Immanuel Baptist’s Lead Pastor Resigns Following Sexual Abuse Scandal

Lead pastor Steven Smith of Immanuel Baptist Church has resigned amidst controversy surrounding his handling of child sexual abuse allegations. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette broke the news of Smith’s resignation, including his letter stating his last Sunday at the church will be April 7. Smith, who has been with the church since 2017, expressed his desire to help diffuse tensions and allow the congregation to heal.
The controversy began late last year when Smith failed to inform the congregation about accusations of sexual abuse by a former ministry employee. Despite surviving a no-confidence vote in February, Smith’s resignation comes after months of dwindling attendance and public scrutiny. The church’s discipleship content director also resigned over Smith’s handling of another abuse case.
The church, which has one of the state’s largest congregations, has been rocked by allegations and legal proceedings involving individuals connected to the ministry. The resignation of Smith, who previously indicated he believed God wanted him to continue at Immanuel Baptist, marks a significant turning point for the congregation.
Smith’s resignation letter emphasized the need for healing within the church and his decision to step aside to allow this process to begin. It remains unclear what his future plans are, but the focus now will be on addressing the tensions and implementing measures to prevent future controversies. Members of Immanuel Baptist Church are now faced with a period of transition and self-reflection as they move forward in the aftermath of this turbulent chapter in their church’s history.

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