Assemblies of God Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Child Abuse by Pastor
A lawsuit filed in Craighead County Circuit Court accuses Refuge Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, along with regional and national Assemblies of God leaders, of disregarding reports of abuse by Tony Waller, a former children’s pastor. The complaint, submitted by six women, alleges that Waller groomed, molested, and secretly filmed girls for 15 years at the church.
Accusations Against Tony Waller
Over a decade before police found explicit images on Waller’s computer, the suit claims that girls at his church attempted to alert adults about hidden cameras and inappropriate behavior. Reports about Waller’s conduct began surfacing in 2000, yet the church leaders reportedly failed to act decisively. A temporary suspension in 2004 followed discovery of a hidden camera but did not lead to permanent removal from ministry.
The abuse only ceased in 2015 when Waller’s wife found incriminating images on his computer, leading to his arrest. He pleaded guilty in 2016 to raping two girls and received a life sentence.
Women’s Lawsuit Aiming for Accountability
Stephanie Davis, one of the plaintiffs, stated she aims to hold church leaders accountable and ensure the Assemblies of God implements stricter child protection policies. She revealed her family previously reported Waller’s misconduct, underscoring systemic failures in addressing abuse allegations.
Assemblies of God’s Responses
NBC News conducted a yearlong investigation revealing patterns of reinstating accused ministers and not alerting authorities, contributing to ongoing abuse risks. The Assemblies of God has resisted mandatory child protection measures, though they claim they encourage abuse prevention measures.
The General Council of the Assemblies of God stated they didn’t learn of Waller’s actions until 2015 and assert having a zero-tolerance policy for abuse. They emphasize encouraging churches to adopt preventative strategies.
Church and Former Pastor Deny Negligence
Refuge Church, previously Jonesboro First Assembly of God, did not respond to requests for comments but claimed enhanced safety policies post-Waller’s arrest. Former pastor Mike Glover, accused of negligence, denied knowing about any concrete allegations against Waller or reports concerning a hidden camera.
Glover recounted being informed only of concerns regarding Waller’s interactions with children, without specific accusations of misconduct.
Prior Warnings and Investigations
In 2000, Jonesboro police investigated Waller based on reports of inappropriate contact with a minor. Despite concerning findings, no charges were filed after the girl did not confirm misconduct. Glover reportedly was informed about Waller’s ban from a local school to prevent future contact with young students.
Youth Report Inappropriate Actions
Years later, girls in Waller’s homeschool program were reportedly required to disrobe for stretches, discovering hidden recording devices. Davis describes a similar incident where she was allegedly drugged by Waller. Despite reports by Davis and another girl, church leaders purportedly addressed it inadequately, allowing Waller to continue his role.
Continued Abuse and Consequences
Even after Waller’s manipulation surfaced once again through further allegations in the mid-2000s, a full investigation or permanent removal from his church position was not initiated. Hidden camera footage confirmed ongoing abusive conduct until his arrest in 2015.
The legal proceeding seeks to prompt Assemblies of God to enforce stringent safety requirements to prevent such events from occurring in the future. Davis emphasizes that the lawsuit’s core purpose is preventing similar abuse by instituting mandatory child safety and reporting protocols.