San Diego pastor Reverend Roger Haenke has come under intense scrutiny after being confronted by the vigilante group People v. Preds, who claim he was allegedly trying to meet who he believed were 14- and 15-year-old boys on Grindr.
People v. Preds CATCH 538
ROGER ALAN HAENKE
SAN DIEGO, CA
PASTOR….PROFESSOR….REGISTERED NURSE
HE WAS TALKING TO WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A 14YO BOY AND 15YO BOY FOR ADULT PURPOSES… pic.twitter.com/JXBFh3khOE
— People v. Preds (@peoplevpreds) August 1, 2025
Roger Haenke Caught in Online Predator Sting Operation
A video shared by People v. Preds — a group that describes itself as aiming to “catch online preds that prey on children” — shows Haenke being confronted outside his San Diego home. The pastor, affiliated with St. John’s Episcopal Church, appears startled as he emerges with his husband to meet the group.
In the now-viral footage, Haenke admits to using the gay dating app Grindr, but when asked how many minors he had communicated with, he slapped the camera and walked back inside. Members of the group can be heard saying they would turn over chat logs to the church.
Background: Who Is Roger Haenke?
According to the official website of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Haenke was born in Hastings, Minnesota, and raised in North Dakota. He holds a BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Health Care, and later studied theology at St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity at the University of St. Thomas.
Haenke was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on June 1, 1991, and served in churches across North Dakota. He later left the Roman Catholic ministry and earned a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Minnesota. He held various roles in pediatric healthcare, including nursing director positions in Seattle and San Diego.
Haenke eventually transitioned into The Episcopal Church, being received into the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego in 2017. His website biography notes that he has worked with St. Paul’s Cathedral, completed pastoral training at St. John’s in Chula Vista, and served as Interim Vicar of Holy Cross in Carlsbad.
The church describes Haenke as someone who “has a passion for walking with others on their journey of faith” and “celebrates with joy the action of the Divine in people’s lives.”
Church, Community Await Response
As of now, St. John’s Episcopal Church has not issued a public statement regarding the allegations or the viral video. People v. Preds have stated that they plan to share the evidence, including chat logs, with church authorities.
This incident adds to a growing trend of online vigilante groups confronting alleged predators, often posting videos on social media to raise awareness — and provoke institutional responses.
