Investigative Report:
A Pastor’s history of criminal abuse
One of the station’s most viewed stories
Referenced in the Duluth News Tribune, Christian Post and Church Leaders
A combination of court records, confession transcripts, and an exclusive interview, this investigation dives into a pastor’s criminal history of child sexual abuse. Robert Allen, founder and lead pastor of Revive City Church in Duluth, pled guilty in 2001 to sexually assaulting two girls. At the time, Allen worked as a youth pastor at a different church in Minnetonka, where one of the victims also attended. Revive City Church is ‘recovery focused,’ according to Allen, with many of its members often struggling with substance abuse or mental health conditions. As the founder and leader of Revive, Allen makes the rules regarding staff background checks.
Aired Mar. 20, 2025 (Revive Church Pastor speaks on past Criminal Offenses)
This investigative report spotlights a local ‘recovery’ church and its pastor; who’s criminal history includes the sexual abuse of two girls when he was a youth pastor for a previous church.
Aired Mar. 24, 2025 (Protest of Duluth Church Pastor Continues)
Protests continue for a second day outside of Revive City Church in Duluth.
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Aired Mar. 23, 2025 (Protestors Shout down Pastor with past Abuse)
Protests, after the original report brought the pastor’s abuse to light. Tensions run high as some (now-former) members of the church finding out about the abuse for the first time.
Aired Mar. 26, 2025 (Shots Fired at Home of former ‘Revive City’ Pastor)
Police investigate after a BB is fired and shatters a window at the home of the Revive City Church Pastor.
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