A former Logan County pastor talks to WBKO just days after being arrested and charged with raping a 13-year-old girl.

Our Daniel Kemp sat down one-on-one with Jody Lusk just before he's set to be arraigned in court.

The 35-year-old says he's been living a lie for months and it was time to come clean, after he says the devil found a way to get to him.

That's what he says happened, causing him to turn himself in after a series of events took place this past weekend.

"Me being a Christian, I know how the devil works. He attacks your weaknesses, he knows where he can get you," Lusk said.

For nearly eleven years, Jody Lusk has preached the word of God.

Most recently, behind the pulpit at the Auburn Church of Christ.

But now, he's behind bars at the Logan County Detention Center.

"Looking back, I think, 'How in the world could I have done the things that got me here?'"

What got him there Lusk says, was a sexual affair with a 13-year-old girl--one he says has been going on since the summer.

"You said it's happened more than once?," I asked. "Yes." "How long has that been going on for?" "A few months," Lusk said.

Lusk says it started as a friendship.

He says she was family acquaintance and that her both her maturity level and appearance were beyond her age.

"I didn't begin as any sort of sexual relationship. We were friends where we talked a lot and texted a lot. I just kind of lost sight of the fact of how old she was," Lusk said.

What happened next would shock a Logan County church and community.

He picked the teen up from school, faked a disappearance at Briggs Lake and took the girl to a campground in Illinois.

That's where he says, consensual rape took place.

"Have you admitted to the rape charge against you?" I asked. "Yes. I don't intend to fight the charge," Lusk said.

Arrested early Sunday morning, Lusk says he's spent the past four days thinking of his three kids and his wife, Shannon--someone he'll speak to for the first time since the incident, on Thursday.

"I know it's not going to be a nice, cozy meeting I understand that. She's very hurt and rightly so."

Lusk is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon in Logan District Court.

Part Two
In part two of Daniel Kemp's sit-down interview with Jody Lusk, he talks about church, God and his family.

"I didn't want to run. I could've, but I thought, 'I'll never have a chance to see my family again if I did that,'" Lusk said.

It's been four days since Jody Lusk's arrest.

On any other Wednesday night before this past weekend, you might find him at the Auburn Church of Christ, where he pastored.

"My credibility as a preacher is shot. I don't know that I could ever regain credibility."

On Saturday, Lusk faked a disappearance at Briggs Lake.

He says he took a 13-year-old girl, who he'd been seeing for months, to Illinois.

That's where he says consensual rape took place.

"She was a family acquaintance. We had a friendship, which led to other things that happened," he said.

In a letter given to WBKO, Lusk says he's deeply sorry for his sinful actions.

"Do you think God has forgiven you for this?" I asked. "Absolutely.He promises in his word, if we'll confess he'll cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

In his letter, he says he let Satan have his way with him.

At one point in his interview, questions about his family caused Lusk to break down.

"I don't think I can do this anymore," he said.

He hasn't seen his wife or three kids since his arrest, but says there's one thing he wants each of them to know.

"Holly, Zachary and Elijah, I love you guys so much. I'm so sorry." "Shannon, I love you too. I know you don't believe that and I don't blame you, but you need to know I love you very much and I miss you guys so bad."

Below is the statement Jody Lusk released to WBKO:

"I am deeply sorry for my sinful actions and I am in deep shame. I have been asked what could possibly motivate me to do such a thing. I can't quite explain why. Satan blinds us to sin and what it is and what it really does. Being a preacher I know that God's Word warns us about Satan and his ways. Unfortunately, until I experienced that first hand I didn't fully grasp it. I was on a spiritual high as 2009 began but I let it all come crashing down, I let Satan have his way with me. My faith wasn't as strong as I thought it was. Looking back on all that I've done it's hard to believe this was me doing this. I had been hardened to sin and it's consequences. On Saturday after the events of the day had transpired it all hit me like a ton of bricks - what I've done, the people I had hurt, especially my dear wife and kids who deserved none of this. Jail is bad enough, but the idea of not having them in my life is absolutely crushing, I cry everytime I think about them. I think about the young lady I had the affair with and hope she will be okay and that she can renew her commitment to God. I hadn't studied His Word or prayed in months. I was so weak. Since being in jail I have cried out to God frequently and begged for forgiveness. I know He has forgiven because He promises in His word that He will. I have studied His Word more in 2 days that I had in the past 6 months. I feel much better spiritually but emotionally I'm a wreck. I can't stand that I've put my family, the young lady's family, and all my Christian brethren through so much pain. I hope people can look at my failures and learn from them. Never give in to any sin. Satan wants all of us to think that some sins are OK. But what seems like a small sin will always progress and lead to other sins. Don't let him fool you. I ask for everyone to forgive me - my family, her family, my brethren, my friends, and my community. I realize that even with forgiveness there are consequences and I will face them. I hope that while in jail that God can use me for His glory to help some lost soul find Him. Please pray for me. Please don't give up on me. I take full responsibility for my actions. There are no excuses.

Jody Lusk"