Investigation Finds Former Vineyard USA Pastor Committed Clergy Sexual Abuse

Denis Roy removed from leading Brownsburg Vineyard Church after allegations came to light.

An independent investigation of a former Vineyard USA pastor has determined he committed “clergy sexual abuse resulting in significant harm — harm to victims, harm to families, and harm to our congregation.”

Former Brownsburg Vineyard Church Pastor Denis Roy / Video screenshot via Instagram

The original reporting victim, who was not named in the investigation, claimed that “while a very young woman [age 25], she was allegedly approached, groomed, and ultimately became involved in a relationship with a pastor, Denis Roy, while at Christian Assembly church in Vienna, VA” in the early 2000s.

Roy later moved to Indiana, eventually starting Brownsburg Vineyard Church in 2020.

Besides the original victim from Virginia, two more victims in Indiana reported misconduct, including grooming and a “texting” relationship that crossed appropriate boundaries.

On March 28, 2024, the first reporting victim reached out to the Guidepost hotline arranged by Vineyard USA. After Guidepost representatives contacted the victim to get more information, they reported it to Vineyard USA leaders on April 26, 2024.

Over the next several months, the victim, Vineyard leaders, and Guidepost communicated about follow-up actions. Finally, in February 2025, they reached an agreement that The Stier Group would conduct the independent investigation.

When the first victim came forward, Vineyard USA claimed it required the Brownsburg church board to cooperate with the independent investigation and to place Roy and his wife on leave.

According to The Stier Group report, Vineyard USA waited nearly a year before it informed Brownsburg Vineyard Church leadership that Roy needed to be placed on leave.

Vineyard USA claimed the delay occurred for multiple reasons, including gaining the trust of the victim, but the delay meant Roy was given opportunity to victimize the congregation, the report stated.

On May 16, 2025, the Board of Brownsburg Vineyard Church formally ended Roy’s employment and removed him from all leadership roles.

The church reaffirmed this decision in a recent statement published after The Stier Group released its report.

“What is described in the report represents a serious abuse of pastoral authority and trust. Brownsburg Vineyard Church grieves the pain that was caused, and its leadership is truly sorry this happened within our church,” it stated.

The Stier Report included recommendations for Brownsburg Vineyard Church to adopt in the areas of prevention, abuse awareness and training, responding to the harm, and repairing the harm.

The church said it takes the recommendations seriously and has made changes, including adjustments to board structure and composition and plans to “devote significant resources to provide trauma-informed care for those who are harmed.”

In a statement posted online, Vineyard USA wrote, “Denis Roy committed clergy sexual abuse resulting in significant harm — harm to victims, harm to families, and harm to this congregation. What is described in the report represents a serious abuse of pastoral authority and trust. We grieve the pain that was caused, and we are truly sorry this happened within a Vineyard church.”

The statement also praised the victims for coming forward and sharing their experiences “at great personal cost.”

“By speaking up, they have made it possible for what was hidden to come to light, for accountability to begin, and for meaningful change to take root. We grieve the pain they have endured, and we honor the integrity and bravery it takes to tell the truth when silence might have felt safer,” Vineyard USA wrote.

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Vineyard USA claims it has “learned important lessons” such as “making it easier to report concerns” and “responding quickly and consistently.” It also says it has strengthened its vetting of pastors.

“As a movement, Vineyard USA remains committed to demonstrating genuine repentance as we continue to provide a confidential reporting mechanism for victims, establishing increased accountability for pastors, improving our vetting process, and providing trauma-informed care for those who are harmed, so that our churches are safer places and our leaders are held to the highest standards of care and integrity,” the statement says.

MinistryWatch has reported about misconduct allegations against pastors in Duluth, Minn., San Luis Obispo, Calif., and Anaheim, Calif. Read more about those situations here.

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