Saturday, September 28, 2024
Luke Cunningham, a former student minister for Lakeside Baptist Church, was recently arrested and charged with sexual assault of a child and aggravated sexual assault of an adult.
The 41-year-old pastor was arrested June 19 by United States Marshals in Shallowater — a small town near Lubbock — on suspicion of sexual assault of a child, according to the Lubbock County Jail inmate list.
While in jail June 20, Cunningham was charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of aggravated sexual assault of an adult.
His bond was originally set at $200,000 by a judge, but an additional $300,000 was recommended by the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office due to the new charges, resulting in a $500,000 total bond.
According to a statement released by Lakeside Baptist Church, the pastors and lay leaders received information from outside the church that Cunningham had been accused of inappropriate conduct with a minor in another church. Upon learning of the accusation, LBC immediately suspended Cunningham, barred his interaction with the church and students, and conducted an investigation. Within days, LBC stated that it had found enough evidence to turn him over to the personnel committee, who immediately released him from employment.
LBC immediately reported what was discovered to law enforcement agencies with the state of Texas, as well as agencies in both Lubbock and Granbury. Pastors and lay leaders also encouraged those with direct information to contact law enforcement and all other staff was instructed to come forward and cooperate fully with law enforcement.
LBC announced it continues its partnership with MinistrySafe, a program that provides comprehensive training, screening forms, policies and an online system of prevention in sexual abuse risk.
"Pastoral and lay leaders are evaluating the events leading to the present crisis so that we can provide the best safeguards for our children and members,” the statement reads. “Although we are not aware of any assaults having occurred with any of our students, we wish to say again that we stand ready to continue offering help with professional counselors. Moreover, if you or your child have been a victim of sexual abuse or have information that would help law enforcement, please contact law enforcement immediately.”
LBC stated it stands firmly against clerical sexual abuse and added that if the Southern Baptist Convention had a working database for offenders, the church would’ve likely never been exposed to Cunningham.
"We plan to do everything possible to encourage national leaders to exercise their spiritual responsibility, identify perpetrators in the churches, and stop this from happening again,” the statement reads. “Until then, we plan to reevaluate and institute our own even more rigorous processes. Out of respect for law enforcement officers, we must refrain from commenting any further about particular people or events.
“We ask you to join with us in praying for the victims of clerical sexual abuse, in praying for perpetrators to repent of their gross evil and be brought to justice, and in praying for all of the families and churches who have been harmed.”
As of press time, Cunningham is currently being held in the Lubbock County jail. The investigation is still ongoing.
