The Black Collar Crime Series relies on public news stories and publicly available information for its content. If any incorrect information is found, please contact Bruce Gerencser. Nothing in this post should be construed as an accusation of guilt. Those accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty.
Arthur “A.J.” Bass, former worship leader at New Hope Christian Church in Wylie, Texas, and a substitute school teacher, stands accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a child.
A man who was prominent in both Wylie churches and schools has been arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of a child.
He’s a former substitute teacher in the Wylie Independent School District and a former worship pastor at a local church.
Wylie ISD said that none of its students have come forward with any allegations against this former substitute teacher so far.
But the district confirms that for two years, he worked as a substitute at multiple schools, including Achieve Academy, which is for suspended and expelled students.
Authorities said his name is Arthur Bass. But to those who know him, he’s A.J.
The 55-year-old was arrested last week for the alleged continuous sexual abuse of a child.
In a statement, Wylie police said the case came together quickly and that “the arrest stems from an investigation that began on October 1.”
Wylie PD said it received information of a “child making an outcry to her mother.”
Wylie ISD said Bass was terminated from his job as a substitute teacher immediately after authorities were informed by police about the arrest.
In a statement to parents, the district said it was important to share “that this situation did not occur on a Wylie ISD campus, nor did it involve a student the substitute met through our schools.”
The district said Bass began working as a substitute in 2023, with his last assignment in April 2025.
“He has not served in our schools this school year,” Wylie ISD said in its statement to parents. “During his time with us, he worked at multiple campuses across the district, and we received no complaints regarding his conduct.”
On his social media profiles, Bass said he is a worship pastor at New Hope Christian Church in Wylie, which confirmed to CBS News Texas that he was, from 2013 until Bass left the church in February 2023.
In a statement to its congregation, the church said, “The charges are terrible and disconcerting to say the least.”
The church did not say whether the accuser had any connection to the church.
But the school district is urging parents to come forward if they have any information that could help Wylie Police with its ongoing investigation.
Bruce Gerencser, 68, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 47 years. He and his wife have six grown children and sixteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
Your comments are welcome and appreciated. All first-time comments are moderated. Please read the commenting rules before commenting.
You can email Bruce via the Contact Form.
