GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. -- A high school pastor at Greenwood Community Church surrendered to authorities Wednesday after stating he had been sexually involved with a 16-year-old girl.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office said that Donald Richard Ryan, 33, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., was arrested for investigation of felony sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust and investigation of unlawful sexual contact, a misdemeanor.

"For the past two and one-half years, he has been counseling the 16-year-old female," a sheriff's statement said. "During the relationship, inappropriate cell phone text messages and e-mails were exchanged, which culminated with sexual contact."

Ryan was being held Wednesday on a $50,000 bond while deputies continued their investigation of the allegations. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office has asked anyone in the community, who may have information pertaining to inappropriate activity regarding Ryan, to call the Sheriff’s Office at 303-795-4711.

He was listed as the head of High School Family Ministries on the church's Web site, but his name had already been removed on Wednesday afternoon. A church spokesman said he was fired on Tuesday.

The church is located in Greenwood Village, Colo., and is listed as an Evangelical Presbyterian church.