A former youth pastor at The Vineyard Church in Duluth, Minn., has been jailed and charged with sexual misconduct with five teenage girls over a three-year period. His parents, the former senior pastor and his wife, allegedly dismissed earlier reports of their son’s crimes. 

On Tuesday, Jackson Gatlin, 35, of Duluth, was arrested by officers of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and charged with 10 felony counts of criminal sexual conduct. From 2007 to 2010, when serving as a volunteer youth leader at Duluth Vineyard, Gatlin allegedly sexually assaulted five teenage girls. He is being held at St. Louis County Jail on $300,000 bond. 

A probable cause statement obtained by The Roys Report (TRR) recounts prosecutors’ interviews with victims, who allege sexual misconduct and abuse of authority by Gatlin as a church leader. Multiple minor victims recounted Gatlin’s grooming behavior through text messages and subsequent sexual abuse, including being restrained and forcibly violated. 

In one incident from spring 2009, Gatlin, then age 20, allegedly drove a 16-year-old girl to his home, following a period of “flirting through text messages.” He allegedly took her to his parents’ bedroom, tied her arms above her head using shoelaces, and removed her pants. According to the statement. he ignored her objections and attempted sexual intercourse which “caused intense pain,” the victim reported.

Another victim of Gatlin’s alleged misconduct was 12 years old at the time of the first reported incident, according to prosecutors. Other alleged incidents of misconduct involved Gatlin kissing, groping, and sexual assaulting teenage female victims. This reportedly occurred in Gatlin’s vehicle, on a bus on the way to a church summer camp, and at the camp. 

Gatlin, who was subsequently hired by Duluth Vineyard as the young adult and online community pastor, was suspended last December as a staff member. Duluth Vineyard is affiliated with Vineyard USA, a network of 500+ congregations in the charismatic tradition. 

Jackson Gatlin is the son of Michael Gatlin, who had served as the church’s senior pastor since 1997, and his wife, Brenda. Michael Gatlin resigned as senior pastor in February, as previously reported by TRR, and a statement on the church’s website noted he “failed to cooperate” with the church’s investigation.

In a statement posted Tuesday by Duluth Vineyard, church leaders said, “To the victims reporting crimes against Jackson, our hearts are broken by your pain. We pray that you experience comfort, healing and peace. We thank you for the courage it took to tell your story and we hope that the law enforcement process helps bring healing for you.” 

The statement continued: “We are sorry that the Duluth Vineyard was the kind of place where this kind of behavior could happen. We apologize to the reporting victims and the Twin Ports community.” 

Senior pastor, wife allegedly dismiss reports of son’s misconduct

Last October, Duluth Vineyard convened a special committee of church members who are not staff members to oversee the investigation into allegations against Jackson Gatlin, which later expanded in scope to include alleged cover-up by Michael and Brenda Gatlin.

The church subsequently hired Godly Response to Abuse in the Church Environment (GRACE), to conduct an independent investigation in cooperation with the police investigation. Both investigations are ongoing.

Based on interviews with alleged victims and church staff, the probable cause statement recounted how Michael and Brenda Gatlin dismissed misconduct reports about their son. 

In an incident recounted from fall 2007, Jackson Gatlin, then age 19, allegedly invited a 16-year-old girl to his family’s home to watch football, telling her that his parents were present when they were not. He allegedly took her to his bedroom, pinned her down, removed her clothing, and penetrated her genitals with his fingers. 

When he left the room briefly, she ran out of the house barefoot. “He tried to rape me,” the girl told her mother, according to the statement. The alleged victim’s mother called Brenda Gatlin and recounted what she knew. According to the probable cause statement, the pastor’s wife replied, “We know your daughter has issues” and hung up the phone. 

According to the church’s youth pastor at the time, Jackson Gatlin was “not subject to (the) vetting process” of other youth leaders, which involved a background check and training. 

In its statement Tuesday, the church noted the allegations against Michael and Brenda Gatlin—that they “knew about certain misconduct by Jackson at the time and failed to act.” The committee stated that these matters are being investigated by authorities and GRACE. 

The church’s recent statement added. “We are working to develop a culture that is more resistant to abuse and toxicity.” 

Both Michael and Brenda Gatlin have held national positions in Vineyard USA. In February, Brenda Gatlin resigned as super regional leader for Vineyard USA, while Michael resigned as a Trustee from the Vineyard USA Board and from the Board of Vineyard Worship. 

Vineyard USA, which has a website page with updates on the Gatlins’ situation, referenced the church’s investigation into the “handling of allegations of sexual abuse and leadership misconduct” by Michael and Brenda, being led by GRACE. 

“We continue to pray for God’s mercy and healing for all who have been impacted by this terrible situation,” said Vineyard USA managing director Robb Morgan in a Tuesday statement. “Please join us in praying.”

An arraignment hearing in Jackson Gatlin’s case has been scheduled for October 31 at the St. Louis County District Court in Duluth.

Freelance journalist Josh Shepherd writes on faith, culture, and public policy for several media outlets. He and his family live in the Washington, D.C. area.