New Braunfels pastor resigns in wake of sex lawsuits

A third lawsuit has been filed in state court here accusing former Renew Ministries Pastor Terry Knighten of abusing his position to have sex with female congregants, while a related fight in federal court pits the now-defunct church against its insurer. less A third lawsuit has been filed in state court here accusing former Renew Ministries Pastor Terry Knighten of abusing his position to have sex with female congregants, while a related fight in federal court pits ... more Photo: Zeke MacCormack /San Antonio Express-News Photo: Zeke MacCormack /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close New Braunfels pastor resigns in wake of sex lawsuits 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

NEW BRAUNFELS — Two women have filed separate lawsuits against Renew Ministries, Celebrate Life Church and its former senior pastor, Terry Knighten, accusing him of engaging in unwanted and nonconsensual sexual relations with them.

A person who answered the church phone Tuesday said Knighten was no longer its pastor and referred inquiries on the suits to a Dallas law firm. Knighten, whose Facebook page says he founded the church a decade ago with his wife, Michelle, could not be reached at home.

“The church takes the allegations seriously and is committed to ensuring the safety of all of its members,” attorney Katari Buck of Dallas later said in a prepared statement.

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Pastor Mike Foster has replaced Knighten, who resigned Friday as church pastor and president and from its board, Buck wrote, adding Michelle Knighten also resigned from the board.

Both of the suits were filed last week by attorney Scott Braden of Austin and seek damages in excess of $1 million for their respective plaintiffs, Amy Arp and Kristen Harvey. Both said they suffered “severe emotional distress” due to the alleged misconduct by Terry Knighten during marital counseling sessions.

Arp, 32, was a church volunteer, employee and member of the church’s 300-person congregation, and had regular sexual relations at the church with Knighten for 10 years, ending in October 2015, her suit says.

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The suit by Harvey, 27, says Knighten forced himself on her at his Wilderness Way home a year ago.

Each accuses Knighten of breaching a fiduciary duty, assault by offensive physical conduct, negligence and gross negligence, intentional infliction of distress and sexual exploitation by a mental health services provider.

“Plaintiff will show that the conduct of defendant Knighten was so harassing, outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized community,” both suits state.

Reached by phone, Braden said he didn’t know if either plaintiff had reported Knighten’s alleged conduct to law enforcement authorities.

The suits assert other officials with Renew/ Celebration of Life knew or should have known of the alleged sexual misconduct but failed to take steps to protect the plaintiffs.

The causes of action against the church and ministry are gross negligence, sexual exploitation by a mental health services provider and negligent hiring, supervising, training and retention.

Knighten’s profile on Facebook describes him as a Florida native who is “a gifted communicator,” plays guitar, rides a Harley-Davidson and has 20-plus years experience working in churches “in various capacities.”

It says he “presents the unadulterated message of God’s Grace and Agape Love in a fresh and liberating format.”

zeke@express-news.net