Former area minister apologies for prostitution controversy

Editor's note: The following was received from Rev. Dana S. Brazell, former Senior Pastor of the Abundant Life Christian Fellowship Church. The incidents referred to in his letter involved an arrest of his wife (at the time) for operating a house of prostitution at a local health spa several years ago.

Dear editor:

It is with great humility and remorse that pulls on my heartstrings while I write this letter of explanation and apology.

I want to start off by saying that I am deeply sorry and embarrassed for the actions of my flesh in the year of 2006. Some one might ask, why has it taken so long for me to write such a letter. Well, while your question is valid, allow me to say that from the beginning it was my desire to come forward and give an explanation and public apology, however, due to the legal nature surrounding the matter, I was strictly advised by legal counsel, not to speak openly concerning the matter until it was resolved in the courts or closed by local authorities.

At the latter part of last year, I was informed by law enforcement (LE) that the case was now closed and that I was free to come and retrieve items confiscated. I was questioned by LE at the time of the bust but never arrested or charged with anything because I personally broke no laws and there was nothing associating me with any illegal business dealings. The local TV news media did me no justice either, inserting clips of me from prior ministry events which were not even connected to the situation at the time. I never spoke to the press yet they published a peace-mill story without truth and facts.

I can assure you that those things were completely away from my character and I had neither part nor lot in the evil doings that took place behind closed spa doors.

Needless to say, I was completely shocked at what I allowed myself to get in the middle of, it was awful -- the results of hiring the wrong people with wrong motives, people with a dark evil past. However, I had to accept responsibility for this because I failed to do an extensive background check on workers that the assistant manager brought in and I failed to monitor the daily operations of the business.

Therefore, I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart for "falling off the wagon," being the center of attention concerning immorality surrounding the local health spa.

Please forgive me for the hurt and shame that I caused you, your families and the community.

I had lived in Mountain Home since 1992 and served in the community (Mountain Home and Boise) without reproach or malice. People who know me knew that this was completely out of my character and were shocked.

I can assure you that this slip-up cost me everything. I literally lost the opportunity for secular business, I lost my good name in the community, I was stripped and banished from ALCF church -- they removed me and my family's membership, took back the church auto that was given to me, provided no severance package, cut me off from communications with the membership (which were my closest friends), told me I was not allowed on church property anymore.

I had to file for bankruptcy, I lost my house in town, it almost destroyed me and my family mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially and otherwise. After the stress of all this, I became greatly depressed and took ill, at one point I even considered suicide.

My resignation from ministry at ALCF (in 2005) and subsequent divorce was already a great set-back for me, however, this spa mess was like the death blow that the enemy tried to use to take me out! My involvement with the wrong group of people turned what was supposed to be a respectable, decent and honest business opportunity into a total nightmare.

Those of you who had to see it and hear about it, especially my family who had to live through it, I'm sure were devastated and cut to the heart!

Words cannot express how truly sorry I am for the anxiety, embarrassment and shame that I caused. This was especially saddening because I had a reputation in town for being squeaky-clean and my ministry was established on an excellent spirit with high moral integrity.

In 2007, I physically moved from the State of Idaho in great shame; however, my heart has never forgotten the beautiful spirit of the community, the love and support of the mayor, family and friends (down through the years), and the sweet spirit of unity in the midst of diversity.

Today, I want you to know that I have confessed my sins, repented for my wrongs and most of all forgiven myself! It is my prayer that you will allow the Holy Spirit to bring closure of these painful memories and join me in closing that dreadful chapter in history!

Over the past three years, I have not preached in the pulpit nor walked in the ministerial call of God that was (and is) my life, which I abandoned in 2005. Trust me, God has given me a good spanking for all that. The Bible says, "He will chasten those whom He loves."

I want to take this opportunity to also say 'thank you' to all of those who kept me in your prayers for God has certainly heard from heaven and delivered me out of all my troubles. I am very happy to say that those things in the past are a completely closed chapter of my life. I have risen up out of the ashes of that firestorm and God is keeping my heart from all evil.

Jan. 1, 2009, I re-dedicated my life back to the Lord and renewed my commitment to public service and ministry. Today, with great passion I share the good news and the gospel of restoration! We truly serve a God who will give you another chance. I'm a living witness that He will give you a fresh start and a new beginning. My ways and works are 100 percent committed to the Lord of glory for He is sovereign in my life.

I cannot erase the past but I can get back up, dust myself off and move forward with a new hope for a better future. In close, nothing is more important than regaining public trust and restoring hearts that hurt. I pray that you will find it in your heart to forgive and restore. I pray that my actions have not caused you to question the integrity of your own spiritual leadership in the community (one pastor who falls off the wagon doesn't constitute the whole).

I trust that you have confidence that those who carry the title of pastor are anointed and appointed to look out for your best spiritual interest, spiritual well being, and desire to set a public example in humility, honor, excellence, integrity, forgiveness and love. You are the beloved of God and the sheep of His pastorate!

As under-shepherds we are impressed daily by the Holy Spirit to lead by example with integrity, feed and love the flock of God.

Therefore, there is never a statute-of-limitation for a public apology, especially when it is sincere and when it comes from the heart in order to facilitate healing to the masses! I trust that my openness and transparency will serve to heal and restore faith and trust in who He has called me to be, Pastor! God is still using ordinary people (like you and me) to do extraordinary things for his glory and honor!

May God richly bless you and keep you in our prayers. It's a new year, a new season of change, a new beginning. Let us rise and shine in 2009!

Rev. Dana S. Brazell