10/07/2026
A 22-year-old Texas man enrolled in a pastor training program at Grace Woodlands has been arrested and charged with sexual assault of a child.
According to KHOU 11, the alleged victim was a 16-year-old girl who attended a Grace youth event with Isaias Escobar and his family before the alleged assault. Grace says Escobar was not an employee and "did not hold a position there," while the girl’s mother described him as a youth and worship leader.
Grace Woodlands is led by Senior Pastor Steve Riggle, who previously founded Grace Church Houston. That church previously faced a sexual abuse lawsuit.
Unfortunately, allegations involving religious leaders continue to emerge across the country. In many church abuse cases, survivors have described institutional responses that compounded the harm, including efforts to minimize allegations, discredit victims, protect accused leaders, handle reports internally, discourage outside reporting, or prioritize an institution’s reputation over the safety of children.
Whether Grace Woodlands or another religious organization could face civil liability would depend on the specific facts, including what church officials knew or reasonably should have known, and whether reasonable safeguards were in place.
