Pastor Issues Apology For Failed Communication
Pastor Steven W. Smith of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, publicly apologized to his congregation after it was revealed that the church had not disclosed allegations of abuse against a former church official, Patrick Stephen Miller, who had been responsible for overseeing children. This apology followed an investigative article by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, which brought to light previously undisclosed accusations against Miller.
Miller, the former assistant director of children’s ministry at Immanuel Baptist Church, faced allegations dating back to 2015 when he was accused of sexually abusing a child in a dark closet during church activities. The church became aware of these allegations in March 2016, but the information was not shared with the congregation at that time. Miller was arrested in December 2018 on charges of second-degree sexual assault, but he ultimately pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment in January 2019.
Expressing regret for the delayed disclosure, Pastor Smith acknowledged, “I wish we would have told you about these crimes sooner.” He emphasized the church’s commitment to taking abuse seriously and ensuring proper care for those who have experienced past abuse. Pastor Smith urged transparency and encouraged individuals with information about inappropriate behavior with children to contact the abuse hotline of the Little Rock Police Department.
Despite Miller’s guilty plea, records indicate that he was not required to register as a sex offender. In 2022, a second child came forward with allegations against Miller, leading to objections to his attempt to permanently seal his criminal record. Joseph Gates, a Sunday School teacher and father of three girls at Immanuel Baptist Church, expressed concerns about Miller’s behavior during church activities, detailing instances of inappropriate touching and molestation.
Adding to the controversy, Courtney Reissig, a former employee of Immanuel Baptist Church, resigned in September, revealing on Facebook that her resignation was connected to a separate incident of abuse involving a female adult and a male minor. Reissig expressed disappointment that church leaders, including Pastor Smith, did not disclose this information during her tenure on staff. She emphasized her support for the victims and the pressing need for the truth to come to light.
These revelations highlight a disturbing pattern of non-disclosure and mishandling of abuse cases within the church, sparking demands for transparency and accountability within the congregation and the broader community. The church now faces scrutiny for its handling of these incidents, prompting reflection on the importance of openness and safeguarding the well-being of its members.