Church of the Nazarene in California Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation for Victims of Sexual Abuse at Nazarene Churches

Survivors of the Church of the Nazarene in California sex abuse scandals have come forward with troubling allegations, describing incidents involving pastors, youth leaders, camp counselors, and church-affiliated programs.

These reports claim that church leaders failed to protect children and young boys from alleged abuse, leaving lasting trauma for survivors and families. At Injury Lawyer Team, we help survivors pursue justice through California clergy abuse lawsuits, holding accountable not only individual offenders but also Nazarene churches that enabled or ignored misconduct.

If you or a loved one experienced alleged sexual abuse within a California Church of the Nazarene—whether at local congregations such as the Arden, Tehachapi, or Susanville Church, or during church-sponsored trips and camps—we are here to fight for your rights.

Our firm focuses on representing survivors of sexual abuse, working on a contingency fee basis so survivors can access skilled legal help without any upfront cost.

Allegations of Abuse Against Church of the Nazarene Entities

Over the past several decades, numerous reports of alleged abuse have surfaced tied to Nazarene congregations and affiliated programs across California. Survivors describe being sexually abused as children during youth groups, summer camps, and church-sponsored trips, often by people in positions of spiritual authority.

These accounts have led to several lawsuits and criminal investigations, naming the individuals accused as well as broader Nazarene entities that allegedly ignored warnings, failed to alert police, or allowed unsafe behavior to continue.

What follows is a closer look at the most significant cases, each shedding light on the ways abuse was allegedly committed, concealed, and later challenged through clergy sexual abuse lawsuits in California.

Susanville Church of the Nazarene (Bradley Earl Reger) — Echo Ranch trips, federal charges, and civil suits

Survivors allege Bradley Earl Reger, a former nurse practitioner, camp counselor at Echo Ranch, and youth leader with ties to the Susanville Church of the Nazarene, sexually abused boys for decades.

A September 19, 2024, indictment charged him with transporting children for criminal sexual activity, coercion, and enticement, facing up to life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors say he would accompany dozens of minors on two-week-long trips where he would allegedly engage in abuse under the guise of medical exams.

Civil suits filed in 2023 and 2024 accuse Reger of civil sex trafficking and mistreatment, describing abuse of “hundreds” of children starting in 1998 and concluding in 2023. Defendants include Avant Ministries (Bible camp), the Nazarene Church Foundation, and the Susanville Nazarene Church, accused of ignoring numerous reports since the 1980s.

Arden Church of the Nazarene (Sacramento area) — Youth pastor David Arnold and “hostage” tying game

David Arnold, a former youth leader at Arden Church of the Nazarene and later a Capital Christian School (CCS) teacher/coach, faces claims of sexually abusing young boys. A May 2022 lawsuit claimed he abused five CCS students (1980–83).

Soon after, a sixth man,Zach Steele, alleged Arnold abused him in the late 1970s at Arden through a “game called hostage,” where children were tied and bound while loud music was played to numb their senses and mask the sounds of their resistance.

By Nov. 2022, two lawsuits were filed, with reports citing at least nine alleged victims, spanning both Capital Christian School and the Nazarene church. Plaintiffs allege the defendant used bondage scenarios for sexual gratification, reinforcing patterns of assault-based conduct.

Tehachapi Church of the Nazarene — Youth pastor Adrian Daugherty charged in 2025

On Jan. 27, 2025, Tehachapi Police arrested Adrian Daugherty, then a youth pastor at Tehachapi Church of the Nazarene, on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor.

He later pleaded not guilty. Court proceedings are ongoing, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Local outlets confirm the arrest and employment details.

Mid-City Church of the Nazarene (San Diego) — “Sexual healing” claims against pastor John Wright

In 2018, a woman identified as A.M. filed a San Diego clergy sexual abuse lawsuit alleging that pastor John Wright coerced her into hundreds of sexual encounters by claiming that engaging in sex would provide “sexual healing” for prior childhood abuse. She sued both Wright and the Mid-City Church of the Nazarene.

Media reports later confirmed that Point Loma Nazarene University was added as a defendant, citing Wright’s dual role as professor and pastor.

