South Carolina Baptist Convention Addresses Pawleys Island Community Church Scandal Involving Concealed Sex Offender Volunteer

The South Carolina Baptist Convention (SCBC) recently issued a statement addressing a serious issue at Pawleys Island Community Church (PICC) and its affiliated Christian Academy (PICA). The controversy centers around the revelation that church leaders, including Pastor Donald Williams and other key figures, were aware that a volunteer, Warren Perry, was a convicted sex offender. Despite this knowledge, Perry was allowed to have regular contact with children at the church and school, leading to his arrest on July 14 for violating his probation.

The situation has resulted in significant repercussions for PICC, a cooperating church within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The fallout includes the resignation and subsequent arrests of Williams and other church leaders, an ongoing investigation by the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), and several lawsuits. The SCBC expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasizing that child sexual abuse is a grave moral and theological issue that inflicts severe damage on children and families. When such abuse is linked to a Christian leader or congregation, it also tarnishes the reputation of Christ and his church.

The scandal unfolded after it was discovered that Warren Perry, a custodian at both the church and academy, had been allowed to interact with children despite his status as a registered sex offender. Former Pastor Don Williams, his wife Ginny, former PICA Director Niki Howard, and several church elders were aware of Perry’s criminal background. Following Perry’s arrest, a contentious congregational meeting led to the resignation of these leaders on July 17.

Subsequent arrests were made on July 20, with Don and Ginny Williams, Howard, and Perry being charged with obstruction of justice, unlawfully placing a child at risk, and criminal conspiracy. Both Don Williams and Howard faced additional charges of obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy, while Ginny Williams and Perry were charged with obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy. Perry was denied bond as the legal proceedings continued.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability within communities, echoing the biblical call to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice, as reflected in Matthew 25:35 and Galatians 6:10. The SCBC’s response highlights the need for transparency and integrity, particularly within faith-based organizations, to prevent harm and maintain trust within the community.

Source: Read the original report