• Lawsuit claims Grace Community Church failed to report known child abuse to authorities
• District attorney blamed church for 'muddling' evidence that could have proven criminal intent
• Church previously led by late pastor John MacArthur faces pattern of similar allegations

SUN VALLEY, CA (TDR) — A California mother has filed a lawsuit alleging that Grace Community Church leaders pressured her to remain with her allegedly abusive husband, failed to report child sexual abuse as mandated by law, and testified on his behalf in family court proceedings — even after he admitted to sexually inappropriate behavior with their toddler daughter.

The 25-page complaint, filed September 29 in Sacramento County Superior Court, names the prominent nondenominational church and the plaintiff's ex-husband, Clinton Jung, as defendants. The lawsuit alleges childhood sexual abuse, negligence, domestic violence, and aiding and abetting domestic violence.

Church Allegedly Concealed Abuse, Rebuked Mother

The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, reported to Grace Community Church leaders in early 2021 that Jung had sexually abused their toddler-aged daughter. Rather than contact authorities, the lawsuit claims church leadership attempted to conceal the abuse and instructed Doe to "submit" to her husband's authority.

According to the complaint, church leaders "rebuked" Doe when she contacted law enforcement following an incident in which Jung allegedly endangered the family.

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"At numerous points, the Church colluded with Clinton to force Plaintiff to remain in the home with him and under his control despite knowing he had engaged in domestic violence and was likely to do it again in the future," the lawsuit states.

The complaint describes disturbing allegations including Jung taking sexually suggestive photographs of the toddler, tongue-kissing her, and later forcing her to touch and look at his genitals during court-supervised visitation.

District Attorney Blames Church for Hindering Investigation

Following what the complaint describes as a lengthy investigation, prosecutors could not file criminal charges against Jung due to an inability to prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt.

A 2023 letter from the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, quoted in the lawsuit, directly blamed the church for compromising the case.

"The pastor and elders at Grace Community Church muddled what could have been helpful evidence as to [Clinton's] intent," the letter states. "Their arrogance in attempting to handle such a delicate — and potentially criminal — matter, in house, and without the due diligence that certainly would have triggered their mandatory reporting requirements, hinders our ability to use the prior events to ascertain the suspect's intent."

Pattern of Similar Allegations

Grace Community Church, historically known as the congregation led by John MacArthur for 56 years until his death on July 14 at age 86, has faced multiple similar accusations.

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In March 2022, The Roys Report published allegations that MacArthur had publicly shamed and excommunicated a mother in 2002 for separating from her husband, David Gray — a former church teacher later convicted of child molestation.

Another woman, Lorraine Zielinski, accused the church last year of disciplining her when she sought separation from her allegedly abusive husband. She claimed she "often felt bullied and talked down to" during marriage counseling sessions with pastors.

"Parents should be able to trust that houses of faith and worship protect our children from harm, not facilitate it and cover it up," said one of the plaintiff's attorneys. "And this case alleges that Grace Community Church did exactly the opposite."

Grace Community Church declined to comment on the pending litigation when contacted by The Christian Post.

Will this lawsuit finally force accountability at a church that critics say has systematically protected abusers while punishing victims?

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