According to recent reports, Zachary King, the pastor of LexCity Church in Lexington, Kentucky, resigned from his position at the megachurch following charges of rape and sexual abuse of a minor. King was said to have had extensive experience serving in youth ministry at a number of large churches. King has reportedly preached at LexCity Church as recently as three months ago.
A press release from the office of Attorney General of Kentucky Russell Coleman stated: “Attorney General Russell Coleman announced today that action by the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) resulted in the arrest of Zachary King, 47, former executive pastor of LexCity Church, for rape and sexual abuse of a minor as well as the unlawful use of electronics to engage in sexual acts with a minor.”
Details of the arrest indicate that King had been engaging in a “sexual relationship with a minor over the course of the last year and a half.” The former pastor confessed that he had been involved in a sexual intercourse with the minor starting at age 15 in January 2023, continuing until April 2024.” He added that the “sexual intercourse in the minor’s home, at his residence, and at the church where he was a former pastor.”
Based on recent reports, it would seem that several pastors of large church ministries have been confronted with their sinful lifestyles, often revolving around sexual immorality, before their congregation. As the latest example with Zachary King demonstrates, churches must be steadfast in evaluating their leadership to ensure they are serving as living examples of the Gospel to the best of their abilities.
The Christian Tribune previously reported on Pastor Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, who recently stepped down from his position at the Dallas-based megachurch after confessing an unspecified sin. He claimed he had shared the confession with his family and church leadership, where he would take a season of healing and restoration.
Evans said, “A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard. I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others. I have shared this with my wife, my children, and our church elders, and they have lovingly placed their arms of grace around me. While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions. In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders.”
Moreover another prominent Texas-based pastor, Robert Morris, had allegations of past sexual abuse resurface and turn his ministry upside down. “When I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying. It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong. This behavior happened on several occasions over the next few years,” Morris said
He continued, “In March of 1987, this situation was brought to light, and it was confessed and repented of. I submitted myself to the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady’s father. They asked me to step out of ministry and receive counseling and freedom ministry, which I did. Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area,” Morris added.The Texas pastor said that he sought forgiveness for his actions. “I asked their forgiveness, and they graciously forgave me,” he said.