They travelled over 100 miles one way every weekend until the job as done and then they donated all the fixtures as well. It's vital people describing trauma or harm be listened to with sensitivity and patience; coming forward is often an act of courage. "So much so, we are changing our traditional schedule to give your family the chance to experience everything we are offering this year.". The letter says 27 individuals offered corroborating evidence for the 21 victims, including former Circle C employees, church leaders, and volunteers who witnessed inappropriate behaviors. The camps parent corporation, Living Waters Ministries, said in response: At the outset, a flat statement: Wayne Aarum, the Operations Director of the Circle C Ranch, never engaged in any of the conduct described in Ms. Norriss report.. Miracle after Miracle, God has provided for Circle C Ranch and as long as God continues to provide, we will continue to serve Him! Drew Silleman. The accounts of the women, describing incidents involving Wayne Aarum that took place when they were Circle C Ranch campers, are troubling and concerning. The suit is seeking more than $2.5 million in damages for "harm to reputation, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, and emotional injury," as well as an additional $625,000 in financial damages, according to court filings. A detailed report written by Norris to State Children and Family Services officials was given Sunday to the 21 women who came forward. Laura Snell, 22, of Alexandria, Virginia, previously spoke about her allegations against Aarum as part of a USA TODAY Network New York investigation in June, which detailed claims of sexual and emotional abuse against Aarum from 16 women over two decades. 1.) To reach young people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that they may know that they are born again. Many of these people say he could not have possibly done what he is accused. It made me mad watching the interview., Aarum, reached by phone denies that and all the allegations, saying again he wants the opportunity to talk with "anyone who has a problem with him. Circle C Ranch, the Christian children's camp in western New York facingallegations that its director has inappropriately touched teenage girls, announced drastic changes to its summer plans this week. An internal investigation earlier this year by Texas attorney Kimberlee Norris found 21 women who alleged Aarum touched them inappropriately when they were teenagers or young women. Click here to read the internal investigation. Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer, and Jerry Gillis, lead pastor at The Chapel, discuss the allegations against Wayne Aarum. investigation by USA TODAY Network New York State Team reporters Sarah Taddeo and Georgie Silvarole, These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma, Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago, the camp announced a change for how it will operate this summer, Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Norris also wrote to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services with a list of dozens of inappropriate actions alleged against Aarum, including entering cabins without knocking or announcing himself, while girls were changing clothes; meeting alone with girls in his office after lights out; whispering intimate statements to girls, such as I love you and You are so beautiful; and giving back massages that included rubbing of girls buttocks. Some church members objected to what they considered a lack of disclosure earlier about the allegations against Aarum, while others suggested the investigation was tilted against Aarum. (Both boys are college graduates and are now full time in the ministry working with college as well as public and high school students.) Yet the information reporters learn has to be vetted as well as it can be, too. For months, The Chapel facilitated conversations between women like McDonald, who say they were abused by Aarum, and the Circle C Ranch board of directors. But she said that it is important that parents be aware of the allegations when making decisions about their kids. Nothing happened. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. My youth group never went back to Circle C.. Former Chapel minister, Circle C youth camp director denies sexual misconduct Report stated 21 women have made allegations A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular. It's particularly true, though, when enterprising reporters receivea good story tip and stay with it until they get to the heart of an important story that otherwise would never have been told. Last week, 7 Eyewitness News reported that at least 21 women have come forward to lawyers hired by The Chapel at Crosspoint to probe allegations of inappropriate touching and contact with girls by Aarum, a former employee of The Chapel who worked there in the 1990s. A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular Cattaraugus County youth camp stands accused of sexual misconduct with teen girls -- even though he denies the allegations. Theyspoke to 19 other individuals including persons who worked at the camp, relatives and local pastors. I have never had any sexual interaction with anyone other than my wife. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Call our office at: (716) 492-3687. Wayne Aarum and his wife, Julie, in an interview with WKBW-TV about allegations that Wayne Aarum inappropriately touched girls and young women while a youth minister at The Chapel and at Circle C Ranch, a Christian camp he runs in Delevan. Judge Rules That Michigan Public University Violated the Rights of Christian Student Group, Citygate Network Seeks Greater Diversity in National Rescue Mission Leadership. Wes said none its for the Lord. Over the last year, we have shared several updates regarding our response to the allegations brought to us of inappropriate behavior of Wayne Aarum, a former employee of The Chapel, current President of Circle C Ranch (a youth camp in the Western New York region) and Pastor at First Baptist Church of Arcade. What else might develop? Circle C Ranch has provided a written response on its website in response to these allegations. INVESTIGATION: These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, 'He was my identity': How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma, More: Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago. But she never saw any improvement in Wayne Aarums behavior, she said. That was of the Lord. One of America's most exciting Christian Camps. Families can register online to attend camp overnightwith their children at Circle C Ranch on either July 9-11 or August 6-8. