After pastor's sex abuse charges, his wife and congregation gather

DALLAS CENTER, Ia. — The arrest of Dallas Center Church of the Brethren's 14-year pastor on child molestation charges tinged Sunday school and a worship service at the church Sunday, although it wasn't explicitly referenced.

About 40 people gathered in the wooden pews for worship, four days after Randy August Johnson, 52, was accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a girl from 2013 to 2014 while she was 12 and 13 years old.

Randy Johnson’s wife, the Rev. Kathy Johnson, 54, delivered the sermon on Sunday, reading from Philippians 2:16, about not living a life in vain, and leading hymns.

When she addressed the congregation, she started by saying, “Wowzers, what a week we’ve had.”

In an interview Sunday, Kathy Johnson said her husband resigned officially as pastor two weeks ago after 14 years with the church. Kathy Johnson said he’d stopped delivering sermons on Christmas Eve, when detectives told the family he was being investigated.

“When he resigned, he was doing what was best for the church,” Kathy Johnson said. “We didn’t want it to hinder the church, because this is a great, loving congregation for anyone who is in need.”

She said much of the congregation and community is offering support to the family. She said she does not believe her husband is guilty of the charges against him.

Prosecutors have filed five felony and eight misdemeanor charges against Johnson for what they said were distinct episodes of sexual abuse, assault, indecent contact, indecent exposure and child endangerment. Most of the sexual abuse reportedly happened at a Dallas Center home, next door to Dallas Center Church of the Brethren.

According to online court records, Johnson posted bail late last week and was released from the Dallas County Jail. He did not answer a phone call Sunday afternoon seeking comment. He is next due in court Feb. 6.

Randy Johnson was a licensed foster parent from October 2004 to July 2007, and Kathy Johnson said he has adopted at least one child as well. The Iowa Department of Human Services has declined to say whether the child he is accused of abusing was under state supervision.

During Sunday's sermon, Kathy Johnson said that she picked out hymns for the service months ago but that the solemn tone and lyrics such as “God will make a way where there seems to be no way” were fitting.

“There’s a time for struggling and learning thorough that struggle,” Kathy Johnson told the congregation.

During a designated time at the beginning of the service for “announcements, joys, and prayer concerns," one woman announced a potluck in support of Kathy Johnson and her family.

Tim Button-Harrison, district executive for the Northern Plains District Church of the Brethren, which oversees the Dallas Center church, attended the service and told the congregation, “all of you are in the prayers of the district and the church.”