Ooltewah students, community gather to pray for victim in assault, rape case

Dr. Steve Highlander is first to pray in one of many breakout groups made up of four to six people each Tuesday night inside the worship center at Christway Church in Ooltewah.

Dozens of people pray in breakout groups Tuesday evening inside the worship center at Christway Church in Ooltewah.

People gather outside Christway Church in Ooltewah Tuesday evening before a prayer service brought to light by recent events involving the Ooltewah High School basketball team.

More than 200 people gathered Tuesday night to pray for the Ooltewah High School freshman who was assaulted during his basketball team’s trip to Gatlinburg, Tenn., just days before Christmas.

Students, teachers and community members huddled in small groups scattered across the sanctuary of Christway Church, whispering prayers for the victim, the school and the alleged perpetrators.

“We wrestle between justice and mercy,” prayed Matt Moore, a pastor at Christway, a church neighboring the school. “God is the only one that knows the balance.”

As prayers were offered, the 15-year-old victim was home from a hospital stay, recovering from the assault that ruptured his colon and bladder, according to family members.

The victim’s aunt said the boy told both investigators and family members that one of his teammates video recorded the assault.