February 26, 2009
More testify against ex-pastor in sex abuse
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Two more alleged victims testified Wednesday in Kanawha Circuit Court that a Shrewsbury minister sexually molested them when they were teenagers in the 1990s.

Sandy Martin Cook, 49, of Belle, faces multiple charges of third-degree sexual assault and sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian for alleged sexual misconduct with several boys while he was senior pastor of the Shrewsbury Church of God.

One of the alleged victims, Michael "Andy" Lewis, said he was abused by Cook after he moved in with the minister during high school. Lewis is now a minister at the New Life Center in Cedar Grove.

Another alleged victim, Michael Bradley, said he used to live in a trailer park in Shrewsbury before his family moved to Ohio in 1995.

Bradley, now 28, said his stepfather had problems with drugs and alcohol and his parents fought a lot. He began attending services at the Church of God hoping that his family might find stability there, he said.

Bradley began spending time with Cook, whom he described as "nice" and "helpful." This included occasional trips to McDonald's, which was a big deal to Bradley because his family couldn't afford to eat out, he said.

 Soon, Bradley accepted an invitation to sleep over at Cook's house, he said. One night as Bradley slept in the guest bedroom, Cook climbed into bed with him, he said.

"He pulled down my pajama pants and started rubbing my genitals," Bradley said. "He went under the blankets and started performing oral sex."

Cook also tried to push his head under the covers, but Bradley rolled over and pretended to be asleep, he said.

Bradley said the encounter left him confused and scared.

"I was 15 years old. I didn't know what was going on," he said. "I didn't know if that was the right thing or the wrong thing."

After the same scenario played out during another sleepover, Bradley told his then-girlfriend Paula Farley, whose father Paul is also a minister.

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Posted By: concern citizen (6:27am 02-26-2009)
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I agree this is a situation that should never had happened. But there is one thing for sure God knows the guilty parties. God will seperate the wheat from the tares. If pastor Cook is guilty he needs to be punished. Then at the same time Mr. Lewis, Strickland,and Mr. Bradley if they are lying needs to be punished. I know this a tragic event on both sides alot of people have been hurt especially the Church of God at Shrewsbury. I just hope and pray the actual truth comes out so all indiviuals can get on with their lives. To all that is involved, God knows exactly what has happened with all of you, and he will judge you accordingly. All of you are in my prayers because each and everyone of you have a soul and I just hope and pray whom ever is guilty that they will repent and ask God for forgiveness. God Bless us all!!!

Posted By: TomTuttle (1:43am 02-26-2009)
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This story is a sad example of how far people will go to follow a man instead of God.
Ms. Bowe's deposition is laughable.
Although I am unaware to the extent of Mr. Strickland's financial status, I can say that all I've heard about Mike Lewis over the years has been nothing but clean slate:
Helping the poor get food,
counseling the drug and alcohol addicted,
providing clothing for struggling families,
etc, etc, and etc.
He's been at it for years and has fought for it every step of the way.
As far as Lewis' life before church, I'm sure that's that's the kind of prey Cook was hunting for, a troubled kid in the neighborhood who didn't know wrong from right.
There are probably many more victims who either haven't heard of this trial, or just choose to stay silent out of embarrassment...I'm quite sure of that.
But again, the shameful deposition of Virginia Bowe sounds more like a political slander ad than a testimony.
Follow God Ms. Bowe, not Sandy Cook.

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