By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 2, 2026 at 9:41 AM
A longtime pastor with a history of ministry across multiple states was recently arrested on serious felony charges. Wade Booth, 70, faces charges of unlawful sexual relations with a minor and witness intimidation, according to Linn County jail records. The charges have led to his detention at the Linn County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility on a $750,000 bond.
Booth has been a pastor at the First Baptist Church of Pleasanton since 2007. His ministerial career extends back to the late 1970s, with service in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. After graduating from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, in 1981, he served as the pastor of Calvary Bible Baptist Church in Harper, Kansas, for 12 years. He later embarked on a missionary journey in Oklahoma, where he founded two churches between 1997 and 2005.
The allegations against Booth have prompted discussions on the importance of accountability within religious communities. As the legal process unfolds, it is crucial to uphold justice and care for all affected parties, reflecting the biblical call to “seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). The church’s response to such situations is vital in maintaining trust and integrity within the community.
In the wake of these charges, the First Baptist Church of Pleasanton has not yet issued a statement. This situation underscores the need for transparency and support for victims, aligning with the biblical principle of defending the vulnerable and ensuring justice prevails (Proverbs 31:8-9). As the community navigates this challenging time, it is essential to remember the importance of truth and reconciliation in fostering healing and restoration.
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Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
