Police said, “It is undeniable that [Mark Vega] had sufficient knowledge—in the form of reports from others and personal observations—that children were being sexually abused on Ignite property by Ignite personnel.”
Vega met several times with the alleged victims and their parents, according to police, but he focused on forgiveness and restoration. The senior pastor reportedly said that people needed to move forward because “we’re both brothers and sisters, we’re a church.”
Vega also reportedly said that “jail would not resolve the issue” and that involving the authorities would “ruin” everyone’s lives. The father of one alleged victim indicated that Vega said he had already restored Cruz and Vargas. The alleged victims and their parents then contacted police.
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In July 2023, Vargas was charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious conduct by a person 18 or older. His next court date is Jan. 5. In February 2024, Cruz was charged with one count of lewd or lascivious battery on a person younger than 16. After accepting a plea deal, he was sentenced to probation.
Attorney for Alleged Victims Cites ‘Systemic Failures’
Pastor Mark Vega has continued preaching at Ignite Life Center. Meanwhile, the families of six alleged victims have filed civil lawsuits against Ignite and the Florida Multicultural District, a regional Assemblies of God body, claiming negligence. The church and regional body agreed to settle three of those suits but have denied wrongdoing.
Jessica Arbour, a lawyer who represents five alleged victims, said Vega and other leaders at Ignite engaged in a “pattern and practice of ignoring, and in some cases actively covering up” evidence pointing to abuse. “Child sexual abuse happens not just because of abusers, but also because of systemic failures that make the abusers feel that it is safe to abuse kids,” she added. “My clients are encouraged to see that law enforcement is taking their allegations seriously.”
At a recent denominational meeting, Assemblies of God leaders addressed the prevention of sexual abuse in its congregations. NBC News wrote about the denomination as part of an investigative series titled “Pastors and Prey.” In a statement, the national Assemblies of God office said it “takes matters of this nature seriously” and has “a well-established process to address them.”
