Marty Payton, the longtime senior pastor of Charity Baptist Church in Kannapolis, is no longer on staff after church leaders said they became aware of "serious allegations of a sexual nature" connected to conduct that allegedly occurred prior to his tenure with the congregation. The announcement was made through an official statement shared by church leadership and later reported by multiple outlets.
According to the church's statement, the alleged misconduct did not involve any individuals within the congregation, and leadership said immediate actions were taken to ensure safety and provide care for those impacted. "Marty Payton is no longer on staff at Charity," the statement said, adding that the church grieves with those affected and remains committed to its ministry mission.
Church leaders indicated that the allegations surfaced recently, prompting internal review and swift action. Officials have not publicly released further details regarding the nature or timeline of the allegations, and reporting noted that the church declined additional comment beyond its official statement.
Payton had served in leadership at Charity Baptist Church for many years, first joining the church as a youth pastor before becoming senior pastor in 2010 following the retirement of the founding pastor. His most recent sermons were delivered earlier this year prior to the announcement.
The congregation is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, according to reporting and denominational directories.
The development was first highlighted in coverage by journalist Julie Roys through The Roys Report and subsequently reported by local media outlets in North Carolina
