[1]DALLAS (BP) – Two Dallas metro congregations have issued statements following the arrest of a former staff member.
Jim Dale Mustain, 64, was charged with four counts of possession/promoting lewd visual material depicting a child in occurrences that took place in March 2024. He was also charged with a count of possessing at least 50 depictions or videos of child pornography that occurred in February of this year.
He was booked into the Denton County Jail with an arraignment hearing scheduled for Aug. 6. Each charge carries a $100,000 bond.
Mustain served as an associate pastor at Valley Ranch Baptist Church in Coppell, Texas, from 2005-14 and as community pastor at Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco from 2019-2023.
Both churches released statements regarding Mustain’s arrest and time of service with their congregations, including that each became aware of the allegations from law enforcement on April 24. Preston Trail Community’s statement [2], like the one Valley Ranch sent to church members following an in-person meeting shortly after Mustain’s arrest, also outlined steps taken to safeguard children and shared that they have enlisted a third-party organization for further steps.
“Like many of you, we are shocked and heartbroken by this news. We know it raises serious questions and concerns, and we are committed to responding with transparency and integrity,” said the statement signed by Preston Trail senior pastors Jim Johnson and Paul Basden.
As community pastor, Mustain coordinated efforts with various nonprofits and ministry partners outside of the church, a Preston Trail spokesperson told Baptist Press. Valley Ranch shared that from 2014 until April 24 of this year, the church had supported Mustain’s organization, Loving Community, which offered various ministry programs in the area, such as mentoring.
“We understand that situations like this can stir up many questions, emotions, and past wounds,” said the Valley Ranch statement signed by the staff and church council. “If you would like someone to pray with, talk to, or if you have any concerns, please reach out to any of our pastors. We would be honored to meet with you and/or connect you with additional counseling resources.
“Like you, we are deeply saddened by this situation and grieve for all those impacted.”
If you are/have been a victim of sexual abuse or suspect sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity, please reach out for help at 202-864-5578 or [email protected] [3]. All calls are confidential.
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