Ohio Megachurch Youth Director Fired for Allegedly Filming Female Gym Members

Crossroads Church, a multisite megachurch based in Cincinnati, fired staff member Joel Firebaugh late last week after police alleged he was “secretly filming women who were working out without their consent” at a local gym.

Firebaugh had directed the NextGen program at Crossroads. According to archived versions of his now-deleted church bio and his personal website, he had served in student ministry for more than a decade. Firebaugh, who co-founded the program Student Ministry Coach, is a married father of one.

In a Jan. 30 email to congregants, Crossroads Lead Pastor Brian Tome wrote that Firebaugh was “removed from staff” due to “behavior [that] grossly violates biblical standards and expectations required of any individual on staff.” Tome added, “This is the first time anything like this has been reported relative to Joel,” saying Crossroads isn’t aware of “unbiblical behavior” occurring at the church.

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Police, who haven’t yet shared an incident report, told Crossroads the alleged recording occurred at Crunch Fitness in Cincinnati’s Oakley neighborhood.

Crossroads Church Is ‘Grieved’ by Allegation Against Former Staffer

Crossroads Church, which has nine locations throughout Ohio and Kentucky, was named the fastest-growing church in America in 2017. Previously, the interdenominational megachurch went viral for its Super Bowl of Preaching event.

In his email to church members, Pastor Brian Tome noted that police called Crossroads about Firebaugh’s alleged misconduct on Jan. 29. By the next day, the church had severed ties with Firebaugh.

“We do everything in our power to protect and care for our community well,” Tome wrote to congregants. “We also want to be transparent when problems arise.”

Crossroads is cooperating with the Cincinnati Police Department’s ongoing investigation, Tome said, adding, “We’re grieved…and willing to offer any support to those who were harmed.”

To make sure no one was filmed without consent on church property, Tome wrote, Crossroads is “conducting additional due diligence.” The pastor urged any congregants who have knowledge of misbehavior to notify the church and police.

Crossroads staff members are “working…to ensure this staffing change does not negatively impact the ministry of NextGen or connected families,” Tome added. According to the church’s website, the NextGen program helps young people explore ministry careers and grow their leadership skills.