A senior leader within the Assemblies of God has stepped aside from denominational leadership after a newly filed civil lawsuit leveled grave allegations of sexual abuse, grooming, and spiritual exploitation spanning more than two decades.
The lawsuit, filed January 26 in Pulaski County Circuit Court, names Rod Loy, longtime senior pastor of First Assembly of God and an Assemblies of God executive presbyter. The plaintiff, Suzanne Lander, alleges that Loy began sexually abusing her in 1996 when she was just 16 years old and continued to do so for approximately 20 years while wielding pastoral and spiritual authority.
According to the complaint, the alleged abuse involved grooming, manipulation, and repeated sexual exploitation carried out under the cover of religious leadership and trust. The lawsuit accuses Loy of sexual assault and battery and asserts that the church failed in its duty to protect a minor, alleging negligence and breach of fiduciary responsibility.
In response to the filing, Loy has categorically denied all allegations. Leadership at First Assembly of God has stated that the church was previously made aware of the accusations and commissioned an external investigation, which it claims found no evidence substantiating the allegations. Both Loy and the church have indicated they intend to vigorously contest the lawsuit in court.
Nevertheless, in light of the seriousness of the claims and the public scrutiny surrounding the case, Loy has voluntarily stepped aside from his role as an executive presbyter within the Assemblies of God while denominational processes and legal proceedings continue. The denomination has confirmed that an internal review is underway, emphasizing procedural integrity and due process.
The case has intensified ongoing national conversations around clergy accountability, institutional responsibility, and the handling of abuse allegations within religious organizations. While the lawsuit is civil in nature and no criminal charges have been publicly announced at this stage, the claims have sent shockwaves through evangelical and Pentecostal communities nationwide.
Legal proceedings are expected to continue in the coming months. As with all civil litigation, the allegations remain unproven unless and until adjudicated by the court.
