There was over 100 acres of good haying land on this property so they had plenty of feed for the horses. The Chapel also hired MinistrySafe, an independent legal firm that looks into abuse allegations in Christian settings, to investigate allegations that abuse occurred at The Chapel in the 1990s. 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. It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. Officials at the Chapel said they were first made aware in 2019 of allegations about Aarums inappropriate behavior at the camp and took that information to the Circle C Ranch board, according to a statement provided to The News and posted on the Chapel's website. Litigator Kimberlee Norris, the co-founder of Ministry Safe, a Christian sexual misconduct investigative and prevention service, said 21 women told her in interviews Aarum had touched them inappropriately, with incidents dating back to when he was a youth minister at The Chapel at Crosspoint, a megachurch in the Buffalo area. Shortly after her graduation they were married. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. She also said Aarum on occasion grabbed her from behind and pulled his pelvis tight to her body. 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. Some of the allegations date back to the 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at The Chapel. Instead, Chapel leaders offered to share information gathered in the course of the investigation IF Circle C undertook an independent investigation in good faith. Wes said none its for the Lord. Other inappropriate behaviors allegedly occurred during his time as Circle C Ranch director, since 2000, although none of the complaints related to behavior within the past five years. Aarums denials prompted Elle Campbell to post on Twitter that she was one of the 21+ victims and 27+ corroborators who were interviewed for Norris report. Teenagers have also historically made up the majority of employees at the camp, working as counselors, in the kitchen or in maintenance roles throughout the summers. You have permission to edit this article. Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer, and Jerry Gillis, lead pastor at The Chapel, discuss the allegations against Wayne Aarum. 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. Wayne S. Aarum claimed in a defamation lawsuit that The Chapel and its executive pastor, John Camardo, engaged in a sustained campaign of . He met Margaret Stevenson who had been born on a farm in Pennsylvania (which would prepare her for life at the Ranch). Read the full story from News Staff Reporter Jay Tokasz. Bob asked when he would pay it back? It matters in cities. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. I think some of it, as an adult looking back, it crossed a line, she said. Circle C Ranch released its own investigation of the allegations at The Chapel on the ranch's website in March 2021. Pastor accused of touching girls sues Amherst church over allegations. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. When he gave Bob a call, he said I suppose the same terms as before and then he wrote out a check fo the amount. Our Goal: "To reach young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ, to encourage godliness in their lives, and to send them out as equipped witnesses for His kingdom." "Due to Covid Restrictions we have decided to pour all of our resources into our family camp weekends," the website reads. I can honestly say no.. Aarum left his role at The Chapel in 2000. Circle C Ranch has provided a written response on its website in response to these allegations. According to information shared on its website, Circle C Ranch said state restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the sudden change in programming to include now the parents of children. More: Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface. Holding a crusade in a town nearby Wes was introduced to a man named Bill Daily who worked construction and was also a master stone worker. Such stories cannot be rushed. Through all this, Aarum remains as the Circle C camp president today. Former Chapel minister, Circle C youth camp director denies sexual misconduct 3,079 views Mar 26, 2021 A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular Cattaraugus. 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. 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Speaking the truth to a difficult situation can be met with hostility, fear, and a wide variety of other responses., The boards own investigative report also suggested that the unidentified women cited in Norris report may have misinterpreted Aarums gestures of good will because of a common type of trauma in their past that makes them ultra-sensitive to certain kinds of verbal Bible teaching or certain physical actions such as hugs that are entirely appropriate and not at all offensive to other women in the same circumstances.. I have never had any sexual interaction with anyone other than my wife. Circle C Ranch was started in 1968 by Aarums father, Wesley Aarum Sr. Wayne Aarum, 55, ran a ministry program at The Chapel for high school students in the 1990s, before taking over operation of the ranch in 2001 and becoming pastor of First Baptist Church of Arcade in 2002. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial, according to the court filing. Click here to read the full statement from The Chapel. Sarah Taddeo is an enterprisereporter for USA Today Network's New York State Team. 