Congregation praying for embattled pastor in sex sting
Dozens of worshipers gathered at Dorchester’s Grace Church of All Nations last night to pray for and stand behind their embattled pastor, the Rev. A. Livingston Foxworth, who was among the 10 wouldbe “johns” nabbed earlier this week in an undercover prostitution sting.
In a statement issued last night, the Dorchester church said the congregation is praying for their senior pastor, who is facing a single count of paying for sexual conduct and was released on personal recognizance Wednesday after a brief arraignment in Boston Municipal Court.
“Grace Church of All Nations stands with Archbishop A. L. Foxworth and family and remain prayerful,” the statement read. “As we work to strengthen and support our internal leadership, we ask our local community and friends to continue to lift us up in prayer,”
The statement was released as churchgoers gathered to pray in the Washington Street sanctuary.
An assistant pastor who spoke to the Herald said Foxworth did not attend last night’s prayer service.
Hassan Williams, Foxworth’s attorney and spokesman, declined to say whether the pastor has addressed his arrest with his church community or if he plans to in the future. The undercover Boston police operation that Foxworth was arrested in Tuesday also reeled in nine other men who responded to an online classified ad on the infamous Backpage.com website.
According to police, Foxworth agreed to pay $150 for sex with a woman at an address on Pine Street. When he arrived for the pre-arranged rendezvous, a police detective called the number that responded to the add and placed Foxworth under arrest when his cellphone rang.
Foxworth gave newly elected Gov. Charlie Baker and his wife, Lauren, a blessing at his church in November 2014.