Mica Miller death: Family hints at suing Solid Rock Church and John-Paul Miller for wrongful death amid allegations of abuse
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LUMBER RIVER STATE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA: A potential wrongful death lawsuit could be brewing against Solid Rock Church, as documents left behind by Mica Miller suggest her estranged pastor husband, John-Paul Miller, utilized the church's authority to isolate her, according to a family attorney.
"There seems to me that there could be a civil action. Not against the police — the police under the circumstances responded appropriately under what was happening at the time — but there are other things that happened that are related to this church," said Conway-based attorney Regina Ward.
Mica Miller's life amid church involvement and marital strife
Authorities said, Mica, 30, tragically took her own life at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County on April 27 — just two days after serving divorce papers to her husband, John-Paul.
She was actively involved in church activities, working alongside her husband in leading women and youth leadership classes. Following her death, church leaders relieved John-Paul of his "ministerial functions."
Ward further revealed details, stating, "She was employed there, there’s a question about whether she was appropriately paid for her time, the church itself was used by John-Paul, I have letters that he wrote on church stationary to her basically disparaging her. He went after everything that meant anything to this young woman," reported WBTW.
“Based on the information gathered during the investigation and jurisdiction reasons, the Sheriff’s Office has requested the assistance of both agencies,” Sheriff Burnis Wilkins’ office claimed. “The request made by the Sheriff’s Office is not related to the cause of death of Mica Miller. Mica Miller’s death remains to be the result of a suicide.”
A closer look at Solid Rock Church
Solid Rock Church operating under tax-exempt status since 2015, holds a multimillion-dollar portfolio. Recent findings reveal the church's ownership of properties and assets, including real estate holdings valued in the millions and registered vehicles under the 'Solid Rock Ministries' umbrella.
The organization filed a registration for a 2007 Cessna SR-22 with the FAA on May 9. The exact date and cost of the aircraft's purchase remain undisclosed. However, a similar model listed for sale on Controller.com has an asking price of $429,900.
Horry County land records reveal that Solid Rock Ministries oversees four properties with a combined taxable value of $5.59 million. This includes a 2,089-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence located along Coldwater Circle, listed in court documents as John-Paul’s address, with a taxable value of $240,900.
Furthermore, 'Solid Rock Ministries' possesses 28.2 acres of land adjacent to US Highway 17 Bypass, valued at $3.42 million. Plans to utilize this site for the expansion of Faith First Academy school have been indicated. Additionally, the Howard Avenue church itself holds a taxable value of $1.93 million.
John-Paul Miller's ministry work and legal fallout
John-Paul's name does not appear on any property ownership records in Horry County. County tax records indicate that the ministry owns at least two vehicles: a 2011 Honda and a 2018 Chevrolet. While Solid Rock Ministries does not officially align with any denomination, its marketing materials identify it as “Christian.”
Notably, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, comprising over 2,700 affiliates nationwide, does not include Solid Rock Ministries among its members. Ground Zero in Myrtle Beach and WMBJ FM, based in Murrells Inlet, are among the ECFA members.
John-Paul operates Dare2Care Missions, a ministry dedicated to “building the Kingdom of God” in Kenya. Donors are urged to contribute $300 annually to support the ministry’s African-based school. Ward disclosed that she possesses “mounds of paperwork” left behind by Mica or provided to relatives. She recounted an interaction with John-Paul following Mica’s death.
“Much to his disappointment, he thought that with her death, the lawsuit for separation would die with her,” she alleged. “He was quite dumbfounded and upset.”
