Exposing Abuse in Assemblies of God and Calls for Change

A significant civil lawsuit involves the Assemblies of God and highlights alleged sexual abuse within the church. Six women have filed a complaint in Craighead County Circuit Court. They accuse Refuge Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and the larger Assemblies of God organization of ignoring reports about Pastor Tony Waller’s misconduct.

Allegations of Ignored Warnings

For years, girls in the church warned adults about Waller’s abusive behavior. They reported hidden cameras in bathrooms and inappropriate touching. Despite this, the lawsuit claims church leaders took insufficient action. This allowed Waller to continue his actions for 15 years.

Initial reports started in 2000. Despite disturbing findings, such as a hidden camera discovered in 2004, church leaders briefly suspended Waller and then reinstated him. He remained in his position until 2015 when his wife found incriminating images on his computer.

Legal and Emotional Outcomes

Waller was arrested in 2015 and later sentenced to life imprisonment in 2016 after pleading guilty to raping two girls. Stephanie Davis, one of Waller’s victims, filed the lawsuit to hold church leaders accountable. She emphasized that responsibility extends beyond Waller to those who allowed his behavior to continue unnoticed or unchallenged.

NBC News investigations show a pattern of restoring accused ministers without alerting authorities. Approximately 200 Assemblies of God members have been accused of abuse over the past 50 years. The denomination often left decisions about child protection to local churches instead of enforcing mandatory policies.

Denial and Defense from Church Leaders

The General Council of the Assemblies of God claims it was unaware of Waller’s actions until 2015 and dismissed him promptly upon discovery. They highlighted their zero-tolerance policy for abuse and their encouragement for churches to adopt preventive measures.

Refuge Church, previously Jonesboro First Assembly of God, stated it implemented stronger child safety policies after the scandal, including background checks and security cameras. Mike Glover, a former senior pastor, denies all accusations of negligence. Reports suggest he was informed of Waller’s inappropriate behavior as early as 2000 but dismissed these concerns.

Continuing Fight for Justice

The lawsuit extends beyond the specific case at Refuge Church. Davis and other survivors aim for concrete changes across the Assemblies of God. They advocate for mandatory national safeguards to prevent similar occurrences. Their call to action seeks to ensure future vigilance and safety for children in church environments.

Through this legal battle, they hope to transform personal trauma into a broader mission for safety and accountability.