A FORMER pastor at a Huntington Beach church is facing 179 years to life in prison after being charged with 11 molestation offenses (Shutterstock).

A former pastor at Surf City Church in Huntington Beach is facing up to 179 years to life in prison after being charged with 11 child molestation offenses for allegedly assaulting seven children ages 5 to 15.

According to the Orange County District Attorney’s office, John Rodgers McFarland, 67, of Fullerton, was arrested on Thursday, May 9. The alleged offenses occurred between 2003 and 2017.

McFarland was most recently the head pastor at Orangethorpe United Methodist in Fullerton. He was at Surf City Church from 2011 to 2016, and served at churches in Fountain Valley, Encinitas and Calexico.

He faces seven felony charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14, and four felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor between the ages of 14 and 15.  He was arraigned on Monday.