Chris Reed Steps Down from MorningStar Amid Scandal: ‘This Hits Close to Home’

Chris Reed, leader of MorningStar Ministries, has resigned from all his leadership roles, citing deeply personal reasons and a scandal involving a former church volunteer accused of sexually abusing minors. Reed, who took the ministry's helm in 2021, announced his resignation on Monday, August 26, 2024.

In a letter addressed to MorningStar staff, Reed explained his decision to step down, emphasizing a need to focus on his calling—prophesying, teaching, preaching, and writing. “After much prayer, thought, and consideration, I have decided to fully and immediately step down from all leadership responsibilities at MorningStar Ministries,” Reed wrote, sharing the news on social media platform X. He has returned the leadership to Rick Joyner, the ministry's founder.

Reed’s resignation follows the arrest of Erickson Douglas Lee, a former church volunteer and police officer, in 2023. Lee was charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse involving minors connected to MorningStar’s youth group.

Reed, along with his wife Missy, both of whom were sexually abused as children, condemned Lee’s actions in the strongest terms. “This issue hits close to home for both Missy and me,” Reed stated, revealing the trauma he has carried since being abused at the age of seven.

Despite the heartache of stepping down, Reed remains committed to his faith journey. He plans to create an online model of house churches and start a new church in another part of South Carolina despite current financial uncertainties. Reed is also working on establishing an online school of the prophetic, seeking to continue his ministry in new and impactful ways.

The accusations against Lee, who served as a youth leader at MorningStar, include multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct with minors and dissemination of obscene material. The York County Sheriff’s Office reported that Lee allegedly committed these acts over a period spanning from December 2020 to January 2023, with some incidents involving victims under 16 years old.

MorningStar initially did not suspect Lee due to his military and law enforcement background. Reed’s response to the scandal included hiring an external group to train staff on sexual abuse awareness, aiming to safeguard the vulnerable in their community.