Lexington church that previously employed accused rapist says it’s closing

The Lexington church that previously employed an accused rapist announced Wednesday that it’s permanently shutting down.

LexCity Church, a large church located off West Reynolds Road near Fayette Mall with over 4,000 followers on its Facebook page, cited the impact of the investigation of a former staff member and financial reasons as the causes of the closure. The announcement comes just over a week after former pastor Zachary King was arrested after allegedly having sex with a minor for over a year.

“Our hearts are broken for those who have been hurt and are hurting, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. However, with heavy hearts, we feel it is in the best interest of the Kingdom and our community that we discontinue our ministry,” LexCity Church said in a statement posted to its website.

King, 47, is facing charges of first-degree rape, third-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, third-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse and procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means, according to court records. King was a former executive pastor of LexCity Church who resigned from the church after being confronted by church staff in reference to the allegations.

LexCity said the city is blessed to have a wide variety of churches in the community for its followers to join after the closing.

“So, while today ends our chapter, we’re incredibly encouraged by the larger community of Christ followers throughout our city and know that there’s a place within it for everyone who once called LexCity their home,” LexCity Church said in its statement.

Update on the former pastor’s investigation

King’s case was sent to a Fayette County grand jury Friday after he and his lawyer, Russell Baldini, waived their right to a preliminary hearing.

King is currently being held at the Fayette County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond, according to jail records. After waiving the preliminary hearing Baldini argued for a lower bond for his client, arguing that King is a low-flight risk and had cooperated with the investigation up to this point.

The request was ultimately denied by Fayette District Judge Melissa Murphy, saying she believes King is a flight risk due to his lack of connections in Lexington and family resources.

Church had previous scandal as Quest Community Church

This is not the first time LexCity Church has been involved in a scandal. In September 2014, Quest Community Church, which is today known as LexCity Church, announced the public ministry of its lead pastor had been discontinued after Pete Hise admitted to an inappropriate relationship with a female pastor on the staff.

Hise told the church staff that the relationship “led to the crossing of physical boundaries while stopping short of sexual intercourse,” according to a statement on the church’s website at the time.

Hise started Quest in 1997 and was best known for sponsoring the annual Questapalooza Christian music festival. His public ministry was discontinued and responsibilities for leading and teaching were assigned to other staff members, the statement said.