Johnny Hunt

Former SBC pastor and denominational leader Johnny Hunt filed a lawsuit on Friday (Mar. 17) against the SBC, the SBC Executive Committee, and Guidepost Solutions for defamation and invasion of privacy.

Todd Benkert, a Southern Baptist pastor who helped force reforms in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination's sexual abuse policies, has stepped down from a task force he was appointed to last year to implement those reforms.

The inquiry of the two churches centers on their affiliation with and promotion of disgraced pastor and former SBC president Johnny Hunt, who has been credibly accused of sexual abuse. 

Roughly two months after being “restored” to ministry, disgraced former pastor Johnny Hunt appeared in the pulpit of a Florida church despite credible allegations of sexual abuse against him.

“We cannot allow predators to hold power and influence in our churches,” said sexual abuse survivor and advocate Tiffany Thigpen.

On Nov. 30, SBC President Bart Barber released a statement regarding the announcement of Johnny Hunt‘s restoration to ministry after being credibly accused of sexual abuse in May’s Guidepost Solutions report.

Johnny Hunt resigned from NAMB after Guidepost Solutions alleged he sexually assaulted another pastor’s wife in 2010. Nevertheless, seven months later, Hunt has been cleared by a team of pastors to return to ministry.

On Friday, First Baptist Church of Woodstock released a letter to church members stating their intent to suspend Johnny Hunt’s role as pastor emeritus following credible allegations of sexual abuse against him.