Southern Baptists accused of cover-up of sexual abuse accusations

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Investigators found that there were “credible” allegations that the respected evangelical leader, Reverend Johnny Hunt, allegedly assaulted another pastor’s wife in 2010. Georgia-based Hunt was a former president of the powerful Southern Baptist Convention.

The Rev. Derrick Jackson, executive pastor of administration at First Baptist Church Woodstock, said the church was unaware of the allegations against Hunt, who served as pastor there until December 2019. The mega-church has 10,000 members.

Hunt served as president from June 2008 through June 2010. And he posted on Twitter that his “heart breaks for all victims of abuse” and “vigorously” denied allegations that he was an abuser.

 Paul Pressler, a Texas judge, and former SBC vice president is currently the defendant in a lawsuit. He allegedly sexually abused the male plaintiff starting at the age of 14-years-old.

Two other men gave affidavits accusing Pressler of similar sexual misconduct. 

Other specific allegations appeared in the report implicating staff of at least 10 SBC churches.

Cover-up of sexual abuse

The release of the 288-page report was timed to coincide with the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting & Pastor’s Conference scheduled for June 12-15 in Anaheim, California.