Johnny Hunt, a prominent figure in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), is gearing up for a significant legal meeting next year in relation to a lawsuit he filed against the SBC. Central to this case are allegations of defamation and invasion of privacy stemming from revelations made in an independent investigation.
Following an order from U.S. District Judge William Campbell from the Nashville Division of the Middle District of Tennessee, both parties are expected to come together sometime after May 2025 to discuss potential trial dates. Notably, the judge also facilitated plans for a face-to-face meeting between the lead lawyers representing Hunt and the SBC Executive Committee. Key matters on the agenda include revisiting specific discovery activities that may allow for depositions of a few notable SBC figures, including Kevin Ezell, Jeremy Morton, and Ed Litton.
“Any future discovery disputes must involve lead counsel meeting in person, face-to-face,” stated the judge’s order, underscoring the importance of direct communication before escalating issues to the court. This requirement emphasizes the court’s aim to streamline proceedings and reduce unnecessary delays.
The backdrop of this lawsuit is tied to a report released by Guidepost Solutions in May 2022, which highlighted troubling accusations against SBC leaders. These included claims of intimidating whistleblowers while protecting churches facing serious allegations of abuse. Johnny Hunt himself was named in this report, with allegations of an incident dating back to 2010, where a young pastor’s wife accused him of assault.
The fallout from these allegations was swift; Hunt was suspended from his position as pastor emeritus at First Baptist Church Woodstock in Georgia soon after the report’s publication. Despite this, he returned to the pulpit in January 2023 at Hiland Park Baptist Church in Florida, showcasing his desire to continue his ministry despite the ongoing legal battles.
Hunt alleges that the portrayal of his past conduct—described as “a brief, inappropriate, extramarital encounter”—was grossly misrepresented and should never have been disclosed publicly. According to his lawsuit, the encounter involved nothing more than kissing and some awkward fondling, which Hunt argues was a private matter. He firmly believes that the negative spotlight placed on him was largely orchestrated to present the SBC as a reformed institution committed to protecting victims of sexual misconduct, albeit at the expense of his character.
SBC President Clint Pressley has publicly clarified that there has not yet been any resolution of the lawsuit, despite some speculation about a possible settlement. Meanwhile, discussions within the SBC community reflect hesitance about simply paying off claims made by individuals like Hunt. Griffin Gulledge, pastor of Madison Baptist Church in Georgia, weighed in, emphasizing the necessity of integrity in the ongoing battle against abuse, which complicates any potential decision to settle the case.
The narrative surrounding Johnny Hunt’s case continues to evolve as both sides prepare for these pivotal discussions, set against a backdrop of broader concerns over accountability within the Southern Baptist Convention.
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