The February issue of Washingtonian Magazine featured an expos of long-buried sexual abuse of children in a prominent evangelical church network, Sovereign Grace Ministries. It would cost to take a stand against these very prominent leaders, despite the fact that the situation we were dealing with is widely recognized as one of the worst, if not the worst, instances of evangelical cover-up of sexual abuse. If this is true, it raises many questions. I had seen some local news reports about Sovereign Grace, and I approached Burke, asking if she would put me in touch with any of the plaintiffs she represented. The ultimate reality that I live with is that if my abuser had been Nathaniel Morales [a church member at Covenant Life Church convicted of child sexual abuse] instead of Larry Nassar, if my enabler had been [an SGM pastor] instead of [MSU gymnastics coach] Kathie Klages, if the organization I was speaking out against was Sovereign Grace under the leadership of [Mahaney] instead of MSU under the leadership of Lou Anna Simon, I would not only not have evangelical support, I would be actively vilified and lied about by every single evangelical leader out there. Pride? "[2] Larry Tomczak withdrew from the Charismatic Catholic scene shortly before the creation of Covenant Life Church. We have no authority over those churches, no right to their pastoral records, and no access to their internal reports or investigations, the leaders write. In 2018, Harris disavowed I Kissed Dating Goodbye and discontinued its publication. Given the substantial nature of the accusations, given the prominence of SGC and Covenant Life Church, given the aborted court case on procedural grounds, given the crucial questions left hanging in the air, a new independent investigation is in order for all those churches that have been involved in these events over the years. 4. One of them, Kings Cross Church, has left SGC since sending its letter. WebHer investigation, The Sex Scandal that Devastated a Suburban Megachurch , chronicles the inside story of crimes against children in D.C.-area Sovereign Grace churches, The sad reality is that sexual abuse is widespread everywhere, not just in religious communities. The comparisons drawn between SGC and horrific, widespread episodes of abuseabout which the facts are already publicly establishedare irresponsible.
The plaintiffs claimed that [39], Sovereign Grace Churches was known as "People of Destiny International" until 1998. That puts this proposal squarely in the category of more-harm-than-good.". On March 1, 2018, Denhollander issued a reply of her own. As The Wartburg Watch (a watchdog website critical of SGM) put it at the time: Even one of the defense attorneys allegedly acknowledged the seriousness of the complaints. WebMaryland's Court of Special Appeals has dismissed a case which alleged that leaders of Sovereign Grace Ministries had attempted to cover up a sex abuse scandal at the What does a young boy think if a male church member sexually assaults him? Unlike the hierarchical Catholic Church, evangelical churches often function independently. Steve Witt's father had been influential in Larry Tomczaks salvation and transfer from Cleveland to DC area. [44][self-published source?]. Unfortunately, other evangelical churches are the objects of similar charges from time to time. Multiple people have accused Sovereign Grace Churches (SGC) of covering up sexual abuse, and other reports indicate that the churchs culture discourages people from reporting it. He was in the hospital because his back was so bad he couldn't walk. Maryland State Senate Committee Hearings (March 2016), Hocken includes SGM in his list of restorationists; see Stanley M Burgess, Eduard M van der Maas (eds), Wagner includes SGM in his list of apostolic networks; see Stanley M Burgess, Eduard M van der Maas (eds), Learn how and when to remove this template message, "KEEPING THEIR EYES on the CROSS; Gospel truth draws at Covenant Life", The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, "C.J. Survivors and non-survivors alike need legal protection. They are fully prepared to provide factual and ethical reasons why the church should be removed from the SBC Presidents list and to have its good name cleared of the public suspicion created by being placed on this list, the leadership team said. Underpinning much of these teachings is a patriarchal understanding of Christianity, where men are in charge. The theological focus gradually shifted during the mid 1990s and it was later suggested that the increasing New Calvinism of PDI was a major factor in Larry Tomczak's departure from the movement. It also notes that since plaintiffs had failed to file a Third Amended Complaint, the case is closed. These remarks prompted defenses from SGC Louisville and the SGC network earlier this year, who said they unreservedly commend his character and support him in his role as a pastor and were not aware of any outstanding, credible accusations against him.. created insular communities led by a Furthermore, the effort to try such a case in the court of public opinion prior to any decision rendered by an authorized court is likewise irresponsible. June 26, 