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Creation Festival founder charged

Thomas accused of sexually assaulting four children

One of the founders of Creation Festival, held annually in Shirleysburg, Huntingdon County, has been accused of sexually assaulting children.

Harry Thomas of Medford, N.J., is pastor of Come Alive Church in New Jersey. He was taken into custody Wednesday.

“He founded Creation Festival with Timothy Landis in 1979, which has played host to tens of thousands of festivalgoers and hundreds of the biggest bands in the Christian music industry. He has been an integral part of the main stage activities throughout the years, most notably the annual candlelighting moment,” according to Newsreleasetoday.com.

The prosecutor’s office announced Thursday that Thomas is charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault, three counts of sexual assault and four counts of endangering the welfare of children.

The Burlington County, N.J., prosecutor’s office said the 74-year-old pastor assaulted four children between 1999 and 2015. No further details about the cases were released as part of an effort to protect the victims’ identities.

Philly.com reported Come Alive Church, which “believe(s) in the entire teachings of the inspired Word of God as recorded in the Old and New Testament of the Holy Bible,” according to its website, released a statement Thursday night.

“It is with deep regret and saddened hearts that the board of Come Alive International and Creation Festivals along with the Elders and Trustees of Come Alive New Testament Church have indefinitely suspended Pastor Harry Thomas from all leadership positions with the church, festival and all associated ministries,” according to the statement. “While the allegations are unrelated to his roles in these ministries, leadership 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 and refrain from speculation regarding the circumstances.”

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