Home / Crime and Justice / Megachurch Pastor's Empire Rocked by Abuse Lawsuits
Megachurch Pastor's Empire Rocked by Abuse Lawsuits
7 Jan
Summary
- Rock Church settled $3 million in a child starvation death case.
- Previous lawsuits alleged sexual battery and harassment at rehab program.
- School linked to church faced lawsuits over alleged teacher molestation.
Rock Church, a prominent San Diego megachurch founded by former NFL player Miles McPherson, is embroiled in a series of scandals. The church recently agreed to a $3 million settlement concerning the starvation death of 11-year-old Arabella McCormack in August 2022. Arabella's mother was an ordained elder at the church, and the lawsuit alleged a failure to intervene by various institutions, including Rock Church, as the child's condition deteriorated.
This devastating case is not isolated. In 2014, Rock Church faced a civil complaint involving sexual battery and harassment allegations at ABC Sober Living, a program affiliated with the church. Additionally, around the same period, parents filed a lawsuit alleging child molestation by a teacher at The Rock Academy, the church's school, and a failure by administrators to act.
Critics contend these lawsuits reveal a troubling pattern of ignored warnings and institutional self-protection. Online, some former members describe the Rock Church as more of a corporate entity than a place of worship, citing its vast revenue and lavish facilities. McPherson, once lauded for his inspirational message, now faces questions about his church's ability to withstand its growing reputation for scandal.
