A convicted child molester was arrested Sunday after deputies say he showed up to a youth revival event at a Gastonia church.

Leonard James Canterbury, 60, joined the sex offender registry in 1996 after being convicted of child molestation in Georgia. He was later convicted of first-degree assault and battery in South Carolina in 2012.

Deputies say the Clover, South Carolina, man brought his granddaughter to the "Ignite Revival" event for children at the Destiny Church on York Highway. Canterbury's appearance represented a clear violation of the restrictions placed upon sex offenders, according to Gaston County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Brian Lawrence.

Pastor David Tucker says his security team prepares for such incidents. An officer at the event ran Canterbury's name through the sex offender database, and asked him to discretely step outside so he could be arrested.

"It is always our hope that we can share the love of Jesus with everyone," Tucker said. "The message here is forgiveness for the past, hope for your present and no limits to your future. But it is our responsibility to make sure everyone on our property is safe for worship."

There were about 450 people at the event, which included around 75 children, Tucker said. The revival was designed to "share the love of Jesus" with children before they return to school.

Lawrence said it's critical that people know who's around their kids.

"People do need to be diligent and proactive," Lawrence said. "When you have a new member of a church, they need to check them out."

When sex offenders register in Gaston County, they're handed paperwork listing their restrictions.

Canterbury lives in South Carolina, but that doesn't exclude him from knowing which places he can't visit in Gaston County, Lawrence said.

"I'm grateful for our security team," Tucker said. "They always do a wonderful job and we just want to make sure that everyone remains safe while they're here on our properties and at the same time try to extend grace to someone who has past convictions. But ultimately we have to obey the law. Knowing that's the law we have made it our stance to say that we'll uphold that no matter the situation."

You can reach Adam Lawson at 704-869-1842 or on Twitter @GazetteLawson.