Barry Poyner, 57, has been arrested after he allegedly offered to fill student's gas tanks up in exchange for sexual favors after messaging them on gay dating app Grindr

An anti-gay church leader and college professor has been arrested after he allegedly used Grindr to offer to fill up students' gas tanks in return for sexual favors.

Barry Poyner, 57, who works at Truman State University in Missouri, was charged with one misdemeanor count of patronizing prostitution, reported Pink News.

The communications professor had reportedly been using gay dating app Grindr to meet young men but was caught out after police created an undercover profile.

If he is convicted, Poyner could be jailed for six months and/or face a fine up to $1,000. His first court date is set for January.

As well as teaching, Poyner is one of three elders at Kirksville Church of Christ which has posted several anti-LGBT posts on its Facebook account in the past.

The church hasn't commented on Poyner's arrest but has since removed its website and Facebook page.

Kirksville police were alerted to Poyner after getting a tip he had been using the app to contact male students.

Poyner is also one of three elders at Kirksville Church of Christ (pictured) which has posted several anti-LGBT posts on its now deleted Facebook account in the past

An officer then pretended to be an 18-year-old on the app and was messaged by someone with the username DILF, which was later discovered to be Poyner when he turned up at an agreed meeting point.

While chatting on the app he allegedly told the officer he 'would love to have a sugar daddy relationship'.

On December 3, Poyner asked for sexual favors in exchange for paying for car fuel, adding he 'might throw in an Arby's card LOL,' reported Booneville Daily News.

When DILF agreed to meet at a gas station, Poyner's location matched the account and he turned up at the agreed station where he tried to flee from police.

Police pretended to be an 18-year-old boy on Grindr and were messaged by someone with the username DILF, who turned out to be Poyner (pictured) when he arrived at an agreed location

Poyner allegedly told police he 'was not doing anything with a minor' after he was approached by officers (file picture of Truman State University)

Documents state Poyner told officers he 'was not doing anything with a minor' and when the officer told Poyner he should not offer money or gifts for sex, he replied that he was 'trying to help'.

Truman State University said it is aware of the situation and Poyner has been placed on suspension.

They added: 'He is not allowed on campus, cannot have any contact with student organizations or participate in any campus events or activities.'