Koinonia Christian Church鈥檚 founding pastor Ronnie Goines, who was briefly replaced after he was arrested in July on sexual assault charges, has returned to his position as lead pastor.
The church鈥檚 executive pastor, who was filling the interim role since August in Goines鈥� absence, also abruptly resigned earlier this week.
Goines announced at Wednesday鈥檚 church service he would be preaching Thursday for the first time since stepping down.
Goines claimed to 四虎影院 he voluntarily chose to step back from preaching following his arrest, but never stopped serving as lead pastor.
鈥淚 was never fired, I never stepped down from my position as pastor,鈥� Goines said.
Goines also denied the charges he鈥檚 facing.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 just something that I did not do,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ot guilty, [I am] innocent.鈥�
James Ray Taylor declined to comment to 四虎影院 but announced his resignation Tuesday in an Instagram post after meeting with church staff. He did not specify the reason for stepping down.
鈥淔ollowing the request of the Lead Pastor and Core Team of the Koinonia Christian Church, I鈥enure my resignation as executive pastor, effective immediately,鈥� the post read.
Goines, 51, turned himself in and was booked into the Tarrant County Jail on July 25 after the Arlington Police Department鈥檚 sex crimes unit obtained two arrest warrants for sexual assault and indecent assault, according to a press release and court records.
The church announced James Ray Taylor鈥檚 new role in a statement on its website 鈥� which has now been removed 鈥� a few days after Goines鈥� arrest.
While it did not address his arrest, the statement honored Goines for his service and said he needed 鈥渉is full attention focused on becoming healed, whole, and fully restored鈥� amid the 鈥渦nique challenges [he] is currently facing.鈥�
Criminal charges were filed against Goines after a woman 鈥渕ade an outcry that was reported to the department鈥� in June, and after consultation with the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office.
Apart from the church, Goines is a prominent community figure.
He founded Dr. R.W. Goines STEM Academy in 2016, a private school serving grades 5-12.
He was also part of Arlington city government鈥檚 Unity Council, which made recommendations to address disparities faced by marginalized communities in areas including health, housing, and education.
In 2022, Arlington City Council dedicated honorary street toppers to Goines along Southeast Green Oaks Boulevard at Sherry and Sherburne streets.
Goines is also a former member of APD鈥檚 Arlington Clergy and Police Partnership program.