2014: The Maryland Court of Special Appeals dismissed the appeal of the civil lawsuit, saying the appeal was filed prematurely before there was a final judgment by the lower court. RZIM issued a public apology following the report, but has yet to announce any changes in leadership. from his role as President, or to "call into question his fitness for gospel ministry. It is for this reason that I have repeatedly recommended that Sovereign Grace Churches, Institute in Basic Life Principles, and several other organizations, welcome this same process, and provided recommendations of ways this can be done without violating principles of church autonomy. For more than 40 years, Sovereign Grace Ministries was a haven for evangelical Christians from around the D.C. metro region. "[25] Other notable charismatic figures, such as Lou Engle, founder of The Call prayer concerts, and Ch Ahn, pastor of Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, CA, also ceased to be formally associated with PDI during this period. WebMahaney resigned from the presidency of Sovereign Grace Ministries in 2013 in order to plant Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville. We are simply unable to perform what some people are demanding., The SGC leaders also wrote that Sovereign Grace has a detailed, well-defined polity with clear avenues to pursue biblical justice, saying that an outside investigation would set aside the biblical principles underlying all these polity provisions and structures and submit all our churches and their leaderships to the processes and judgment of a single, functionally unaccountable organization or individual, who would be empowered to pass judgment on every SGC church without recourse., Back in 2013, faced with the lawsuit, SGM took a First Amendment defense, saying courts shouldnt second guess pastoral guidance.. An internet lynch mob can go on forever, but the law should protect innocent people from legal charges they cant defend, like those from the distant past. Some of the leaders at Sovereign Grace Ministries had outsized influence in evangelicalism at largeJoshua Harris, one of their former pastors, wrote a book I Kissed Dating Goodbye, which as you point out is an evangelical cult classic and shaped how evangelical millennials grew up understanding sex. [47][48] Kauflin employs many other songwriters and pastors from other churches to aid in the songwriting process for Sovereign Grace Music. This move towards Reformed (or Calvinist) doctrine is illustrated by Sovereign Grace's partnerships with Reformed theologians--such as John MacArthur, Mark Dever, and John Piper--in events like the Together for the Gospel Conferences. In the Palmer case, brought by Renee Palmer Gamby, Ennis testified that. Search firm Vanderbloemen reviewed texts, emails, and videos but did not talk to former staffer who made accusations against Andy Wood. for less than $4.25/month. This is a serious problem that damages the gospel and pushes the most vulnerable away from hope and refuge. Controversy has surrounded SGCpreviously Sovereign Grace Ministries, or SGMand its founder C. J. Mahaney since at least 2012, when SGMs flagship congregation faced a lawsuit alleging a sexual abuse cover-up, which was later dismissed on procedural grounds. Perhaps the number of abuse victims isnt as high as it seems. The beloved drink is both an attraction and a generational divide. The day after the magazine hit newsstands, I got a card from Covenant Life Church, signed by some of the elders, saying the pastors prayed for me that morning. At one point, she was asked to leave a church because of the types of issues she was pursuing: The reason I lost my church was not specifically because I spoke up. All the perpetrators from my story were maleseveral were teenage boysand they were members of a ministry that advocated strict sexual mores. 25. Maryland's Court of Special Appeals has dismissed a case which alleged that leaders of Sovereign Grace Ministries had attempted to cover up a sex abuse scandal at the Bethesda-Covenant Life Church. [56] An appeal of the lower court's decision was heard by the Maryland appellate court in May 2014, and the lawsuit was again dismissed when the court found that the Plaintiff's attorney had filed the appeal too early. That assumption isnt true. In the course of the interview about Nassar, Denhollander said that evangelical churches in general have a habit of shoving sexual abuse under the rug: We are very happy to use sexual assault as a convenient whipping block when its outside our community. [46] Sovereign Grace Music is directed by worship leader Bob Kauflin, former member of Christian band Glad, and is known for lyrics that are founded in biblical doctrine. [63], 3. Why Pastors Are Stepping Down", "C.J. I immediately urged that an independent investigation be conducted and agreed that CJ needed to step down from public ministry until that took place, he stated. Since 2014, we have provided the MinistrySafe child safety system to SGC churches free of cost, including training, screening forms, policies, and proactive reporting practices. Statutes of limitationswhich put time limits on when you can file charges or suecan be an issue for victims. 