LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (BP) — A former volunteer for Immanuel Baptist Church turned herself into police April 17 on charges of sexual assault, first degree.
Reagan Gray, 26, was a volunteer in the church’s music ministry and a teacher at Little Rock Christian Academy, reported the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She had been on leave from her job as a teacher at Sylvan Hills Middle School since Feb. 7.
A criminal court hearing has been set for June 17 at 10 a.m., according to court documents.
The Democrat Gazette cited a March 12 affidavit that authorities charged Gray with assaulting a teen from Sept. 1, 2020, through May 31, 2021. While the victim’s age is redacted, in various reports he is stated as being 15 or 16. In addition to physical interactions, the volunteer and teen also swapped nude photographs.
Immanuel interim executive pastor Mark Carter said in a statement that the church’s Caring Well team had been made aware of Gray’s arrest and will determine the church’s next steps. Former pastor Steven Smith’s final Sunday at the church was on April 7.
Without naming names, a staff member who resigned last fall said she did so because of a case of abuse between a teenage boy and student ministry volunteer in her 20s.
Immanuel acknowledged the case on its website, saying that, “Looking back, the offending music volunteer should never have been permitted to serve again in any Immanuel ministry working with young people. Period.”
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]. All calls are confidential.
