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
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Judge
Various
Plaintiffs
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Case overview
Six women filed a sweeping civil complaint in Craighead County Circuit Court in May 2026 against Refuge Church of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and regional and national Assemblies of God leadership, alleging a 15-year cover-up that enabled former children's pastor Tony Waller to groom, molest, and secretly film girls from 2000 to 2015. The lawsuit claims church leaders knew of Waller's abuse as early as 2000—including a 2004 incident where a hidden camera was discovered in a church bathroom—yet suspended him only briefly before returning him to ministry, where he continued preying on children until his 2015 arrest and 2016 life sentence for child rape. The General Council of the Assemblies of God disputes liability, asserting local church autonomy and ecclesiastical abstention doctrine shield the national body from responsibility.
Causation Theory
The Assemblies of God allegedly operated a decentralized governance structure that prioritized pastoral restoration over child protection, enabling perpetrators to retain access to victims. NBC News investigations identified nearly 200 pastors, employees, and volunteers accused of sexual abuse over 50 years, with internal restoration policies—formalized in a 135-page handbook updated in 2021—permitting reinstatement of ministers after probation and Christian counseling until a 2014 policy change barred restoration for child sexual abuse. The denomination resisted mandatory background checks and reporting requirements, leaving safety decisions to autonomous local churches; the General Council explicitly backed away from mandatory safeguards after lawyers warned of litigation exposure.
Litigation status
No federal MDL exists; litigation remains decentralized in state courts. The lead Texas case involving Chi Alpha minister Daniel Savala proceeds in Harris County District Court before Judge Lauren Reeder, where the court imposed sanctions on the Assemblies of God national office for 'flagrant' discovery non-compliance in August 2025 and ordered CEO Doug Clay to sit for deposition. New filings continue: six Arkansas women sued in Craighead County Circuit Court in May 2026 alleging 15 years of cover-up; Maryland church litigation filed June 2026.
State Court Activity
Active litigation in TX (Harris County, Judge Lauren Reeder — sanctions imposed, discovery disputes ongoing); AR (Craighead County — six-plaintiff cover-up action filed May 2026); MD (June 2026 filing); NY (Westchester County, Second Department affirmed denial of dismissal in Escobar v. Segunda Iglesia Pentecostal Juan 3:16 Asamblea de Dios, Index No. 61114/21, Nov. 13, 2024); FL active per July 2026 reporting
Geographic exposure
NBC News investigation identified approximately 200 Assemblies of God pastors, church employees, and volunteer leaders accused of sexual abuse over 50 years. Pattern allegations include reinstatement of accused ministers, failure to mandate background checks or reporting requirements, and 'restoration' policies permitting return to ministry after probation. No MDL or class action currently consolidated; litigation remains piecemeal in state courts with autonomy defenses and statute of limitations as primary barriers.
Six-plaintiff sexual abuse lawsuit filed May 2026 in Craighead County Circuit Court against Refuge Church (formerly Jonesboro First Assembly of God), former pastor Mike Glover, Arkansas District Council, and General Council of the Assemblies of God. Allegations span 2000-2015 involving children's pastor Tony Waller, convicted 2016 of child rape. Suit claims church leaders possessed hidden camera footage and stretching lists documenting nude children as early as 2004 yet imposed only 2-4 week 'spiritual restoration' suspension, returned Waller to ministry, failed to remove attic cameras, and never reported to Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline. Expanded 72-page complaint filed May 2026 adds corporate insurance liability theories and details multi-camera attic surveillance system.
Active sexual abuse litigation against General Council of the Assemblies of God, Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, and South Texas District Council. Plaintiff alleges defendants failed to investigate Daniel Savala's background or warn of dangers; claims Chi Alpha trains, hires, and fires pastors including Eli Stewart and Eli Gautreaux, who allegedly knew of Savala's abuse history and encouraged victim contact. General Council answered asserting local church autonomy and ecclesiastical abstention defense, stating it lacks supervisory control over Texas ministries. South Texas District Council dismissed with prejudice June 10, 2026 per plaintiff stipulation; terms undisclosed.