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Its common for women as they get along in lifeto see how their lives are not going well and when they sit down, like with a social workerand they start hearing stuff from a social worker that says to them, Well, have you ever had something in your life where maybe this is set off, the condition that youre in now? I mean, none of these women had any complaints at all until they were contacted by this group and suggestions were made to them.. Finally, the notion that the allegations were planted or suggested by counselors or social workers is patently absurd.". Click here to read the statement from Circle C Ranch. Aarum left his role at The Chapel in 2000. The camp was going to be a western town called Circle 'C' Ranch (Circle 'C' standing for Christ centered) and it would be legally owned by the . It is a credit to Taddeo's and Silvarole's reporting that they did everything humanly possible to find out more about what has occurred over the years at Circle C. Ranch. ", "I'm not sure who's saying it and what they're referring to," he said. I found each of the women to be credible, one attorney who investigated the reports of abusetold our two reporters. Many say the former Chapel at Crosspoint minister and president of Circle C Ranch abused his spiritual authority over three decades -- and that the inappropriate contact with teen girls was the camps worst-kept secret. $10- ages 10+ $5- ages under 10 Pine brook was a great soul-winning camp and that summer hundreds of teens accepted Christ. Aarum has denied the allegations and continues to serve on staff at the camp. It is important for you to know that both The Chapel leadership and MinistrySafe have found the allegations to be credible, and we continue to stand with those who have courageously come forward, Chapel leadership said Friday in a statement posted to the churchs website. In its response to Norris' report, the Circle C Ranch board suggests that the volume of complaints against Aarum was related to the work he did, often with troubled teenagers. Im not anonymous, she said. Tight hugging. According to a . Little id any of us realize what a blessing that would be, as the Winter Snow Camps have brought in thousands of campers with hundreds of them accepting Christ.. Attorney Kimberlee Norris said she interviewed 21 women who alleged inappropriate touch by Aarum. According to a report released by Ministry Safe. For an overview of the site and a few ideas as to how it can help save you time and get you connected with your community, click About Our Website. The camp cited state restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the change. Aarum said in his lawsuit that the relationship between the church and the camp began to cool after the death of church founder James Andrews in 1999 and the start of a more expansionist and financially oriented management of the church under new Lead Pastor Jerry Gillis. To make a donation,click here. Former Circle C Ranch staffer discusses effects of abuse. In a letter to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Norris outlined dozens of alleged incidents connected with the youth group and the camp, including Aarum touching girls intimately, saying intimate things to them, and entering cabins while girls were changing clothes. Circle C stands for "Christ Centered" which is the purpose and continues to be the. The 75-page transcript, which was posted online at the Circle C website, reveals rifts within the congregation, with members pressing Camardo for details about the investigation of Wayne Aarum and the resignation of Wes Aarum. However, this effort on behalf of Afghan refugees is an initiative launched and overseen by Circle C Ranch's. Wayne Aarum, a former senior high minister at The Chapel at Crosspoint in Getzville, New York, current pastor of First Baptist Church in Arcade, New York, and the operator of Circle C Ranch youth camp in Delevan, New York, stands accused of sexually assaulting at least twenty-one girls spanning decades. People brought this to his attention. Read their stories. as part of a USA TODAY Network New York investigation, These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, Pastor accused of abusing teens sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "Due to Covid Restrictions we have decided to pour all of our resources into our family camp weekends," the website reads. There was documentation of people going to Wayne and saying, Hey listen, like, we love you, but you need to be careful of this.' In response to that written statement, Kimberly Norris, one of the founders of MinistrySafe, and the attorney who did The Chapel investigation provided the following information: "Neither the Circle C board (or its parent corporation, Living Waters Ministries) has ever contacted me, MinistrySafe or the law firm of Love & Norris. Last week, Aarum filed a civil lawsuit against The Chapel alleging defamatory statements. More history on Circle C Ranch can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_C_Ranch. Now there was a need for the total of $40,000 to get things moving. But now that she is an adult, she said she would describe the interactions with girls as intimate and a form of grooming.. read more Filed Under: Church The change comes less than a week after publication of aUSA TODAY Networkinvestigation, which found that the camp's director, WayneAarum, fostered improper relationships and touchedat least 16teenage girls inappropriately, some on multiple occasions, according to their firsthand accounts. WHAT TO BRING: WHAT NOT TO BRING: Please consider becoming a digital subscriber. The Circle C Homeowners Association is a non-profit corporation governed by a seven member Board of Directors. At this age, he began to take care of his health. Wayne Aarum and his wife, Julie, in an interview with WKBW-TV about allegations that Wayne Aarum inappropriately touched girls and young women while a youth minister at The Chapel and at Circle. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Dekalb appeared to place blame on the women who have come forward, even though leaders at The Chapel have described them as credible and courageous. Anne Stych is a writer in Charlotte, North Carolina. For many years, The Chapel, a popular nondenominational megachurch with several offshoot congregations, encouraged families to send their children to Circle C Ranch. Website Terms & Conditions | CCHOA Privacy Policy| Social Media Policy | Feedback, Copyright 2015 2022 Circle C Ranch HOA | Design by Austin Web Design.com, South West Austin Toastmasters Welcomes Circle C Residents, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_C_Ranch. Wes had been a youth pastor, pastor, evangelist, leader in Youth for Christ and director of a Bible Conference. Some of the allegations date back to 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at the Chapel. He wanted to give his last years to the Lord and became the head man of the construction of the town. The attorney advised that Aarum step down as president and camp director, but the board didnt follow through on that advice, said Fancher, who no longer is on the camps board. Bob asked how much interest? "Circle C Ranch would ultimately determine the initial allegations were false through its own internal investigation. Weve asked for any information they can give ustheyve given us nothing, Aarum said. There is absolutely no credibility to any of these things, Dekalb said. A copy of the report, which was obtained by 7 Eyewitness News, stated: In the course of the MinistrySafe investigation, these behaviors were communicated: -stroking legs (outside clothing and on bare skin), -touching vaginal area- outside clothing (in shorts or jeans), -touching, rubbing and stroking breasts, outside clothing, -stroking from hips to breasts, clothed, on the side of the body, -pressing penis into back of girl (hugging from behind), -rubbing penis repeatedly in a girls presence, -extended hug of a partially dressed girl", The report stated that 27 people came forward to corroborate some of the alleged behaviors, including hand rubbing inside of thighfailing to honor preference NOT to be touched and meeting 1/1 with girls late into the night.. Notion that the allegations and continues to serve on staff at the Chapel in 2000 i 'm sure. As done and then they donated all the fixtures as well as it can be, too matching.... 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