Adam Hamilton is the founding and longtime senior pastor of Church of the Resurrection, a United Methodist megachurch headquartered in Leawood, Kansas.
Founded in 1990, Church of the Resurrection grew into one of the largest Methodist congregations in the United States, with multiple campuses throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area and substantial influence within the United Methodist Church.
Adam Hamilton is listed by Church of the Resurrection as the church’s founding and senior pastor on the church’s official website.
This website archives court filings, appellate opinions, media reports, and related public records concerning allegations of sexual misconduct involving Church of the Resurrection youth retreats in Linn County, Kansas in 2005 and 2006, as well as subsequent criminal proceedings involving Scott P. Moore.
According to court filings, allegations arose after a Church of the Resurrection youth retreat in Linn County, Kansas involving teenage boys in Scott Moore’s cabin.
“The boys disclosed this the day after it occurred; however, they later described immediate actions by leaders at the retreat, such as Lee Jost, that showed disbelief and a lack of concern for the disclosure.”
The filing states COR “did not contact police when the boys reported that they had been touched.”
Church officials Randy Meyer and Nancy Brown allegedly conducted an internal investigation instead.
The State’s filing alleges written statements from the 2005 incident could not later be located.
November 2005APPELLATE OPINION
Flashlight and Nighttime Allegations
The Kansas Court of Appeals summarized testimony from teenage campers who alleged Moore entered cabins at night using a flashlight while campers slept.
“K.H. and J.G. reported the incidents to camp leadership, who were dismissive of their claims.”
The opinion states the church undertook an internal investigation.
The opinion states the church did not make a report to police and took no further action at that time.
November 2006COURT FILING
Moore Allowed to Return as Youth Leader
According to the State’s filing, Moore was again allowed to be a cabin leader at the annual church retreat one year after the church investigation.
“A year after the church investigation, the defendant was again allowed to be a cabin leader at the annual church retreat in Linn County, Kansas.”
Additional allegations involved teenage campers during the 2006 retreat.
The appellate opinion also stated Moore was again a cabin leader at a weekend youth retreat.
2006LAW ENFORCEMENT
Police Investigation After 2006 Allegations
The Kansas Court of Appeals stated that the November 2006 incidents were reported to police, who opened an investigation.
“Police also learned of the similar allegations against Moore from November 2005.”
The church later revoked Moore’s certification to work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
2010CRIMINAL CASE
Overland Park Investigation
Moore was investigated after allegations involving a teenage boy during a sleepover at Moore’s home. Later proceedings incorporated evidence concerning the 2005 and 2006 retreat allegations.
Prosecutors argued the 2005 and 2006 incidents were “strikingly similar” to the later criminal allegations.
Related reporting: KMBC and Kansas City Star sentencing coverage.
2013CONVICTION
Misdemeanor Sexual Battery Conviction
Scott P. Moore was convicted on one misdemeanor count of sexual battery in Johnson County, Kansas.
The conviction required Moore to register as a sex offender under Kansas law.
Related coverage includes KMBC and Kansas City Star reports.
2014APPEAL
Kansas Court of Appeals Decision
The Kansas Court of Appeals affirmed Moore’s conviction and upheld the admissibility of testimony concerning the 2005 and 2006 retreat allegations.
“A factfinder could reasonably conclude … that Moore had touched or attempted to touch teenage boys while they were sleeping.”
The appellate panel included Judge Caleb Stegall, who later became a Kansas Supreme Court justice.
2015MEDIA REPORTS
Spring Hill Incident and Death
Media reports stated Moore was again the subject of law-enforcement attention after being found half-naked with a teenage boy in Johnson County, Kansas.
According to media reports, Moore later died by suicide shortly after the incident.
Related coverage: KCTV5 and archived blog references.
Continuing Questions Raised by the Court Filings
The court filings, appellate opinions, and related public records reproduced on this website raise several questions concerning Church of the Resurrection’s handling of the 2005 allegations and the church’s leadership structure at the time.
⚠ Why Church of the Resurrection allegedly did not notify law enforcement after the 2005 retreat allegations.
⚠ Why Church of the Resurrection and its founding and senior pastor Adam Hamilton allegedly relied on an internal church investigation rather than immediately referring the allegations to law enforcement.
⚠ Why church personnel including Randy Meyer and Nancy Brown conducted the internal investigation referenced in court filings.
⚠ Why alleged victim statements referenced in later filings could not be located.
⚠ Why Moore was later permitted to return as a youth retreat leader in 2006 after the earlier allegations.
⚠ Why the church’s internal handling of the allegations allegedly remained outside public view until later criminal proceedings and appellate filings connected to the 2010 Johnson County case.
