Former Assemblies of God Youth Leader Charged With Sex Abuse

Arrest comes as denomination defends its handling of sex predators

As the Assemblies of God faces scrutiny over alleged failures to stop sexual predators, another affiliated youth leader has been hit with criminal charges.

Central Christian Church in Baltimore, Maryland (Photo via church website) / Insert of Thomas Pinkerton via Baltimore County Police

A Baltimore County Police press release announced the arrest of Thomas Pinkerton, 52, for multiple sex crimes he allegedly committed between 2006 and 2010 while a youth leader at Central Christian Church, an Assemblies of God church in Baltimore, Maryland. Police suspect he abused his victims with inappropriate touching and kissing at the church and also at his home.

NBC News reported that Pinkerton was charged with 24 felonies and misdemeanors for crimes against six teenagers who were 13 to 19 years old at the time. Pinkerton allegedly abused a seventh individual in Georgia, and detectives believe there may be additional victims.

According to NBC News, the seven men came forward last fall with allegations that Pinkerton would touch their genitals and kiss them on the lips, and that he justified his behavior as akin to Jesus giving his disciples a “heavenly” or “brotherly kiss.”

Pinkerton was arrested in July and extradited from Georgia to Maryland on Aug. 6, the same day the Assemblies of God’s U.S. leadership publicly addressed a sex abuse scandal in its Chi Alpha college ministry, defending its actions even as it vowed to do a better job of stopping sexual predators.

MinistryWatch has been covering the fallout from the Chi Alpha scandal, in which a known sex offender, Daniel Savala, was allegedly allowed to serve with five Chi Alpha chapters and have access to hundreds of students despite pleading guilty in 2012 to sexual abuse. In 2023, Savala and former Baylor University campus minister Chris Hundl, who Savala mentored, were indicted for indecency with a child and trafficking of persons.

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An online statement from Central Christian Church noted that Pinkerton left the congregation more than 15 years ago to start his own ministry. Lead Pastor Larry Kirk called the allegations “deeply heartbreaking” and said the church is “committed to walking alongside these young men with compassion and support.”

Assemblies of God officials pointed out that although Pinkerton served in the denomination, he was never a formally credentialed minister, NBC News reported.

Likewise, Savala was not a credentialed minister when he wielded influence in Chi Alpha.

Pinkerton, who currently lives in Winder, Georgia, and recently worked as a traveling evangelist, communicated through his attorney that he was “completely shocked” by the charges. His attorney has filed a motion for a second bond hearing after his first request for release was denied, NBC News reported.

Pinkerton’s preliminary court hearing is set for Sept. 5 while he remains at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

EDITOR’S NOTE: MinistryWatch exists to help donors become more effective stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them. So, why does MinistryWatch report on sex crimes? These stories are tough to read and sometimes even tougher to report, but we think they are vital to our mission to bring transparency, accountability, and credibility to the evangelical church. Donors who are supporting these ministries need to know this information. Ministry leaders and others can learn lessons from these stories. Victims feel supported.  To read more about why and how we report these stories, read “Why MinistryWatch Reports On Sex Crimes.” 

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