By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 4, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Free Life Community Church has issued a statement regarding the arrest of its former pastor, Daniel Willis, who is facing serious allegations. Willis, 62, has been charged with 10 counts of possession of child sex abuse material, specifically involving minors under the age of 12 and involving bondage, classified as Level 4 felonies. These charges were brought forward by Indiana State Police, leading to Willis’s immediate termination from all pastoral and church responsibilities, with no possibility of reinstatement.
The church leadership expressed shock, sadness, and deep disappointment over the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. As the investigation progresses, church leaders have committed to implementing formal denominational protocols concerning Willis’s ministerial credentials. Both the church and the Indiana South District of The Wesleyan Church are cooperating fully with law enforcement, refraining from speculation beyond the facts established by authorities to avoid interference with the ongoing investigation.
The Indiana South District and church leadership are actively supporting the congregation, offering care and support during this challenging time. “Our hearts are broken for everyone affected by this tragic situation,” the church stated, emphasizing their commitment to truth, compassion, and accountability. The community is encouraged to pray for all those impacted, including the victims, the congregation, Willis and his family, the investigators, and the broader Terre Haute community.
The investigation began in early 2026 following tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and another unnamed organization. Indiana State Police, with assistance from local and federal agencies, executed a search warrant at Willis’s home and at the church where he served as senior pastor. While the police confirmed Willis’s role as a pastor, they did not disclose the name of the church involved. It remains unclear whether Willis was still employed by the church at the time of the investigation.
In line with Micah 6:8, the church seeks to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, emphasizing the importance of accountability and care for those affected by these events.
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.
