Red Oak, Texas, Police Investigate Abuse Allegations Against Former Oaks Church Youth Intern

Red Oak police are investigating abuse allegations involving a former intern at Oaks Church, and the claims reportedly date back at least 10 years. The allegations surfaced in a January letter to church members from pastors Chris and Cara Railey, who said a former youth ministry intern, Jerry Nickerson, had disclosed to church leadership that he had inappropriate contact with at least one student in 2015. The student attended Oaks Youth at the time, according to the letter.

Church leaders confirmed that Nickerson served as an intern from 2009 to 2011 and was on staff from 2011 to 2013. In a Jan. 19 message to members, Chris Railey said the reported incident was immediately reported to authorities. He said the event did not happen on church property or during a church event, and that Nickerson had passed background and reference checks and completed required training before serving in the role.

Speaking during Sunday services, Railey said, “As a church and as leaders we have a sacred responsibility to fight for the wholeness of every individual, and that responsibility does not expire with time.”

According to Oaks Church leaders, the claims range from inappropriate text messages to inappropriate contact between youth leaders and youth students. Leaders also confirmed that additional former students have come forward to share their experiences from the same period. Because the investigation is active, no names of others involved have been released.

Pastor Cara Railey said, “We’re called to make sure every person who walks through these doors is safe, they’re seen, they’re valued, [and] they’re protected.” She added, “Our hearts have been hurting for those who have carried this for so long, who may have felt they couldn’t share their story until now for fear of maybe not being believed.” During the Jan. 19 sermon, the pastors also confirmed the termination of a long-standing staff member for a failure “to uphold the standards of care” of the church.

In a statement to CBS News Texas, Red Oak Police Chief Garland Wolf said the investigation is ongoing and the department has not yet formally filed any charges. In an email to the station, Wolf said, “These are serious allegations that can or will impact a person’s life for many years.” He declined to discuss additional details of the case or any charges being considered, but said the department is working to confirm a timeline of events, the actual location of the alleged offenses, and suspects. Investigators, he said, would work to gather facts and statements that could lead to a “resolution of the allegations against several persons.” Wolf added, “We are doing what we need to do to seek justice for the victims, prosecute the offenders, and exonerate the innocent as may be the case.” Red Oak police said the department is scheduling meetings with people who have come forward with information about the case (Proverbs 18:17).

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