
Joshua David Kemper was a youth pastor at Foothill Church in Coarsegold, California. He was also a virulent anti-gay and anti-trans advocate who claimed women felt unsafe in churches that welcomed gay people. That’s strange, because he was the one raping an underage child at his church. The church did well, reporting Kemper to the police. Yes, while churches around the country face scrutiny for covering up sexual abuse, this church filed a police report immediately, prompting a police investigation that resulted in Kemper’s arrest.
Kemper has been indicted on fourteen charges relating to child sexual abuse and child sexual abuse material. The police believe there may be additional victims.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case or similar prior contact with Joshua David Kemper is encouraged to contact the Madera County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit at (559) 675-7770 or Detective Michaela Plummer at (559) 706-1276.
- Ministry Watch: CA Church Reports Pastor for Inappropriate Behavior, Leading to Arrest
- LGBTQ Nation: Youth pastor arrested for child sex abuse once claimed LGBTQ+ people make women feel unsafe
- Mariposa Gazette: Pastor arrested for sex-related crimes with minor



November 2, 2025


