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 Lord. The Chapel first hired MinistrySafe in 2019 to improve its policies after unrelated sexual abuse allegations at its Lockport worship site were reported by The Buffalo News in 2019. And of course if you have any questions please email us or call the office at info@circlecranch.org or (716) 492-3687. Chapel leaders say they began hearing troubling allegations about Aarum in October 2019 and again in February 2020. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Other alleged inappropriate behaviors are mentioned in the report. Bob asked how much interest? But 7 Eyewitness News spoke with a former employee at the youth camp who said she has spoken with one of the alleged survivors. Fancher said the camp had documented instances in which other camp leaders had approached Aarum about his actions. A USA TODAY Network Investigation found thatAarum, 55,touchedat least 16teenage girls inappropriately, according to their firsthand accounts. Carnahan described Aarums actions as grooming and sexual predation. She also accused Aarum of inflicting what she termed religious trauma on her. "So much so, we are changing our traditional schedule to give your family the chance to experience everything we are offering this year.". Sticht, who said she worked at the summer camp from 2000 to 2003, said she witnessed Aarum hug a girl in a way that his fingers would be touching the underwire of her bra., Id see Wayne touching these girls, exactly the ones we knew he would, at the rock climbing wall, Stitch said. We all knew starting on Monday -- when the campers arrived -- we all could pick out which of our girls were going to receive the most attention, be the favorite and the ones we would keep an eye on, Heather Sticht, a former employee of the camp, said in an interview with 7 Eyewitness News. Other inappropriate behaviors allegedly occurred during his time as Circle C Ranch director, since 2000, although none of the complaints related to behavior within the past five years. 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A camp director and pastor with ties to a megachurch in western New York has been accused of inappropriately touching more than 20 women when they were teenage girls. Pine brook was a great soul-winning camp and that summer hundreds of teens accepted Christ. 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. If you are not a subscriber, or if you want a friend or loved one to enjoy the D&C like you do, please share this link with them featuring special subscription offers:https://bit.ly/3zlqulC. "He totally denies any wrongdoing whatsoever," said Dekalb, who is also a former member of the Chapel board. Anne Stych is a writer in Charlotte, North Carolina. Another alleged victim wrote to the I-Team that the inappropriate contact such as the unsolicited long hugs and hands near or on the breasts and hips were so disturbing that the youth group she was a part of confronted Aarum and his father. Nothing happened. 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Prior to 2020, when COVID-19 preventedthe camp from operating in the summer, Circle C Ranch would host grade and high school-agedchildren without their parents, according to former camp staff. MinistrySafe, the Texas organization hired by The Chapel to investigate the claims, stated that 27 people came forward to corroborate some of the alleged behaviors, though Aarum denied the allegations. God knew that Wes would need a man that would be a confidant, a prayer partner, on who could give wise counsel and one who had the same soul-winning burden and vision for the camp that he had. In a written statement issued Friday, Circle C Ranch leadership also suggested that "false memories" could have been planted in accusers' minds. More history on Circle C Ranch can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_C_Ranch. That was of the Lord. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how thisinvestigation was conducted and who conducted it. In addition, a contemporaneous writing provided evidence that the behaviors were previously reported to camp leadership. Theyspoke to 19 other individuals including persons who worked at the camp, relatives and local pastors. Read the original investigation: These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, Aarum sues The Chapel: Pastor accused of abusing teens sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M. I found each of the women to be credible, one attorney who investigated the reports of abusetold our two reporters. Yet for decades this alleged abuse continuedeven though leadership at both The Chapel and Circle C Ranch were confronted about Aarum's conduct at least 20 times in the past 24 years. Former Circle C Ranch staffer discusses effects of abuse. Keeping his hands on their bodies way too long when it wasnt necessary at all.. She said, If they're thinking of sending their children there this summer, I want people to know.. Circle "C" Ranch is a christian youth camp about an hour south of Buffalo New York, the setting is very unique in the fact that it is themed in the 18 See more Some members defended Camardos handling of the situation, including an unidentified board member in the meeting who pointed to the Catholic Diocese of Buffalos troubles in recent years for sweeping all of this stuff under the rug.. Two other days, July 3 and 31, are designated as "Family Fun Days," according to the website. I worked in the ministry, my wife and I have worked in this ministry, all of those same years that theyre talking about. I have been a staff reporter at The Buffalo News since 2002 and currently am part of the watchdog team. