Excelsior Springs church to review screening policies following youth pastor’s arrest
An Excelsior Springs, Missouri, church is reviewing its screening and training policies following the arrest of an associate youth pastor. The youth pastor is accused of statutory rape of a child who attended the church last week.
Donald Axtell, a former associate youth pastor at the church, faces one count each of second-degree statutory rape, possession of child pornography and furnishing or attempting to furnish pornographic material to a minor, according to a Clay County court document.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Excelsior Springs Baptist church condemned the actions Axtell is accused of and noted that he has been dismissed. The church said Axtell’s position as an associate youth pastor was volunteer-based, and he has been removed from all duties at the church.
“He has no church-approved access to minors or to our facilities, and is no longer serving in any ministry role at Excelsior Springs Baptist Church,” the post said.
The church has “rigorous policies in place to screen, train and supervise all staff and volunteers who work with children and students,” the post said.
Following Axtell’s arrest, the church said it will be working with outside experts to review and strengthen its policies.
“As a church, we believe that God calls us to protect the vulnerable, to tell the truth, and to pursue justice,” the post said.
A juvenile victim told Excelsior Springs police officers around 11 a.m. on Nov. 12 that the alleged sexual abuse began around July 2023 and continued through June 2025, according to a probable cause statement in support of Axtell’s arrest.
Officers arrested Axtell around 5 p.m. on Nov. 13 as he was driving on U.S. 69 Highway in Excelsior Springs, according to the probable cause statement.
Axtell allegedly initially denied the allegations against him, officers said in the probable cause statement, but later confessed to them. He told officers the sexual abuse had only started around six to seven months ago.
Axtell is being held in the Clay County Jail on a $100,000 bond, according to court documents. He is set to appear for a bond reduction hearing on Nov. 25.
The Excelsior Springs Police Department continues to investigate the report, and urges anyone with information to contact the department at (816) 630-2000.
