Faith
Megachurch Faces Allegations Abroad, Seeks Dismissal
Faith Facts
- Attorneys for Harvest Christian Fellowship are working to dismiss 22 federal lawsuits filed by former residents of their past Romanian children’s homes.
- The lawsuits allege sexual abuse and trafficking by former pastor Paul Havsgaard, who denies the accusations.
- Harvest’s lawyers argue that Romanian courts should have primary jurisdiction since all plaintiffs are European residents and the events occurred abroad.
Attorneys for Harvest Christian Fellowship and its founder, Greg Laurie, are seeking to have multiple lawsuits consolidated and dismissed, following accusations from former wards of their Romanian homes.
The church’s legal defense maintains that these claims, now before a U.S. court, are also under review by Romanian courts to determine jurisdiction and statute of limitations.
“I am angry because the lawsuit states these accusations as if they are facts,” Havsgaard wrote in a letter to U.S. District Court Judge Sunshine S. Sykes. “They are not. Everything I am accused of in these lawsuits are blatant, ugly lies manufactured for one purpose, to achieve a payout.”
The lawsuits also accuse Laurie and church leadership of negligence and cover-up, alleging a two-decade failure to act on reports of abuse.
Through the legal process, the importance of integrity, transparency, and biblical accountability remain clear for every ministry and believer.
Stay prayerful as this situation unfolds, and stand firm for truth, justice, and the protection of the vulnerable while trusting in God’s justice above all.