Elevation Church, a prominent megachurch based in North Carolina, has terminated Youth Pastor Tim Somers following allegations of sexual abuse during his tenure at Oaks Church in Red Oak, Texas.

The Christian Post reports that survivor advocate Amy Smith announced Somers’ dismissal last Thursday, citing the abuse allegations.

Somers’ association with Oaks Church began in 2009, where he served as an intern until 2011 before joining the staff from 2011 to 2013.

The alleged misconduct is reported to have occurred during this period.

Notably, this timeframe coincides with abuse committed by another Oaks Church youth leader, Jerry Nickerson, who was terminated from his position at Hope Fellowship Church in Frisco, Texas, in January 2025 after confessing to inappropriate conduct with a minor while volunteering at Oaks Church.

Elevation Church was reportedly contacted by the Red Oak Police Department regarding the allegations against Somers.

While the church has not released an official statement, sources indicate that law enforcement has been notified, and an investigation is underway.

This incident adds to a series of recent scandals involving megachurches in Texas.

In November 2024, Gateway Church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area removed four elders from leadership following an internal investigation into sexual abuse claims against its founder, Robert Morris.

Morris admitted to inappropriate sexual behavior in the 1980s with a young woman named Cindy Clemishire, who alleged abuse from ages 12 to 17.

The church emphasized that such behavior is against its values and will not be tolerated.

These events highlight the ongoing challenges religious institutions face in addressing allegations of misconduct within their leadership and underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in maintaining the trust of their congregations.