General Council of the Assemblies of God national headquarters location. Central defendant in multi-state abuse litigation asserting congregational polity/autonomy defense. Organization provides ministerial credentialing, educational curriculum, missions programs, and oversees colleges/seminary, but denies operational control over local churches. Policy history at issue: no written policy barring restoration of child sex abusers to ministry until 2014; written documentation delayed until 2021 per Arkansas litigation allegations.
Key defendants
The General Council of the Assemblies of God
Role: National Governing Body
Motion to dismiss denied in Escobar v. Segunda Iglesia Pentecostal Juan 3:16 Asamblea de Dios, Index No. 61114/2021 (Westchester Cty.), affirmed 2024 NY Slip Op 05583 (2d Dep't Nov. 13, 2024). Hierarchical control and personal jurisdiction theories survived. Discovery sanctions imposed in Texas Chi Alpha case (Harris Cty. Dist. Ct., Judge Lauren Reeder) August 2025 for 'flagrant' non-compliance.
Assemblies of God National Youth Ministries
Role: National Youth Program Operator
Co-defendant in Escobar, Index No. 61114/2021; dismissal denied. Claims proceed on negligent hiring/supervision theories tied to camping-trip supervision. Same procedural posture as GCAG. No indemnity claims visible.
National Royal Rangers Ministries
Role: Youth Program Operator
Third co-defendant in Escobar, Index No. 61114/2021; dismissal denied. Alleged abuser was Royal Rangers leader. No contribution or indemnity claims in record. Exposure limited to program-specific supervision failures.
Refuge Church of Jonesboro
Role: Local Church Defendant
Six-plaintiff Arkansas state court action filed Craighead County Circuit Court May 2026. Allegations span 2000-2015. Former pastor Mike Glover named individual defendant; denies all claims. Church implemented post-arrest safety protocols.
| Defendant | Role | Intelligence Note |
|---|---|---|
| The General Council of the Assemblies of God | National Governing Body | Motion to dismiss denied in Escobar v. Segunda Iglesia Pentecostal Juan 3:16 Asamblea de Dios, Index No. 61114/2021 (Westchester Cty.), affirmed 2024 NY Slip Op 05583 (2d Dep't Nov. 13, 2024). Hierarchical control and personal jurisdiction theories survived. Discovery sanctions imposed in Texas Chi Alpha case (Harris Cty. Dist. Ct., Judge Lauren Reeder) August 2025 for 'flagrant' non-compliance. |
| Assemblies of God National Youth Ministries | National Youth Program Operator | Co-defendant in Escobar, Index No. 61114/2021; dismissal denied. Claims proceed on negligent hiring/supervision theories tied to camping-trip supervision. Same procedural posture as GCAG. No indemnity claims visible. |
| National Royal Rangers Ministries | Youth Program Operator | Third co-defendant in Escobar, Index No. 61114/2021; dismissal denied. Alleged abuser was Royal Rangers leader. No contribution or indemnity claims in record. Exposure limited to program-specific supervision failures. |
| Refuge Church of Jonesboro | Local Church Defendant | Six-plaintiff Arkansas state court action filed Craighead County Circuit Court May 2026. Allegations span 2000-2015. Former pastor Mike Glover named individual defendant; denies all claims. Church implemented post-arrest safety protocols. |
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.
Illinois Eliminates SOL for CSA Claims
Illinois eliminates statute of limitations for future child sexual abuse 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 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 reach settlement with Assemblies of God national office, Illinois and Kentucky district councils. Lehmann pleaded guilty to child rape in 2018.
Escobar Plaintiff Victory in New York
New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department affirms denial of dismissal motions in Escobar v. Segunda Iglesia Pentecostal Juan 3:16 Asamblea de Dios, Index No. 61114/21, allowing abuse claims to proceed.
Texas Judge Imposes Discovery Sanctions
Harris County District Court Judge Lauren Reeder sanctions Assemblies of God national office for 'flagrant' discovery non-compliance in Chi Alpha minister Daniel Savala abuse litigation, orders payment of plaintiffs' legal fees and threatens contempt.
