The senior pastor at Bowmar Baptist Church, one of Warren County’s largest churches, told his congregation Sunday that he will not deliver sermons until criminal charges against his older son are resolved.

“I’ve always been transparent about what was going on with my family,” Terry White said, “but I can’t this time because my lawyers have told me not to give details.”

White, who has been pastor at the church since 1991, addressed about 500 people at the 10:30 a.m. service in the Worship Center of the church on U.S. 61 South.

White’s son, Justin White, 25, of Flowood, and William Crisler, 25, of Boston and formerly Clinton, were arrested Dec. 22 by Flowood police and charged with statutory rape and sexual battery involving a 15-year-old boy with whom initial contact was made through the Internet, according to Flowood police.

White was released on $200,000 bond and Crisler was released on $202,000 bond, both the next day, according to records at the Rankin County Jail.

Dr. James Valentine, a deacon and former elder of Bowmar Baptist, said this morning the church “supports Terry in every aspect.”

“I wish I could emphasize the support of the church for Terry and his family that was shown out there yesterday,” he said. “There was applause, there were hugs, people standing in line to speak to him. It seemed like nearly an hour.”

Valentine said White will continue all duties as pastor except preaching sermons. White told the congregation that during his time away from the pulpit, Associate Pastor T.J. Tennison and others will deliver sermons.

“We love and support our pastor and we are going to give him every opportunity to navigate the situation he is facing,” Tennison said this morning.

In 2001, the church opened its doors on its 43-acre site on U.S. 61 South after moving from a sprawling but smaller facility on Bowmar Avenue.

Valentine and Tennison said 800 to 900 people attend services on some Sundays.

White and his wife, Beverly, have one other son.