Pastor Ronald Allen at Revive City Church of Duluth has resigned from his post. It comes amidst continued protests after a previous criminal conviction was rediscovered by members of the community.

Allen had previously been convicted in 2001 on three counts of criminal sexual conduct. Court documents say he had sexual relations with two 13-year-old girls when he was 35 years old. Both incidents took place in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Pastor Allen shared the following statement on social media on Monday, March 24:

To the Revive City Church of Duluth,

To our church families, friends, and visitors,

I write to you today with a heavy heart, as I must announce my resignation from my role as Pastor of Revive City Church of Duluth and Ministry Leader of Celebrate Recovery at Revive City Church, effective immediately. This decision has not come easily, but it is one that I believe is necessary for our personal journey.

I recognize that this news may bring great pain to many, and perhaps relief to others. Regardless, I ask for your understanding and support as I embark on this new chapter.

Please keep my family in your prayers during this challenging time.

With sincere gratitude,
Ron Allen

According to court documents, one of the victims was the 13-year-old babysitter for Allen’s family, whom he admitted to assaulting on a single occasion. The second victim was another 13-year-old girl who was a friend of the first victim. Court documents further state that Allen then began a relationship with the second victim.

These convictions were recently brought back to public attention, resulting in continued protests calling for Allen’s resignation.

Ava Ruona was one of the protestors who had demonstrated outside the church on Sunday, March 23.

“I think that people think that we are against religion and that we’re here against the church,” explained Ruona. “[That] is not the case. It is 100% the criminal charges and trying to promote oneself [as] authority.”

A representative from Revive City Church of Duluth has provided WDIO with the following statement:

Our heart continues to be for the people, and we want the doors of Revive City Church to stay open. We are diligently working with our board of directors and other leaders to ensure services do not stop.

Rons step down from Pastor is Permanent and he is now officially retired. 

We are contacting local pastors to fill the void in the interim for Sunday and Wednesday services until we find a new Pastor. Revive City Church is a place where hope is found, and we want that to remain the mission and vision of the church.  

There is a journey ahead of us and we hope that we can still continue to come together and bring unity to this community.