State Court Activity
Active litigation in TX (Harris County), NY (Westchester County, Second Department), and historically IL, KY, FL, IN, AR
Institutional Abuse · survivor litigation involving abuse allegations tied to Assembly of God-affiliated ministries
Defendant
The General Council of the Assemblies of God
MDL / Track
See litigation status
Judge
Various
Plaintiffs
EMERGING
Bellwether / Trial
No verdicts yet
Settlement Status
Track litigations for free. Save this matter, capture notes, and monitor live signals.
Case overview
The Assemblies of God faces mounting civil litigation and public scrutiny following an October 2025 NBC News investigation documenting nearly 200 pastors, employees, and volunteers accused of sexual abuse since the 1970s, with more than 475 alleged victims—predominantly children. Survivors allege the denomination's decentralized governance structure enabled systemic failures: accused ministers were repeatedly reinstated or quietly transferred, mandatory background checks and reporting protocols were rejected after legal counsel warned of litigation exposure, and known predators retained access to youth through programs including Royal Rangers. The denomination currently defends multiple active lawsuits, including a 2024 Texas case involving a pastor who allegedly groped a 10-year-old during Bible study, while plaintiffs' counsel pursue claims for negligent hiring, supervision failures, and institutional cover-up.
Causation Theory
The mechanism of harm centers on the Assemblies of God's organizational structure and disciplinary theology, which plaintiffs allege created predictable conditions for repeat victimization. The denomination's 1973 General Council established a 'Manual for Ministerial Discipline and Restoration' emphasizing repentance and reinstatement over removal; NBC News identified approximately 30 instances where accused abusers were returned to positions of authority, including convicted sex offenders placed in youth leadership. In 1997, the Executive Presbytery rejected a measure to bar credentialed ministers with child sex abuse convictions after legal review concluded mandatory background checks would be costly and 'play right into the hands of plaintiffs' attorneys.' The 2021 General Council formally rejected mandatory safeguards following warnings from legal counsel that such rules would increase lawsuit exposure. This patchwork oversight system—contrasted with peer denominations' post-2019 reforms—allowed accused predators to exploit local church autonomy and forgiveness-based discipline to access successive victim populations.
Litigation status
No federal MDL exists. Litigation remains decentralized in state courts. A Texas state court case involving Chi Alpha minister Daniel Savala is active in Harris County District Court (Judge Lauren Reeder), where the court imposed sanctions on the Assemblies of God national office for 'flagrant' discovery non-compliance in August 2025. New York state courts produced favorable plaintiff rulings in Escobar v. Segunda Iglesia Pentecostal Juan 3:16 Asamblea de Dios (Index No. 61114/21), where the Second Department affirmed denial of dismissal motions on November 13, 2024.
State Court Activity
Active litigation in TX (Harris County), NY (Westchester County, Second Department), and historically IL, KY, FL, IN, AR
Geographic exposure
NBC News investigation identified nearly 200 AG pastors, employees and volunteers accused of sexual abuse since 1970s, involving more than 475 victims, predominantly children; denomination operates 13,000 U.S. churches with decentralized governance structure resisting centralized safety mandates
Active litigation pending against denomination involving Daniel Savala and Chi Alpha college ministry abuse; Savala gained access to students through AG-affiliated campus ministry chapters
Allen Lehmann minister abuse case — 1979 suspension for molesting two elementary school girls followed by restoration program; 2022 settlements reached with survivors against AG entities
First Assembly of God Jonesboro — children's pastor Tony Waller 2004-2007 allegations including secret filming of children undressing; church allegedly retained Waller despite prior misconduct
Worship leader Timothy Scarr 1985 guilty plea to molesting two boys; returned to ministry after restoration; extended SOL windows under California law for childhood sexual abuse claims
Pastor Orlando Martinez-Chavez — 2018 AG leaders planned restoration to ministry after child sexual assault accusations; Martinez-Chavez later reconvicted after continued access to children
Youth leader confessed to drugging and assaulting three boys during sleepover; Royal Rangers program abuse documented
Couple reported abuse through Royal Rangers program; part of pattern of dozens lured through AG's Pentecostal scouting equivalent
Post-restoration placement site for Allen Lehmann after Illinois suspension; Lehmann pastored AG church following 1979-1981 restoration program
Nathan Peternel — lead pastor of AG megachurch undergoing 'structured restorative process' February 2026 after homemade sex tapes; demonstrates ongoing restoration practice
General Council headquarters Springfield — central governance body that debated then rejected mandatory background checks and reporting requirements for all 13,000 U.S. churches; 2021 Executive Presbytery discouraged bylaw amendments citing legal liability concerns
Key defendants
The General Council of the Assemblies of God
Role: National Governing Body
Motion to dismiss denied in Escobar, 2023 NY Slip Op 33706(U), Index No. 61114/2021 (Westchester Cty.); Second Department affirmed 2024 NY Slip Op 05583 (Nov. 13, 2024). Personal jurisdiction and hierarchical control theories survived. No MDL; individual CVA actions.
