Jennifer Lyell, a former Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) executive and prominent figure in the denomination’s sexual abuse reckoning, died on June 7 at age 47. Her death followed a massive stroke suffered days earlier, sources confirmed.
Catalyst for SBC Sexual Abuse Reckoning
Lyell, a former publishing executive at Lifeway Christian Resources, came forward in 2018 with allegations against her former professor, David Sills, at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She said she was groomed and abused over years. Sills admitted to an extramarital relationship and resigned, but debate erupted within the SBC over the nature of their relationship.
Initial reporting by the Baptist Press in 2019 framed the relationship as consensual. Lyell insisted that the portrayal was inaccurate and damaging. In 2022, the SBC Executive Committee issued a public apology and reached a confidential financial settlement with Lyell.
Legal Fallout Continues
David Sills and his wife filed a defamation lawsuit in 2023 against Lyell, the SBC, and several other leaders, including Southern Seminary president Al Mohler. The Sillses allege that Lyell’s claims, and the way they were publicly handled, caused severe reputational damage. The case is ongoing and part of a growing number of lawsuits—more than two dozen—facing the SBC over sexual abuse claims.
SBC Faces Mounting Legal Pressures
Lyell’s death occurs just ahead of the SBC’s annual meeting in Dallas. There, leaders are expected to vote on an unprecedented Cooperative Program budget allocation to help cover legal fees related to abuse lawsuits. Her passing and the unresolved litigation surrounding her case highlight the ongoing challenges facing the denomination.
A Tragic Loss Amid a Tumultuous Era
Lyell’s death follows the May 2 death of Gareld Duane Rollins, another central figure in the SBC abuse crisis. Rollins accused former judge Paul Pressler of long-ignored abuse.
“Jennifer Lyell’s death is tragic and heartbreaking,” said SBC Executive Committee president Jeff Iorg. “Now she knows only peace and rest.”
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Jennifer Lyell, key figure in SBC abuse crisis, dies after brief illness
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