Stephen Morris, pastor of Oliver’s Grove Baptist Church in Four Oaks, N.C., was arrested July 5 and charged with five counts of statutory rape and five counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.
The victim, now 19 years old, reported the crimes to police last month. The victim was 13 at the time of the abuse that allegedly occurred between June 2013 and June 2014.
Stephen Morris |
According to WRAL, authorities did not disclose whether any of the alleged acts occurred at Oliver’s Grove or through its programs or ministries.
ABC11 reported Morris is “off of the job” and remains in the Johnston County jail under a $2.5 million bond.
Earlier this year, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) committed to act in accordance with a “Statement of Principles on Abuse” as part of an effort across the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) to prevent sex abuse and care for victims. Churches can contact BSC consultants for assistance with safety and prevention procedures.
This year, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and SBC President J.D. Greear’s Sexual Abuse Advisory Group launched the Caring Well Initiative, a curriculum designed to equip congregations to prevent sexual abuse and care for victims. Greear, who leads The Summit Church in Durham, N.C., formed the advisory group in July 2018 to assess how Southern Baptists are handling sexual abuse cases.
North Carolina’s mandatory reporting laws require any adult to alert authorities if they suspect the abuse or neglect of a person under 18 years old.