Duluth Church Leader Speaks About Past Criminal History Surrounding his Time as a Youth Pastor
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DULUTH, Minn. – The pastor of a recovery focused Duluth church is speaking about his past criminal history involving sexual conduct convictions against two 13-year-old girls while he was working as a youth pastor at a different church.
Pastor Ronald Allen and his wife, October, started Revive City Church of Duluth in 2021. “We knew that if we started a Bible study, we better get ready for people to come because we knew the interest,” Ronald said.
While the church serves the general public, the focus of helping those in recovery is clear. Every Monday, Ronald leads ‘Celebrate Recovery’ meetings, which is a similar program to AA.
The church is also a place where clients from October’s supportive housing business, Grace Place, can attend or where they can hold events and celebrations. It’s not just recovery from substance abuse issues, October mentioned.
The couple says the church serves a much-needed role for those who are in recovery to be honest about their issues in a communal setting. Ronald and October say they are open about their pasts, which include criminal convictions. Their experience with struggle and failure allows them to connect and build trust with those in recovery, according to the couple.
Public court filings reviewed by FOX 21 show that from 2000-2001, Ronald, who was 35 years old at the time, engaged in “repeated sexual contacts” with a 13-year-old girl while he was serving as the youth pastor for Calvary Worship Center in Minnetonka. Most of the abuse occurred at Ronald’s home, while the girl was babysitting his children. Ronald also had a single sexual encounter with another 13-year-old girl, the first victim’s friend, during that same time span. Ronald served roughly a year incarcerated and was required to be on the sex offender registry for five years.
The background-check policy for those engaging with youth ministries at Revive does not allow those who have committed crimes against children. However, that policy can be overridden by Ronald or the church board, according to the couple.
Ronald and October say they ultimately want to see someone else take over as the lead pastor. Both express the work they do through the church is vital to “hundreds” of people in the community. While they “get” the criticisms and concerns, in response, October offered a challenge, “If there’s anybody out there that would love to take this role. We’re open to it.”
