Brentwood Baptist Church Scandal

October 22, 2025
Sarah Miller

The Brentwood Baptist Church scandal has brought widespread attention to serious concerns about misconduct, abuse, and leadership accountability within one of the largest Southern Baptist congregations in Middle Tennessee. This controversy touches not only Brentwood Baptist Church but also affiliated networks, including church planting initiatives and connections to the Engage Church Network. Survivors of abuse, and those seeking justice in the name of Jesus Christ, deserve support and guidance.

If you or your child experienced sexual abuse at Brentwood Baptist or another Southern Baptist institution, Legal Claim Assistant can connect you with an experienced attorney for a free, confidential case review.

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Key Takeaways:

The Brentwood Baptist Church scandal highlights serious instances of sexual abuse and misconduct within one of the largest Southern Baptist congregations.
Survivors may experience long-term emotional, psychological, and spiritual trauma, including anxiety, depression, trust issues, and difficulty engaging with faith communities.
Abuse often occurs in trusted environments, including large multi-campus churches, leadership circles, and ministry programs, making the betrayal especially damaging.
Legal recourse is available. Survivors can pursue civil lawsuits against both individual abusers and the institution itself. Legal Claim Assistant connects survivors with experienced Baptist sexual abuse lawyers for free, confidential case reviews, providing a safe first step toward justice.

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If your child has been a victim of sexual abuse, you are not alone. Many families face the same fear, pain, and search for justice. Our team can connect you with experienced child sexual abuse attorneys who understand these sensitive cases, protect your child’s rights, and guide your family through filing a legal claim for the compensation and accountability you deserve.

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What Happened at Brentwood Baptist Church?

The Brentwood Baptist Church scandal has drawn national attention due to allegations of sexual abuse, leadership failures, and institutional cover-ups within one of the largest Southern Baptist congregations in Middle Tennessee. While the church is widely recognized for its eight campuses, strong community presence, and vibrant ministry programs aimed at changing communities, these reports have revealed troubling incidents that contrast sharply with its public image. The controversy has raised serious questions about accountability at both the senior leadership level and among campus pastors and church staff responsible for overseeing day-to-day activities.

Many survivors report abuse that occurred under the supervision of trusted leaders, including allegations involving church planters, volunteers, and other figures connected to Brentwood’s new churches and re purpose churches initiatives. While the congregation is celebrated for family fellowship, Sunday services, prayer, and outreach, it appears some institutional mechanisms failed to protect vulnerable members.

These incidents have sparked widespread concern about how Baptist church leadership balances ministry growth with safeguarding members, highlighting the need for transparency, accountability, and robust support systems for survivors.

The church has a long history of developing valuable resources for its congregants, including programs centered on scripture, spiritual development, and Christian community. Leaders, past and present, including the senior pastor and campus pastors, have emphasized trust, unity, and a calling to serve God in their statements.

However, reports suggest that the leadership transition periods such as those occurring in February and September may have contributed to lapses in supervision, allowing abuse to go unchecked. While the church has made public statements and encouraged members to pray, watch, and understand ongoing developments, many survivors continue to feel a lack of adequate institutional support.

In the context of the broader Southern Baptist Convention sexual abuse crisis, Brentwood is not an isolated case. Patterns of abuse and cover-ups have emerged in other Baptist churches, demonstrating systemic issues within the denomination.

The connection between local church activities and broader denominational oversight raises critical questions about the role of leaders and trustees in ensuring congregational safety. Allegations from Brentwood align with reports from other Baptist churches where leadership transitions, ministry expansion, and church planting efforts may have inadvertently created gaps in accountability.

For those seeking more context on the wider denomination issues, see more about Southern Baptist Sexual Abuse to explores how institutional structures and leadership practices have contributed to abuse across the SBC network. Understanding these patterns is crucial for survivors who want to hold both abusers and institutions accountable while navigating their healing journey.

Church Planting Leadership and Oversight Roles

Leadership at Brentwood Baptist Church has been a focal point in discussions about the scandal, raising questions about how responsibility and accountability were managed at the highest levels. Key leaders named in news reports include Steve Gaines, Jay Strother, and Travis Cottrell, all of whom held prominent roles in overseeing both the senior pastor responsibilities and multiple campus operations.

While their public messaging emphasized vision, work surrounding God, and spiritual development, survivors and congregants have questioned whether sufficient measures were in place to protect vulnerable members.

Steve Gaines, as the senior pastor during many of the reported incidents, oversaw church operations that spanned many churches and eight campuses. His leadership emphasized creating a role-centered ministry, developing new churches, and fostering community engagement.

Public statements from Gaines often referenced spending time working in ministry, encouraging believers to deepen their connection to God through prayer, fellowship, and service. Despite these intentions, the handling of abuse allegations revealed gaps between church messaging and practical protections for members.

