Georgia Pastor Pleads Guilty to Cruelty to Children, Returns to Pulpit

Russell Jon Tusing II, a Georgia pastor who pleaded guilty to cruelty to children, returned to the pulpit in September 2025, sharing a message on the importance of “childlike” faith. His recent preaching at Grace Covenant Worship Center in Hogansville, Georgia, followed a legal process that included charges, a guilty plea, and a sentence that has left his future uncertain.

Tusing was accused of domestic violence, sexual assault, and cruelty to a 13-year-old child in 2024. His ex-wife, Sarah Tusing, and their children reported fearing for their safety. One of Tusing’s adult sons described his father as a danger to the public, stating, “I and my immediate … family are absolutely terrified at what he is and what he is capable of doing when he is free in the public.”

The former pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of LaGrange, Georgia, was arrested in March 2024. The LaGrange church, part of the Sovereign Grace Churches organization, faced prior accusations of covering up abuse. The church is now closed. Tusing’s legal troubles intensified as the Troup County district attorney dropped two charges in December 2025. He ultimately pleaded guilty to cruelty to children in the first degree.

As a first-time offender, Tusing received a 10-year sentence, to be served on probation. If he meets the requirements, the felony will not remain on his record, according to Judge Nina Markette Baker. Tusing spent nearly two years in county jail before his guilty plea, as documented in court records.

Despite his legal troubles, Tusing resumed his pastoral role at Grace Covenant Worship Center, where he has been worshippers since January 2025. In his sermon, he emphasized the importance of knowing God as a father and cultivating childlike faith. He shared stories about his four children, noting that his two daughters would run to hug him after church every Sunday.

Sarah Tusing, who testified in court, described her former husband as a man who gained trust as a pastor but was abusive and violent behind closed doors. She stated, “Husband, father, pastor. Those titles should be comforting, held in high regard, trusted, and respected. Not in the case of Russell. He violated each of those roles in the worst way.” She described Tusing as an abuser, deceitful, angry, violent, a drunk, and an oppressive man, highlighting the gravity of his actions.

The case underscores the need for accountability and transparency within church leadership, as well as the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals. Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, a call that remains urgent in the face of abuse and neglect.

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