Jackson youth pastor arrested on rape charges

UPDATE (6/9/25): Former youth pastor in Jackson sentenced to prison

UPDATE (2/3/25): Former youth pastor pleads guilty to sex crimes involving minor

UPDATE (6/14/24): A warrant has revealed additional details in the arrest of youth pastor Ryan McElrath. According to the warrant, on the morning of June 11, a man visited the Jackson Police Department to report a sexual assault against his daughter. The warrant states on May 31, 2024, McElrath engaged in sexual contact with a 17-year-old female victim at Fellowship Bible Church, located at 141 Pleasant Plains Road in Jackson. According to the warrant, McElrath met the victim in the high school area of the church for approximately 30 minutes. McElrath is expected to appear in Jackson City Court on June 26th at 9:30 a.m.

UPDATED COVERAGE: Court date set for Jackson youth pastor accused of rape

JACKSON, Tenn. — A Jackson youth pastor has been arrested on rape charges.

According to booking information from the Madison County jail, 39-year-old Ryan McElrath was booked into the jail around 5:48 p.m. on Tuesday.

Jackson Police Department’s online Police To Citizen resource shows that McElrath was arrested at a residence on Willow Green Drive, with charges listed as sexual battery by an authority figure, statutory rape, and statutory rape by an authority figure – forcible rape.

In a social media post made by Fellowship Bible Church prior to his arrest — which is no longer accessible — McElrath is described as a “high school pastor.” At the time of this report, the church also has several videos on their website where McElrath can be seen as a featured speaker.

McElrath also hosted a religion-based podcast with episodes ranging from October 2021 – November 2023. The podcast’s description states: “Here, at Fellowship Bible Church in Jackson, TN, we are starting our very first Family Podcast in which we are going to create space for families to have great conversations with their kids and have fun at the same time!”

We reached out to Fellowship Bible Church for a statement, who shared the following:

Ryan McElrath is no longer employed at Fellowship due to criminal charges filed June 11. Within hours of the allegations, the matter was investigated, Ryan admitted to the violation, and was terminated. The church immediately supported the victim in reporting the allegations to local law enforcement, and notified parents and students. The church is cooperating fully with local authorities, and is engaging an external agency to audit church policies and procedures as well as provide guidance on continued care for the victim and the church. Our priority continues to be the privacy and well-being of the victim, the victim’s family, our students and their parents.

“As a church community we are absolutely devastated by this. And, as a parent, I share in our God’s outrage and grief when the innocent are harmed. We are acting in cooperation with law enforcement in caring for the victim and the victim’s family.” Eugene Brandt, Lead Pastor Fellowship

Records available online indicate McElrath has since bonded out of custody.

We have reached out to the Jackson Police Department for more details, who shared the following release:

On June 11, 2024, the Jackson Police Department was made aware of possible inappropriate activity involving Ryan McElrath, an employee of Fellowship Bible Church, and a juvenile. Investigators with the Jackson Police Department spoke with the juvenile and other parties involved to gather information on the case. Information gathered during the course of the investigation was presented to the 26th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review. After speaking with the 26th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and evidence gathered from investigators, McElrath was formally charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to sexual assault. McElrath was arraigned in Jackson City Court on this date after posting a $70,000.00 bond. McElrath’s charges include Aggravated Statutory Rape, Sexual Battery, Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure, and Sexual Contact with a Minor.
Church leaders have been cooperative throughout the course of the investigation. McElrath’s employment has been terminated by Fellowship Bible Church.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone having any additional information is encouraged to contact the Jackson Police Department at 731-425-8400.

McElrath is expected to appear in Jackson City Court on June 26th at 9:30 a.m.

Stay with us on-air and online as we’ll provide an update once additional information becomes available.

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