Tim Somers, a former youth pastor at Elevation Church, has stepped down following serious allegations of misconduct. The allegations, stemming from his time as a staff member at Oaks Church in Red Oak, Texas, over a decade ago, have sparked concerns within the church community and beyond. Though no charges have been filed against Somers, law enforcement in Texas is actively investigating the claims, and authorities have acknowledged that they believe “something has occurred.”
Individuals who have come forward may be entitled to financial compensation. Survivors of abuse who have not yet spoken out can contact our law firm confidentially for a free consultation to determine their rights. Seeking legal help is free, easy, and confidential. If you or someone you know has been a victim of misconduct by Somers or anyone else, please call us at 561-222-2222.
Elevation Church Responds to Allegations
Elevation Church, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, has confirmed that Somers will no longer serve on staff. A spokesperson for the church stated that once the allegations were brought to their attention, they immediately contacted authorities in Texas and placed Somers on leave. Shortly after, the church and Somers mutually agreed that he would step down permanently.
“Recently, allegations were brought forward about the former Next Gen Pastor Tim Somers’ conduct while serving at a church in Texas approximately 12 years ago. As soon as Elevation learned about these allegations, we reached out to local Texas authorities and immediately placed Tim on leave. No charges have been filed. But Tim understands how impactful these allegations are for his role in ministry, and we have agreed he will no longer serve on staff.”
Board-certified civil trial attorney Spencer T. Kuvin of GOLDLAW, who represented victims of late financier Jeffrey Epstein and is currently representing 10 victims for civil lawsuits against a former youth pastor at Duluth Vineyard Church, emphasized that churches must take these incidents as a serious warning.
“Churches should be focused on training and educating their leadership to be sensitive and alert to any potential for inappropriate activities. Oftentimes, in the religious setting, leaders will excuse what appears to be inappropriate behavior and hope that it goes away or does not continue to occur. Burying your head in the sand and failing to address problems seriously will almost always result in a tragedy,” Kuvin said in response to a series of questions from The Christian Post on March 14, 2025.
A Pattern of Misconduct Emerges
The allegations against Somers originated from Oaks Church in Red Oak, where he was an intern from 2009-2011 and a staff member from 2011-2013. The misconduct claims surfaced following the confession of another former Oaks Church pastor, Jerry Nickerson, who admitted to “inappropriate contact with a minor.” Nickerson was fired by Hope Fellowship in Frisco, Texas, after his confession, leading to increased scrutiny of past leadership at Oaks Church.
According to Oaks Church leadership, additional students have since come forward detailing their experiences from over a decade ago. These allegations range from inappropriate text messages to physical misconduct between youth leaders and students. While it is unclear if all these claims involve Somers, Red Oak Police Chief Garland Wolf has confirmed that his name has surfaced in connection with serious allegations.
Wolf also stated that detectives are actively working to establish a timeline and identify other individuals who may have been involved or affected. “Our detectives continue to work diligently to gather facts and statements to further our investigation. We hope those efforts will lead to an ultimate resolution of the allegations against several persons,” Wolf said.
Kuvin added in his interview with The Christian Post that he was not surprised that the allegations against Somers have surfaced now despite the incidents occurring over a decade ago.
“Society has determined that some crimes are so heinous that they have no statute of limitations for prosecution,” he said. “Churches that face issues regarding abuse by leadership, or even members, should search out organizations that can help them investigate the extent of the abuse and offer full and complete support to the victims of the abuse. The accused perpetrator should immediately be separated from any and all activities with the church until the full investigation is complete.”
Community Reaction and Legal Implications
Elevation Church, founded by Steven Furtick in 2006, is one of the largest and most influential churches in the country, with 19 campuses across the United States. The news of Somers’ alleged misconduct has sent shockwaves through the congregation and the broader Christian community.
Churchgoers and former youth group members are left grappling with feelings of betrayal and concern for potential victims. Oaks Church Pastor Chris Railey emphasized the church’s commitment to transparency and ensuring a safe environment for all attendees.
“Even though this apparently did not happen on church property or during a ministry event, and it happened many years ago, we quickly reported to the authorities what we knew,” Railey told the congregation. “We’re called to make sure every person who walks through these doors is safe, they’re seen, they’re valued, and they’re protected.”
Kuvin also noted how religious institutions often ignore troubling behaviors because of personal biases toward those in leadership roles.
“It is important to understand that no one should be beyond criticism and review. Oftentimes we see in the religious setting that the harmful abuse occurs for years because people do not want to ‘believe’ that this person or that person could commit such awful acts. What we find in these cases is that unfortunately it is often those that are closest to us, that we can even trust the most, who end up betraying us,” he said.
How GOLDLAW Can Help Victims Seek Justice
GOLDLAW, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized firm committed to representing victims of abuse and misconduct. Led by Spencer Kuvin, a highly experienced attorney with a proven track record in handling high-profile sexual abuse cases, GOLDLAW is dedicated to ensuring justice for survivors.
Kuvin has successfully represented victims of sexual misconduct in cases against powerful individuals and institutions, navigating both the criminal and civil aspects of such cases with expertise and compassion. His team works tirelessly to make sure survivors’ voices are heard and their rights are protected.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, abuse, or misconduct by Tim Somers or any other church leader, we are here to help. Contacting our law firm is free, easy, and confidential. Please call 561-222-2222 to discuss your case today.
