The charismatic pastor of one of British Columbia’s largest churches, who was accused of sexual assault and grooming foster children, returned to ministry after stepping away five months ago.

Kelowna Harvest Church in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, announced in a statement on Wednesday that its pastor, Art Lucier, is returning to ministry after voluntarily stepping away in April amid an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

After the conclusion of the investigation, the oversight committee tasked with reviewing the allegations against Lucier unanimously agreed to reinstate him in his leadership role effective Monday. 

“This includes returning to public ministry such as preaching and teaching,” the statement reads. “Art Lucier has accepted this invitation.”

The decision comes as the church and Lucier face civillawsuits filed by two women who allege Lucier sexually abused them as children in foster care starting in 2001, when…