The fallout from the explosive scandal surrounding Pawleys Island Community Church (PICC) continues to grow, with the South Carolina Baptist Convention (SCBC) finally speaking out as criminal charges, lawsuits, and public outrage engulf the congregation.
In a strongly worded statement, the SCBC said it was "devastated" by allegations that leaders at the church and its affiliated Pawleys Island Christian Academy knowingly allowed convicted sex offender Warren Perry to volunteer in roles that brought him into close contact with children.
The denomination described child sexual abuse as "an abomination" that causes immeasurable harm to victims and families while bringing "reproach upon Christ and his church."
The statement comes after an extraordinary week that has seen former senior pastor Donald Williams, his wife Ginny Williams, former school director Niki Howard, and other church leaders resign before being arrested in connection with the case.
Authorities allege that multiple leaders knew Perry was a registered sex offender but failed to prevent him from serving around children. Perry was arrested on July 14 for violating his probation before investigators uncovered what they say was a broader effort to conceal his background.
Donald Williams and Howard now face charges including obstruction of justice, criminal conspiracy, and unlawfully placing a child at risk. Ginny Williams was initially charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy before being rearrested days later on an additional charge of unlawfully placing a child at risk.
Meanwhile, Perry remains behind bars after being denied bond.
The legal battle is also escalating. Four lawsuits have already been filed against the church, including a class-action case and a civil lawsuit alleging Perry sexually abused a five-year-old student at the church's academy in 2022.
Despite mounting scrutiny, Pawleys Island Community Church has remained largely silent regarding the arrests and litigation. Church leaders have instead urged members to pray, remain patient, and focus on "moving forward."
While emphasising that it has no governing authority over autonomous Southern Baptist churches, the South Carolina Baptist Convention revealed it is now working directly with current PICC leadership at the church's request.
The convention also praised church members and academy staff who raised concerns despite resistance, thanking those who courageously brought information to both church leaders and law enforcement.
In a clear warning to churches across the state, the SCBC urged every congregation to immediately review its child protection policies, background-check procedures, abuse prevention training, and safety protocols.
The denomination stressed that while God's grace is available to those who genuinely repent, repentance does not erase the real-world consequences of sexual offences, particularly when children's safety is at stake.
"Every church should be a safe place for children," the statement concluded, encouraging churches needing assistance with abuse prevention, survivor care, or safeguarding policies to seek help through the convention's resources.
As criminal investigations continue and additional lawsuits loom, the Pawleys Island Community Church scandal is becoming one of the most significant church abuse controversies to hit South Carolina in recent years, raising fresh questions about accountability, leadership, and whether warning signs were ignored for far too long.
