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Florida Pastor Faces Serious Accusations Over Alleged Child Abuse Cover-Up

Gainesville, Florida, USATuesday, September 9, 2025
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In Florida, a well-known pastor named Mark Vega is in hot water.

  • Accusations: Not reporting child sex abuse to the police.
  • Position: Leads Ignite Life Center in Gainesville.
  • Background: Formerly worked with the New York Yankees as a chaplain.

The Beginning of the Trouble

  • Reports of abuse surfaced at his church.
  • Allegations: Vega tried to handle things internally instead of going to the authorities.

The Bigger Picture

  • Several youth leaders from Vega's church, including his own son, have been charged with sexually abusing minors.
  • Lawsuits: Families of the victims are suing the church and the Assemblies of God, alleging failure to protect the kids.
  • Timeline: Abuse allegations date back to 2019.

Systemic Issues

  • Vega's actions: Raised serious questions about how the church handles abuse allegations.
  • Lawyer's statement: Church leaders ignored and covered up evidence of abuse.
  • Focus: The case highlights a system that may have failed to protect children.

Assemblies of God Under Scrutiny

  • Accusations: Mishandling sex abuse allegations in the past.
  • Response: The denomination claims they take these matters seriously, but critics argue otherwise.

Current Status

  • Vega: Continues to preach, emphasizing humility and relationships.
  • Victims' focus: Justice and accountability.
  • Complex issue: No easy answers, but the safety of children should always come first.

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