Georgia Church Linked to Trump Faced Legal Scrutiny for Not Reporting Child Molester

The Worship With Wonders Church in Powder Springs, Georgia, has come under scrutiny after prosecutors accused two of its pastors of failing to report an employee who sexually molested a 15-year-old boy. The church, led by Myles and DeLana Rutherford, is part of the charismatic Christian movement and has ties to prominent figures in the Trump administration, including Paula White-Cain, who serves as the senior faith advisor.

According to a press release from Cherokee County Assistant District Attorney Leyna Pope, the church leadership was informed of the allegations in September 2023. The mother of the victim, a teenager who attends the church, approached the Rutherfords with concerns about her son’s communications with Marcus Kendall Turner, a church leader. Prosecutors say she reported that her son had exchanged over 12,500 text messages, some containing explicit content, with Turner.

Turner was arrested in October 2023 and later pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including aggravated child molestation, sexual exploitation of children, and enticing a child for indecent purposes. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole and will be required to register as a sex offender upon release. The district attorney’s office has stated that other church leaders also share responsibility for not acting promptly.

The Rutherfords disputed the district attorney’s claims, asserting in a statement that they contacted law enforcement. However, they did not specify which department or the exact timing of the call. Georgia law mandates that clergy report suspected child sexual abuse, with failure to do so punishable by up to one year in prison.

Founded in 2007, Worship With Wonders meets in a renovated shopping center in Cobb County. The Rutherfords have been associated with influential figures in the Trump administration, including Paula White-Cain. They joined White-Cain and others at the White House in December 2023, participating in a prayer event with President Donald Trump. DeLana Rutherford led worship during that occasion.

In response to the allegations, the Rutherfords issued a statement on Instagram, calling the accusations “misinformation” and asserting that they reported Turner after consulting with “all the parties involved” and other pastors. They have not provided further details on their actions or the timeline of events. The case highlights the importance of accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals, as emphasized in Micah 6:8, which calls for justice, mercy, and humility.

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