HASLET (TX)
WFAA-TV, ABC-8 [Dallas TX]
February 19, 2026
By Krista Summerville, Brittany Costello
Heritage Baptist Church has suspended Pastor Eric Crawford amid backlash over his son, a registered sex offender, working at the church.
Heritage Baptist Church in Haslet has temporarily removed its lead pastor from all ministry duties while the church conducts an internal review, following growing concerns from parents and members about a registered sex offender’s work on campus.
In a Thursday statement, the church announced that Pastor Eric Crawford, “in full agreement with church leadership and his family,” has been temporarily relieved of all ministry responsibilities while the church’s Finance Team carries out “a thorough internal review.”
The church said the move was made “collaboratively and voluntarily” to ensure transparency, preserve the integrity of the review process, and avoid “unnecessary distraction from the ongoing work of the church and its related ministries.”
The temporary removal follows backlash after parents learned that Pastor Crawford’s adult son, Caleb Crawford, a registered sex offender, had been working at Heritage Christian Academy and around the church as an independent contractor doing maintenance and musical work.
In a statement, the pastor told the congregation that his “intent was to allow his gifts to serve the ministry while ensuring that he held no role of responsibility or authority over minors entrusted to our care.” The pastor states his son’s legal process had concluded several years prior.
Ryan and Dani Jo Gunderson, parents of three children previously enrolled at the private Christian school, said they were never informed of Crawford’s presence when they enrolled their first child four years ago — and only discovered the information on their own. They said their children knew Crawford by name and that they have photos showing him on stage and behind children, which they argue calls into question how limited his role actually was.
According to court documents, 31-year-old Caleb Crawford was charged with indecency with a child for sexual conduct from 2016. Crawford was convicted for sexual contact of a minor who was 12 years old. Crawford was 17 and under the care of his parents at the time, and court documents indicate the sexual contact continued over the course of a couple of years. The conviction was enough to warrant a lifetime sex offender registry requirement.
In the statement released by Pastor Crawford, he said he has reversed his decisions, stating his son will no longer lead music and his maintenance contract has been terminated. He also said that this will allow his son to attend church services, if he chooses, but will not be allowed to serve in any volunteer or ministry capacity.
The church’s Finance Team has been assigned to conduct a “comprehensive and objective internal examination” of the relevant matters.
During that process, Pastor Crawford will not participate in preaching, teaching, administrative oversight or any leadership functions at the church, school or related ministries, the church said.
Leadership has pledged to provide updates to the congregation as the review moves forward and asked members for “prayer, patience, and unity” during the process.
Parents started a change.org petition calling for Pastor Eric Crawford to resign, an independent review of hiring and contracting polices, and more.