G.O.D. International and Former Leader Sued for Sex Trafficking and Forced Labor

Gregg Garner was reportedly removed from leadership in October 2025.

This story was updated on 3/4/2026 with a statement from G.O.D. International.

A lawsuit alleging sexual abuse, coercion, and cultlike practices has been filed against Global Outreach Developments International, also known as G.O.D. International.

The ministry was founded by Gregg Garner in 1996 and is located in Nashville, Tennessee. Its mission is to equip “a globally conscious community to serve the poor and marginalized through education, advocacy and empowerment, without discrimination, demonstrating unconditional love.”

It does this through education, community service organizations, and development work in five regions around the world.

Garner is no longer listed as the leader of G.O.D. International. Instead, Adam Loeffler is listed as interim CEO. A website that raises concerns about G.O.D. International reported that, as of October 2025, Garner had been removed from his position “due to serious moral misconduct.”

MinistryWatch reached out to G.O.D. International about Garner’s departure from the organization and about the lawsuit’s allegations, but did not receive a reply before the time of publication.

The lawsuit claims that, between 2022 and 2025, Garner “sexually abused and assaulted multiple women who were members of G.O.D., coercing his victims to participate in numerous sex acts, including sexual intercourse.”

It claims he used “tools of cult indoctrination, such as food and sleep deprivation, social isolation, and extreme emotional abuse” to control his victims’ lives.

Three women, identified as Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, and Jane Doe 3, brought the lawsuit in federal court for the Middle District of Tennessee, claiming Garner and G.O.D. International engaged in a sex and human trafficking venture under the guise of a religious and educational organization.

Besides operating G.O.D. International, the lawsuit alleges Garner led a network of other ministries and businesses, including the Institute for G.O.D., Church for G.O.D., Academy for G.O.D., a massage therapy business called Soma Wellness, a medical practice called Hopewell Family Care, an arts center, and a construction company.

Jane Doe 3 claimed she performed work valued at $300,000 for which she was not compensated while she was being “induced” by Garner to work for his businesses.

The women allege in the lawsuit that Garner used three primary methods to recruit and maintain control over them: provide them with school, housing, and employment; groom and entice them over the years through normalizing sexual comments and eroding physical barriers; and use his spiritual leadership position to “effectively brainwash” them so they would participate in his sexual activities.

The lawsuit elaborates on the grooming techniques Garner allegedly used against the plaintiffs along with psychological, financial, and reputation control they claim he exercised over them.

Their claims include federal sex trafficking and forced labor, sexual harassment and retaliation under the Tennessee Human Rights Act, and claims for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and negligent hiring and retention of Garner.

This is not the first claim of misconduct alleged against Greg Garner.

In August 2022, G.O.D. International published a letter explaining that a three-year investigation by the Tennessee Attorney General into the Garners for fraud and theft of services had been dropped and the couple had been “cleared of all charges.”

The investigation was “provoked” by an online “hate-group” that alleged “sensational theories” of wrongdoing by the Garners.

The wrongful accusations, the G.O.D. International letter said, resulted in suffering that included “public defamation, relational damage, physical, emotional, and mental health trauma.”

“The Board of Directors for both G.O.D. International and The Institute for G.O.D. were so convinced of the Garners’ innocence that they never asked Gregg to resign his role as CEO and President. As a ministry, we are excited to continue in the good work we’re doing for Nashville and the world at large,” the letter said in closing.

A website, “G.O.D. is a Cult,” features a letter by “former members, family members, friends, and concerned individuals who have been deeply impacted by the practices of GOD International and The Institute for Global Outreach Developments International” that responds to G.O.D. International leadership.

They claim they are not a “hate group,” but a group who loves people on the inside of G.O.D. International.

And they defend their use of “cult” in referring to G.O.D. International, saying it is based on characteristics such as “authoritarian leadership based on one individual,” “lack of informed consent and financial transparency,” “punitive social shaming,” using “spiritual language to justify control,” “limiting access to outside relationships,” and manipulation of personal autonomy.

They say these tactics have left many “hurting, broken, and confused.”

In the MinistryWatch 1000 database, G.O.D. International has one out of five stars for Financial Efficiency, a D Transparency Grade because it does not post its audited financial statement and is not a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Responsibility, and a Donor Confidence Score of 45 out of 100, meaning donors should withhold giving.

Update: MinistryWatch received the following statement from Laurie Kagay, with the communications team for G.O.D. International, after publication: 

“We recently became aware that our organizations have been named in a lawsuit that includes allegations involving a former leader. We take such matters seriously and, above all, remain committed to the safety, well-being, and care of all those connected to our ministry.

In response to the allegations brought to us this fall, the Board of Directors engaged an independent third party to conduct a thorough investigation, which is still ongoing. 

We are cooperating with the legal process and will provide additional information as appropriate.”

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