KC area pastor resigns as Blue Springs school board president after abuse allegations
The president of Blue Springs’ elected school board has resigned amid allegations raised online by a young woman who accuses him of grooming her about 10 years ago when she was a youth group leader in his church.
“It is with a profound sense of responsibility and commitment to transparency that we acknowledge the recent allegations concerning Board President Dr. Bobby Hawk,” a statement from the Blue Springs Board of Education read.
Hawk, founding pastor at Epic Church KC, resigned from his position leading the public school board shortly after the allegations surfaced in a blog post.
In a phone conversation Thursday afternoon, Isabelle Davis, who goes by Izzy and is now 23, told a reporter that she wrote the post about her own experience and was comfortable with The Star publishing her name.
The blog post described Hawk paying “special attention” to Davis starting when she was around 11 years old. She described an encounter during a sleepover at his home roughly 10 years ago, saying Hawk grabbed her hand and placed it underneath his thigh while the two watched a movie. She said Hawk told her not to tell anyone.
Efforts by The Star to reach Hawk on Thursday morning were unsuccessful.
In a statement Wednesday, the school board said its mission is to maintain “the highest sense of integrity and trust in our leadership.”
“Out of respect for the important work of the Blue Springs School District, Dr. Hawk voluntarily submitted his resignation from the Board of Education. The Board has unanimously accepted his resignation,” it said.
A voicemail left by a Star reporter with EPIC Church KC was not immediately returned.
In a statement posted on its website, the church said its board of directors placed Hawk on immediate leave “pending further review.”
Sunday services at the Independence church were suspended.
“We ask that you take time this Sunday to pray for our church family and for wisdom as our board of directors considers the next steps for all involved,” the board of directors said in its statement.
