North Point Community Church pastor Andy Stanley addressed fresh allegations of sexual abuse against Reggie Joiner, a former staff member and founder of Orange, a children’s ministry curriculum provider.

The accusations, detailed in a blog post by a woman named Kristyn Pierfelice, claim Joiner groomed and sexually abused her starting when she was 14 and he was in his 20s, serving as her youth pastor.

In a sermon on October 27, 2024, Stanley described the allegations as “horrific” and said the situation was “worse than she even described.”

He emphasized the church’s commitment to supporting victims, stating, “We are a safe place.

If you’re a victim, we’re going to believe you until proven otherwise.” Stanley also clarified that Joiner, who left North Point in 2018 to focus on Orange, has not been part of the church’s staff since then.

Pierfelice’s blog post alleges that Joiner’s abuse began in the mid-1990s at First Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where he was her youth pastor.

She claims the abuse continued for years, including after Joiner moved to Georgia to work with Stanley at North Point. Pierfelice said she reported the abuse to North Point leadership in August 2024, prompting the church to hire a law firm to investigate.

The investigation concluded that Joiner had no contact with minors at North Point, as his role focused on adult leadership and curriculum development.

Stanley expressed heartbreak for Pierfelice, noting that North Point offered to fund her counseling and legal fees.

He also addressed the church’s response, saying they took immediate action upon learning of the allegations, including barring Joiner from church events and notifying Orange’s board, which led to Joiner’s resignation as CEO on October 22, 2024.

Joiner issued a statement admitting to “inappropriate adult relationships” in his 20s but denied abusing minors. He claimed the relationships were consensual and occurred when he was not in a pastoral role.

However, Pierfelice refuted this, asserting the abuse began when she was a minor under his pastoral care.

Stanley urged his congregation to prioritize victims’ voices and avoid defending Joiner, emphasizing that North Point has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct.

He also noted that the church is cooperating with any potential legal investigations, though no charges have been filed against Joiner as of October 2024.