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how this . 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. If you are new to the Web site, be sure to complete the Sign Up information to receive a password to the private and secured portions of the site, as well as be added to our email list. Circle C stands for "Christ Centered" which is the purpose and continues to be the. Ross had been a board member of Canadian Youth for Christ when Wes had been the President and was such a blessing to that ministry. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. The state's rules allow for the camps to operate with different restrictions for the vaccinated and unvaccinated, with campers over the age of five required to wear masks and maintain social distancing in most situations. Click here to read the internal investigation. Now there was a need for the total of $40,000 to get things moving. Hed get uncomfortably close to my face, and I remember thinking as a teenager about the tension of him being so close to my face, like is he trying to kiss me? said Carnahan, who now lives near Tampa and works in a restaurant. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Clergy are mandated. Miracle after Miracle, God has provided for Circle C Ranch and as long as God continues to provide, we will continue to serve Him! But in 2020, something changed. But now that she is an adult, she said she would describe the interactions with girls as intimate and a form of grooming.. He said no one at the present and George said he would bring his crew up every weekend and do the job as a gift to the Lord. 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. Aarum denies the allegations against him and continues to operate the Circle C Ranch. We believe in the Divine Inspiration of the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, the creation of man by the diret act of God, the Incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His vicarious atonement for the sin of mankind, His death, burial, resurection, and His coming again bodily to take His saints to be with Him forever. Chelsea Carnahan, 28, recounted how Aarum would stroke her back and hair, hold her hand and touch her legs during one-on-one counseling sessions and talks when she was a Pioneer High School student from 2006 to 2010. She also attended First Baptist Church of Arcade, where Aarum is pastor, and volunteered at the Circle C Ranch in the winter. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. A number of women former high school youth group members under Aarums leadership brought allegations of sexual and emotional abuse against Aarum from that time period earlier this year. In late 2019, allegations of abuse began picking up momentum when Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer who worked there in 2006, shared her story with leadership at The Chapel. Are you looking for a friendly forum where you can practice and develop your 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 under the Home button. Some former staff said Aarum typically targeted specific girls who were pretty, slim, emotionally fragile or those who had father issues and that girls complained to staff asking for help in avoiding [Aarum]., In a March statement, The Chapels board and pastoral leadership said both their leadership and MinistrySafe have found the allegations to be credible.. Women allege WNY Christian camp director has abused teens since 1990s. Reporters also tried to contactRonald Snell,a longtime friend of Wes Aarum Sr. andCircle C board member for a short period, whowas also present at the meeting. Now God would go to work and make this camp a reality. This website was created for residents in order to provide you with more convenience and opportunities to share ideas and information; get news and announcements; access an online resource center for important 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.. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Click here to read the full statement from The Chapel. 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. My evaluation of credibility is based upon 30 years of past experience interacting with fact witnesses and abuse survivors. It was decided that he should be contacted and asked for a loan of $30,000. 