Just over a year ago the Second Amended Complaint against Sovereign Grace Ministries, Covenant Life Church, C.J. Mahaney, et al was dismissed by a judge due to the statute of limitations. It was not the evidence itself but the success of the guilty causing the suit to be dismissed. The suit alleges the cover-up of sexual abuse. Grant Layman, who is named in the suit, has already admitted he and the other pastors should have but did not alert the authorities to the crimes of sex abuse against children committed by Nate Morales. The goal was to keep victims and their families quiet. The guilty were so successful the case was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. An appeal was filed soon thereafter.
On Monday, June 9th at 9 am, the appeal made by those represented in the civil suit as outlined in the Second Amended Complaint will be heard.
Please be in prayer for the victims, their families and those representing them. Pray the judge will rule in favor of the victims and hear their case, let evidence be presented and justice prevail. Pray the guilty would repent and that God would be glorified no matter what.
Echoes and Stars 
Amen.
Oregon is also one of the remaining states that has a statue of limitations that routinely protects child molesters from prosecution–all they have to do is “wait out” their victims, who are usually unable to come to terms with their abuse until it it too late to take judicial action against their molesters. The continued existence of this statute, despite attempts to have it removed for the sake of victims, is a mark of shame on our state and its lawmakers. Will be praying for the case on the 9th.
Note that the statute of limitations applies to civil, not criminal, cases. There is no statute of limitations on felony sexual offenses in the state of Maryland (http://victimsofcrime.org/docs/DNA%20Resource%20Center/sol-for-sexual-assault-check-chart—final—copy.pdf?sfvrsn=2). The crimes alleged in the lawsuit are reprehensible to be sure, and I would like to have those who are guilty serve time. That said, there needs to be a finding of guilt before we assume every charge to be truth.
No there doesn’t.
the guilt requirement is a pretty low bar…if as a church we need the courts to uncover the truth in this regard when there’s mounds of evidence, then literally, God help us. Being lawyered up isn’t an excuse to stay silent…the accused can speak if they so chose.