FRESNO, Calif. — Police arrested John Bonine, pastor of Sierra Heights Baptist Church, Fresno, Calif., at his home Aug. 10. The 43-year-old father of eight is accused of sexually abusing two girls under the age of 14, according to The Fresno Bee.
Mansel Trimble, the church’s youth pastor, told the local ABC television affiliate, KFSN, that the church has not fired Bonine and will wait until “knowing all the facts, and where this is going” before taking action.
Glen Paden, a former president of the California Baptist Foundation, preached in Sunday services Aug. 16.
Founded in 1957, Sierra Heights Baptist is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, California Southern Baptist Convention and Mid-Valley Southern Baptist Association.
Bonine is being held at the Fresno County Jail on bond. He is due in court Sept. 27.
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