THE lead pastor of a prominent Southern Baptist church in north Texas has resigned after being arrested and charged Friday with unlawfully carrying a weapon and driving while intoxicated with a child under age 15.
Andrew Erickson, 40, has been lead teaching pastor of Travis Avenue Baptist Church (TABC) in Fort Worth since 2019. Police records show Erickson was arrested Friday on the two charges. He bonded out of Tarrant County Jail early Saturday, paying $2,250 in fees.
On Tuesday, the church’s elder board emailed a brief statement to members which noted Erickson had resigned “effective immediately.” They added: “We assure you that Drew was not fired and that no improprieties have occurred at TABC.”
The email included a resignation letter dated Sunday. Erickson wrote in part: “Over the last twelve months and more recently, it has become clear that there are things I need to work on personally, and I believe causes me to need a season of rest from the responsibilities of ministry.”
Last Sunday, two church elders filled the pulpit at TABC. Jim Smith delivered the sermon at the traditional service and Larry Thompson in the contemporary service. Neither service referenced Erickson or his impending resignation.