Jay Strother and Travis Cottrell, both serving in various pastoral and worship capacities, also came under scrutiny. News reports highlighted questions regarding their new roles, leadership decisions, and how much work they dedicated to oversight versus expansion projects.

The board of trustees and other decision-makers were likewise responsible for monitoring congregational safety, yet survivors have reported feeling that their concerns were not adequately addressed. While church communications emphasized a commitment to unity, scripture, and spiritual growth, some actions left survivors feeling unsupported and unheard.

Who is the pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church Houston, TX?

Currently, Steve Gaines serves as the senior pastor, leading the main campus in Houston while providing guidance across the broader network. The pastoral team also includes campus pastors and ministry leaders, such as Travis Cottrell, who oversee worship, teaching, and outreach programs. The church describes its leadership approach as centered on vision, work God, and role-centered service, aiming to inspire believers to actively participate in the ministry’s mission.

The church’s leadership response to the scandal included written statements, videos, and public messages urging congregants to remain faithful, continue prayer, and uphold trust within the community. While these efforts reflect a desire to address concerns, critics argue that the steps were insufficient in providing immediate protection or redress for survivors.

Connection to Southern Baptist Convention Sexual Abuse Crisis

The Brentwood Baptist Church scandal is not an isolated incident it fits within a troubling pattern of sexual abuse and cover-ups across the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Over the years, multiple reports have revealed systemic failures in how large congregations handle allegations, often prioritizing reputation, growth, or ministry expansion over the safety and well-being of survivors.

Brentwood, with its eight campuses, house fellowships, and active ministry programs, serves as a notable example of how even churches with vibrant community engagement can struggle to implement adequate protective measures.

Patterns of abuse cover-ups within large SBC congregations often involve delayed reporting, internal investigations without transparency, and communication gaps between leadership and congregants. While the church emphasizes creating a fun, spiritually engaging environment for its members, with initiatives that inspire believers to stand, spend time in fellowship, and work God’s mission, these efforts can sometimes overshadow the urgent need for accountability and oversight.

Brentwood’s scandal highlights broader issues in the SBC, including challenges posed by rapid church planting, leadership transitions, and multi-campus management. Leaders such as Steve Gaines, campus pastors, and trustees often balance visionary ministry goals with operational responsibilities, yet the system sometimes lacks mechanisms to ensure abuse allegations are addressed promptly and thoroughly. This mirrors findings in other SBC churches, demonstrating a pattern of insufficient action and lack of transparency.

For survivors seeking legal guidance or more context on similar cases, see our Southern Baptist Sexual Abuse Cases page. This resource outlines how abuse incidents across multiple congregations are handled, the role of institutional oversight, and how victims can seek justice.

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How Survivors Have Been Impacted

Survivors of abuse at Brentwood Baptist Church face profound and lasting consequences, including emotional, psychological, and spiritual trauma. The betrayal of trust by leaders and institutions often leaves survivors grappling with feelings of fear, shame, and isolation, making it difficult to engage fully in the communities they once valued.

Even within a congregation designed to foster fun, fellowship, and meaningful spiritual growth, the weight of abuse can overshadow positive experiences like house gatherings, ministry programs, and outreach activities.

Many survivors report that the church’s leadership and wider institutional structures provided little support or protection, leaving them to navigate the aftermath alone. While statements from pastors and trustees often expressed gratitude for the congregation’s trust and emphasized faith, prayer, and wisdom, survivors still experienced a lack of actionable care, guidance, and accountability.

The contrast between the church’s public emphasis on one thing working God’s mission and building community and the reality of inadequate protection has been a source of profound frustration and trauma for victims.

The psychological impact of such abuse can manifest in long-term anxiety, depression, and trust issues, making everyday interactions, including family life, work, and social connections, more challenging. Spiritually, many survivors struggle with reconciling their faith after experiencing harm in a religious setting, questioning teachings and the integrity of the institution.

Emotional wounds can also affect relationships with peers and loved ones, leaving survivors feeling alienated from the country, community, and fellowship they once embraced.

Beyond individual trauma, survivors often encounter systemic barriers when seeking support. Limited institutional accountability, delayed responses, or lack of clear reporting pathways can exacerbate the harm. Some survivors describe feeling as though their concerns were placed in an inbox and never adequately addressed, or that they were expected to simply break their silence without guidance.

Can Survivors of Brentwood Baptist Church Abuse File a Lawsuit?

Yes, survivors of abuse at Brentwood Baptist Church may be eligible to pursue a civil lawsuit, holding both the individual abuser and the institution accountable. Legal action can provide a path to justice, compensation, and acknowledgment of the harm endured. Civil claims often focus on negligence, failure to supervise, or institutional cover-ups, ensuring that churches take responsibility for creating a safe environment for all congregants.

Eligibility for a lawsuit generally requires that the survivor:

Was abused as a minor or during a period where consent was not legally possible.
Can identify the abuser by name.
Experienced abuse in an institution that is still in operation or by an institutional leader.
Meets the applicable statute of limitations requirements in their state. Legal deadlines vary, but some states have extended or special provisions for child sexual abuse claims, allowing survivors more time to file.