Arkansas Abuse Cover-Up Lawsuit Filed
Six women file civil complaint in Craighead County Circuit Court against Refuge Church, Arkansas District Council, and General Council of Assemblies of God, alleging 15-year cover-up of Tony Waller's child sexual abuse despite reports beginning in 2000. Waller pleaded guilty to child rape in 2016 and was sentenced to life in prison.
Statute of limitations
No federal MDL exists for Assemblies of God sexual abuse litigation. Arkansas revival struck down creates immediate intake risk for that jurisdiction. California's entity-notice theory under § 340.1(b)(2) offers strongest path around age caps for institutional claims. Cross-jurisdictional screening must distinguish denomination-level (General Council) notice from local church knowledge; Assemblies of God polity may complicate entity liability theories in states requiring employer-employee or direct supervisory relationship.
⚠Arkansas
Age 21 (general personal injury); revival window struck down
Rule: Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-104 (three-year personal injury); childhood sexual abuse claims subject to age-21 cap under pre-2021 law. Court of Appeals struck down Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sex Abuse Act revival provisions Feb. 5, 2025, citing 110+ years of precedent against reviving expired limitations periods.
Revival window CLOSED. Court of Appeals ruled legislature cannot revive time-barred claims. Pending cases dismissed. New filings must satisfy pre-2021 age-21 limitation or face certain dismissal. Active Assemblies of God litigation in Jonesboro (KATV, May 21, 2026) faces this bar.
California
Age 26 or 3 years from discovery, whichever is later; for entities with notice/knowledge of abuser and failure to safeguard, 3 years from discovery only
Rule: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.1(a)(1)-(3), (b)(1)-(2). Perpetrators: later of age 26 or 3 years from discovery. Non-abuser entities with notice of abuser and failure to implement safeguards: 3 years from discovery, no age cap. Other non-abusers: age 26 cap. Roe 58 v. Doe 1, 120 Cal.Rptr.3d 311 (Ct. App. 2011) confirmed structure.
Discovery: Discovery of causal link between adult-onset psychological injury and molestation triggers 3-year period for perpetrator and notice-failure entity claims. Knowledge of abuse alone insufficient for non-perpetrator claims.
2003 revival window (§ 340.1(c)) expired Dec. 31, 2003. No current revival. Screen for entity notice/failure-to-safeguard under subdivision (b)(2) to avoid age-26 cap.
Illinois
10 years from date limitation period begins to run under subsection (d), or 5 years from discovery of abuse and causal injury, whichever is longer; no statute of repose
Rule: 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2(b), as amended 2003. Legislature removed statute of repose and clarified discovery rule. M.K. v. L.C., 901 N.E.2d 468, 387 Ill.App.3d 1077 (3d Dist. 2009): repeal of repose applies retroactively; claims not extinguished by former repose.
Discovery: Discovery requires knowledge of both (i) abuse occurred AND (ii) injury caused by abuse. Knowledge of abuse alone insufficient. 5-year period runs from discovery of both elements.
No age cap. Repose repeal preserved otherwise-barred claims. Screen for date of discovery of causal injury, not merely abuse events.
New Hampshire
3 years from discovery of injury and its causal relationship to act or omission
Rule: RSA 508:4, I (post-1986 amendment). Codified discovery rule for personal actions. Applies to causes arising on or after July 1, 1986. Conrad v. Hazen, 140 N.H. 249, 665 A.2d 372 (1995): cause of action 'arises' when all elements present; 'accrues' upon discovery of injury and cause.
Discovery: Common-law discovery rule codified: accrual upon plaintiff's discovery or reasonable-diligence discovery of injury AND causal relationship. Repressed memory may delay accrual.
Pre-1986 causes: 6-year limitations, common-law discovery rule applied. Screen date of abuse against July 1, 1986 cutoff for applicable statute.
South Carolina
6 years from accrual; 1 year after age 21 for claims accruing before Moriarty
Rule: S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-40 (1977). Moriarty v. Garden Sanctuary Church, 334 S.C. 150, 511 S.E.2d 699 (Ct. App. 1999), aff'd, 341 S.C. 320, 534 S.E.2d 672 (2000): discovery rule applies to repressed memory cases; repressed memory syndrome (Dissociative Amnesia) recognized as valid theory.
