A North Carolina pastor was arrested and charged with soliciting prostitution earlier this week, according to records from the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office. Frank Johnson, 65, was caught through a human trafficking sting operation in Dallas, North Carolina, the local news station WSOC reported.
Johnson serves as the pastor at Hands and Feet Fellowship in the nearby town of Gastonia. He also worked as a middle school science teacher at Community Christian Academy (CCA) in Dallas.
The school has placed Johnson on administrative leave at CCA following his arrest, according to WSOC.
Johnson worked as a teacher at CCA for three years, according to the school’s website. Johnson said he also tutored students on math, Bible, music, and chess. He hosted a school podcast called “Our Morning Take,” as well.
“I felt called by God to serve here at CCA, and really love the work that is going on here with our kids,” Johnson wrote on his staff profile.
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At Hands and Feet, the church’s Facebook page shows that Johnson was involved in the ministry since 2017. Johnson regularly shared live videos to the church’s social media page.
The Roys Report (TRR) reached out to CCA and Hands and Feet Fellowship for comment but did not hear back prior to publication.
Police records report that Johnson was taken into custody around 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Just over three hours later, he was released on a $1,500 bond. A court date has yet to be disclosed.
Parents of CCA students were informed of Johnson’s arrest that same night, WSOC reported.
One mother said she felt “pure disgust” toward Johnson, and told local broadcast station Eyewitness News 9 that she “can’t believe it.”
Another parent, who asked the news station to not identify her, said Johnson also led worship at the school.
“We expected (Johnson) to be held to a higher standard especially with it being a Christian school,” the parent said.
The parent added that she often warns her children to be cautious and careful. But she didn’t think she needed to be concerned about someone who is a pastor and Christian school teacher.
“You can’t trust anybody in this world, but you would expect to be able to kind of trust somebody like that,” the parent added.
Johnson told Channel 9 that this charge has destroyed his life.
Freelance journalist Liz Lykins writes for WORLD Magazine, Christianity Today, Ministry Watch, and other publications.
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