A prominent Arkansas pastor and executive leader within the Assemblies of God is denying serious allegations outlined in a newly filed civil lawsuit.
Pastor Rod Loy, senior pastor of First Assembly of God in North Little Rock and a Gulf-area executive presbyter for the Assemblies of God, has been accused by Suzanne Lander of sexually abusing her over a 20-year period beginning in 1996, when she was 16 years old.
The lawsuit, filed Jan. 26 in Pulaski County Circuit Court, alleges that the abuse included grooming, manipulation, and repeated sexual misconduct, some of which allegedly occurred while Lander was a minor. The complaint claims Loy used his spiritual authority and religious teachings to exert control.
Loy and church leadership strongly deny the allegations.
In a statement, First Assembly of God said the church previously conducted an external investigation after becoming aware of the claims and "found nothing to substantiate the allegations." Church officials added that Pastor Loy and the board "vehemently deny these claims" and are prepared to defend against the lawsuit.
The Assemblies of God national office confirmed that Loy has voluntarily stepped away from his executive presbyter role while the Arkansas District conducts an independent review.
First Assembly of God is one of the largest congregations in the Assemblies of God fellowship, previously reporting more than 16,000 members and significant global church-planting efforts.
The case is currently moving through the court system as both civil proceedings and denominational review continue.
