Lawsuit Alleges Jonesboro Church Failed to Act on Children’s Pastor’s Sexual Abuse of Young Girls

A lawsuit filed in Craighead County Circuit Court alleges that a former children’s minister at a Jonesboro church sexually abused young girls for over 15 years, while church leadership failed to act (Proverbs 31:8-9).

The 72-page complaint names the Assemblies of God and the Refuge Church of the Assemblies of God, Inc. as defendants, with six women listed as plaintiffs, including those who were victims of the abuse (Micah 6:8).

Anthony “Tony” Waller, the former children’s minister, was sentenced to life in prison in 2016 for rape and child pornography possession, according to the lawsuit. Church leadership was aware of his misconduct as early as 2000, yet took no action.

The lawsuit claims church leaders discovered hidden cameras in a bathroom used by young girls and had evidence of Waller’s behavior, but chose not to report him or remove him from his position.

Parents and congregants reported Waller’s actions to church leadership over a decade, but he was only suspended briefly before resuming his role. His wife turned him in in 2015, leading to his eventual firing.

The Assemblies of God had a policy in 2014 prohibiting pastors who engaged in child sexual abuse from returning to ministry, but this did not apply to those who had been reinstated after abuse, as long as they did not reoffend.

The plaintiffs seek damages and a jury trial, while the defendants have not yet responded to the allegations. The case highlights ongoing concerns about accountability within religious institutions.

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