GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) conducted an independent investigation of these allegations and compiled a report concerning the alleged misconduct. Vineyard USA did not compile the report and has not edited the report and further believe that the alleged victims have not compiled or edited the report.

Today, we are coming to you with updated information regarding this serious situation. Since the initial report was released, more alleged victims have come forward and asserted claims against Carl Medearis. We do not know the nature, source, or timeline of these allegations, and GRACE has not yet investigated these allegations. However, we take all allegations of clergy misconduct with the utmost seriousness.

In addition, when the initial report was released, Vineyard USA was informed that The Springs Vineyard revoked all ministerial credentials that it had previously extended to Carl Medearis. Despite having these credentials revoked, we are informed that Carl has remained active in ministry, soliciting funds for future work. For these reasons, as well as others listed below, we find it vital to make a more public statement about this matter.

The Findings of the 2021 GRACE Report

Through the initial GRACE investigation, five women provided accounts of alleged clergy misconduct by Carl Medearis. The allegations were similar in context and nature, and many occurred over some form of social media platform. Significantly, none of these women indicated that they were aware of the identity or even existence of any other, either at the time they raised concerns or when interviewed by GRACE. You can see the initial communication from Vineyard USA here.

GRACE determined these allegations to be credible. These credible allegations include: 1) Carl exhibited grooming behavior, 2) Carl leveraged his position of spiritual authority and significant influence, and 3) Carl gaslit victims when confronted. The GRACE report also states that he engaged in a pattern of seemingly threatening behavior that appeared designed to intimidate, manipulate, and demand the silence of reported victims, concerned pastors, accountability partners, and Vineyard staff. Additionally, the GRACE report states that his obfuscation and deception raise serious concerns regarding his level of past and future truthfulness, and the probable efficacy of accountability measures. Finally, the GRACE report indicates that Carl Medearis himself admitted to some instances of this behavior, stating that “though Mr. Medearis’s credibility is unfavorable, he has conceded multiple instances that match the definition of clergy misconduct.”

Why We Are Further Addressing This Situation Now

There are three primary reasons we are coming forth with a more public statement now. 

First, since the initial GRACE investigation concluded, there are additional women who have come forward with allegations against Carl Medearis. GRACE has not yet investigated these allegations. However, in order to protect all of the alleged victims, in addition to any potential future victims, we find it vital to share this information more widely.

Second, we believe Carl Medearis remains unrepentant. As stated in the GRACE report, “authentic repentance includes sincere and complete confession. Words should never be the sole proof of accepting an individual’s repentance, but words along with actions are part of repentance.” GRACE shares in the report that while Carl has consistently claimed repentance since 2018, “for the past three years Mr. Medearis demonstrated behavior inconsistent with repentance in a variety of ways, first and most obviously through his continued exploitation of vulnerable women, all while claiming restoration and attacking those who expressed concerns.” They go on in the report to outline six critical ways that he has remained unrepentant, according to biblical standards, up until the date of the report. We are not aware of any facts demonstrating that this has changed since the report.

Third, Carl Medearis is continuing in ministry, and soliciting leaders from Vineyard for financial support of these ministry endeavors. Vineyard USA has advised Carl to step away from ministry while pursuing healing, but he appears to have ignored this advice, choosing to continue ministry via other avenues, including organizing a Simply Jesus Gathering in June 2022, to be held on his ranch. We are informed that he has reached out to many individuals from the Vineyard, as well as to Vineyard churches for financial support. It should be noted here that while the Simply Jesus Gathering website (as of the date of this document) shows the likeness and content of many Vineyard leaders, Carl has refused the request by Vineyard USA and many of the various leaders who are portrayed for that content to be removed. We believe those images and the associated content are misleading and portray support by Vineyard leaders for Carl Medearis or the Simply Jesus Gathering. Carl Medearis does not have the support of Vineyard USA and we believe he also lacks the support of many of those leaders.

Because Carl Medearis has had a prolific ministry within the Vineyard in the United States and around the world, we want to inform each of you about this report. We find the evidence in the report, as well as the conclusions it draws, to be serious enough to warrant this clear statement.  We especially want to make this statement to those who have interacted with Carl Medearis throughout the years in Vineyard contexts. We are continuing to work under the guidance and expertise of GRACE as we process any next steps in this situation.

To help mitigate the impact on the alleged victims, we intend to only issue the report to those who request it and when it is deemed important and/or necessary to give access to the report. If you would like more information or if you believe it is necessary for you to review this report, please reach out to and we will respond promptly. 

Please consider this letter and the content of the report prior to inviting Carl Medearis to minister in your church, or at any event that you are hosting. We also ask you to consider this information prior to offering financial support to him of any kind. 

Please continue to join us in prayer for those who may have been harmed by Carl, and all of those involved. 

Sincerely, 

Vineyard USA Communications