FORMER Assemblies of God pastor J.R. Armstrong of MAG Church in Orange, Texas, announced that his congregation recently voted to follow in his footsteps to disaffiliate from the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination in response to a sexual abuse scandal impacting its Chi Alpha Campus Ministries.
Assemblies of God leaders have been accused of knowingly allowing 67-year-old itinerant minister and convicted sex offender Daniel Savala to prey on young males for years through the Chi Alpha Campus Ministries.
“We wish to be on record as acting ethically and graciously in our response after discussing the options given to us by the South Texas Assembly of God network,” Armstrong announced during a March 17 special business meeting.
“And considering the current crisis being faced by this district and fellowship, the board decided that recommending disaffiliation was in our best interest because systematic sexual abuse within this district and others was known dating back to at least 2018.”
In a 79-2 tally, the congregation voted to leave the Assemblies of God.
Armstrong elected not to renew his credentials with the Assemblies of God months after criticizing Assemblies of God General Superintendent Doug Clay for making comments that he believes minimized the abuse Savala is accused of perpetuating on young men through Chi Alpha.
Savala was arrested in Waco last June for allegedly sexually abusing the minor sons of one of his protégés in the ministry.
