Former Volunteer Breaks Silence on Pastor Accused of Sex Trafficking in Mountain Home
A former volunteer at the NXT Dream Center in Mountain Home is breaking her silence about her time working alongside Pastor Gregory Wayne Jones, who is facing human sex trafficking and sexual assault charges.
Whitney Owens, who spent about 20 hours a week volunteering with children at the center and attended Liberty Christian Fellowship Church, both operated by Jones and his family, now reflects on the warning signs she missed.
She recalls that Jones never required background checks for volunteers, even those working directly with children. “I worked with these children for 20 hours a week, and I never had a background check,” Owens said. “I realized how many people were working with my child at this place who never had a background check.”
Owens also described unsettling church moments, including instances when Jones publicly rebuked members during services. She later recognized one of those people as an affected child named in court documents, which allege Jones used his pastoral authority to manipulate and sexually abuse women, one of whom was 17 at the time.
Despite the emotional toll, Owens has chosen to speak out and support those who survived the ordeal. Jones, who remains free on a $1 million bond, pleaded not guilty and had a proposed plea deal denied in August. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 5 in Elmore County.
Owens says she continues to process the betrayal and hopes her community can heal. “You stole so many good things from all of us,” she said in a message directed at Jones. “But I do hope our community can come back from this and find a way to support our children again. Our children deserve that.”
At its core, this story underscores the undeniable right of every child to be protected from abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse and exploitation. Institutions that serve children carry a profound duty to ensure safety through background checks, accountability, and transparency. As Mountain Home seeks to rebuild trust, the path forward must center on restoring that right: every child’s right to grow in a safe environment.