Understanding the statute of limitations is crucial. Survivors should act promptly or consult with experienced legal counsel to determine whether they are still eligible to file a claim. These laws exist to protect both survivors and institutions, but many states have recognized the unique challenges in reporting abuse, particularly when trauma has delayed disclosure.

Civil lawsuits allow survivors to pursue compensation for emotional, psychological, and spiritual harm, as well as to hold the institution accountable for failing to prevent abuse. Through legal representation, survivors can ensure that leadership including trustees, pastors, and staff is grateful for the trust placed in them and faces accountability for lapses in oversight. While pursuing a claim is serious work, survivors often find that legal action provides a sense of empowerment and validation for their experiences.

To learn more connect with professional Baptist Sexual Abuse Lawyer.

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Legal Precedents and Notable Cases in Southern Baptist Abuse

The Brentwood Baptist Church scandal is part of a broader pattern of sexual abuse cases within Southern Baptist churches, many of which have resulted in civil lawsuits, settlements, and legal precedents that guide how institutions and leaders are held accountable. Understanding these cases can help survivors and their families see potential outcomes and make informed decisions about pursuing legal action.

Several high-profile Southern Baptist abuse cases have shaped the legal landscape:

Multi-Campus Church Lawsuits Similar to Brentwood’s eight-campus structure, other large churches have faced lawsuits for failing to supervise leaders and protect minors. Courts have held institutions liable when internal reporting mechanisms were insufficient or ignored. These cases underscore the importance of institutional accountability alongside individual liability.
Settlement Examples In cases where victims could demonstrate negligence by church leadership, settlements often included financial compensation for emotional and psychological trauma, as well as measures to improve institutional policies. These precedents show that survivors can achieve both justice and systemic change.
Court Outcomes and Legal Standards Courts have consistently emphasized that churches cannot shield abusers by prioritizing reputation over safety. Decisions in other Southern Baptist cases illustrate that statutes of limitations, evidence of repeated misconduct, and failure to act by leaders can all influence outcomes in favor of survivors.
Impact on Policies and Awareness High-profile settlements and verdicts have prompted many SBC churches to adopt stricter child protection policies, reporting procedures, and background checks for pastors, volunteers, and staff. While no single case guarantees a particular result, these precedents help survivors understand the legal remedies available and the kinds of evidence that strengthen a claim.

By examining these legal precedents, survivors connected to Brentwood Baptist Church can better understand that pursuing a lawsuit is a viable path to justice. Even when cases involve complex multi-campus structures or senior leadership oversight, experienced attorneys can help navigate the legal system, hold abusers and institutions accountable, and pursue maximum compensation.

“The Brentwood Baptist Church scandal is a stark reminder that even trusted institutions must be held accountable.”

Frequently Asked Questions About the Brentwood Baptist Church Scandal

Why is Pastor Steve Gaines stepping down?

Pastor Steve Gaines announced his decision to step down from certain leadership responsibilities amid ongoing scrutiny over how the church handled abuse allegations. The move is intended to allow the congregation to focus on transparency, accountability, and the healing of affected members.

Who is Jay Strother?

Jay Strother is a senior staff member at Brentwood Baptist Church who has been involved in pastoral and administrative roles. He has appeared in reports related to the church’s leadership decisions during the scandal.

Where does Travis Cottrell lead worship?

Travis Cottrell serves as a worship leader and pastor across multiple Brentwood Baptist Church campuses. He has been mentioned in media coverage regarding the church’s handling of abuse allegations.

How can survivors get help or legal guidance?

Survivors can connect with experienced Baptist sexual abuse lawyers through Legal Claim Assistant for a free, confidential case review. Resources are available to download guidance on next steps and legal options.

What steps has the church taken to support survivors?

Brentwood Baptist Church has issued statements and videos encouraging prayer, reflection, and spiritual support. However, many survivors emphasize the need for concrete action, accountability, and justice alongside spiritual guidance.

Free Legal Help for Survivors of Southern Baptist Abuse

If you or a loved one suffered abuse connected to Brentwood Baptist Church or any other Southern Baptist church, you are not alone. Survivors deserve justice, support, and a safe path forward, and Legal Claim Assistant is here to help. We connect survivors with experienced Baptist sexual abuse lawyers who understand the complexities of multi-campus churches, leadership accountability, and institutional oversight failures.

Our team provides a free, confidential case review, ensuring you have the guidance and support needed to take the next steps. Whether your experience involved spiritual leaders, campus pastors, or church planters, you can rely on compassionate legal professionals who fight for maximum compensation and hold both individuals and institutions accountable.

Take action today and request your free, confidential case review and let our team help you navigate this process safely and effectively. Your story matters, and legal recourse is a step toward reclaiming your life and your voice.

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