Victims of Former Youth Pastor Speak

A Duluth youth pastor pled to sexual assault of children in his congregation

DULUTH, Minn. – Sexual assault victims of a former youth pastor spoke today, after a plea hearing in a Duluth court.

A former youth pastor for Vineyard Church in Duluth, Jackson Michael Gatlin, was booked into the St. Louis County Jail today, following a plea hearing in which he faced 10 charges related to the sexual assault of children from his congregation. The hearing comes a year after Gatlin was first charged, and after a plea deal had previously fell through this summer.

Following the hearing, victims and their attorneys held a press conference celebrating some closure with the end of this criminal case. The abuse is alleged to have occurred between 2007 and 2010, during which the victims were members of the church between 11 and 16 years old.

“I’m grateful to know that Jackson will serve time, but it will never be enough and will never compensate for the pain that these beautiful women,” said Jeanne Filkins, a mother to one victim, and mother-in-law to another. Filkins said that an upcoming civil lawsuit will bring facts to light and involve some of those close to Gatlin.

We “look forward to the civil suit that will include Jackson’s parents and the church,” Filkins said, wearing a necklace with a photo of her late daughter. “They clearly served unchecked at the Duluth vineyard for years after being told about Jackson’s actions. They allowed him to continue his predatory behavior, hurting the flock they were responsible to protect and further damaging the reputation of the Christian church.”

Michael and Brenda Gatlin, parents of Jackson Gatlin, both served as pastors at Vineyard Church until the accusations went public.

The Vineyard Church released a statement today in response to the plea, it read in part:

“As we previously shared, we have also recently learned that some of Jackson’s victims are seeking justice in civil court. In addition to naming Jackson, Michael and Brenda Gatlin, the defendants also include the Duluth Vineyard and Vineyard USA. No one ever wants to be sued in civil court. Yet, we welcome this case and pray that it can bring healing and justice for the victims. Further, a case like this can help determine the relative responsibility of various parties.”

Vineyard Church in Duluth is part of a Christian larger organization named Vineyard USA.