“Chandler said during a sermon last month that while the thought he and others did the best they could to care for the family as soon as he became aware — viewing the matter not just as a pastor but also a father, he also stated that he has been “introspective” about the matter and outlined specific ways that the church could do better.”
(Heather Clark – Christian News Network) An 18-year-old who was allegedly sexually abused seven years ago by a now former children’s minister at The Village Church in Texas, led by Reformed pastor Matt Chandler, has filed suit against the church on claims of gross negligence and to obtain damages for emotional distress.
According to reports, in 2012 Associate Children’s Minister Matthew Tonne abused the then 11-year-old girl, who is not being identified, as she was in her cabin at Mount Lebanon Kids Camp.
The Village Church had a policy prohibiting the opposite sex from being in children’s cabins, but both male and female staffers allegedly used the cabin where the girl and others were sleeping to hold meetings.
The teen’s family says that she told them about the incident in February 2018, at which time they contacted both the church and the police.