Church hires convicted sex offender as senior pastor. Claude Gilliland

CLEBURNE -- Last Sunday, members of New Heart Family Worship Center elected Claude Gilliland III to senior pastor. Some now say they didn't know he's a convicted sex offender.
The founder and retiring leader of the little church in Cleburne said there was no intent to hide Gilliland's past."There's nothing that was ever kept secret," Carl Roye said. "He said two weeks ago, 'I've got a dark, dark past, and if anybody wants to know about it, you just ask me and I'll be glad to tell you.'"
Pastor Carl Roye said Gilliland told church leaders about his past when they interviewed him this summer. He said he served four years in prison for sexual assault involving his now-former wife.
"We thought we'd let the congregation get to know him first, then tell them," Roye said. "We thought it would be best if he told them."
Weeks passed. Then in October, a Cleburne newspaper published photos of registered sex offenders, including Gilliland. Roye said no church members complained.
"He's asked God to forgive him. He's told us he asked God to forgive him," Roye said. "I take him at his word for it."
But now that he's been elected senior pastor, some question whether Gilliland should be around children, or whether his presence will keep the church from growing. Child Molesters never stop having sexual thoughts with a child.
Roye said this is a story of redemption, not scandal.
Pastor Roye is 72 and in failing health. He needs someone to take over the church, and lead the roughly 85 worshipers who regularly attend. He said Gilliland offered to resign, if it would help the church. Roye said the church board told him to stay.

Information		Information as of 06/27/2012
Name :	Claude Clay Gilliland	Conviction Date :	05/20/1993
Address :	210 Rose, Cleburne, TX 76033
Date of Birth :	01/14/1958	Verification Requirement :	ANNUALLY
Risk Level :	NOT REPORTED	Sex :	MALE
Race :	WHITE	Height :	6'2"
Weight :	160 lbs	Hair :	BROWN
Eye :	GREEN	Shoe :	13 D

Violations
Victim Sex:	FEMALE	Victim Age:	15
Offense:	TX:11990001 SEXUAL ASSAULT
Citation:	TEXAS PENAL CODE 22.011 (A)(1)
Discharge :	YES	Status :	UNKNOWN
Disposition Date :	05/20/1993

Education
School	Address
NONE

Occupation
Employer	Occupation	Address
PETRO RUBBER	MILL OPERATOR	1401 SOUTH BROADWAY JOSHUA TX

"I think God sent him to this church to molest more children," Roye said. "I really believe that."