The Hope Fellowship Church’s founding pastor resigned Monday after reportedly admitting to what church leaders referred to as “sexual sin and moral failure.”
John McKinzie admitted his misconduct during a Sunday meeting with church heads and submitted his resignation the following day, according to an email sent Tuesday to the congregation, CBS News Texas reported. The board accepted his departure.
Church officials provided limited details about McKinzie’s admission, according to the email. A FAQ document said, “John admitted to sexual sin and to a pattern of consensual behavior that made him unfit to continue in his role as pastor.”
The Texas megachurch, which pulls in thousands of worshippers weekly, will operate under the oversight of its “Directional Leadership Team, Board, Elders and Pastoral Lead Team” until leaders name a replacement, according to the FAQ. Angela Linz and Aaron Alexander now serve as co-interim lead pastors, with McKinzie’s name not appearing among the staff listed on the church’s website. (RELATED: Catholic Priest On Leave After He Reportedly Began Relationship With Teen Stripper, Paid Her Hush Money)
Hope Fellowship’s lead pastor resigns over sexual sin. Church commits to healing, transparency, and stronger safeguards for victims. #ChurchAccountability #HopeFellowship #FaithAndHealing #PastorResigns #BreakTheSilence
🔗 https://t.co/NuS6oKMDyQ pic.twitter.com/vTCG2LTAwp— The Christian Post (@ChristianPost) September 17, 2025
McKinzie offered trauma workshops following the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, a Frisco high school student whose family attends Hope Fellowship, according to CBS News Texas, which interviewed him in April. He called for prayers for the victim’s family, alleged murderer Karmelo Anthony and the accused’s family.
“Everyone matters to God. And if they matter to God, they matter to me. They matter to us. And I’m praying for him daily, praying for his family, praying for his friends, the Metcalf family, praying for our students, praying for our community,” he said.
McKinzie’s resignation follows another scandal at Hope Fellowship. The church terminated student pastor Jerry Nickerson in January after he allegedly confessed to “inappropriate contact with a minor” ten years ago while volunteering at a different church. McKinzie himself wrote then that such alleged behavior “is disqualifying to those in pastoral and leadership positions.”
McKinzie and his wife have four children, according to an archived version of the church website reviewed by the outlet. The church has not announced plans for selecting a permanent replacement.