Baltimore Megachurch to Investigate Abuse Accusations
A Baltimore megachurch has promised their congregation that they will begin looking into the allegations of dozens of previous members who have come forward stating that they were abused sexually as children by church leaders and members alike.
As the Christian Post reported, Greater Grace World Outreach says they will begin an investigation into these allegations that prominent male figures and members sexually assaulted many minors in the church years ago.
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In a June 30 update from the elders of Greater Grace World Outreach to their congregation, the church condemned any horrific actions that have taken place.
“Most of you are likely aware of reports in recent weeks involving accusations and accounts of sexual abuse in our church’s history,” the statement began.
“As a church staff and community of Believers, our hearts are grieved at the thought that anyone who was ever a part of this church could have been a victim of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse of anyone—especially children—is sinful, abhorrent, and reprehensible. Period.”
The church further promised to hire a well-recognized outside firm to thoroughly investigate into these allegations.
“This firm will have wide latitude to do its work in a thorough, objective, and unbiased way. They will provide a comprehensive assessment of how this church has responded to such cases, and especially how we have listened to and cared for victims. This firm will then conduct a detailed critique of our culture, policies, processes, and practices. We intend to hire a firm in the next several weeks.”
Right now, Greater Grace is expecting the investigation to take approximately six months, promising to give a full report once the investigation has been completed.
“We ask that you pray with us during this process, and especially for those who have been victims of sexual abuse in our church, and that this process would be helpful in their healing,” the statement concluded.
As The Baltimore Banner described, former Greater Grace members who are acknowledging themselves as “The Millstones” have been looking into the cases of the alleged assaults. Per the Christian Post, 2019 saw around 32 people come forward to the group saying they had been abused as children in the church. Eighteen others have also reached out as alleged victims.
“Nothing Greater Grace World Outreach leader say can undo the harm they have done,” a Facebook post by The Millstones read.
“We do not trust any promises made by GGWO given their repeated disparagement of victim-survivors, and the track-record of current leaders who have dismissed abuse and vilified any criticism of GGWO. They still have not taken any responsibility for the information that is already public or their continued pattern of victim-blaming,” the post ended.
Lift up Greater Grace World Outreach in prayer as they embark on this tragic investigation.
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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
