PINEVILLE, Mo. (AP) -- Prosecutors want another month before presenting their case in court against the leader of a southwest Missouri church charged with abusing two girls.

Court records show that a McDonald County judge granted the request to delay a preliminary hearing on charges against the Rev. Raymond Lambert.

A preliminary hearing is where prosecutors present evidence for the judge to decide if the case should go to trial.

Lambert had been due in court Monday the hearing. A judged entered a plea of not guilty for Lambert at an earlier hearing.

The 52-year-old pastor faces eight counts including sexual abuse and child molestation. The prosecutor refiled the charges in December one month after unexpectedly dropping the case.