Assemblies of God National Youth Ministries
Role: National Youth Program Operator
Co-defendant in Escobar with identical procedural posture: dismissal denied, claims proceeding on negligent hiring/supervision theories. Same docket: Index No. 61114/2021. Exposure tied to camping-trip supervision allegations.
National Royal Rangers Ministries
Role: Youth Program Operator
Third co-defendant in Escobar; motion to dismiss denied. Alleged abuser was Royal Rangers leader. Same Westchester docket. No indemnity or contribution claims visible in record.
| Defendant | Role | Intelligence Note |
|---|---|---|
| The General Council of the Assemblies of God | National Governing Body | Motion to dismiss denied in Escobar, 2023 NY Slip Op 33706(U), Index No. 61114/2021 (Westchester Cty.); Second Department affirmed 2024 NY Slip Op 05583 (Nov. 13, 2024). Personal jurisdiction and hierarchical control theories survived. No MDL; individual CVA actions. |
| Assemblies of God National Youth Ministries | National Youth Program Operator | Co-defendant in Escobar with identical procedural posture: dismissal denied, claims proceeding on negligent hiring/supervision theories. Same docket: Index No. 61114/2021. Exposure tied to camping-trip supervision allegations. |
| National Royal Rangers Ministries | Youth Program Operator | Third co-defendant in Escobar; motion to dismiss denied. Alleged abuser was Royal Rangers leader. Same Westchester docket. No indemnity or contribution claims visible in record. |
Timeline
Illinois Minister Abuse Cover-Up
Assemblies of God Illinois District Council suspends minister Allen Lehmann's credentials after molestation accusations involving two elementary-school-aged girls; places him in restoration program rather than reporting to police.
Denomination Rejects Sex Offender Ban
Assemblies of God General Council debates banning convicted child sex offenders from ministerial credentials; proposal rejected after legal review. Executive Presbytery cites cost and liability concerns.
'Zero Tolerance' Policy Announced
Following national scrutiny of church abuse scandals, Assemblies of God publicly claims 'zero tolerance' for sexual misconduct. Policy remains non-mandatory at local church level.
Illinois Eliminates SOL for CSA Claims
Illinois eliminates statute of limitations for future child sexual abuse civil claims, opening pathway for decades-old abuse litigation against Assemblies of God entities.
Mandatory Safeguards Rejected
Assemblies of God leadership formally rejects mandatory child safety safeguards after legal counsel warns of lawsuit exposure. Resolution 13 urging published safety standards tabled.
Royal Rangers Abuse Settlement
Assemblies of God settles lawsuit with survivors of Ralph Gantt and Todd Clark, convicted 1988 child abusers in Royal Rangers scouting program. Settlement terms undisclosed.
Lehmann Survivor Settlement
Survivors of Allen Lehmann settle lawsuits against Assemblies of God national office and Illinois and Kentucky district councils. Lehmann pleaded guilty to child rape in 2018.
NBC 'Pastors and Prey' Investigation Published
NBC News publishes 'Pastors and Prey' investigation identifying nearly 200 Assemblies of God pastors, employees and volunteers accused of sexual abuse since 1970s, involving 475+ alleged victims, mostly children. Documents pattern of reinstatement and cover-up.
Texas Litigation Continues
Assemblies of God remains defendant in active Texas sexual abuse lawsuit related to alleged abuse by Daniel Savala. Additional 2024 lawsuit alleges pastor groped 10-year-old during Bible study.
