The congregation of Heritage Baptist Church had already endured a shocking revelation after learning two months ago that their assistant pastor had been charged by Vinton police with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl.

But their shock was compounded last month when their volunteer evangelism coordinator stood in front of them during a service and made a confession that led to 24 felony indictments last week. Franklin County authorities accused him of molesting three young girls over a period of three years.

"We've never experienced this type of thing in our church," said the Rev. Bob Barton, pastor of the small Vinton church. "It's devastating."

Police have released few details about either case.

Vinton police began an investigation of Daniel Louis Silverman on Sept. 7, following up on an accusation that he sexually abused a 12-year-old girl in August. The 42-year-old was charged with aggravated sexual battery.

Silverman's preliminary hearing has not yet been held in Roanoke County Juvenile and Domestic Court.

On Nov. 3, a Franklin County grand jury indicted Dean Harold Stone, 45, of Boones Mill on 22 counts of object sexual penetration and two counts of sodomy.

The acts he has been accused of allegedly took place between 2006 and this year. According to last week's indictments, two of the girls were 13 or younger, and the third was between the ages of 14 and 16.

Police say the two cases are not related, and that none of the alleged incidents is in any way connected to the church. They did not occur on church property.

Silverman, an assistant pastor, was a paid staff member and had worked in the church two years. Stone, who volunteered as minister of evangelism, had served the church for three years.

Franklin County authorities say the investigation into Stone's case began after a confession he made within his congregation.

Barton recalled that at a point during a service last month when members were invited to share concerns, Stone stood up and began to mumble.

He was quiet, soft-spoken, and though Barton thought he heard the word "molestation," he couldn't be sure exactly what the distraught-looking man was saying.

Stone was taken aside and driven home. The next day, Stone decided to turn himself in to police, Barton said.

Despite the disturbing turn of events, "We don't want sin to be hidden. We do thank the Lord that this was exposed," Barton said.

Vinton police Lt. Ben Cook and Franklin County Sheriff's Lt. S.D. McGuire both said the Silverman and Stone cases are not connected, and that neither case involves the church.

Even so, when a church official is accused of sexually abusing children, the effect can be traumatic and lasting.

"It's a horrible event for them," said Robert Benne of the Center for Religion and Society at Roanoke College. "One of them would be bad enough. Two of them would be overwhelming for a small community."

Barton acknowledged that some members of the 100-strong congregation may have left because of the incidents.

"All we're doing is trying to teach our people to trust in the Lord and to make sure we don't put our trust in what people seem to be, what they are out the outside," he said. "We can't judge people's hearts.

"Most of our folks are responding well, and responding with grace."