New Life Chapel in West Chester Township fired its founding pastor, Lonnie Snell, after the church's board of directors said he engaged in sexual misconduct with a subordinate.

Snell's termination took effect Oct. 23, according to a statement posted on the church's website. The board described the misconduct as involving a person "of consensual age and development" but provided no other details about the allegation or the person involved.

The Roys Report first reported that board member David Norris, who leads City Church for All Nations in Bloomington, Indiana, read a statement to the congregation during Sunday morning services on Oct. 25. Norris said a formal investigation into the allegations opened Oct. 21. Snell was dismissed two days later.

The church, at 8655 Cincinnati Dayton Road, has roughly 3,000 members, according to the Roys Report.

Norris offered few details about the investigation or its findings. He described what happened only as "sexual misconduct" and "an unfortunate situation," the Roys Report reported. The unnamed subordinate who was identified as a victim of Snell's misconduct was also fired, according to the Oct. 25 announcement. The church did not state a reason for that person's termination.

The board's written statement asked members to avoid speculation. "We ask that you would not use this statement as liberty to conduct your own speculation or investigation; but instead, use it as a time to come together in unity to pray for our church, our leadership and our Pastors," the statement said.

Norris told the congregation the board hopes to institute a "restoration process" and will support the "restoration of Pastor Lonnie," the Roys Report reported. He did not say whether that could lead to a return to ministry.

A check of Butler County court records as of Oct. 30 showed no criminal charges against Snell, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. The Enquirer reported that church officials did not respond to its calls and emails seeking comment. The Roys Report reported that Snell could not be reached for comment.

Snell co-founded New Life Chapel in 2010, starting services with a few families in his home. The congregation grew to more than 900 people by 2017 and has grown significantly since, according to the Enquirer. The church had been preparing a Phase 2 campus expansion that includes a planned 1,500-seat auditorium.

Snell's name and biography no longer appeared on the church's website as of Oct. 30, though recordings of his recent sermons remained, the Enquirer reported. His wife, Ruth Snell, who is also a pastor at New Life, was removed from the staff page the same day her husband was fired, according to the Roys Report. Her current employment status at the church is unclear.

The church also cancelled a planned multi-night revival service, the Roys Report reported.