His actions have come back to bite him.
A Southern Baptist Convention megachurch recently made headlines by announcing the dismissal of its worship pastor, Aaron Ivey, due to allegations of “predatory manipulation, sexual exploitation, and abuse of influence” involving multiple men, including at least one minor. The Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, Texas, disclosed that Ivey, a married father of four, was terminated from his position after it emerged that he engaged in inappropriate and explicit ongoing text messages with an adult male. The church elders, upon reviewing the content of these messages, concluded that his actions violated biblical standards outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and 1 Timothy 5:19-20, leading to his dismissal.
Upon further investigation, church officials uncovered several similar instances involving different individuals dating back to 2011, demonstrating a troubling pattern of predatory behavior and sexual misconduct. While most of these incidents involved adult males, one incident from 2011 involved a minor male outside the church’s formal programming. This particular incident reportedly included inappropriate communications, indecent exposure, and the use of alcohol and illegal substances over an extended period.
In response to the discovery of Ivey’s misconduct, church leadership promptly contacted local law enforcement and their church abuse prevention training provider, MinistrySafe, to address the situation. Expressing profound concern for the victims and their families, church elders affirmed their unwavering commitment to protecting and supporting the congregation while actively addressing issues of abuse and misconduct.
Following the crisis, Aaron Ivey and his wife, Jamie, known for their podcasting and authorship, have temporarily suspended all press appearances and public engagements. The church, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, has distanced itself from the alleged misconduct, emphasizing that neither its leadership nor associated networks were aware of Ivey’s actions. This troubling incident underscores ongoing concerns within the SBC regarding its handling of sexual abuse cases, prompting renewed calls for reform and accountability within the denomination.