Megachurch to Close Permanently Amid Sexual Abuse Scandal
There is a shaking going on in God’s church, and He is removing those who have thought they could get away with hiding their sins before Him and their congregations.
Time and again we are seeing pastor after pastor being caught due to heinous sexual crimes, frequently against minors. And it seems to have sparked the Lord’s anger as there is a culling going on of those who have sought to harm His children.
In the wake of former Executive Pastor Zachary King being charged with the rape and sodomy of a minor, LexCity Church of Lexington, Kentucky, has announced that they will be closing their doors for good.
LEX18 reported that King admitted in an interview with authorities he “engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor over the course of the last year and a half.
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“Today we are writing a letter that no leadership team desires to write. Through thoughtful prayer and heartfelt tears, the leadership team of Lexington City Church has voted to permanently cease our ministry,” the church posted on its Facebook page.
“Due to the continued effects of the financial situation our church inherited several years ago and the impact of the ongoing investigation of a former staff member, we have lost the ability to remain financially viable and fulfill our God-given mission.”
LexCity is not the first church to shut down from failure within the leadership.
Following the sexual abuse scandal involving Mike Bickle, founder of IHOPKC, Forerunner Church that was attached to the ministry eventually closed. Meanwhile, former leadership is starting up a new church hoping to distance themselves from the abuse scandal.
These horrific abuses of power are harmful to both their victims as well as the church communities that now have to struggle through the aftermath of their leaderships despicable actions.
“Our hearts are broken for those who have been hurt and are hurting, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. However, with heavy hearts, we feel it is in the best interest of the kingdom and our community that we discontinue our ministry,” the statement continues.
“As a city, Lexington is blessed with a wide variety of vibrant and welcoming church communities, many of which have been praying for our church family in this time of heartache.”
Pray that the victims of these predatorial leaders as well as the communities they left in tatters are comforted and healed by the Lord, and that He takes what the enemy is using for evil, and turns it into something good.
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James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
