Dozens Come Forward With Misconduct Allegations in Church-Run Scouting Program
Dozens of men are coming forward with allegations of misconduct linked to Royal Rangers, a Christian boys’ scouting-style program operated by Assemblies of God churches across the United States.
The findings were detailed in a recent NBC News investigation, which reviewed court records, internal church documents, and survivor testimony spanning multiple decades. Former participants say they were harmed as minors by adult leaders entrusted with supervising the program.
Royal Rangers, founded in 1962, operates in churches nationwide and presents itself as a faith-based alternative to organizations like the Boy Scouts. The program serves boys from kindergarten through high school, emphasizing Bible study, outdoor activities, and leadership training.
According to NBC News, the investigation identified hundreds of misconduct allegations connected to Assemblies of God-affiliated churches over the past fifty years, including numerous cases involving youth programs. Survivors said accusations were sometimes handled internally by church leadership rather than reported to authorities, allowing some individuals to remain in positions of authority.
Several lawsuits filed by former Royal Rangers members describe repeated warnings and a pattern of organizational failures to address concerns. In some documented cases, leaders continued working with children despite prior legal issues or complaints raised in other settings.
Assemblies of God leadership acknowledged past youth-safety failures in statements reviewed by NBC News, saying the denomination has implemented new policies in recent years. Critics and survivor advocates contend those changes came only after decades of reported misconduct.
The revelations mirror broader scandals affecting religious institutions nationwide, renewing questions about accountability and oversight in church-run youth programs.
While the investigation does not suggest issues were present in every Royal Rangers chapter, survivors say the program’s structure — reliance on volunteers and limited external oversight — created vulnerabilities.
NBC News reports that additional civil cases tied to Assemblies of God youth programs remain pending as more former participants consider coming forward.
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