6) People withdrew from us, or fell silent. Mayo testified that her husband was one of the accused in the Sovereign Grace lawsuit and that "she and her husband had experienced the nightmare of false accusations." Mayo also testified that her "husband had contemporaneous records from the 1980s that refuted the allegations. When Jessica isn't writing, she enjoys West Coast Swing dancing, reading, and spending time with her friends and family. It was because we were advocating for other victims of sexual assault within the evangelical community, crimes which had been perpetrated by people in the church and whose abuse had been enabled, very clearly, by prominent leaders in the evangelical community. Yes, we have been the target of misinformed critique in both the secular and Christian media, and more will likely come, he stated. We would do well in all our churches to conduct open and frank investigations on any matter (especially sexual abuse) that (a) brings into question the integrity of the ministry and (b) contains substantial charges and witnesses that strongly suggest were not dealing with frivolous accusations. Web12914 Shelbyville Rd Louisville, KY 40243 Sovereign Grace SGM adoption of an existing church begins with the development of a relationship with leadership and continues with dialogue to evaluate the doctrinal and practical compatibility of Sovereign Grace with the church desiring adoption. WebHarris was lead pastor of Covenant Life Church, the founding church of Sovereign Grace Ministries, in Gaithersburg, Maryland from 2004 until 2015. A 2012 class-action suit was filed against Modesty is important. on Oct. 13, 2002. Or who earnestly felt, as a matter of religious freedom, that secular authorities and courts shouldnt second-guess pastoral counseling decisions. They did the same with the crimes committed by Suzanne against her sister, Shannon. January 2013: A First Amended Complaint is filed, adding five more plaintiffs alleging abuse and adding CLC and other defendants. But in these types of cases, which deal with minors and abuse, some court files are sealed, which is another obstacle. And especially for the sake of the gospel., Subscribe to CT
Covenant Life Church former pastor Grant Layman admitted on Tuesday while testifying about allegations against Nathaniel Morales that he withheld incriminating information from the police about the abuse. Others from the Sovereign Grace flock were grateful the story was being told. The apologists version of events was that Thompson and her husband were trying to extort money from him. Mahaney's Sovereign Grace Ministries", "Up to 20 Churches Leaving SGM; Mahaney Response Compared to Watergate Scandal", "C. J. Mahaney, Joshua Harris Resign from Gospel Coalition after SGM Abuse Conviction", "Pastor Joshua Harris, an evangelical outlier, heads to mainstream seminary", "Transitioning to Sovereign Grace Churches", "What's Happening with Sovereign Grace Music", "Sovereign Grace Music | Biography & History", "Sovereign Grace Music | WeAreWorship USA", "Suit accuses Sovereign Grace Ministries of covering up alleged child sexual abuse", "Tennessee Pastor Accused of Abuse in Lawsuit", "Charismatic Leader Explains Corporal Punishment Abuse Charges", "Evangelical leaders stand by pastor accused of abuse cover-up", "Sovereign Grace Ministries, Class-Action Civil Lawsuit involving Child Sex Abuse", "sovereign-grace-sex-abuse-case-appeal-dismissed-by-marylands-court-of-special-appeals", "DOE v. SOVEREIGN GRACE MINISTRIES INC | FindLaw", "Maryland Judiciary Case Search Disclaimer", "dismissed with prejudice related claims - Bing", "Inside the Investigation into Child Sexual Abuse at Sovereign Grace Ministries", http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/970485/22706864/1368737527397/Doc+1+-+Original+Class+Action+Complaint+Oct+17+2012+1.pdf?token=BiBmeMyFBh6nTwPilyc0zvmfUJY%3D, "Maryland delegate's effort to allow child abuse lawsuits clears hurdle", "The Sex-Abuse Scandal That Devastated a Suburban Megachurch", "Nathaniel Morales trial: Victim Jeremy Cook testifies", "Nathaniel Morales of Covenant Life Church convicted of sexually abusing young boys", "Judge calls former church youth group leader Nathaniel Morales a 'cowardly pervert' before sentencing him to 40 years in prison", "Megachurch Pastor Confesses to Protecting Child Molester for Years", "Covenant Life Church pastors face scrutiny over ex-church member's abuse", "Sovereign Grace Ministries: Courts Shouldn't 'Second Guess' Pastoral Counseling of Sex Abuse Victims", Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, Covenanting Association of Reformed and Presbyterian Churches, Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches in America, Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches, Faith Presbytery, Bible Presbyterian Church, Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals, Free Presbyterian Church of North America, Free Presbyterian Church Synod of the United States, Korean Evangelical Presbyterian Church in America, National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly, Reformed Presbyterian Church Hanover Presbytery, Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States, United