Pastor Resigns After Admission of Misconduct

The founding pastor of Hope Fellowship Church stepped down on Monday after acknowledging what church officials described as “sexual sin and moral failure.”

John McKinsey admitted to his misconduct during a meeting on Sunday with church leadership, subsequently resigning the next day, as detailed in an email shared with CBS News Texas and the congregation on Tuesday. The church board accepted his resignation.

Details about McKinsey’s admission remain sparse, but an FAQ document revealed that he “recognized sexual guilts and patterns of consensus behavior that are appropriate to continue his role as a pastor.”

This Texas megachurch, which attracts thousands of visitors weekly, will be led by a “directional leadership team, board, elders, and pastoral lead team” until a new leader is chosen. Currently, Angela Linz and Aaron Alexander are stepping in as co-interim pastors, and McKinsey’s name will be removed from the church’s staff website.

In response to the situation, the church emphasized its commitment to healing, transparency, and implementing stronger protections for victims. McKinsey’s resignation follows the church’s previous scandal involving student pastor Jerry Nickerson, who was dismissed in January for reportedly confessing to “inappropriate contact with minors” a decade ago at another church.

Interestingly, McKinsey had been involved recently in community matters, such as offering a trauma workshop after the tragic stabbing of a local high school student, Austin Metcalf. He expressed prayers for the victim’s family and acknowledged the broader impact of violence in the community.

McKinsey, who has four children with his wife, has not disclosed any plans for the church to find a permanent replacement as of now.