JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former youth leaders and members of Oceanway Church in Jacksonville are speaking out following the arrest of a former volunteer accused in a Marion County child predator sting — and they are disputing the church’s account of his involvement with youth and children prior to any arrest or investigation.
John Goodman, of Jacksonville, faces multiple charges stemming from a joint operation called “Bad Habits,” including using a computer to solicit a parent or guardian for consent to engage in sexual activity with a minor, traveling to meet a minor after using a computer to solicit a guardian, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a crime, and evidence tampering.
Investigators allege Goodman attempted to arrange a meeting with someone he believed was willing to allow him to have sex with a 7-year-old child.
Luis and Larissa Peña, former youth leaders at Oceanway Church, told News4Jax they were not surprised by the arrest.
“It was sad, it was really sad. It was not surprising,” Luis Peña said.
The Peñas say Goodman was consistently involved in youth ministry long before any investigation or arrest.
“It was the norm that the Goodmans were part of everything in the ministry. Whenever it came to anything, it’s always worship team, they’re involved. When it came to outreaches, they were there,” Luis Peña said. “I think it’s been a cover up. I think, like I was saying earlier, I don’t think any church is going to want to say he was part of the kids.”
Another former youth leader, who was not identified by name, also described Goodman’s involvement with minors.
“We have something called Fine Arts and he would coach, and so he would coach kids on singing, playing piano. He would also do Vacation Bible School from what I remember being with kids,” the former leader said.
Initially, Oceanway Church told News4Jax that Goodman was an adult volunteer and not on staff and did not volunteer with youth. After News4Jax sent the church photos appearing to show Goodman around youth and shared that former members were disputing the original statement, we were sent another statement through a church representative.
“We have reviewed our records and can confirm that Mr. Goodman volunteered in our adult music ministry. No complaints, concerns, or suspicions about Mr. Goodman were brought to us during his time as a volunteer.
Four of the photos you provided are from congregation-wide services, outreaches, or productions, not from a role in which he supervised minors. Our records do not reflect a role in which he volunteered as a coach, mentor, or instructor of students.
One of the photos you provided is from a youth event where Mr. Goodman accompanied his children as a caregiving parent.
The church once again brought up a previous incident that News4Jax is working to get more information on. We are told nothing was alleged that involved being on church property.
The alleged abuse was discovered and reported directly to the Florida Department of Children and Families by a concerned adult, and we were notified after that report was made. Upon learning about the allegations, Mr. Goodman was dismissed from serving at Oceanway and is no longer part of our church.
Our child safety policies require that volunteers remain visible at all times and are never alone with a minor out of sight of others. We reinforce this with cameras in our ministry spaces, open-door and clear-visibility rules, and a Life Safety Team present throughout our campus.
The safety of every person on our campus is a responsibility we take seriously, and we remain committed to the policies and practices that protect the children and families in our care.”
“He had claimed that John Goodman wasn’t involved in the kids department or the youth department in any capacity when in fact he was,” Larissa Pena said.
Following his arrest, News4Jax received multiple tips that Goodman was attending Northside Church of God. When asked about his involvement there, a church representative said:
“He walks in and has coffee and worships and hears about Jesus and leaves just like everyone else. There were prior discussions about him joining the worship team but that is not happening. I cannot tell you what is happening in the future. We are waiting to see what happens with the allegations and are going to pray about it and seek the Lord and what He would have us do.”
Oceanway Church also referenced a previous investigation connected to Goodman that they say was reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families. The church said it asked Goodman to leave following that inquiry but has not provided further details. It is also not related to anything that occurred on church property. It is also important to mention that prior to that inquiry, years ago, no one has told News4Jax that anything suspicious happened during their time at church with Goodman. News4Jax is working to learn more about that inquiry and has reached out to law enforcement for additional information.
Goodman did not respond to a voicemail left by News4Jax requesting comment.