Survivors of abuse linked to the Jesus Army have condemned plans to share the sect’s remaining £25 million assets with loyal members, warning some alleged perpetrators could receive far more than victims.
The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust, which is winding up the organisation’s affairs, insists it is acting “in accordance with the trust deed", as reported by the BBC.
Last year, 601 survivors shared £7.7m in compensation, but many say the scheme was inadequate, having been largely funded by insurers.
Graham Lewis, who was paid £25,000 after suffering abuse in the community, told the BBC: “I don’t think it followed any Christian code whatsoever.”
He added: “They’re in line for huge payouts, perhaps ten times what survivors were awarded in damages. It’s horrible and makes me sick to my stomach.”
Another survivor, Becky Ayres, recalled being beaten as a child and said the trust had “massively insulted” victims by prioritising loyal former members.
“We think the majority of the remaining funds should go to the survivors,” she said.
The Jesus Army, founded in 1969 by pastor Noel Stanton, was once among the UK’s largest evangelical movements but disbanded in 2020 after widespread revelations of abuse and cover-ups.