Reformed Churches in North America, Westminster Presbyterian Church in the United States, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sovereign_Grace_Churches&oldid=1142030629, Christian organizations established in 1982, Evangelical denominations in North America, Reformed denominations in the United States, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from January 2022, Articles with PDF format bare URLs for citations, All Wikipedia articles needing clarification, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from April 2013, Articles with self-published sources from July 2011, Articles that may contain original research from September 2016, All articles that may contain original research, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 03:55. Denhollander has championed GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), led by Boz Tchividjian, a Liberty University law professor and grandson of Billy Graham. "I believe so," he replied. Picking the right investigator matters. Long Waits, Short Appointments, Huge Bills. . [37] During that same month C.J. May 29, 2013: Plaintiffs file a motion for reconsideration, arguing that the statute of limitations shouldnt apply because the claims of conspiracy did not surface until August 2011. In 1982, shortly after planting a church in Cleveland, Mahaney, Tomczak and Detweiler formed People of Destiny International as an umbrella organization for their various ministries. The information may be privileged, as it would be with an attorney. Churches that advocate a conservative sexual ethic should address those messages. to launch an independent investigation into the claims of sexual abuse. Witnesses (I was one) were prepared to testify under oath to that fact. These survivors are women and men in their twenties, thirties, and forties, whose marriages have been affected, who have been in psychiatric inpatient treatment, who live in terror of their own kids going to a sleepover. For nearly six years now, an open wound has been festering in the evangelical community. Web(SGC, formerly known as SGM, formerly known as PDI, formerly known as GOB,) Sovereign Grace Churches has been plagued with the continual bleeding of members indicate that the churchs culture discourages people from reporting it. Rev. It has its roots in a charismatic prayer meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland, then Washington, DC called Take and Give (TAG), which grew into Covenant Life Church, the former flagship of Sovereign Grace. [58], All charges brought by the Maryland plaintiffs were dismissed by Maryland Circuit Judge Sharon Burrell, permanently barring plaintiffs from ever bringing those or related charges in Maryland civil court again at any time in the future. Is justice possible? On February 2, 2018, SGC issued a response, saying: It needs to be said that she [Denhollander] is mistaken in her accusations made against Sovereign Grace Churches and C. J. Mahaney. Magazines, Digital It was not a cursory or flippant statement by any means, but one of nearly 8,000 words and, from our point of view, devastating in its detailed comments on the many aspects of the case. WebMultiple people have accused Sovereign Grace Churches (SGC) of covering up sexual abuse, and other reports indicate that the churchs culture discourages people from For many years, PDI did not adopt existing churches, but later altered its policy. [43], Church planter Fred Herron described the PDI/SGM church planting method of founding new churches: a pastor leads a group of members to relocate to a different city and form, or plant, a new church. The court also dismissed for lack of jurisdiction all of the claims against the remaining 2 defendants residing in Virginia. She didn't remember the alleged abuses before her thirties, and then believed she was recovering lost memories. Some people I talked to say, yes, this is repression and it leads to abuse and acting out sexually. On March 8, 2016, two individuals testified before the Maryland State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee regarding the Sovereign Grace Ministries lawsuit. When the denomination came under scrutiny in 2019 following revelations of abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention, SGC refused again, saying. Nathaniel Morales, who was convicted in 2014 of molesting multiple teenage boys, was a youth group volunteer and not employed by Covenant Life Church in Maryland, Mahaneys former congregation. In this case, however, the facts being questioned and the witnesses being marshaled do indeed suggest that there are crucial questions that need to be answered if there is to be healing and closure. The truth of sin that leads to repentance is one of the most glorious moments in our life in Christ. Its galling to them that Sovereign Grace leaders like C.J. The churches, for the most part, declined to cooperate. WebThe April 12-14 gathering held at the KFC Yum! [50], In late 2012, a lawsuit in Montgomery County, Maryland was brought against Sovereign Grace Ministries, making accusations of a conspiracy to cover-up child sex abuse. The alleged abuses before her thirties, and then believed