Assemblies of God Pastors Denounce Denominational Leaders Over Poor Response to Sex Abuse Scandal

Earlier this month, Savala was indicted for sexual abuse of two minors and his protege, an ordained AG minister, Chris Hundl.

In other cases, Will Robinson, former Chi Alpha chapter leader at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, was arrested last July on child sex abuse charges, while Chi Alpha North Texas District Director Eli Stewart was suspended from his position in May for alleged sexual misconduct.

“Missionaries have been arrested. A handful of others have been removed from the pulpit. All the while, the leaders of the districts and national office have remained silent,” Pastor J.R. Armstrong of Mauriceville All Gospel Church in Orange, Texas, told his congregation last month.

According to The Roys Report, Armstrong also played a clip from AG General Superintendent Doug Clay, the denomination’s highest official, who denounced Clay for allegedly downplaying the scandal as “hiccups” and “shortcomings” in the ministry.

But the failure of some individuals never trumps the strength and the purpose and the vitality of the particular ministry,” Clay said in the clip and asked anyone with Chi Alpha to stand up and receive applause. 

“Mr. Superintendent, I have no issue with prayer for Chi Alpha Ministries, but it rings hollow,” Armstrong argued. “And absent acknowledgment of its victims and prayer and empathy expressed for them, your statement is shameful.” 

In addition to Clay, Armstrong also called for the resignation of Clay; Donna Barrett, General Secretary of the AG; Tim Barker, AG’s South Texas District Superintendent; Don Weihe, Secretary of the AG’s South Texas District; Gaylan Claunch, AG’s North Texas District Superintendent; and E. Scott Martin, Senior National Director of Chi Alpha.

“I, as an ordained minister in good standing with the Assemblies of God, call on Doug Clay. . . and others to speak up, take responsibility and, where necessary, to resign,” said Armstrong. “And with some that will be necessary.” 

Albert Cortez of Family Life Assembly of God in Katy, Texas, expressed similar frustration.

“This is like a Netflix series,” Cortez told his congregation during the summer. “Chi Alpha (chapters) in south Texas have allowed a wolf in sheep’s clothing to infiltrate the campuses. I’m not talking 25 months – it was for the past 25 years.” 

Cortez also noted that Chi Alpha leaders would refer students to Savala for one-on-one counseling to Savala,  “who we find out later on was a sexual predator. (And) we’re finding out there are countless victims. Now you know why I’m angry.”

Pastor Jeff Gravis of Central Assembly of God in Haughton, La., lamented over the news of the abuse. 

“To say that my heart is broken over what is going on is an understatement,” Gravis, a former Chi Alpha leader himself, said.“This could have been avoided had leadership stepped up and called some people to account.” 

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Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for Christian Headlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.

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