Tennessee pastor accused of molesting several children

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Police have arrested a pastor accused of molesting several children across two decades while he was leader of a South Nashville congregation.

Matthew Dennis Patterson, pastor of Nolensville Road Baptist Church for over 20 years, resigned on Sept. 24.

Days later, members of the congregation came to the police with complaints about his requests to “engage in strange activities” with children, authorities said.

Children told adults that Patterson had asked them to sit on his face and stomach, sometimes in their underwear, according to a Nashville police statement. Patterson has been indicted on eight counts of aggravated sexual battery. Each count is linked to a different child, police said.