Statute of limitations
Federal preemption minimal in clergy abuse torts. Cross-jurisdictional screening critical: many survivors lived in multiple states; apply most favorable applicable law under choice-of-law analysis. NBC News Oct. 2025 investigation confirms nearly 200 accused AG leaders since 1970s—intake volume expected to remain elevated.
⚠Arkansas
Revival window through Jan. 31, 2026; 3 years from discovery for childhood abuse
Rule: Ark. Code § 16-118-118 (Vulnerable Victims Act) created revival window; Ark. Code § 16-56-130 provides 3-year discovery rule for childhood abuse
Discovery: 3 years from when survivor discovers connection between abuse and injury; no need to pinpoint specific incident
CRITICAL: Arkansas Court of Appeals ruled Feb. 2025 that Legislature cannot revive expired claims; window validity pending Arkansas Supreme Court review. Screen immediately for any pre-2022 claims.
Georgia
Age 23 for childhood abuse; 2 years from discovery for those under 30
Rule: 2015 legislation: survivors have until age 23; those under 30 may file within 2 years of discovery
Discovery: 2-year window from discovery applies to survivors under 30 who realize abuse impact later in life
Adult claims: 2 years from incident. Legislative efforts for further expansion ongoing but not yet enacted.
Illinois
No statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse civil claims
Rule: 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2: eliminated SOL for future child sexual abuse claims effective 2014
Discovery: N/A — SOL eliminated
One of 18 states with eliminated SOL for childhood abuse civil claims per CHILD USA 2022 report. Active Assemblies of God litigation documented since 1979.
California
10 years from last act or 3 years from discovery, whichever is later
Rule: Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 340.16: 10-year limit or 3 years from discovery
Discovery: 3 years from discovery of psychological injury or illness occurring after age 18
Large plaintiff pool for Assemblies of God claims. Verify effective date of § 340.16 amendments for specific claims.
New York
Age 55 for childhood abuse
Rule: CPLR § 213-c: extended to age 55; Child Victims Act revived claims through age 55 until Aug. 14, 2021
Discovery: Discovery rule incorporated into age 55 framework
CVA revival window closed. Adult Survivors Act 1-year window closed Nov. 24, 2024. Screen for any claims preserved under prior revivals or ongoing litigation.
North Carolina
10 years from last act; 2 years from criminal conviction
Rule: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-17: SAFE Child Act extended SOL to 10 years; allows filing within 2 years of criminal conviction for related conduct
Discovery: Limited discovery application; 10-year period runs from last act
No current revival window. Institutional negligence claims may have separate accrual rules.
| State | SOL | Rule | Discovery Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⚠Arkansas | Revival window through Jan. 31, 2026; 3 years from discovery for childhood abuse | Ark. Code § 16-118-118 (Vulnerable Victims Act) created revival window; Ark. Code § 16-56-130 provides 3-year discovery rule for childhood abuse | 3 years from when survivor discovers connection between abuse and injury; no need to pinpoint specific incident | CRITICAL: Arkansas Court of Appeals ruled Feb. 2025 that Legislature cannot revive expired claims; window validity pending Arkansas Supreme Court review. Screen immediately for any pre-2022 claims. |
| Georgia | Age 23 for childhood abuse; 2 years from discovery for those under 30 | 2015 legislation: survivors have until age 23; those under 30 may file within 2 years of discovery | 2-year window from discovery applies to survivors under 30 who realize abuse impact later in life | Adult claims: 2 years from incident. Legislative efforts for further expansion ongoing but not yet enacted. |
| Illinois | No statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse civil claims | 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2: eliminated SOL for future child sexual abuse claims effective 2014 | N/A — SOL eliminated | One of 18 states with eliminated SOL for childhood abuse civil claims per CHILD USA 2022 report. Active Assemblies of God litigation documented since 1979. |
| California | 10 years from last act or 3 years from discovery, whichever is later | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 340.16: 10-year limit or 3 years from discovery | 3 years from discovery of psychological injury or illness occurring after age 18 | Large plaintiff pool for Assemblies of God claims. Verify effective date of § 340.16 amendments for specific claims. |
| New York | Age 55 for childhood abuse | CPLR § 213-c: extended to age 55; Child Victims Act revived claims through age 55 until Aug. 14, 2021 | Discovery rule incorporated into age 55 framework | CVA revival window closed. Adult Survivors Act 1-year window closed Nov. 24, 2024. Screen for any claims preserved under prior revivals or ongoing litigation. |
| North Carolina | 10 years from last act; 2 years from criminal conviction | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-17: SAFE Child Act extended SOL to 10 years; allows filing within 2 years of criminal conviction for related conduct | Limited discovery application; 10-year period runs from last act | No current revival window. Institutional negligence claims may have separate accrual rules. |
Live intelligence
AI litigation brief
Assembly of God remains active litigation category with 18 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
No federal MDL exists. Litigation remains decentralized in state courts. A Texas state court case involving Chi Alpha minister Daniel Savala is active in Harris County District Court (Judge Lauren Reeder), where the court imposed sanctions on the Assemblies of God national office for 'flagrant' discovery non-compliance in August 2025. New York state courts produced favorable plaintiff rulings in Escobar v. Segunda Iglesia Pentecostal Juan 3:16 Asamblea de Dios (Index No. 61114/21), where the Second Department affirmed denial of dismissal motions on November 13, 2024.
