<div>On October 3, 2025, Apologia Church—led by Jeff Durbin, Zack Morgan, and Luke Pierson—filed a civil defamation lawsuit against us (Sarah and Joe Young), as well as former church attendees Hailey Merris and her husband Cameron Merris. The case (CV2025-036002 in Maricopa County Superior Court) appears to target public reports by Hailey Merris and Sarah Young, which detail allegations of pastoral misconduct, breach of confidentiality, gossip, and character assassination in Apologia Church. 
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<div>My name is Sarah Young, co-founder of Check My Church, which is a survivor-led Christian ministry dedicated to exposing spiritual abuse, financial exploitation, and other harmful practices in Christian ministries. We've committed our lives to amplifying the stories of those who've suffered in silence within high-control and abusive churches and ministries, working to protect fellow believers in Christ.
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<div>Hailey Merris is a young mother and domestic violence survivor. She and her husband Cameron are former attendees of Apologia Church in Mesa, Arizona, where Hailey alleges a breach of confidentiality in the church's leadership regarding her private marital struggles has led to gossip and assassination of character against her in the church.
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<div>Hailey has both privately and publicly confronted the elders of Apologia Church with her allegations. She bravely went public in June 2025 on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@amomymous_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok</a> with evidence, including texts, emails, police reports, and recordings, which highlighted patterns of control, gossip, hypocrisy, dishonesty, and other misconduct.
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<div>I've also published an in-depth report of Hailey's allegations at <a href="https://www.checkmychurch.org/post/exclusive-jeff-durbin-faces-new-allegations-of-slander-gossip-more" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Check My Church</a> . 
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<div>As part of our mission to foster grassroots accountability, expose corruption in the Christian Church, and advocate for victims of church abuse, I work hard to prioritize facts, evidence, and ethical publishing practices, respecting the privacy of whistleblowers and getting both sides of the story to present fair and balanced reports.
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<div>Today, we're reaching out for your urgent support as we face this legal battle that threatens us, and none of us have the funds to challenge it without your support.
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<div>That's why we're launching this GoFundMe.
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<div>From your donation, every dollar will go directly toward:
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<li>Hiring affordable legal help (e.g., attorneys, paralegals, etc.) to defend us. 
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<li>Covering court fees, document preparation, and expert witnesses, if necessary.
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<li>Covering travel costs for the Young family, if necessary (they don't live in Arizona).
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<div>Please consider donating if you can, because every dollar makes a difference. Thank you for your generosity and support. Updates on the case and financial needs will be posted here as the case progresses.
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Jessica Schimmels-Marciano

Anonymous

Jessica Marciano

Marcy Daugherty

Oran Smith

Candice Samuels

Kristy Johansen Freeman

Sandra Paim

Defend Freedom of Speech Against Apologia Church

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