Discovery: Discovery rule applies where repressed memory prevents knowledge of abuse. Accrual delayed until memory recovered or reasonably discoverable. Overruled Doe v. R.D. rigid age-21 bar for repressed memory plaintiffs.
Post-Moriarty: repressed memory plaintiffs may invoke discovery rule to avoid 1-year-after-21 bar. Screen for documented therapy records, psychiatric diagnosis, or corroborating witnesses supporting repressed memory claim.
| State | SOL | Rule | Discovery Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⚠Arkansas | Age 21 (general personal injury); revival window struck down | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-104 (three-year personal injury); childhood sexual abuse claims subject to age-21 cap under pre-2021 law. Court of Appeals struck down Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sex Abuse Act revival provisions Feb. 5, 2025, citing 110+ years of precedent against reviving expired limitations periods. | — | Revival window CLOSED. Court of Appeals ruled legislature cannot revive time-barred claims. Pending cases dismissed. New filings must satisfy pre-2021 age-21 limitation or face certain dismissal. Active Assemblies of God litigation in Jonesboro (KATV, May 21, 2026) faces this bar. |
| California | Age 26 or 3 years from discovery, whichever is later; for entities with notice/knowledge of abuser and failure to safeguard, 3 years from discovery only | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.1(a)(1)-(3), (b)(1)-(2). Perpetrators: later of age 26 or 3 years from discovery. Non-abuser entities with notice of abuser and failure to implement safeguards: 3 years from discovery, no age cap. Other non-abusers: age 26 cap. Roe 58 v. Doe 1, 120 Cal.Rptr.3d 311 (Ct. App. 2011) confirmed structure. | Discovery of causal link between adult-onset psychological injury and molestation triggers 3-year period for perpetrator and notice-failure entity claims. Knowledge of abuse alone insufficient for non-perpetrator claims. | 2003 revival window (§ 340.1(c)) expired Dec. 31, 2003. No current revival. Screen for entity notice/failure-to-safeguard under subdivision (b)(2) to avoid age-26 cap. |
| Illinois | 10 years from date limitation period begins to run under subsection (d), or 5 years from discovery of abuse and causal injury, whichever is longer; no statute of repose | 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2(b), as amended 2003. Legislature removed statute of repose and clarified discovery rule. M.K. v. L.C., 901 N.E.2d 468, 387 Ill.App.3d 1077 (3d Dist. 2009): repeal of repose applies retroactively; claims not extinguished by former repose. | Discovery requires knowledge of both (i) abuse occurred AND (ii) injury caused by abuse. Knowledge of abuse alone insufficient. 5-year period runs from discovery of both elements. | No age cap. Repose repeal preserved otherwise-barred claims. Screen for date of discovery of causal injury, not merely abuse events. |
| New Hampshire | 3 years from discovery of injury and its causal relationship to act or omission | RSA 508:4, I (post-1986 amendment). Codified discovery rule for personal actions. Applies to causes arising on or after July 1, 1986. Conrad v. Hazen, 140 N.H. 249, 665 A.2d 372 (1995): cause of action 'arises' when all elements present; 'accrues' upon discovery of injury and cause. | Common-law discovery rule codified: accrual upon plaintiff's discovery or reasonable-diligence discovery of injury AND causal relationship. Repressed memory may delay accrual. | Pre-1986 causes: 6-year limitations, common-law discovery rule applied. Screen date of abuse against July 1, 1986 cutoff for applicable statute. |
| South Carolina | 6 years from accrual; 1 year after age 21 for claims accruing before Moriarty | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-40 (1977). Moriarty v. Garden Sanctuary Church, 334 S.C. 150, 511 S.E.2d 699 (Ct. App. 1999), aff'd, 341 S.C. 320, 534 S.E.2d 672 (2000): discovery rule applies to repressed memory cases; repressed memory syndrome (Dissociative Amnesia) recognized as valid theory. | Discovery rule applies where repressed memory prevents knowledge of abuse. Accrual delayed until memory recovered or reasonably discoverable. Overruled Doe v. R.D. rigid age-21 bar for repressed memory plaintiffs. | Post-Moriarty: repressed memory plaintiffs may invoke discovery rule to avoid 1-year-after-21 bar. Screen for documented therapy records, psychiatric diagnosis, or corroborating witnesses supporting repressed memory claim. |
Live intelligence
AI litigation brief
Assembly of God remains active litigation category with 26 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
No federal MDL exists; litigation remains decentralized in state courts. The lead Texas case involving Chi Alpha minister Daniel Savala proceeds in Harris County District Court before Judge Lauren Reeder, where the court imposed sanctions on the Assemblies of God national office for 'flagrant' discovery non-compliance in August 2025 and ordered CEO Doug Clay to sit for deposition. New filings continue: six Arkansas women sued in Craighead County Circuit Court in May 2026 alleging 15 years of cover-up; Maryland church litigation filed June 2026.