Key developments
Trajectory
Press coverage is active for Assembly of God. Court-side confirmation through state civil actions involving denominational and local-church defendants is the next escalation check.
Editorial intelligence
Editorial coverage should stay tied to source-backed developments and avoid placeholder status copy for Assembly of God.
Generated Apr 28, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC
18 events detected
Google News (18)
Nine women claim abuse, sue Indiana academy for troubled girls - cnhinews.com
Lawsuit alleges abuse at Lebanon faith-based residential program - WRTV
Arkansas pastor accused of sexually abusing teen steps down from Assemblies of God leadership - The Roys Report
Assemblies of God church, Pastor Rod Loy ask court to dismiss sex abuse lawsuit - Christian Post
North Little Rock First Assembly of God, pastor deny former member’s claims of sexual abuse - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
North Little Rock First Assembly of God, pastor deny former member’s claims of sexual abuse - arkansasonline.com
North Little Rock First Assembly of God, pastor deny former member’s claims of sexual abuse - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Assemblies of God church, Pastor Rod Loy ask court to dismiss sex abuse lawsuit - Christian Post
Lawsuit accuses Assemblies of God presbyter of sexual assault - wng.org
Lawsuit accuses Assemblies of God presbyter of sexual assault - wng.org
Arkansas Assemblies of God Pastor Sued for Sexual Assault - MinistryWatch
Arkansas Assemblies of God Pastor Sued for Sexual Assault - MinistryWatch
Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse by prominent Assembly of God pastor - AL.com
Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse by prominent Assembly of God pastor - AL.com
Lawsuit: Church failed to report youth pastor’s sexual abuse despite evidence - K8 News | Jonesboro, Arkansas
Lawsuit: Church failed to report youth pastor’s sexual abuse despite evidence - K8 News | Jonesboro, Arkansas
Child Sexual Abuse Alleged In Assemblies Of God Royal Rangers Program - Religion Unplugged
Child Sexual Abuse Alleged In Assemblies Of God Royal Rangers Program - Religion Unplugged
No recent PubMed signals. Monitoring is active — this section updates automatically.
No recent court filing signals. Monitoring is active — this section updates automatically.
No recent legislative signals. Monitoring is active — this section updates automatically.
Workbench
Sign in to save litigations, capture notes, and monitor live signals. Sign in for unlimited.
LexGenius Ranking
34Score
Fresh items are present but not yet surging
Monitoring
Live
monitoring
Last: Apr 28, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC
Next: 40:39
Source Monitoring
PACER
PACER
Google News
PubMed
Event feed
18
events detected
AI Brief
Assembly of God remains active litigation category with 18 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
No federal MDL exists. Litigation remains decentralized in state courts. A Texas state court case involving Chi Alpha minister Daniel Savala is active in Harris County District Court (Judge Lauren Reeder), where the court imposed sanctions on the Assemblies of God national office for 'flagrant' discovery non-compliance in August 2025. New York state courts produced favorable plaintiff rulings in Escobar v. Segunda Iglesia Pentecostal Juan 3:16 Asamblea de Dios (Index No. 61114/21), where the Second Department affirmed denial of dismissal motions on November 13, 2024.
Key developments
cnhinews.com news on Apr 20: Nine women claim abuse, sue Indiana academy for troubled girls - cnhinews.com.
Generated Apr 28, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC