The popular 1970’s Christian music group, 2nd Chapter of Acts, has premiered their music archive on a new Christian streaming service—and the person behind that platform is a registered sex offender and husband of a band member.
Steve Greisen, husband of 2nd Chapter’s Nelly Greisen, was convicted in 2023 of attempting to solicit sex online with a minor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, El Paso County’s sex offender registry reports. Greisen evaded jail time through a plea deal.
A year later, 2nd Chapter of Acts shared about partnering with ExploreFlix in a Facebook post. The streaming service aims to “bring faith-affirming content to families everywhere” by sharing more than 600 films, documentaries, children’s programs, and music.
ExploreFlix contains 2nd Chapter of Acts archived “never-before-seen performances, live events, recordings, and television appearances.”
“This extensive archive is nothing short of a musical buffet for 2nd Chapter of Acts fans—but until now, it has remained under wraps. That’s all about to change,” the post said. “ExploreFlix is the perfect home for this historic archive.”
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Greisen has deep and layered connections to the streaming service.
He is listed as the registered agent for Monument Media Group LLC, which ExploreFlix is a part of, according to the streaming service’s website.
Additionally, ExploreFlix is offered through the company Exploration Films Distribution. Greisen founded and currently leads Exploration Films Distribution, according to his LinkedIn.
The Roys Report (TRR) reached out to 2nd Chapter of Acts, ExploreFlix, and Exploration Films Distribution for further comment but did not hear back prior to publication.
Greisen first arrested in 2022
Greisen’s conviction stemmed from an undercover operation run by The Colorado Springs Police Department and El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in 2022, according to a statement from officials.
The investigation sought to “identify and arrest child sexual predators.” It ultimately led to the arrest of 12 individuals in El Paso County, Colorado, including then 68-year-old Greisen, the statement reported.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Denver Gazette, Greisen made contact with an undercover officer in September 2022 who was posing as a minor. Greisen believed the detective to be a 14-year-old girl. Despite this, Greisen agreed via texts to pay $170 for sex.
Greisen was then arrested for child prostitution, patronizing a prostituted child, and sexual assault on a child, the Denver Gazette reported. He was later released from jail after posting a $35,000 bond.
In March 2023, Greisen pled guilty to attempting to solicit sex with a minor, a class 4 felony. In a plea deal, he agreed to register as a sex offender and spend five years in Colorado’s supervision program for sex offenders.
The agreement included no jail time for Greisen, who is a resident of Monument, Colorado, the Denver Gazette noted.
Greisen’s longtime involvement in Christian entertainment
MinistryWatch describes Greisen as a “filmmaker and a veteran of the Jesus movement’s 1970s-era music scene.”
Greisen worked as a singer for the 1970s Christian band, The Family. Near the end of the decade, he started to work as a manager for the 2nd Chapter of Acts, according to his LinkedIn.
In 1978, he married 2nd Chapter’s Nelly, according to IMDB. He then served as the group’s tour director until it dissolved in 1988.
The 2nd Chapter of Acts was made up of siblings Nelly, Annie Herring, and Matthew Ward. The band was well-known for its hits, including Mansion Builder and Easter Song.
In 1988, Greisen founded Exploration Films Distribution, which manages distribution on over 400 titles, according to his LinkedIn. That same year, he also started Reel Productions, LLC, which has produced documentary filmmaking that has led to “some of the most remarkable stories ever told.”
TRR also reached out to Reel Productions for comment.
Previously, Greisen was featured in videos and podcasts by ministries including Summit Ministries, the Colson Center, and Moody Audio, MinistryWatch reported.
A longtime friend of Greisen’s told MinistryWatch that news of Greisen’s arrest was shocking.
“This is a tough one for Colorado Springs, especially, due to his deep connections with top international ministries and leadership, along with the massive level of respect he engendered,” the friend said.
Liz Lykins is a correspondent covering religion news for The Roys Report, WORLD Magazine, and other publications.
8 Responses
I’ve been a fan of 2nd Chapter of Acts since the early 80s. One battled depression that I know of. Matthew lost his adult daughter some years back. The 3 siblings lost their parents at a young age. God’s healing in the midst of pain seemed to be a theme of testimony. And here presently, Nelly has to go through this garbage. My word, how does a spouse even process such trauma?
How in the world can anyone do what this man did and not do jail time? My own brother did 5 years in AZ for molesting his own child. Colorado must be some ultra-liberal place for justice. Attempted sex with children is a misdemeanor? As I get older the less and less I think of “Christian” celebrities. It is like the more popular they are with men, the farther away from the real Jesus they go.
So gross to see the proceeds of a Christian musical group going into the pockets of a person who attempted to sexually assault a minor.
Was the Roy’s Report able to discover who has the rights to the band’s archive and name?
It’s disgusting regardless, but it would be clarifying to know whether the whole band is in on this or of this is just a Steve and Nelly money grab.
On the 2nd Chapter Acts official FB page, there is a promo post for ExploreFlix promoting their streaming services and 2nd Chapter of Acts. A lady commented that Matthew Ward was not aware of the promotion. Makes me think he has no rights to their archived material. His sister who is Nelly is married to Steve Greisen…or was. I would think Matthew by virtue of his sister, would know something, but maybe he is just out of the loop. According to the headline here, 2nd Chapter of Acts partnered. Well, maybe the legal entity did, but not all the member(s).
Liz, I do believe that clarity should be given to your headline. As you probably know, readers may believe that the members of the group of 2nd Chapter of Acts endorse the promotion linked to Nelly’s husband Steve Greisen. On the 2nd Chapter of Acts “official” FB page, Matthew Ward jumped into the comment section of the ExploreFlix 2nd Chapter of Acts promotional post and stated, “I have no idea what this is about, I don’t have anything personally to do with this page.” Such a direct statement leads me to believe that 2nd Chapter of Acts that you refer to, is a post-musical entity with Matthew Ward not having a financial interest or even knowledge of this for-profit endeavor. Does Steve Greisen still have business interest? Is Steve Greisen profiting from this endeavor? Is 2nd Chapter of Acts and the 2nd CoA’s music/video catalog owned by a Christian or secular production company and are in contract with Steve Greisen? Seems there is more to the story…as there often is.
If Matthew Ward is totally out of the loop, then why is he still advertising on the site? He should withdraw from it, should he not? Also, stating he knows nothing about it seems odd if he can advertise on it. Certainly, he can ask his sister Nelly, can’t he?
The members of the group may have no control of that FB page. They as individuals may not even own the name of the group. In regard to ExploreFlix, it sounds like the members of the 2nd Chapter of Acts do not own the promotional videos/music promoted. If that is the case, it would be logical for Matthew Ward to chime-in on the comment section and distance his association. I have no reason to question the integrity of his words.
Indeed Mark, you would think he would know something by virtue of Nelly, unless they just don’t speak. Who knows what kind of relationship they have.