Chuck Adair, who was once listed on “America’s Most Wanted” for running off with an underage girl, now leads ministry at Grace Place Church of Christ in Duncanville, Texas. The disgraced pastor is also working as a part-time staffer with Watermark Community Church in Dallas. Critics were appalled that he was able to find work in ministry after his sordid crimes.
Amy Smith, a survivor advocate, was incensed. In a post to her X account, she said “This is a dangerous predator. He should not have a position of leadership as a pastor. He was not being truthful about keeping away from children.” However, Watermark elders were unconcerned. They state he has been an active member of the church. He works exclusively in their prison ministry and their relationship with him is “guided by care and common sense.”
Their statement said “Mr. Adair was convicted in 1996 and completed his community supervision in 2006. Mr. Adair has been an active member of Watermark since 2017. He volunteers in our prison ministry and with Watermark’s adult recovery ministry, re: generation, where he occasionally teaches.” They also clarified that they believe his background can be helpful.
“He is also employed part-time as a re: generation coach with Watermark Resources, remotely helping other churches implement Watermark’s recovery program in their local church contexts. Mr. Adair does not serve on our staff in a pastoral role” the elders explained. Adair is now 62 and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1996 for sexual assault of a child.
In 2012 he told reporters “I can’t justify it, because it is inappropriate at every level.” Under the guise of counseling, he began an affair with a then 13-year-old. When others started to notice that “a little too close” he was forced to resign his position and swore to break off the relationship. However, he ran off with the teenager and spent 11 days in a Las Vegas Motel.
A member of one of his churches spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity. She said it was a difficult situation. “Who knows what happened in prison?” said the woman who recalled the extent of the scandal. She said, “It’s up to God.” Watermark elders added additional context as to their view of the situation. They said in their statement that they believed Adair was acting honestly.
“Mr. Adair has spoken openly and honestly about his past offenses as a means of pointing others to Christ’s redemptive work in his life. Watermark is aware of Mr. Adair’s status as a registered sex offender and his previous completion of his required community supervision/parole.” However, the leaders have decided to limit Adair’s access to children.
“While Mr. Adair has no legal restrictions preventing him from visiting our campus, in light of his past transgressions, Mr. Adair has long agreed with Watermark’s leaders that he should not be permitted to provide childcare or volunteer in any ministry to minors,” the elders stated. “Mr. Adair’s past has disqualified him from ministering to minors, but it has not disqualified him from the grace of God or participation in the body of Christ through service to other adults — including through our recovery and prison ministries.”