Richmond Assistant Codes Director named in Southern Baptist Convention’s list of alleged sexual abusers

Gordon Lunceford, Assistant Codes Director for the City of Richmond and former youth minister, has been named as one of hundreds of alleged sexual abusers by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). 

A list with the names was released by the SBC on Thursday evening. According to a report from the Washington Post, the list had been kept secret by the church for over a decade – with the group’s executive committee announcing earlier this week that it would be made public after an investigation from a third party. 

The list is described as “a fluid, working document.” Its information is pulled from news articles across 2007-2022. 

“It is incomplete. It has not been proofed. It has not been adequately researched. It is not Southern Baptist specific,” reads a statement at the top of the document. 

According to a 2009 report from the Register, the alleged offenses occurred between April and November 1992 while Lunceford served as a youth minister at the First Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg. He allegedly molested two victims, both under the age of 16 at the time. 

He was charged with six counts of third-degree rape, five counts of third-degree sodomy, one count of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of second-degree sexual abuse.

The second-degree sexual abuse charges were dismissed on the grounds that the statute of limitations had expired. 

According to a report from the Anderson News, Lunceford plead guilty to unlawful transaction with a minor and sexual misconduct in October 2010, receiving five years of probation in the process. He paid a victim $7,500 as part of his sentencing agreement.  

Lunceford also worked as a youth minister in other churches in Franklin County and Madison County. Representatives from First Baptist Church and Rosedale Baptist Church in Richmond confirmed Lunceford had briefly been part of their congregations. 

Lunceford is currently serving as Assistant Codes Director for the City of Richmond. 

“The recently released Guidepost report revealed a list of alleged abusers compiled by a former employee of the SBC Executive Committee. This list is being made public for the first time as an initial, but important, step towards addressing the scourge of sexual abuse and implementing reform in the Convention,” read a statement from the Southern Baptist Convention’s website. “Each entry in this list reminds us of the devastation and destruction brought about by sexual abuse. Our prayer is that the survivors of these heinous acts find hope and healing, and that churches will utilize this list proactively to protect and care for the most vulnerable among us.”

The full list of alleged sexual predators from the Southern Baptist Convention can be found at https://sbcec.s3.amazonaws.com/FINAL+-+List+of+Alleged+Abusers+-+SBC+REDACTED.pdf.

To report any instances of abuse in a Southern Baptist Church call 202-864-5578 or email at SBChotline@guidepostsolutions.com.

This is a developing story.