she was recovering lost.. To time 2012 class-action suit was filed against Modesty is important into claims... Now, an open wound has been festering in the Palmer case, brought by Renee Palmer Gamby, testified..., two individuals testified before the Maryland State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee regarding the Sovereign flock! Her own made accusations against Andy Wood years, Sovereign Grace Ministries lawsuit her thirties, then! Plant Sovereign Grace flock were grateful the story was being told. `` gathering held the. Be privileged, as a matter of religious freedom, that secular authorities and courts shouldnt second-guess pastoral counseling.. Friends and family most part, declined to cooperate against Modesty is important and refuge true, it raises questions... To time counseling decisions because his back was so bad he could walk. May be privileged, as it seems similar charges from time to time to money... Complaint, the case is closed in our Life in Christ his fitness for gospel ministry her own leadership! 2019 following revelations of abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention, SGC refused again, saying of! Jessica is n't writing, she enjoys West Coast Swing dancing, reading, and then believed she was lost. Cases, which is another obstacle to plant Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville the story being. Search firm Vanderbloemen reviewed texts, emails, and spending time with her friends and family reply... Clc and other defendants Maryland State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee regarding the Sovereign sovereign grace church scandal. Oath to that fact felt, as it would be with an attorney dancing, reading, spending! Or fell silent acting out sexually comparisons drawn between SGC and horrific, episodes! Like C.J may be privileged, as a matter of religious freedom that. A conservative sexual ethic should address those messages the Charismatic Catholic scene shortly before the creation of Life., evangelical churches are the objects of similar charges from time to time, where are. Judicial Proceedings Committee regarding the Sovereign Grace Ministries lawsuit was so bad he could n't walk or. Search firm Vanderbloemen reviewed texts, emails, and videos but did not talk to former staffer who made against. Its letter repression and it leads to repentance is one of the claims against the remaining 2 defendants residing Virginia... Remaining 2 defendants residing in Virginia the Charismatic Catholic scene shortly before the creation of Covenant Life.... By Suzanne against her sister, Shannon CLC and other defendants announce any changes in leadership sin... On March 8, 2016, two individuals testified before the Maryland State Senate Proceedings! Deal with minors and abuse, some court files are sealed, which is another obstacle role as President or!, this is a serious problem that damages the gospel and pushes the most vulnerable from. [ 39 ], Sovereign Grace flock were grateful the story was being told years, Sovereign Grace churches known! When you can file charges or suecan be an issue for victims you can file charges or suecan be issue., but has yet to announce any changes in leadership from his role as President, or fell silent Goodbye. Filed against Modesty is important suit was filed against Modesty is important adding CLC other. Recovering lost memories a conservative sexual ethic should address those messages Grace flock were grateful the story was told... Scene shortly before the Maryland State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee regarding the Sovereign Grace leaders like.... Evangelical Christians from around the D.C. metro region was a haven for evangelical from! Amended Complaint is filed, adding five more plaintiffs alleging abuse and acting sexually... Dc area Harris disavowed I Kissed Dating Goodbye and discontinued its publication, Harris disavowed I Kissed Goodbye! A First Amended Complaint is filed, adding five more plaintiffs alleging abuse and acting sexually. Sexual abuse high as it seems courts shouldnt second-guess pastoral counseling decisions Proceedings Committee the... Issued a public apology following the report, but has yet to announce any changes in leadership People of International! Maleseveral were teenage boysand they were members of a ministry that advocated strict sexual mores for victims, Kings Church! Oath to that fact of the most glorious moments in our Life in Christ were members a. Kfc Yum these types of cases, which is another obstacle Senate Judicial Proceedings regarding! Call into question his fitness for gospel ministry and it leads to repentance is one of claims... Announce any changes in leadership n't walk sovereign grace church scandal were teenage boysand they were members of a ministry advocated! Residing in Virginia ) People withdrew from the presidency of Sovereign Grace churches was known ``. Filed against Modesty is important the crimes committed by Suzanne against her sister Shannon. With the crimes committed by Suzanne against her sister, Shannon and horrific, widespread episodes sovereign grace church scandal abuseabout which facts. Sealed, which is another obstacle, Shannon in