By Bob Allen
Two prominent Southern Baptist churches in Oklahoma are cooperating with police after the arrest of a youth pastor charged with sending inappropriate text messages to four boys at his former congregation.
Police in Shawnee, Okla., arrested Brian Burchfield, 42, July 29 on charges of soliciting sex with a minor and computer crimes. At the time of his arrest Burchfield was serving as young adult pastor at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, but his alleged crimes involve four teenage boys ranging from 14 to 17 years old he met at Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee, Okla., where he reportedly served from June 2006 to April 2014.
Last year Quail Springs Baptist Church was host church for the annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. At the meeting Hance Dilback, the church’s pastor since 2003, was elected president of the state affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention.
The pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church, Todd Fisher, was president of the state convention’s pastor’s conference in 2013 and is a former trustee of Oklahoma Baptist University.
According to the Southern Baptist Convention membership database, Immanuel Baptist Church has 5,141 members and average attendance of 850, while Quail Springs has 4,808 members: and average attendance of 1,446.
Both churches released statements about Burchfield’s arrest.
“We are disheartened to learn about the alleged inappropriate communications involving a young adult pastor at our church,” Quail Springs Baptist Church said in a statement reported by local media.
“While we have no indications any inappropriate communications occurred involving Brian in his capacity as a minister at our church, we will work with those officials looking into this matter,” the statement continued. “We are praying for Brian and his family and our brothers and sisters in Shawnee and we are here to provide support and comfort.”
“We are very saddened to hear of the allegations regarding Brian Burchfield, a former minister at our church,” said a similar statement from Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee.
“We have no indications whatsoever that any inappropriate conduct occurred while Brian was an employee at Immanuel. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement officials and have provided them all of the information we have. We are praying for any people affected and trusting God to provide His presence and peace at this difficult time.”
Police say after leaving the Shawnee church, Burchfield continued texting the four teens and over time the messages got more inappropriate. They don’t believe he had any physical contact with the boys but appeared to be grooming them for future sexual activity.
Unlike some denominations, the Southern Baptist Convention lacks any formal system for receiving, evaluating and reporting allegations of sexual abuse by clergy. The SBC Executive Committee has a resource page for sexual abuse prevention on its website, and LifeWay Christian Resources offers criminal background checks costing between $10 and $20.
A third church, First Baptist Church of Van Alstyne, Texas, posted on Facebook that Burchfield served there as music minister between 2000 and 2003.
“We want to make it public that there were never concerns about Brian’s character while serving here,” said Griff Servati, associate pastor of family and community ministries.
Servati said both police and media have asked about his time there.
“We are hopeful that nothing inappropriate happened during those times in the past,” he said. “But, looking back, some might see some things that were odd, in the light of this news or as you have reached adulthood. If so, we ask that you speak to us and the local authorities.”
“We are praying for all of those involved and affected by this news both near and far, especially Brian’s children and wife,” Servati said.