With ongoing criminal prosecutions and multiple civil suits against Nazarene churches, courts are now examining individual misconduct and whether systemic negligence allowed abuse to continue. This scrutiny places immense pressure on churches, schools, and camps to reform their policies while survivors fight for justice and recognition.

What Damages Can Alleged Victims Recover?

Recent compensation data highlights the significant value of clergy sexual abuse settlements. Reported outcomes in California sexual abuse lawsuits show a median award of about $1.46 million, with an average settlement exceeding $5.5 million.

Individual recoveries range widely, from just over $10,000 to more than $135 million, depending on factors like the severity of the abuse, the number of abused youths, and the level of institutional negligence, among other things.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse at the Nazarene Church may pursue a range of damages in a sexual abuse lawsuit in California. These typically include:

• Medical costs — covering emergency care, ongoing treatment, and future health needs
• Therapy and counseling — long-term psychological support for trauma, PTSD, and emotional injuries
• Lost income and earning capacity — if the abuse disrupted schooling or career opportunities
• Pain and suffering — compensation for lasting emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages — awarded in cases of egregious misconduct, meant to punish institutions or offenders and deter future abuse

These categories ensure survivors can address both the financial burdens of recovery and the intangible harms caused by sexual abuse.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Church Sex Abuse Cases in California?

In clergy sexual abuse lawsuits, responsibility often extends beyond the individual who committed the abuse. Survivors may bring claims against multiple parties who enabled, concealed, or failed to prevent misconduct. Under California law, potential defendants can include:

• Individual perpetrators — pastors or other adults accused of using their authority to sexually abuse children.
• Local churches — specific congregations, such as the Susanville or Arden Nazarene Churches, can face liability if they ignored complaints, failed to supervise staff, or allowed illicit practices.
• Regional and national entities — district advisory boards, foundations, and denominational leadership may be named if they had knowledge of abuse yet permitted the accused to remain in ministry or continue contact with minors.
• Affiliated schools, camps, and ministries — institutions like Bible camps or religious schools linked to Nazarene churches may be held accountable when abuse occurs under their supervision.
• Third parties — in some cases, outside organizations, insurers, or property owners can face liability if they played a role in enabling access to minors or failed to provide adequate security.

By targeting all parties responsible, clergy sexual abuse lawsuits in California aim to compensate survivors and drive systemic change, ensuring churches and related entities adopt stronger safeguards to protect children and vulnerable adults.

How Long Do Victims Have to Take Legal Action?

Criminal Charges

Under California Penal Code § 801.1, prosecutors may file criminal charges for sexual offenses against minors until the survivor’s 40th birthday. In cases where DNA evidence later identifies a suspect, charges can sometimes be filed at any time, with no age limit. This extended window reflects the unique challenges survivors of childhood sexual abuse face in coming forward.

Civil Lawsuits

On the civil side, California has some of the most survivor-friendly laws in the country. AB 452 abolished the statute of limitations for childhood sexual assault claims under Code of Civil Procedure § 340.1. This means survivors can file a lawsuit at any time, regardless of their current age.

However, plaintiffs who are 40 or older at the time of filing must include certificates of merit, signed by both their attorney and a licensed mental health professional, confirming that the claims have a reasonable basis. This safeguard ensures that cases moving forward are grounded in credible evidence and professional evaluation.

Together, these laws open the door for survivors to pursue justice through both criminal accountability and civil compensation, even years after the abuse occurred.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help Sexually Abused Victims

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are committed to standing with survivors of abuse connected to the Nazarene Church and other faith-based organizations. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling sex abuse lawsuits in California and understand both the legal and emotional challenges these cases bring.

When you choose our firm, we will:

• Investigate thoroughly — gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working with experts to build the strongest possible case.
• Hold institutions accountable — pursuing legal action against individual perpetrators and entities, schools, camps, or boards that enabled abuse.
• Protect survivor anonymity — filing under seal when permitted and ensuring sensitive details remain confidential.
• Maximize compensation — seeking damages for medical care, therapy, lost income, pain and suffering, and punitive damages where appropriate.

We represent clients on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Survivors can also access a free, confidential consultation to discuss their rights and options without risk or obligation.

If you or a family member has been harmed, do not wait. Contact us today to learn how we can help you pursue justice through sex abuse lawsuits.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.