Lawsuit Alleges "Pattern of Sexual Abuse" by Pastor

By Katheryn Hayes Tucker
Daily Report
July 6, 2017

http://www.dailyreportonline.com/id=1202792359612/Lawsuit-Alleges-Pattern-of-Sexual-Abuse-by-Pastor?slreturn=20170607025011

A woman has filed a lawsuit against her former pastor alleging he sexually abused her for years starting when she was 15, telling her it was her duty in service to the church.

Attorney Jeb Butler of Butler Tobin said his client decided to go public with her allegations last month because she learned of other victims. He filed the lawsuit in Muscogee County Superior Court in Columbus, where the pastor lives. Butler said he timed the filing to meet the July 1 deadline for the extension created by the Hidden Predators Act allowing survivors of childhood sexual abuse to count the date of disclosure of the allegations rather than the event for calculating the statute of limitations.

The lawsuit named Lewis Clemons and churches he started and served as pastor, including Wynnton Road Ministries Church of God. The complaint said the intention is to bring the case against "each and every church" where Clemons—who calls himself "Apostle"—has pastored since 2000, including Faith Unlimited Ministries Church of Christ and the current church, Kingdom Awareness Ministries International.

Clemons could not be reached for comment after leaving messages at his church and home. Butler said he does not believe Clemons has retained an attorney.