Overview
- Crossroads Church said Thursday that an independent investigation corroborated a 2015 misconduct allegation against founder and senior pastor Brian Tome.
- The probe validated an account that Tome picked up a riding crop in his office, said a suggestive line, then struck and rubbed a man’s crotch, with a third-party witness corroborating the claim.
- The board ordered a one-month suspension followed by a four-month leave as part of a repentance and reconciliation process, and Lead Pastor Kyle Ranson will oversee staff during the absence.
- A church spokesperson said Tome is not under police investigation, while a separate case involving the ousted Next Gen director who secretly filmed women is under review by Cincinnati police.
- Tome issued a public apology and the board cited concerns about his leadership style, signaling planned changes to accountability and staff culture and indicating he will share more with the congregation this weekend.