Crossroads Baptist Church, Christian colleges distance themselves from Kenny Baldwin
A Virginia pastor has been removed from ministry duties after he was charged by authorities in Pennsylvania with repeatedly sending sexually explicit messages to a teenager, forcing Christian colleges to distance themselves from him as well.
In a statement Sunday, Crossroads Baptist Church in Baileys Crossroads, Virginia, announced that Pastor Kenny Baldwin was “removed from all ministry responsibilities” and that the church is “cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities and is seeking both biblical and legal counsel as we move forward.”
“While these events grieve us deeply, they do not change our commitment to the truth of God’s Word or the condoning of any sin or our mission to glorify Jesus Christ,” the church added. “As a church, we remain committed to integrity, accountability, and faithfully shepherding our church family through this difficult season with grace, humility, and prayer.”
Baldwin was charged earlier this month in York County, Pennsylvania, with two felony counts of unlawful contact with a minor, one felony count of corruption of a minor, three misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, six misdemeanor counts of open lewdness and one misdemeanor count of corruption of a minor. He released from custody Wednesday on $80,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 10.
Baldwin also served on the Board of Directors at Veritas Baptist College, an online Bible college in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The college released a statement following news of his arrest announcing that its “Board has taken decisive action to revoke his position.”
“The conduct alleged in the charges is reprehensible, sinful, and in direct conflict with the biblical standards, moral character, and leadership qualifications that Veritas Baptist College upholds for all trustees, faculty, staff, and leaders,” the statement added. “We are deeply grieved by these allegations and remain unequivocally committed to the protection of our students and the integrity of our institution. Publicly available information gives no indication that any Veritas student, employee, program, or activity was involved in any way.”
Although he had no formal ties to Pensacola Christian College in Florida, the school released a statement Monday noting that Baldwin had served as a guest speaker on its campus in the past and stressed that “the college had no knowledge of the conduct that has now come to light.” The school said it was “deeply grieved by the recent public admissions and criminal charges against Kenny Baldwin,” adding, “Sexual misconduct and abuse of trust are contrary to Scripture and incompatible with the character required of Christian leaders.”
The charges againt Baldwin came to light last week. Court documents show Baldwin first exchanged phone numbers with a teenage boy he met while visiting the boy’s church in Warrington Township, Pennsylvania, in November 2024, according to the York Daily Record.
The messages soon turned suggestive, with Baldwin accused of talking about the size of his penis. Authorities say that after Baldwin convinced the teen to download WhatsApp, he began regularly sending the teen pictures of his genitals.
Police say the most recent explicit photos were sent on May 21 and June 1 of this year. Baldwin reportedly admitted to the behavior on June 9 and told investigators on June 12 that he had sent 15 explicit photos to the boy.
Baldwin drew national attention in 2020 when he was hospitalized with COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic, drawing prayers from around the world.
Baldwin said at the time that his recovery had a profound impact on his spiritual life.
“I saw God and experienced Him in a way like never before and He reminded me that His promises are true and that His word stands and that He never leaves or forsakes us,” he said.
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: [email protected]
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