Loudon County, TN (WOKI / WVLT) – A former pastor in Loudon County has pleaded guilty to stealing money from his congregation.
According to the 9th District Attorney General’s Office, Nicholas Rains, former leader of Canvas Church in Lenoir City, was accused of misusing church funds beginning in 2023. Church members discovered irregularities and asked him to step down before contacting authorities.
An audit conducted by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office found that Rains used church credit cards and funds for personal expenses. These included groceries, family vacations, a trip to Alaska, house payments and other purchases.
Prosecutors also allege the funds were used for inappropriate personal expenditures unrelated to church operations.
Rains was charged with theft over $250,000. As part of a plea agreement, he was sentenced to eight years. He will serve 120 days in the Loudon County Jail, with the remaining time on supervised probation.
In addition, Rains has been ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution to the church, along with court costs and fines.
