The Vineyard Church in Duluth, Minnesota, along with its parent organisation Vineyard USA, is facing nine civil lawsuits in the wake of former pastor Jackson Gatlin’s criminal conviction for sexual assault.
Gatlin, 36, who previously served as a young adult and online community pastor, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to one count of criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
He entered an Alford plea for four additional charges, acknowledging that sufficient evidence existed for a conviction while maintaining his innocence.
Gatlin was later sentenced to 13 years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender upon release.
The lawsuits also name Gatlin's parents, Michael and Brenda Gatlin, who both held senior leadership roles at Vineyard Church and Vineyard USA.
Michael Gatlin previously served as the senior pastor, while Brenda Gatlin held a leadership position at both the local church and national organisation.
Both resigned from their roles without cooperating with the investigation into their son’s abuse.
The civil lawsuits claim that church leadership either knew or should have known about Gatlin's abusive behavior, but failed to take appropriate action.
Gatlin allegedly groomed his victims, with "flirtations".
He is accused of sending explicit text messages and taking them to his bedroom at his parent’s home, where he touched the victims or had them touch him.
Furthermore, he allegedly bound them and raped them.
Gatlin is accused of laughing at one of the victims when she asked him to stop the abuse.
In a statement addressing the situation, The Vineyard Church expressed sorrow over the events and stated that they had anticipated the civil lawsuits.
"No one ever wants to be sued in civil court. Yet, we welcome this case and pray that it can bring healing and justice for the victims," the church said.
The statement also highlighted the church's intention to take responsibility where necessary, despite financial limitations caused by insurance constraints and existing debt.
"As a church, we want to follow the way of Jesus and take responsibility for the harm we are judged to have caused."