The senior pastor of one of the country’s largest churches has been suspended for one month after a third-party investigation concluded he whipped a congregant in the crotch with a riding crop.
Brian Tome is the senior pastor of Crossroads Church, one of the fastest-growing and largest churches in America. It consists of nearly 40,000 members spread across fourteen locations in the Ohio and Kentucky area. It advertises itself as a “place for people who have given up on church but not on God.”
For more on Brian Tome and Crossroads Church
Megachurch Pastor Puts on ‘Die Hard’-Themed Christmas Service And Does THIS Wild Thing
OH Megachurch Pastor Punts Bible Across Stage For Superbowl-Themed Church Service
Pastor Recreates Miley Cyrus ‘Wrecking Ball’ Moment For Super Bowl-Themed Church Service ‘Half-Time Show’
Megachurch Features Rodeo Star Breaking a Wild Horse Onstage for Live Sermon Illustration
Early last month, Tome was relieved of pastoral duties while the church initiated a third-party investigation into an incident that occurred in 2015, which a letter sent to members prior to the service described as “inappropriate physical humor.”
The church previously shared
In 2024 a gentleman who’s a member of our community shared an allegation with a Crossroads staff member regarding Brian Tome in an incident that had occurred almost 10 years prior.
At that time, Brian kept a riding crop in his office that had been a gift. In November of 2015, the gentleman entered Brian’s office, saw the riding crop, and asked, what is that?
The allegation is that Brian picked up the riding cropm said “oh yeah, you like that?” And then whipped him in the crotch and then rubbed the man’s crotch with the riding crop.
In a new letter to congregants from the Crosssroads Spiritual board, they reveal:
The investigation is complete and has substantiated the original account of the community member who shared his concerns with us, including corroboration from a third-party witness who was not previously known.
While Brian’s actions may have been intended in humor, they were inappropriate and not above reproach. We’re thankful for the community member who came forward and shared his experience and participated in the third party investigation. We’re praying for and offering support for everyone who has been impacted.
The board also notes that “In addition, the past six weeks have highlighted concerns about Brian’s leadership style and its impact on staff culture, particularly where it falls short of the Kingdom culture we seek to embody.”
As a result:
“Brian will be experiencing a one month suspension followed by a four month extended leave during which he will take part in appropriate steps of repentance and reconciliation.
Brian’s response to these steps has been incredibly encouraging.
Over 30 years, we’ve witnessed and benefited from Brian’s best, and seen him own and grow through his mistakes. He hasn’t been perfect, but he’s been faithful and we are grateful. We love him, respect him and are for him wholeheartedly.”
