Southern Baptist Convention Named in Federal Lawsuit Over Pawleys Island Church Sex Offender Scandal

A federal lawsuit has targeted the Southern Baptist Convention as parents push for accountability in the ongoing Pawleys Island Community Church sex offender scandal. The case centers on allegations that the SBC and its executive committee failed to conduct proper background checks at Pawleys Island Christian Academy, a school affiliated with the church. Two unnamed parents of a minor who attended the academy have filed the complaint, claiming the SBC’s oversight contributed to the environment that allowed a registered sex offender to work on campus.

The lawsuit is one of seven filed against the church and its leaders for permitting a registered sex offender to work on the church’s premises. Former pastor Don Williams, his wife Ginny Williams, former school director Niki Howard, and 10 unnamed members of the church’s Elder Board are among the defendants. Warren Perry, a 70-year-old man from Murrells Inlet, was a volunteer church custodian for years despite being convicted in 2023 of sexual exploitation of a minor. Perry is also a defendant in the lawsuit.

Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver presented photos of Perry near children at the church campus, highlighting the alleged proximity between the offender and the school’s students. The complaint alleges that church leaders knowingly allowed Perry daily access to children through the academy and misrepresented the safety of the childcare facility. “Pawleys Island Community Church and Pawleys Island Christian Academy held themselves out to parents as a place of safety and assumed a corresponding duty to protect the children entrusted to their care from foreseeable harm,” the complaint stated.

The parents argue that the Southern Baptist Convention bears responsibility for the failures in oversight, despite the church operating independently. The lawsuit seeks accountability for the alleged neglect of duty and the failure to safeguard minors. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case has drawn public attention to the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals within religious institutions.

The incident raises questions about the role of religious organizations in ensuring the safety of minors and the extent of their responsibility in such matters. Proverbs 31:8-9 calls for defending the rights of the vulnerable, emphasizing the moral imperative to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. The case serves as a reminder of the need for transparency, accountability, and a commitment to the well-being of all individuals, especially the most vulnerable.

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