A lawsuit was recently filed against MorningStar Ministries earlier this month, accusing its founder, Rick Joyner, and several others of gross negligence for the alleged coverup of sexual abuse among the ministry. The ministry’s CEO and president, Chris Reed, resigned last week in the wake of the controversy.
MorningStar has come under fire for allegations that the ministry mishandled sexual abuse carried out by a former volunteer leader, 25-year-old Erickson Lee. Notably, the alleged abuse occurred prior to Reed becoming the CEO of MorningStar, but he maintained that he does not want to lead a ministry embattled in such controversy.
“The negligent, grossly negligent, reckless, willful, or wanton acts, omissions, and liability of Defendants includes that of their agents, principals, employees, and/or servants, both directly and vicariously, pursuant to principals of non-delegable duty, corporate liability, apparent authority, agency, ostensible agency, and/or respondent superior,” according to the lawsuit filed on behalf of one of the minor victims, John Doe #1 and his parents listed as James Roe #1 and Jane Roe #1 charges.
“Plaintiff John Doe #1 has suffered immeasurable harm and will likely have to undergo psychiatric/psychological care for the remainder of his life due to actions or inactions of the Defendants. Defendants acted in dereliction of their duties to Plaintiffs by failing to prevent the foreseeable harm perpetrated by Erickson Lee onto Plaintiff John Doe #1,” the lawsuit continues, outlining the impact of the abuse.
Reportedly, the abuse stems from the actions of Erickson Lee, who has been charged with dissemination of obscene material to a person younger than 18, assault and battery first degree, and criminal sexual conduct with a minor second and third degree. Allegedly, Lee victimized several minors at his home over the past several years.
“Upon information and belief, Joyner, Yarns, and Doug Lee knew of these assaults and helped orchestrate the victims not reporting the criminal incidents to law enforcement. The actions by MorningStar, Joyner, Yarns and Doug Lee in the investigation and actions of them after each assault incident involved neutral principles of law,” the lawsuit claims.
Rick Joyner recently commented on Chris Reed’s resignation, stating, “This resignation may seem bazaar (sic) and confused to those have followed, and I hope this will clear up some things. First, I want to thank all who have communicated your prayers and support for Chris and for us.
He continued, “This is a serious situation, and I’ve seen this kind of thing several times over the 50+ years I’ve been in ministry, and I’ve seen it rob some with very powerful gifts of years of effective ministry. One was me, as this deception came upon me and cost me more than ten years of ministry. I saw it cost Bob Jones eight years, and I think it cost Paul Cain his ultimate purpose. It is the most deceptive spirit I’ve ever dealt with, and right now I think Chris Reed is in a battle for his future.”
Joyner added, “Later, I will elaborate on this in much more detail because I have witnessed many Christians led astray from their purpose by this, with an incalculable cost to the body of Christ. However, I’ve seen some wake up, get restored, and even when they had lost many years of effective service, the Lord make this up to them. For this reason, I never give up on anyone, regardless of how far off they seem to get. Many of the great voices in Scripture and history also experience this. Not all recovered, but those who did were used in an even greater way.”
Featured image credit: MorningStar Ministries, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rick_Joyner_speaking_from_the_Podium_at_MorningStar_Ministries_in_Fort_Mill,_South_Carolina_in_2013..jpg