In a newly published video, Pastor Ryan Gilbert of First Baptist Church of Universal City, Texas, provided details about the church’s response to child sex abuse accusations against Stephen Strawn, a band teacher at the school affiliated with the church.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse, which some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
Strawn was taken into custody on Thursday, March 26, on suspicion of child grooming and indecency with a child.
Strawn is accused of gaining the trust of a 12-year-old student by pulling her out of class for private french horn lessons, coaxing her to model an unsanctioned, revealing uniform for photographs, inappropriately touching her, and making sexual comments toward her.
Strawn was put on administrative leave as soon as Child Protective Services (CPS) arrived at the school to investigate a claim. CPS subsequently contacted law enforcement, and Strawn was arrested.
Pastor Ryan Gilbert Addresses Arrest of Stephen Strawn
In an address to the First Baptist Church on Sunday, March 29, Pastor Ryan Gilbert asked the congregation “to pray earnestly and continually for anyone who has been affected.”
“I know the culture thinks prayer, for us, is like a cop out or a crutch,” Gilbert said. “We know it is the power of God. God hears us when we pray.”
Gilbert expressed that he wanted “to affirm the courage of anyone who came forward.”
“I think that’s a very important thing for you to hear from me as your lead pastor,” he said. “Speaking up is an essential part of protecting others, and I’m deeply grateful for that kind of bravery—whether student, parent, volunteer, whoever.”
“Second, I want us to remember that in the weeks ahead, this is a time to care for those involved,” Gilbert went on to say. “While many of us feel shock, we can only imagine the weight of what they’re experiencing.”
“I just want to remind us of the seriousness of our words and remind us that gossip is a sin, okay?” Gilbert added. “So let’s just be very careful not to spread speculation or to share things that are not ours to share—especially when it comes to those who may be victims or those who reported this.”
