A former youth pastor for a Lubbock church who later worked at churches in North Texas has been accused of sexually abusing at least one child.
Luke Cunningham, 41, was arrested Wednesday by the U.S. Marshals Service in Shallowater and booked into the Lubbock County Jail, according to jail records.
Cunningham, who was most recently a staff member at Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury for more than two years, faces three counts of sexual assault. After learning of the allegations against Cunningham, Lakeside Baptist notified law enforcement authorities in Lubbock and Granbury, church officials said.
In light of Cunningham’s arrest, the Granbury church sent an email to its congregation stating that the personnel committee had terminated his employment. The church also said: “Lakeside Baptist Church stands firmly against clergy sexual abuse.”
Officials at Lakeside Baptist Church said they have spoken with other church leaders and instructed all staff to come forward and fully cooperate with police.
According to Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV, Turning Point Community Church in Lubbock said Lakeside Baptist contacted it on June 3 about the allegations against Cunningham. Lakeside officials told Turning Point that the allegations also include potential victims between 2016 and 2020, when Cunningham served as a student pastor at the Lubbock church.
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Cunningham also has worked in Fort Worth at North Fort Worth Baptist Church and the former Agape Baptist Church, Baptist News Global reported.
Officials at the Lubbock church told WFAA they never received any complaints or allegations during Cunningham’s time there.
“We are devastated by these allegations and feel enormous sadness for anyone who is a potential victim,” Turning Point said in its statement.
