinitely, and that ‘the allegations are unrelated to his roles in these ministries’.
Prosecutors say that the alleged sexual assaults took place between 1999 and 2015.
Thomas had been the founding pastor at Come Alive Church (pictured) in Medford since 1983
He also co-founded the Creation Festival, a massive Christian music fest on both coasts
Other details of the charges remain scant, with prosecutors declining to say anything about where the alleged assaults took place or offer details about the victims, in order to protect their identities.
At a hearing on Tuesday, Burlington County Superior Court Judge Thomas Kelly called the situation ‘complicated,’ according to NJ.com.
The judge said of the case that ‘there’s relationships involved,’ and ‘not just one alleged victim, but a multitude of four’ alleging crimes that carry ‘serious criminal charges.’
Thomas appeared in court using a walker on Tuesday, and has been under guard at a medical facility where he is receiving care since his arrest.
Thomas got his start in Christian ministries in the 1970s, with a Christian rock radio show called the Come Alive show.
That grew into the Come Alive Church in Medford and the Creation Festival.
Creation Festival holds two four-day events each summer, in Mount Union, Pennsylvania and Kennewick, Washington. The east coast version of the festival is seen in 2007
Claiming to be the largest Christian rock festival in the nation, Creation Festival holds two four-day events each summer, in Mount Union, Pennsylvania and Kennewick, Washington.
Combined attendance at the events is estimated to be between 50,000 and 100,000 a year.
Festival and church leaders said they were cooperating fully with investigators.
‘It is with deep regret and saddened hearts that the boards of Come Alive International and Creation Festivals have indefinitely suspended Pastor Harry Thomas from all leadership positions with the church, festival and all associated ministries,’ festival organizers said in a statement.
‘While the allegations are unrelated to his roles in these ministries, leadership is actively cooperating with the authorities and has determined this to be the proper course of action at this time until there can be a full investigation. It is requested that all pray for the parties involved,’ the statement said.
Thomas is next due in court on December 19.
Prosecutors believe there may be unidentified victims in the case, and have asked anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone who may have information relevant to the case is urged to call the Burlington county Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit at 609-265-5879.