Former Acts 29 CEO Stephen Timmis and Wife Charged With Rape
Based on 2 sources Updated 1 day ago
South Yorkshire Police in the United Kingdom have charged Stephen Timmis, the former CEO of the church-planting network Acts 29, and his wife, Janet, with eight counts of rape. The charges relate to a single victim and involve alleged offenses occurring between May and September 2008. At the time, Stephen Timmis was a leader at The Crowded House, an influential Reformed evangelical church in Sheffield that has since rebranded as Redeemer Church Sharrow Vale.
Police have released the couple on bail, with a court appearance scheduled for December 1 at Sheffield Magistrates' Court. Authorities are currently seeking information from former members of the church who may have relevant details regarding the investigation. In a public statement, leadership at Redeemer Church Sharrow Vale expressed shock and sadness, confirming they are cooperating fully with law enforcement.
Timmis previously resigned from his leadership roles at both Acts 29 and The Crowded House in 2020 following allegations of spiritual abuse and bullying. Those earlier reports prompted a wider discussion within UK evangelical circles regarding the identification of toxic leadership cultures and the implementation of safeguarding measures.