Rod Loy Lawsuit, North Little Rock Pastor Accused Of 20 Years Of Sexual Abuse Starting When Victim Was 16
A former member of North Little Rock First Assembly of God filed a lawsuit in January 2026 against Pastor Rod Loy and the church, alleging sexual abuse that began when she was 16 years old in 1996 and continued for two decades. The Arkansas Assemblies of God is now investigating these allegations as of February 2026.
What Is The Rod Loy Lawsuit About?
Suzanne Lander, now a Georgetown, Texas resident, filed the civil lawsuit on January 26, 2026 in Arkansas state court. The lawsuit names two defendants: Rod Loy (currently Senior Pastor at North Little Rock First Assembly of God) and the church itself.
According to court documents, Lander was 16 years old when she began attending First NLR in 1996. She describes herself as “an extraordinarily vulnerable young woman” who had previously experienced parental sex trafficking and abuse. The lawsuit alleges Loy served as executive pastor at the time and began grooming her shortly after she joined the congregation.
The complaint details a pattern that allegedly started with Loy taking Lander shopping for dresses, watching her model them, and attending her basketball games. He then reportedly invited her to his home to play Nintendo while “positioning himself as a father figure.”
The Allegations Against Rod Loy
According to the lawsuit, the abuse escalated through several stages. In fall 1996, Lander claims Loy touched her genitalia while they played video games or watched television, first over and then under her clothing.
Over the next two years, the lawsuit alleges the abuse intensified. Lander claims Loy forced her to perform oral sex in his office and raped her both at his home and at the church.
The complaint includes disturbing allegations about religious manipulation. The lawsuit states Loy told Lander “that God expected her to allow him to rape her and that followers of Jesus performed sexual acts for the men who were their spiritual leaders.”
The lawsuit alleges the abuse continued into Lander’s adulthood, with Loy maintaining “control over her life, her marriage, and her children.” She reportedly escaped this control in 2016 by moving to Jonesboro with her family.
Who Is Rod Loy?
Rod Loy has served as Senior Pastor of North Little Rock First Assembly of God since 2001. First NLR is the largest Assemblies of God church in Arkansas and one of the biggest in the country.
Loy is also a member of the denomination’s executive presbytery. He serves as senior vice president of church relations for Project Rescue, a group working to “rescue and restore survivors of sexual slavery,” according to the organization’s website.
Loy and his wife Cindy have worked in full-time pastoral ministry for more than 30 years, according to the First NLR website.
Church Response And Investigation Status
The North Little Rock First Assembly of God Board of Directors issued a statement on February 3, 2026 denying the allegations. Board vice chair Matt Jones stated the church conducted an external investigation upon initially hearing the allegation and found “nothing to substantiate the claims.”
The church’s statement said: “Pastor Rod and our church board vehemently deny these claims. We are prepared to defend this accusation.”
However, the Arkansas district of the Assemblies of God announced in February 2026 that it is conducting its own investigation into Lander’s claims. District superintendent Ronnie Morris had not publicly commented as of February 5, 2026.
Institutional Failures Alleged
The lawsuit accuses North Little Rock First Assembly of God of failing to protect Lander from Loy. The complaint alleges Loy “publicly employed a pattern of surrounding himself with minor female congregants, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds.”
According to the lawsuit, Loy referred to young girls as his “projects” and did not follow church rules regarding male staff member interactions with females.
The lawsuit claims the church maintained “a culture of authoritarian leadership in which questioning Defendant Loy was not tolerated.” It alleges “Defendant Loy controlled staff members’ personal lives to an extreme degree.”
Similar to institutional accountability cases like the BSA lawsuit update 2026 Supreme Court just cleared $2.46 billion for 82,000 Boy Scout abuse survivors and the Kanakuk lawsuit multiple survivors accuse Christian camp of covering up serial sexual abuse for decades, the Rod Loy lawsuit examines whether religious organizations can be held responsible when leadership allegedly knew about concerning behavior but failed to protect children.
Arkansas Look-Back Law And Filing Deadline
The lawsuit was filed just days before a critical January 31, 2026 deadline. Arkansas’s Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act temporarily suspended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual assault claims.
Enacted in 2021, the law extended the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse from the victim’s 21st birthday to age 55. The law was extended again in 2023 for two additional years, with the 55-year age cap removed.
Arkansas law normally allows victims of childhood sexual abuse to file a lawsuit within three years of discovering the effect of the injury.
However, the law’s future is uncertain. The Arkansas Court of Appeals struck down the look-back provision in 2025. The Arkansas Supreme Court has agreed to review that decision, but a ruling had not been issued as of February 2026.
What Damages Is Lander Seeking?
Lander is seeking compensatory damages for:
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Medical expenses
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
She is also seeking punitive damages and has requested a jury trial.
The lawsuit does not specify a dollar amount for damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Rod Loy Lawsuit About?
The lawsuit alleges Rod Loy sexually abused Suzanne Lander beginning when she was 16 years old in 1996 and continuing for approximately 20 years. The suit also accuses North Little Rock First Assembly of God of failing to protect her.
Who Filed The Lawsuit Against Rod Loy?
Suzanne Lander, now a Georgetown, Texas resident, filed the lawsuit on January 26, 2026. She is married to Patrick Lander, a former longtime ministry staffer at First NLR.
Has Rod Loy Been Criminally Charged?
No. As of February 2026, this is a civil lawsuit seeking monetary damages. No criminal charges have been filed.
Is There An Investigation Into The Allegations?
Yes. The Arkansas district of the Assemblies of God announced in early February 2026 that it is investigating Lander’s claims.
What Is North Little Rock First Assembly Of God?
First NLR is the largest Assemblies of God church in Arkansas and one of the biggest in the country. Rod Loy has served as Senior Pastor since 2001.
Why Was The Lawsuit Filed In January 2026?
The lawsuit was filed to meet a January 31, 2026 deadline under Arkansas’s look-back law that temporarily suspended statutes of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims. That law’s future is currently being reviewed by the Arkansas Supreme Court.
Are There Other Arkansas Church Abuse Lawsuits?
Yes. Multiple lawsuits alleging sexual abuse were filed against Arkansas churches in late January 2026 to beat the same deadline, including cases involving other Little Rock area churches.
Last Updated: February 8, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides information about the Rod Loy lawsuit based on publicly available court filings and news reports. It is not legal advice. AllAboutLawyer.com does not represent any party to this lawsuit.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, contact RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit online.rainn.org.
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About the Author
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