A youth pastor in Maryland allegedly told boys it was normal for pastors to kiss them on the lips—just like Jesus did with his disciples. It wasn’t. According to police, it was grooming.

Thomas Pinkerton Jr., a former youth pastor at an Assemblies of God church in Baltimore County, is now facing 24 counts of child sexual abuse. Prosecutors say he abused at least six boys from 2006 to 2010 at church events and inside his home. One more man came forward in Georgia. Authorities believe there may be more victims.

Pinkerton has traveled and preached in churches across at least six states—and some churches only recently severed ties. Now, communities are asking: how many more churches gave him access to youth? How many more survivors are out there?

Assemblies of God leaders say Pinkerton was never credentialed by the denomination, but he led youth groups in its churches for years. And this isn’t an isolated case—NBC News has reported multiple sex abuse scandals across the Assemblies of God in recent months.

If the Assemblies of God wants to rebuild trust, survivors say the first step is action—not statements.

We are calling on Assemblies of God leadership to immediately suspend all youth and pastoral staff named in open abuse investigations, and to freeze all new youth leader placements until a full independent review of their abuse handling is completed. This should include a public accounting of known cases, transparent cooperation with law enforcement, and clear youth safety policy audits in every affiliated church.

Survivors and communities deserve to know that children in church spaces are protected today—not after another headline.

We cannot change what happened to these boys, but we can stop it from happening again. If the church will not act on its own, the public must hold it accountable.

Sign this petition if you believe youth protection should come before image, and that no denomination should look the other way while abuse is covered up.