Former Youth Pastor Files Lawsuit Against San Jose Church Alleging Ignored Sexual Abuse Reports

A former female youth pastor has filed a lawsuit against a San Jose church, alleging that church leaders ignored reports of sexual harassment and abuse by another youth pastor. Dana Huang, who worked as a youth minister under Brett Bymaster, claims the church failed to address her concerns and those of other youth ministry members.

Huang filed the civil lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California in Santa Clara County on July 29. The complaint names The New River Church Community Inc. and its parent organizations, the Pacific Southwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and the Evangelical Covenant Church. Bymaster, the former youth pastor at the center of the allegations, is not named in the lawsuit, and the church has distanced itself from the claims, stating it “respectfully disputes many of the allegations.”

According to the complaint, Bymaster subjected Huang and other youth ministry members to unwanted sexual harassment and misconduct during her employment with the church. Huang began working under Bymaster’s supervision in January 2017 and resigned after her complaints were dismissed. The complaint states that her concerns were minimized, invalidated, and not investigated.

In March 2021, Dr. Jean Cheng Gorman of the Pacific Southwest Conference agreed that an investigation into Bymaster’s actions was necessary. However, the complaint claims the church intended to keep the investigation internal and confidential, fearing retaliation. Church leaders reportedly maintained that Bymaster was an influential and dominant figure within the youth ministry.

Huang’s superiors allegedly chastised her for raising concerns, referring to Bymaster as her “spiritual parent” and suggesting she had much to learn from him. The complaint states that despite multiple reports of misconduct, efforts were made to protect and validate Bymaster’s position.

The lawsuit includes a range of allegations that the church allegedly ignored, including failure to conduct a proper investigation, lack of accountability, and failure to protect minors. The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in church leadership, as well as the need for safe reporting mechanisms for those in vulnerable positions. Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, a principle that should guide the actions of any organization entrusted with the care of minors.

Source: Read the original report