Pastor Denies Long-Standing Sexual Abuse Allegations from Former Employee’s Wife
Pastor Rod Loy, a prominent figure within the Assemblies of God church community, is facing serious allegations from Suzanne Lander, the wife of a former youth pastor, who claims he sexually abused her for two decades beginning when she was just 16. Loy, who holds a significant leadership role as the Senior Pastor at First Assembly of God in North Little Rock, Arkansas, firmly refutes these claims.
First Assembly of God, a major congregation within the Assemblies of God denomination, responded to these allegations with a statement of defense. According to the church, an external investigation into the claims found no supporting evidence. “Our lead pastor and church have been accused of inappropriate behavior many years ago by a former employee. The church leadership takes accusations of this nature extremely seriously,” the church stated. They expressed readiness to contest Lander’s lawsuit, calling for community support during this challenging period.
Loy, who has been a leading figure in the church since 2001 and was recently elected as the Gulf-area executive presbyter, is known for his involvement in church governance and policy-making. Under his leadership, First Assembly of God has grown significantly, boasting over 16,500 members in 2017 and playing a role in establishing more than 1,350 churches globally.
Suzanne Lander, represented by attorneys Keith L. Langston and Basyle ‘Boz’ Tchividjian, has brought forth a lawsuit naming both Loy and the church as defendants. The lawsuit describes in detail allegations of sexual assault and manipulation, claiming Loy abused his position of trust to exploit Lander. “Defendant Loy’s conduct was extreme and outrageous, beyond all possible bounds of decency,” the lawsuit states, detailing how religious teachings were allegedly used to manipulate Lander.
Tchividjian praised Lander’s courage in pursuing the lawsuit, stating, “Her decision to come forward brings this egregious abuse into public view and underscores her determination to pursue justice.” The lawsuit asserts that the abuse began shortly after Lander joined the church in her teens and continued into her adulthood until 2016, extending even after her marriage.
The national office of the Assemblies of God has confirmed that Loy has temporarily stepped away from his executive duties while an independent investigation is conducted by the Arkansas District Assemblies of God.
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This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
