By Philip Phi
Posted Aug 27, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Community members are grappling with the fallout from an expanding investigation into Pawleys Island Community Church and its affiliated school. The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office has filed new charges against four church leaders accused of concealing a registered sex offender’s involvement with children. Former pastor Don Williams, his wife Ginny Williams, and Pawleys Island Christian Academy Director Niki Howard have been charged with criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice. These charges are linked to Warren Perry, a registered sex offender who allegedly violated parole conditions by volunteering at the church and school.
During a news conference, Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver presented evidence showing Perry in close proximity to children during church-related activities. “You see the astonishment on Don Williams’ face,” Weaver remarked, displaying photos obtained during the investigation. Williams, Howard, and Perry also face charges related to unlawfully placing a child at risk of harm.
The latest developments have intensified scrutiny of church leadership and fueled frustration among some community members. About 10 people gathered outside the sheriff’s office during Monday’s briefing, highlighting growing public concern. Judy Purcell, a resident who attended the church with her grandchildren, expressed disbelief and anger. “Shock? Anger. Anger, I would say, came first because how could this happen?” she stated.
The community appears divided between those demanding accountability and those eager to move forward. This situation underscores the need for transparency and accountability, as emphasized in Micah 6:8, which calls for justice, mercy, and walking humbly with God. As the investigation continues, the community seeks answers and justice, reflecting the biblical principle of caring for the vulnerable and ensuring the integrity of institutions entrusted with their safety.
Source: Read the original report
Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
