Woman alleges inappropriate conduct by former Church of the Nazarene pastor in Owego, New York

Jarrod Allen Geistdorfer served as pastor of the Owego Church of the Nazarene in New York. According to documents from the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office, a complaint involving a minor was made after the pastor and the child attended a church camp together. A mandatory reporter filed a complaint with the New York State Police on August 15, 2024, concerning the minor’s relationship with Geistdorfer. The guardian was shown Snapchat messages and pictures between the pastor and the child, in which Geistdorfer allegedly tried to persuade the minor to move in with him. When interviewed, the child told officers there was no sexual relationship, no inappropriate touching, and no explicit photos were exchanged.

In November, an alleged victim said she shared her own experience with the church’s director. She said Geistdorfer rubbed her thigh while she was standing and he was seated, which caused her to leave the situation. She said she later filed charges against him with the New York State Police and requested an order of protection. These statements are the allegations of the individual who made them and have not been presented in the reports as findings.

On January 18, Geistdorfer spoke during a service about overcoming addiction, saying he had tried to quit drinking and using drugs many times. That same month, the Upstate New York District of the Church of the Nazarene disciplined him. District superintendent Olivia Metcalf said the district had received credible allegations against him, which led to his removal from ministry. The district did not specify the nature of the wrongdoing or the exact date of the removal, according to the Roys Report.

The Owego church announced on February 1 that Pastor Jarrod Geistdorfer had been removed from his position following an investigation, according to WBNG. The Roys Report said Geistdorfer was no longer listed as staff at the Owego church. The reports differ in how they describe the removal: one attributes it to district discipline after credible allegations, while the other attributes the church’s announcement to an investigation. The reports do not state the outcome of any investigation or any criminal charges.

By February 8, Geistdorfer was absent from the church’s online service, and former worship pastor Ben Logsdon stepped in, the Roys Report said. The report also noted that the district’s decision to act and the child’s protection remain matters for the authorities and the church to address, and the reports do not describe any further action on the part of the church or the state. The reports did not say whether the child’s guardian or the complaining individuals have commented on the church’s handling of the matter.

On February 10, Geistdorfer announced the start of Redeemed Community Church in a Facebook video. The new church began in a temporary venue, the Beautiful Barn in Candor, New York, about 10 miles north of Owego. Care for those who may be vulnerable is at the center of such complaints (Psalm 82:3).