MEMPHIS (TN)
Fox 13 [Memphis, TN]
November 11, 2026
By Kayla Solomon
Allegations of child grooming, sexual misconduct and online deception have surfaced against the recently announced pastor-elect of a Memphis church, prompting concerns from community members and calls to pause her appointment.
Dr. Sheralyne Brevard was announced as the pastor-elect of Greater Middle Baptist Church last month.
Since that announcement, several women have come forward with allegations involving Brevard, including one woman who says she was victimized as a teenager.
FOX13 has learned that a police report has now been filed concerning the allegations.
The filing of a police report does not establish that a crime occurred, and the information provided to FOX13 does not indicate that Brevard has been criminally charged.
Dr. Tonya Lyons told FOX13 she believes Brevard deceived her into developing an online relationship with someone Lyons thought was a man.
Lyons said the relationship lasted for months and involved someone she knew from church more than a decade ago.
“We called her Minister Lynn,” Lyons recalled. “Lynn was at the church and she stated, ‘Oh yeah, that’s my cousin’.”
Lyons said she eventually became suspicious of the person’s identity and sought help verifying the photographs associated with the online account.
“One of my employees said, ‘Well, you know you can do a Google Image search’,” Lyons said.
She explained that the employee contacted the person whose photographs appeared on the account.
“So then he did it and got in contact with the person whose photos that was on the page of the person I thought I was talking to,” Lyons said.
Lyons alleges Brevard was behind the online deception. The supplied reporting does not establish that claim through independently verified account records or other documentary evidence.
Another woman, whose identity FOX13 is withholding, alleges that Brevard groomed and engaged in sexual misconduct involving her when she was a teenager.
The woman has also made allegations involving solicitation of a minor.
Those allegations have not been established in court.
Lyons said learning about the other woman’s experience encouraged her to share her own account publicly.
“There is absolutely no benefit to me coming out and saying this other than I don’t want anybody else to be fooled. So I really hope that the church considers investigating prior to the December 6th installation,” Lyons said.
The accounts have raised concerns among community members about Brevard’s appointment to lead Greater Middle Baptist Church.
FOX13 contacted Greater Middle Baptist Church leadership before the police report was filed.
In a statement, the church’s board of directors acknowledged the allegations and said it was seeking additional information before deciding whether to take action.
“Greater Middle Baptist Church is aware of, and recognizes the seriousness of, these accusations. As a church grounded in faith, truth, integrity and Christian love, we believe it is important to approach this matter with wisdom, fairness and compassion. We have inquired, but as of yet, we have not received confirmation of a conviction, or even charge, of a crime occurring. We are awaiting this vital piece of information before further action.”
Brevard previously thanked church members for their support following the selection process.
“Thank you for all of y’all that prayed during this process. Thank you for all of you all that voted in this process. More importantly, thank you for remembering that we are greater together,” Brevard said in remarks shared by the church.
FOX13 reached out to Brevard for comment Wednesday afternoon but did not receive a response.
Following the filing of the police report, FOX13 also contacted the church’s board of directors again to request an updated statement.
No additional response was available in the reporting provided.
It remains unclear whether the allegations will affect Brevard’s appointment or whether church leadership plans to reconsider the selection.