A Southern California worship pastor and Christian school teacher has been arrested for allegedly viewing child sex abuse material.
Jeffrey Williams Zabel, 50, was dismissed from his role at Arbor Road Church in Long Beach after reportedly disclosing to church leaders a “long-term moral failure in his life spanning more than a decade.”
On Sept. 9, Zabel was arrested and charged with one count of possession of child sex abuse material.
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He was subsequently released from custody.
Zabel had been working as the pastor of worship and service production for Arbor Road Church, and he was also a part-time music and choir teacher at Lakewood Christian School, which is affiliated with the church.
In a letter sent to the congregation, Arbor Road Church expressed “a profound sense of sadness, frustration, anger, and disappointment.” The church said that after learning of Zabel’s alleged misconduct, leaders “strongly urged Jeff to face the situation with humility, honesty, and forthrightness.”
“During the hour-long meeting that followed, Jeff openly disclosed (in detail) long-term moral failure in his life spanning more than a decade,” the church said. “The severity of the deception made it crystal clear to everyone in the room that Jeff was no longer suitable for his role.”
The church said that Zabel “resigned on the spot” and that leaders “swiftly accepted his resignation and fully removed” Zabel from his positions at the church and its school.
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“Please keep Jeff’s wife, Samantha, and their three daughters in your prayers,” the church said.
