Matthew Queen, once a rising academic in Southern Baptist circles, is now back in the pulpit less than a year after pleading guilty to lying to federal agents, as The Christian Post reports.

The former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary leader quietly resumed pastoral work at Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Texas only seven months after serving out a six-month home confinement sentence.

Queen’s case unfolded in the wake of a Department of Justice probe into how Southern Baptist institutions handled—or failed to handle—sexual abuse allegations, prompted by a blistering third-party report on mishandled cases and institutional cover-ups.

Federal Charges Stemmed From Abuse Report

A key spark was a 2022 grand jury subpoena demanding documents from Southwestern Seminary regarding abuse allegations. That led straight to Queen, who falsified records to mislead federal investigators after a student at Texas Baptist College was reported for alleged sexual abuse.

Seminary officials cooperated with law enforcement, facilitating the student’s arrest. The student ultimately withdrew from the college, but the damage to institutional trust had already taken root.

Queen, then on staff at the seminary, created fake documentation and lied to investigators—a federal offense that could have cost him up to five years behind bars. He got six months confined to his home instead, aided by dozens of glowing character references.

Support Letters Cited Deep Personal Turmoil

A total of 59 individuals provided letters to U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan vouching for Queen’s personal integrity and moral conviction. Many referenced a dark period of mental anguish that nearly drove him to suicide.

His defense attorney, Sam A. Schmidt, told the court that despite Queen's admitted wrongdoing, he had "always supported victims of such abuse" and rejected the Southern Baptist Convention’s long-running tendency to sweep allegations under the rug.

In a letter to Judge Kaplan, Schmidt claimed, “When the opportunity has arisen, he has acted on behalf of those who were abused.” He offered a recent example involving a woman who confided in Queen and his wife.

Home Sentence and Quiet Return to Ministry

After pleading guilty in October 2024, Queen received a home confinement sentence in March 2025. During that period, he wore an electronic ankle monitor and was restricted to his residence, only allowed out for medical reasons or under probation supervision.

The court clearly saw mitigating factors, but the core facts remain: a respected Southern Baptist figure attempted to mislead a federal investigation in a case involving the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable people.

Now, Queen is serving in a pastoral role again. His new title is associate pastor at Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving, Texas, where he’s also listed on the Pastoral Care Team.

Church Officials Quiet, Website Promotes Queen

Attempts to reach Plymouth Park Baptist Church for comment were unsuccessful. It’s unclear whether the congregation was informed of Queen’s federal conviction before his placement.

The church’s website nevertheless speaks glowingly of Queen, calling him a “leading voice in evangelism” with over thirty years of experience. It also highlights his role as a husband and father.

These kinds of resurrections are a tough pill to swallow for victims and reform advocates—but not entirely rare in religious institutions where loyalty often blunts accountability.

Broader Implications for SBC Accountability

Queen’s rapid return to leadership underscores what critics have long said about the Southern Baptist Convention’s resistance to transparency. The DOJ’s ongoing focus on abuse reporting practices is a clear sign that outside oversight is still sorely needed.

Dr. Queen’s attorney may insist he opposed cover-ups “when the opportunity has arisen,” but the facts show at least once, he did the opposite.

The road back to moral authority doesn't begin with a six-month timeout. It starts with truth-telling the first time around.