Mount Rainier Christian Church sued over allegations of youth pastor misconduct

An Auburn family has filed a civil lawsuit against Mount Rainier Christian Church in King County Superior Court. The suit alleges that former youth pastor Tyler Cash engaged in grooming behavior toward a minor in the church’s youth program.

The lawsuit claims that between 2023 and 2025, Cash and the plaintiff exchanged more than 10,000 text messages, some of which allegedly alluded to sexual topics. The allegations include inappropriate phone calls, in-person conversations at church events, and unsupervised one-on-one meetings held off church premises. The plaintiff’s mother alleges that Cash attempted to isolate her daughter from family and church leadership.

Mount Rainier Christian Church dismissed Cash on April 22, 2025, following the presentation of evidence to church leaders. While the church acknowledged a serious violation of staff policies and expectations, leadership has denied that any communication with the minor was sexual in nature, stating there was no evidence of physical misconduct.