Vineyard Church in Duluth, MN, as well as its parent organization, Vineyard USA, are facing nine civil lawsuits since a few of the pastors have been charged with sexual misconduct.
This comes after former youth and online pastor of The Vineyard Church, Jackson Gatlin, took a plea in November 2024 for criminal sexual conduct with a child.
The 36-year-old was officially charged in 2023 with sexually abusing five teenagers between the ages of 11 and 16. Gatlin only plead guilty to one of the five counts. For the other four counts, he made the Alford plea in which he admitted there was sufficient evidence to find him guilty during a trial but maintained his innocence.
Michael and Brenda Gatlin, Jackson's parents, have also been named in the civil lawsuits, stating they must have had prior knowledge to the misconduct and failed to report it. Michael was a senior pastor at Vineyard and Brenda was on the leadership team. Both have resigned from their church positions and have not been cooperating with authorities regarding the case against their son.
The Vineyard Church council say they expected a lawsuit against them after Gatlin took the plea deal on Nov. 8.
"As we previously shared, we have also recently learned that some of Jackson’s victims are seeking justice in civil court," the church said in a statement. "In addition to naming Jackson, Michael and Brenda Gatlin, the defendants also include the Duluth Vineyard and Vineyard USA. No one ever wants to be sued in civil court. Yet, we welcome this case and pray that it can bring healing and justice for the victims."
The church leadership seem to simply want justice for all, including the young victims of these crimes, regardless of whether they have a role to play in the responsibility of it all.
"Further, a case like this can help determine the relative responsibility of various parties. Although what we can do financially is limited by the size of our resources, insurance coverage and outstanding debt, as a church we want to follow the way of Jesus and take responsibility for the harm we are judged to have caused."
Currently, John Kliewer is the lead pastor at the church in Duluth.
"Civil litigation is a slow and imperfect process, and it may be a long time before any final judgment is reached. Let’s all pray for the victims, for patience and for God to use this litigation to advance his will here on earth like it is in heaven."
The council shared their hope in the outcome of all the lawsuits, for both the church and the Gatlins.
"This continues to be a very painful situation, yet that is where we so often find Jesus. Our hope and prayer is that the Holy Spirit will give us the gift of unity and strength to do God’s will. And, as we together respond like Jesus to this difficult situation, our response will bring both healing to victims and glory to God."