Pastor used more than $400K of church funds for personal items, lied on tax return: court
Adrian Davis, the former lead pastor at the now-defunct Huntsville, Alabama, campus of All Nations Worship Assembly, pleaded guilty to spending over $400,000 of the church’s funds on personal expenses and filing a false tax return. He is facing up to 23 years in prison.
According to court documents from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, cited by WAAY31, Davis, who is still being platformed by other churches, is now facing up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and up to three years for filing a false tax return.
Between 2018 and 2020, court documents show that Davis treated himself to a $30,920 Audi A7 and a $45,982 GMC Yukon courtesy of the church’s purse. He also spent $31,000 on entertainment and items from the luxury brand Louis Vuitton. He also paid off personal credit card debt totaling more than $117,000.
Davis also allegedly reported on his 2020 tax return that he earned $138,621 in income, despite being paid more than that, according to WAFF.
He is expected to be arraigned on Oct. 23 in Huntsville. He has agreed, as part of his accepted plea deal, to pay restitution of $434,340.41 to All Nations Worship Assembly, pay $114,859 to the IRS, and waive certain rights to direct appeal and collateral attack.
The former megachurch pastor, who also allegedly spent more than $10,000 of the church’s money to pay for his mother’s mortgage, is expected to forfeit any property derived from the stolen funds.
“Upon conviction of Count One (Wire Fraud) in this information, shall forfeit to the United States any property, real or personal, that constitutes or is derived from, directly or indirectly, proceeds traceable to the commission of the said violations, including but not limited to a forfeiture of money judgment representing the amount of proceeds obtained as a result of the offenses alleged,” the court documents note.
While Davis faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and up to three more years for filing a false tax return, prosecutors have recommended a reduced sentence.
All Nations Worship Assembly was founded in 1999 by Pastor Matthew L. Stevenson and it is described as one of the “nation’s largest and fastest-growing urban charismatic movements.”
The church has about 15,000 members at 25 locations across the country.
Just last month, Pastor Stacy L. Spencer of New Direction Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, hosted Davis as a speaker at his church where he praised him for his ability to connect with a diverse audience.
“Known for his dynamic preaching and ability to connect with every generation, Pastor Davis is coming to bring a fresh, powerful word at both the 8AM Morning Glory & 10AM Powerhouse Worship services,” Spencer declared on Sept. 17. “You do not want to miss what God will speak through him!”
Good grief!
South Korea indicts Unification Church leader
Hak Ja Han
Han and her aides are accused of orchestrating a scheme in 2022 to funnel church funds to lawmakers of the ruling party, according to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.
Investigators allege that approximately 144 million won (about $104,000) in cash was divided into smaller sums and secretly delivered to a sitting lawmaker in violation of South Korea's Political Funds Act.
The indictment also says that Han approved luxury gifts -- including designer handbags and diamond jewelry -- that were sent to people connected to the presidential office. Prosecutors further claim she directed aides to destroy internal financial records tied to an overseas gambling investigation and misappropriated church assets for political purposes.
During questioning, Han denied all allegations and reportedly testified that "Jung Wonju planned and executed everything," suggesting that her long-time executive assistant had overseen the financial dealings at the center of the probe. Her statement has drawn significant attention as it indicates possible internal division within the top ranks of the church.
Yoon Young-ho, another senior official, was previously detained and indicted in August on related charges. Jung Wonju, who served as Han's chief of staff, was charged without detention. Both are accused of facilitating the unlawful donations and manipulating internal ledgers to conceal the transactions.
Prosecutors said the investigation may extend to other people or entities that participated in or benefited from the illicit financial operations. They are also examining whether violations of the Political Party Act or tax laws occurred.
The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification -- the official name of the Unification Church -- released a statement expressing "deep regret" over the indictment, but insisted that all expenditures were legitimate.
"The funds were used for religious and public purposes," the statement said, while asking the court to consider Han's advanced age and fragile health during trial proceedings.
Han, 82, has led the church since the death of her husband, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, in 2012. Under her leadership, the movement expanded its global network and continued to host large-scale events, but it has also faced deepening internal rifts and mounting controversies over financial transparency, doctrinal disputes and political influence.
In recent years, South Korean media and lawmakers have scrutinized the group's donations and its ties to public officials. Critics have accused it of using its vast financial resources to exert quiet political influence, while church members have defended their activities as expressions of faith and civic engagement.
The prosecution has emphasized that the charges target criminal acts, not beliefs, and that religious freedom cannot shield misconduct from the law.
The Seoul Central District Court is expected to open hearings later this month. If convicted, Han and her aides could face prison terms and forfeiture of church assets linked to the offenses.
The indictment has reignited debate over the boundaries between faith and political power. Legal analysts note that this case could set a precedent for how South Korea regulates the political influence of powerful religious organizations.