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. Judge Rules That Michigan Public University Violated the Rights of Christian Student Group, Citygate Network Seeks Greater Diversity in National Rescue Mission Leadership. It matters in suburbs. One of America's most exciting Christian Camps. Chapel leaders learned a few months later about additional allegations of inappropriate behavior by Aarum during his time as a church staff member from 1991 to 2000. Aarum, whose family has run the camp for decades and who is also listed as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Arcade, denied the allegations in an interview with 7 Eyewitness News. The camp was founded by Wayne Aarums father Wes Aarum Sr., and both Wayne and his brother, Wes Aarum Jr., serve on the board. Sometimes he would grab her from behind and pull his pelvis tight to her body, she said. Some of the allegations date back to 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at the Chapel. Call our office at: (716) 492-3687. I dont want anyone else to have to go through what I went through. It makes a difference to people of all backgrounds and life experiences. Aarum has denied the allegations and continues to serve on staff at the camp. Specifically, in a portion of the story about Circle C's legal counsel having recommended at a meeting that Aarum resign, they took these steps: "The USA TODAY NETWORKreached out to Wayne Aarum, his son Josh Aarum, andboard members Daryl Dekalb and Wes Aarum Jr.for comment specifictothis matter. It is very difficult to do this kind of work successfully from across the room. 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. READ THE FULL INVESTIGATION:These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, Lasting trauma:He was my identity: How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma. ONE WEEK OF SUMMER CAMP Circle C Ranch 2023 Rate $345 WEEK 1: July 10th-15th (Monday - Saturday) WEEK 2: July 17th-22nd (Monday - Saturday) All meals included All lodging included All activities included REGISTER HERE FOR THE BEST WEEK EVER! As a result of her abuse, Snell experienced mental and psychological effects, including fear and anxiety that have required professional treatment, the lawsuit alleges. Officials at the Chapel said they were first made aware in 2019 of allegations about Aarum's inappropriate behavior at the camp and took that information to the Circle C Ranch board, according . WHAT TO BRING: WHAT NOT TO BRING: Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. My byline has run in the Ithaca Journal, USA Today, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle and the New York Times. Wayne Aarum, pastor accused of abusing teens, sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A detailed report written by Norris to State Children and Family Services officials was given Sunday to the 21 women who came forward. In May, New York set COVID-19 rules and restrictions for summer camps to operate after sleep-away camps were forced to close last year. OPTION 1: Bring your Youth Group. In her lawsuit, filed last month in Cattaraugus County under the state Child Victims Act, Snell claims Aarum, 55, touched her inappropriately between 2008 and 2015, when she was a minor, including touching her genitals, breasts and buttocks; rubbing her inner and upper thighs and pressing his pelvis into her back. According to a report released by Ministry Safe, Wayne Aarum engaged in the following illicit activities: -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. 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. 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. Wes had been a youth pastor, pastor, evangelist, leader in Youth for Christ and director of a Bible Conference. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) Three days after sexual misconduct allegations were raised about a Cattaraugus County youth camp director -- allegations the camp director denied -- additional women. These persons said they'dwitnessedAarumsactions, or heard aboutthemfrom staff or loved ones. I can honestly say no., Aarum added, Did someone contact them before MinistrySafe did? It finally became a reality when in 1968 he found the property where God wanted him to start that camp. The allegations also were referred to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating, according to Sgt. In a written response to the allegations posted on its website, Circle C leaders defended Aarum, saying he has been systematically denied the right of every person in the American systemto know and confront accusers, and alleged that The Chapels leadership turned to social media influencers and the pastors of other churches to help distribute its anonymous claims., The leaders said sponsoring anonymous claims is directly counter to the Bibles specific teachings., In another documentone of seven on the siteCircle C accused the Chapel, a megachurch with an enormous budget, well over $12 million annually, of trying to acquire the Ranchs property, a very choice 315 acres of rural land, by demanding a board restructuring to exclude members of the family that began the Ranch in 1968 and has run it ever since.. They spoke to Aarum, who denied any wrongdoing, according to the Chapel's statement. To honor, Glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. However, this effort on behalf of Afghan refugees is an initiative launched and overseen by Circle C Ranch's. Girls, now women, who participated in the investigation said that the behaviors became so normalized that they assumed others, including parents and ministry leaders, knew and approved, Norris wrote in her letter to the state office. The conduct was at times private and at other times out in the open when other camp staffers would be able to witness it, according to Snells lawsuit. Attorney Kimberlee Norris said she interviewed 21 women who alleged inappropriate touch by Aarum. The accused, Wayne Aarum, is the director of Circle C Ranch camp in Delevan, New York. Click here to read a copy of the MinistrySafe report submitted to state officials. Local pastors News spoke with a former employee at the Chapel interactions girls. 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