The Lexington church at the center of a former pastor sex crime investigation was previously involved in another scandal roughly 10 years ago, according to previous reporting from the Herald-Leader.
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 affair with a female pastor on the staff.
Hise and pastor Sharon Clements told the church staff that their 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 and Clements’ public ministry was discontinued and responsibilities for leading and teaching were assigned to other staff members, the statement said.
Hise and Clements were married to other people at the time of the incident, according to the statement.
Former LexCity Church pastor arrested for allegedly having sex with a minor
Now LexCity Church, formerly Quest, is facing another scandal after former pastor Zachary King was arrested for allegedly having sex with a minor between January 2023 and April 2024. 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.
Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office confirmed King was a former executive pastor of LexCity Church, which is located off West Reynolds Road. King’s arrest citation says he resigned after being confronted by church staff in reference to allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
King has more than 17 years of experience as a pastor in large church environments, according to his LinkedIn page. He previously worked as a youth pastor for Westside Church, SBC, a central team leader and youth pastor for lifechurch.tv, a campus pastor for the MET Church in Houston, Texas and an executive pastor for Community of Faith Church in Cypress, Texas.
Reaction to Lexington preacher’s arrest
News of King’s arrest generated a lot of reactions on social media. The Way Home, a nonprofit organization that helps churches recover from spiritual abuse, released a statement about King’s arrest, saying they’re saddened and outraged by the news.
“This is a devastating and grievous abuse of power, position, and authority—and in this case, a criminal act, as well,” The Way Home said in a statement on Facebook. “Clergy sexual abuse, especially of a minor, is deeply wounding for victims, churches, and the community at large.”
The Way Home offers a support group for victims of spiritual abuse Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. The organization also offers free resources online and prayer support.
“We know that the path ahead is a difficult one. Processing and healing will take time,” The Way Home said in the statement.
King is is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond, according to jail records. He will appear in Fayette District Court Friday for a preliminary hearing, according to court records.
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