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February 28, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A Mennonite pastor jailed for refusing to testify against accused “accomplices” who allegedly aided the escape of ex-lesbian Lisa Miller and her daughter Isabella from the United States will remain in jail until his sentencing on March 4, according to sources close to the pastor.

Kenneth Miller, who was already awaiting sentencing for his own role in the flight of the mother and daughter, was sent to jail on January 26 in the hope that it would induce him to testify against others accused in the case. However, on January 31, Miller appeared before Federal Judge William Sessions III a second time, and said he had not changed his mind.

“Ken told the judge that jail has only made his convictions that much stronger,” wrote Miller confidant and Christian historian David Bercot on his blog at Scroll Publishing. “Ken explained to the judge why he cannot conscientiously testify against a fellow citizen of God's Kingdom who was acting in good faith to obey the laws of Christ.”

Bercot says that “Ken has been doing very well so far” during his time in jail. “Visitors have been up several times, and always come away blessed. He is seeing this time as a kind of spiritual retreat and a witnessing opportunity.” Miller has reportedly been leading mealtime prayers and Bible studies with inmates, and is spending much of his time reading Scripture.

Lisa Miller,  who is not related to Kenneth Miller, decided to flee the U.S. after a Vermont judge insisted that she allow her daughter to have unsupervised visits with lesbian Janet Jenkins, with whom Miller had had a lesbian relationship before converting to Christianity.

Judge Richard Cohen ruled that Jenkins is Isabella's “mother,” despite the fact that she has no biological relationship to the girl, and only knew her briefly after her birth before Miller ended the relationship.  Jenkins' name does not appear on Isabella's birth certificate, although Isabella has the last name “Miller-Jenkins” because it was her mother's own last name when she was born.

Judge Cohen refused to rescind his order despite testimony from Miller and several expert witnesses that indicated that Isabella was suffering psychological trauma from the visits with Jenkins.  Following Lisa and Isabella's flight, Cohen issued a decision transferring full custody to the lesbian.

Pastor Miller has been convicted of helping Lisa and Isabella drive to Toronto, where they allegedly boarded a flight to Nicaragua, to hide for several months. Their current whereabouts are unknown.

Miller faces up to three years in prison when he is sentenced on March 4.

The pastor's principled stand is shared by the Mennonites of the Nicaraguan Brotherhood, who initially sheltered Lisa and Isabella after they fled the U.S., and say they have been persecuted in Nicaragua for their actions.

The group wrote in a letter last year that their battle to protect Isabella “is a war between good and evil, a battle between God and Satan. As congregations we stand united in this spiritual warfare against evil.”

“The fact is that suddenly we find ourselves having to choose between obeying God and man made laws,” they added. “We have chosen to obey God. We are willing to give up our rights, go to jail, or even die, for the cause of helping anyone become free from a sinful life and helping that person to live in obedience to God’s Word.”

Related links:

Mennonite website supporting Pastor Kenneth Miller
 

Related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Mennonite pastor who helped girl escape lesbian ‘mother’ sent to jail for refusing to testify

Mennonites: we are willing to die rather than betray girl to court-appointed lesbian ‘mother’

Experts testify to trauma experienced by Isabella Miller in sworn testimony now published online

Exclusive Interview with Lisa Miller, Ex-Lesbian Fighting for Custody of Own Child against “Civil Union” Partner

Mennonite convicted of aiding ‘kidnapping’ for helping girl escape court-imposed lesbian ‘mother’

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