Protestors Continued Calls for a Duluth Pastor to Resign; Hours Later, They Succeeded
DULUTH, Minn. – Hours after a second day of protests came to a close, the pastor of Revive City Church resigned from his position.
On Monday, protestors continued there calls for Revive City Church of Duluth pastor, Ronald Allen, to be removed from leadership. Allen released a statement on Facebook around 10:00 p.m., which said he would be resigning from his position as pastor.
A FOX 21 investigation from last week found that Allen had pled guilty to the sexual abuse of a 13-year-old in 2000-2001 when he was 35. Courts records showed Allen was the girl’s youth pastor at Calvary Worship Center in Minnetonka, though most of the abuse occurred at his home while the girl was babysitting his children. Allen also pled guilty to a single instance of sexual assault involving another 13-year-old girl, a friend of the first victim, that took place in his home during the same time frame.
The protest took place on Sunday, as the church held what it said would be its last service. Revive’s Facebook page and its post appear to have been deleted.
Supporters of Ronald and his wife October Allen, have highlighted their involvement in the recovery community, and the importance of spaces for those who have all sorts criminal pasts. Many supporters said Allen is redeemed and has made positive impacts on people’s lives.
The public’s lack of awareness about Allen’s sexual convictions has left many furious. Among those unaware of Allen’s history, were people who formerly attended groups he led at his church.
Monday’s weekly ‘Celebrate Recovery’ meeting at the church was cancelled, after protests occurred on Sunday. Celebrate Recovery is a faith-based program similar to AA that operates in churches all over the world. According to their website, Allen is the Celebrate Recovery rep for Revive City Church.
Attempts to reach the Celebrate Recovery organization for comment, regarding Allen’s involvement, but did not receive a reply as of publishing.
