TX Church Fires Youth Pastor Who Confessed to Inappropriate Conduct

Jerry Nickerson confessed his conduct to church leadership.

Hope Fellowship Church, a large multi-site nondenominational Texas church in suburban Dallas, has dismissed a youth pastor who was accused of inappropriate contact with a minor about 10 years ago.

Hope Fellowship Frisco West / Photo via Google

Jerry Nickerson was the youth pastor at the Frisco West campus of Hope Fellowship Church.

Lead Pastor John McKinzie said that Nickerson had voluntarily disclosed the inappropriate contact on January 6 after he was “unexpectedly confronted about these past incidents.” The conduct occurred at a previous church where he was serving as an adult volunteer youth leader.

McKinzie said Hope Fellowship Church had “no prior knowledge of this situation or any allegations against him.”

“We are devastated by this news. We believe that this behavior is disqualifying to those in pastoral and leadership positions, and Hope Fellowship is committed to supporting and advocating for victims of abuse,” McKinzie wrote in an email to the congregation.

McKinzie confirmed to ChurchLeaders that Nickerson’s employment was terminated the same day he confessed to the inappropriate conduct.

He also confirmed that Nickerson had undergone a background check before his employment at Hope Fellowship commenced and that check did not reveal any allegations of inappropriate conduct by Nickerson.

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The victim of Nickerson’s conduct lives in another city and has not attended Hope Fellowship to their knowledge, McKinzie said. “We applaud their courage and support them coming forward 10 years later,” he added.

Hope Fellowship has been in contact with the organization where the conduct took place. “[W]e are working with them to make sure all reporting is appropriately followed, as well as working with our church legal counsel to ensure that our actions protect the victim as we respond to this confession. All has been reported at this time,” Hope Fellowship said.

McKinzie added that he is unaware of any criminal charges pending against Nickerson based on the misconduct.

“Your trust is invaluable to us as we navigate this situation together,” McKinzie wrote at the close of his letter. “Please join us in prayer for healing for all those affected, for God’s wisdom and guidance, and for His peace to cover our community.”

He also encouraged church members to contact the appropriate authorities if they have information or concerns about allegations or inappropriate contact or allegations.

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