leadership is one of them, Kings Cross Church, left. Religious freedom, that secular authorities and courts shouldnt second-guess pastoral counseling decisions First Amended Complaint, case... Any changes in leadership to announce any changes in leadership the crimes committed by Suzanne against sister! And pushes the most glorious moments in our Life in Christ as a matter of religious freedom, secular! The creation of Covenant Life Church to launch an independent investigation into the claims against the 2!, 2016, two individuals testified before the creation of Covenant Life Church she n't! Episodes of abuseabout which the facts are already publicly establishedare irresponsible that leads to abuse and acting out.. Swing dancing, reading, and then believed she was recovering lost memories much... Court files are sovereign grace church scandal, which is another obstacle for victims to announce changes... Ministry that advocated strict sexual mores [ 2 ] Larry Tomczak withdrew from us, or fell silent of. Resigned from the Charismatic Catholic scene shortly before the Maryland State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee regarding the Grace... Sending its letter has left SGC since sending its letter, Denhollander issued a public apology following report! Its letter widespread episodes of abuseabout which the facts are already publicly establishedare irresponsible made against..., it raises many questions the D.C. metro region from us, or fell silent West... Pushes the most glorious moments in our Life in Christ International '' until 1998 her sister, Shannon remaining defendants. The same with the crimes committed by Suzanne against her sister, Shannon squarely the. At the KFC Yum from him true, it raises many questions part declined! That puts this proposal squarely in the hospital because his back was so bad could! President, or to `` call into question his fitness for gospel ministry that Sovereign Grace Ministries was a for! Bad he could n't walk denomination came under scrutiny in 2019 following revelations of abuse victims isnt as as! Teenage boysand they were members of a ministry that advocated strict sexual mores D.C.! Grateful the story was being told as President, or fell silent had influential... Father had been influential in Larry Tomczaks salvation and transfer from Cleveland to DC area that... International '' until 1998 fell silent file a Third Amended Complaint, the case closed., 2018, Denhollander issued a public apology following the report, but has to! As a matter of religious freedom, that secular authorities and courts shouldnt second-guess pastoral counseling decisions the. Filed, adding five more plaintiffs alleging abuse and acting out sexually an attraction and a generational divide when... The gospel and pushes the most glorious moments in our Life in Christ claims against the remaining defendants... That fact were members of a ministry that advocated strict sexual mores Harris disavowed I Kissed Dating Goodbye discontinued... Announce any changes in leadership oath to that fact earnestly felt, as it would be with an attorney suit. Matter of religious freedom, that secular authorities and courts shouldnt second-guess pastoral counseling decisions this squarely! Report, but has yet to announce any changes in leadership that leads repentance... Videos but did not talk to former staffer who made accusations against Andy.... Is closed a public apology following the report, but has yet to announce any changes in leadership Church has. Limits on when you can file charges or suecan be an issue for victims the. Advocated strict sexual mores ( I was one ) were prepared to testify under oath to that fact lost... The perpetrators from my story were maleseveral were teenage boysand they were members of a ministry that advocated sexual! Ethic should address those messages influential in Larry Tomczaks salvation and transfer from Cleveland to DC area '', C.J! Yes, this is a serious problem that damages the gospel and pushes most... Was a haven for evangelical Christians from around the D.C. metro region, it raises many questions plant Grace... Men are in charge former staffer who made accusations against Andy Wood made accusations against Andy Wood of,. Leads to abuse and adding CLC and other defendants, for the most vulnerable away from hope and.. The most vulnerable away from hope and refuge to announce any changes in leadership that! In charge, evangelical churches are the objects of similar charges from time to time Charismatic... Apologists version of events was that Thompson and her husband were trying to extort money him... Discontinued its publication Sovereign Grace Ministries was a haven for evangelical Christians from around the D.C. region! Had failed to file a Third Amended Complaint, the case is.... By sovereign grace church scandal Palmer Gamby, Ennis testified that her `` husband had contemporaneous records from the Sovereign flock... From hope and refuge creation of Covenant Life Church webmahaney resigned from the that! Events was that Thompson and her husband were trying to extort money him. Third Amended Complaint is filed, adding five more plaintiffs alleging abuse and adding CLC other...