Basic Information
On Thursday, December 11, Shawn Livingston was arrested by the Anne Arundel County Police Department for possession of and solicitation of child sex abuse images/material. According to an article in the Capital-Gazette published on Friday, December 12, the specific nature of the charges against Shawn relate to online solicitation of and payment for images of a sexual nature from girls between the ages of 15 and 17. The Capital also reports that Shawn admitted guilt to the police, although he has yet to enter a formal plea in court. He is currently being held without bail at Anne Arundel County Detention Center, and his first pre-trial hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2026.
Shawn served part-time as Revolution’s children’s pastor from 2018 until November of 2023. He also served as a children’s ministry volunteer at Revolution until March of 2025. He was also an information/technology employee of the Key School in Annapolis during this time, and his employment at Key School was terminated on Thursday.
Revolution is not a target of the police investigation, and there is currently no reason to believe that anyone at Revolution, or any of Revolution’s equipment or computers, are connected to Shawn’s alleged criminal activities in any way. Kenny has not been contacted or interviewed by law enforcement. Rachel Livingston, Shawn’s ex-wife, and his two children have also not been contacted or interviewed by law enforcement. At this point, it is believed that Shawn’s charges stem from events that happened after he ceased actively participating as a leader or volunteer at Revolution. Furthermore, we want you to know that there have never been any accusations regarding Shawn’s conduct with youth or children at Revolution.
Kenny, the church leadership team, and Revolution as a whole are absolutely committed to truth and transparency as the police investigation continues to unfold. No matter the risks to our reputations as individuals or as a church in the Annapolis community, we want all potential crimes to be brought to light and find legal justice. To that end, we want to clearly and plainly encourage anyone in our church community with any information that might aid law enforcement in their investigation to reach out to Anne Arundel County Police quickly and directly. You can do that online and anonymously HERE, or you can reach out to the Police Department at (410) 222-8050.
We are shocked and deeply grieved by the impact these alleged actions have had, and will continue to have, on both the victims of these crimes and Shawn’s friends and family in our church community. Our focus right now is on supporting the Livingston family, and we have entrusted our Church Care Lay Leader, Joe Pfeifer, with organizing these efforts. You can reach out to Joe by email at: care@revolutionannapolis.com.
ANTICIPATED QUESTIONS
Q: How can I talk to my children about this? What should/shouldn’t I tell them?
A: We believe that honesty with children is crucial for their ability to develop trust in both parents and other adults. We strongly recommend that you talk with your children if they are of an age you believe is appropriate. As for what to say, that will be different for children at different ages or levels of maturity. The essential point to make, we suggest, is that police believe Shawn broke rules that are intended to keep children safe. It is generally good advice to avoid words that children will struggle to understand (for example, “pornography”), and to center what you share on the entire community’s efforts to protect children. Give space for children to ask questions and communicate what they are feeling. Saying “I don’t know” when it comes to things you don’t know is also a wise practice: it is truthful, and it establishes an opportunity to model how to seek answers together.
Q: Were my children at risk of harm?
A: As noted above, we have no reason at this point to believe that any children at (or connected to) Revolution were victims of the crimes with which Shawn has been charged. We are committed to sharing any new information with you immediately and comprehensively.
Q: Are my children safe at Revolution?
A: Revolution has always used security protocols and practices in our Sunday classroom and care environments in line with MinistrySafe. The guidelines for these protocols include ensuring that children are never alone with any one adult volunteer. They also include mandatory background checks for all volunteers, along with leadership training designed to quickly identify suspicious or dangerous behaviors. These protocols have protected children at Revolution successfully for 15 years, and we will continue to use them with focus and commitment. As noted before, there is no reason right now to believe that any children or youth at Revolution were subject to inappropriate behavior or solicitation during Shawn’s tenures as a leader or volunteer. It is our absolute commitment to communicate quickly and transparently with you if this information changes, and we are also enduringly committed to protecting all children at Revolution.
Q: Did anyone at Revolution know anything about this prior to Thursday morning, December 11?
A: Absolutely not. There have never been any suggestions or accusations about Shawn’s behavior that would have led us to anticipate these charges, or Shawn’s arrest. We are truly shocked by this news, and we were not informed ahead of time by police or any other source. We learned about the arrest and charges only after Shawn was taken into custody and charges were officially filed.
Q: Is anyone at Revolution still in contact with Shawn?
A: At this stage, no one at Revolution (beyond Shawn’s ex-wife, Rachel Livingston) has been in contact with Shawn since his arrest. Kenny is hoping to make contact this coming week, and he asks that if you have an existing friendship with Shawn, please let him know.
Q: What should I say if someone from the media contacts me with questions about this?
A: You are free to answer questions to the best of your knowledge and at your personal discretion. If you are uncomfortable, however, you are welcome to direct questions to Kenny, or to any member of the Lay Leadership Team.
Q: Is there anything I can do to help?
A: The most important things right now are (1) to support ongoing investigative work and (2) to help the Livingston family navigate this incredible disruption to their daily life. You can support the investigation by sharing any tips or information you may have with law enforcement (see above). You can support the Livingston family by getting in touch with Joe Pfeifer, who is coordinating aid and relief for them.
Kenny and the Revolution Lay Leadership Team are grateful for a community that prioritizes honesty, humility, and love for one another. In the days and weeks ahead, we want you to know that your questions and emotions are welcome here. You can reach out to Kenny, or anyone on the Lay Leadership Team, any time. We are all stunned by this news, and we will do our best to navigate this season as we have challenging seasons in the past: with transparency, openness, and a sincere desire to nurture a community that embraces and models the love of God. Thank you for your trust in us, and your support of each other.