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 Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC
26 events detected
Google News (26)
Former youth ministers say pastor failed to stop sex abusers at Florida Assemblies of God church - The Roys Report
They say their pastor abused them as children. This week, they confronted him in court. - NBC News
Assembly of God marks centennial - journalnd.com
Crosby Assembly of God to mark centennial this week - journalnd.com
Ep. 608: Assemblies of God Liability Lawsuit, SWBTS Regains Accreditation, Sean Feucht Claims Church Status - MinistryWatch
Maryland church sued for allegedly ignoring of sexual abuse by former youth pastor - The Roys Report
Assemblies of God Disputes Liability in Abuse Cases - MinistryWatch
Ex-AG pastor, 81, sentenced to 10 years to life for child sexual assault - The Roys Report
Ex-AG pastor, 81, sentenced to 10 years to life for child sexual assault | The Roys Report - The Roys Report
The Alleged Victims of Abuse Who are Suing the Assemblies of God Are Accused of Doing the Devil’s Work. This Is Abusive,Theological Garbage. - thewartburgwatch.com
Emmanuel Assembly of God — celebrating a century of mission and service - Wilson County News
Women Sue Assemblies of God for Cover-Up of Abuse - Crosswalk.com
Nathan Peternel, AG pastor, to undergo ‘structured restorative process’ over homemade sex tapes - The Roys Report
South Texas Assemblies of God leader says victims’ lawsuit is ‘work of the Devil’ - The Roys Report
Child sexual abuse lawsuit against Jonesboro church expanded - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Women sue Assemblies of God church for alleged cover-up of pastor’s sexual abuse of girls - Christian Post
Years of ignored warnings freed a children’s pastor to sexually abuse girls, lawsuit says - NBC News
Lawsuit says Assemblies of God cover-up let Jonesboro church pastor abuse girls 15 years - KATV
Texas Assemblies of God facing crisis over sex abuse lawsuits - The Roys Report
Lawsuit Says Jonesboro Church Failed to Act Regarding Children’s Pastor’s Sexual Abuse of Young Girls - Jonesboro Right Now
Lawsuit alleges Jonesboro church leaders enabled years of abuse by former children's pastor - KTLO
South Texas Assemblies of God facing financial disaster as another sex abuse lawsuit is filed - The Roys Report
Civil Lawsuit Filed Against Assemblies Of God Entities Over Alleged Abuse In Jonesboro Arkansas - Arkansas Radio
IN Teen Challenge Faces Lawsuit for Trafficking and Forced Labor - MinistryWatch
Six women sue Assemblies of God, say church enabled children’s pastor’s abuse - K8 News | Jonesboro, Arkansas
Lawsuit alleges Jonesboro Assembly of God children’s minister molested young girls for 15 years - KARK
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AI Brief
Assembly of God remains active litigation category with 26 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
No federal MDL exists; litigation remains decentralized in state courts. The lead Texas case involving Chi Alpha minister Daniel Savala proceeds in Harris County District Court before Judge Lauren Reeder, where the court imposed sanctions on the Assemblies of God national office for 'flagrant' discovery non-compliance in August 2025 and ordered CEO Doug Clay to sit for deposition. New filings continue: six Arkansas women sued in Craighead County Circuit Court in May 2026 alleging 15 years of cover-up; Maryland church litigation filed June 2026.
Key developments
The Roys Report news on Jul 21: Former youth ministers say pastor failed to stop sex abusers at Florida Assemblies of God church - The Roys Report.
Generated Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC