Sunday, February 5, 2012

Former Wichita pastor and USD 259 school board member Rev. Tyrone Gordon is accused of coercing men in his congregation to engage "in sexual acts and relationships for his own personal sexual gratification," the Dallas Morning News reported.

Gordon, 53, a highly regarded preacher who left St. Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita in 2002 to become the senior pastor at St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas, abruptly announced his resignation last month and said he would relinquish his ordination credentials.

The Dallas Morning News reported Rev. Cameron Jerrod Greer, 26, said that he and several other young members of the church were coerced into sexual situations with Gordon from about 2003 through 2010. Greer's lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, alleges that some of the encounters occurred inside Gordon's office, sometimes between the church's two Sunday morning services.

Gordon, who is married and has two grown daughters, served as pastor at St. Mark for 14 years. During that time, Gordon was praised for his preaching and singing skills and was credited with helping build the church congregation from 250 to 2,500 by the time of his departure in 2002.

St. Luke is one of Texas' most prominent African-American churches and counts many high-profile Dallas leaders among its members, including former Mayor Ron Kirk who is now a member of President Barack Obama's Cabinet.

At this time, no current or former members of St. Mark have officially filed complaints against Gordon. However, sources close to the investigation say one alleged Wichita victim is considering coming forward.