We never saw anything even approaching this.. I remember a lot of hugs lasting a little too long.. What else might develop? (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Multiple women told the 7 Eyewitness News I-Team that Aarum would sometimes touch intimate areas and would grab their bra straps. Camardo did not respond Friday to a voicemail and email seeking comment. 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 in the 1990s. "Circle C Ranch would ultimately determine the initial allegations were false through its own internal investigation. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's officials confirmed that they are investigating the matter. Nothing happened. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. 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 association documents and forms; join discussion forums; utilize the member directory; and much more. 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. I found each of the women to be credible, one attorney who investigated the reports of abusetold our two reporters. 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.. 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. Thank you for your support. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? Please consider becoming a digital subscriber. Wayne Aarum, pastor accused of abusing teens, sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M. I have zero recollection of that. And this started 20 years ago, said Fancher. Wes said none its for the Lord. The allegations also were referred to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating, according to Sgt. Click here to read the full statement from The Chapel. (Both boys are college graduates and are now full time in the ministry working with college as well as public and high school students.) Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. As you've read, Taddeo and Silvarole spent months speaking to 16 women who described inappropriate and uncomfortable encounters with the man who hasbeen camp director or president for many years at Circle C Ranch. information shared on its website on Monday. Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer, and Jerry Gillis, lead pastor at The Chapel, discuss the allegations against Wayne Aarum. 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. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. The Ranch owed (Snell) a heightened, fiduciary duty of care because they held themselves out as being able to provide a safe and secure environment for children, the lawsuit read. ", "I'm not sure who's saying it and what they're referring to," he said. Percy, as he wanted to be called, was considered by many as the founder of the Christian Camping Ministry. No, he said when asked whether he ever touched anyone inappropriately. I, myself, personally 20 years ago sat down with Mr. Wes (Wayne Aarums father) and said, I love Wayne with all my heart, but I saw him interact in a way that was just inappropriate. , Fancher said he also has heard firsthand accounts from women who are truly victims.. Aarum, who was a youth pastor at The Chapel, a large Buffalo-area church, and later the camp president at Circle C Ranch, a Christian camp in rural Cattaraugus County, was a well-known. These persons said they'dwitnessedAarumsactions, or heard aboutthemfrom staff or loved ones. 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. Wes Aarum preaches at Kingdom Bound at Darien Lake in 2012. Victims come forward in Circle C sexual-misconduct case. 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. 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. I pledge to you this:TheD&Cteam will do its best to serve Greater Rochester and each of our readers every single day. Call our office at: (716) 492-3687. At one point in the meeting, Randy Fancher, a former trustee of the Circle C Ranch, said the camps board hired an attorney more than a year ago to investigate an allegation against Wayne Aarum. 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.. Marges love for the Lord led her, along with her other jobs, to be the teacher of a womens weekly Bible study. I worked in the ministry, my wife and I have worked in this ministry, all of those same years that theyre talking about. 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. In investigative journalism, it's vital reporters show their efforts to confirm facts and to reach people. 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. She also said Aarum on occasion grabbed her from behind and pulled his pelvis tight to her body. A Chicago developer has been eyeing the 315-acre Circle C Ranch camp property for a proposed $500 million windmill project, but the camps board has refused to sell or lease the land, according to court papers. It isan investigative journalist's role to examine possible abuses of power or allegations of misfeasance or malfeasancethoroughly,keeping fairness and accuracy front and center in their work. 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. 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. Click here to read the internal investigation. The board also claims that the Chapel is attempting to use the womens claims to generate controversy and take over the 315-acre rural camp that has been in the Aarum family since 1968. Furthermore, Taddeo and Silvarole included what could be learned about how camp leaders dealt with complaints made about Aarum: "Circle C Ranch wouldultimately determinethe initial allegationswere false through its own internal investigation. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. He continues as First Baptist Church of Arcade pastor and Circle C Ranch director. For many years, The Chapel, a popular nondenominational megachurch with several offshoot congregations, encouraged families to send their children to Circle C Ranch. Kens wife Joann was an R.N and she worked in a local hospital to help support them while the camp was being built. Email us at: info@circlecranch.org. You have permission to edit this article. 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. An alleged victim who is now 25 and who said she was heavily involved at Circle C said, He would sit next to me and put his hand on my leg and rub my inner thigh and outer thigh. No, he said when asked whether he ever touched anyone inappropriately. 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. They initiated the whole process because she wanted [him] not to be able to work with kids anymore. Aarum has denied the allegations and continues to serve on staff at the camp. He has the backing of the camps board of trustees, which released a response to Norris report stating that there is no substantial evidence supporting the claims. 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 in the 1990s. 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. We've seen nothing, heard nothing, and they're operating from an anonymous standpoint with everybody, and we believe they have an agenda to take over the ranch," Dekalb added. Some of the allegations date back to 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at the Chapel. A detailed report written by Norris to State Children and Family Services officials was given Sunday to the 21 women who came forward. The lawsuit alleges that leadership of The Chapel have become aware of the growing value of the camp property and that Camardo has sought since 2019 to dig up dirt on Aarum, with the aim of hurting his reputation and creating a more favorable board of directors to control the Circle C Ranch camp and the use and disposition of its land.. Last week's investigation by USA TODAY Network New York State Team reporters Sarah Taddeo and Georgie Silvarole is just such an example. But the allegations are from a small percentage of the young people Aarum has worked with over the years. They travelled over 100 miles one way every weekend until the job as done and then they donated all the fixtures as well. My youth group never went back to Circle C.. In late 2019, allegations of abuse against Aarum 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. Theyspoke to 19 other individuals including persons who worked at the camp, relatives and local pastors. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In addition, a contemporaneous writing provided evidence that the behaviors were previously reported to camp leadership. Families can register online to attend camp overnightwith their children at Circle C Ranch on either July 9-11 or August 6-8. Carnahan had attended First Baptist Church of Arcade, where Aarum is pastor, and volunteered at the Circle C Ranch in the winter, she said. 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." But the allegations are from a small percentage of the young people Aarum has worked with over the years. The former employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she feared retribution from Aarums family, said the woman came forward because Aarum still has access to kids through his work at Circle C Ranch. I have never had any sexual interaction with anyone other than my wife. Prior to becoming director of Circle C Ranch, Aarum worked as a youth pastor atBuffalo-area megachurch The Chapel in the 1990s. 1.) 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. all you can eat pancakes, eggs, juice, and coffee. It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. OPTION 1: Bring your Youth Group. Daryl Dekalb, a Circle C Ranch Board Member, appeared to place blame on the women who have come forward, even though leaders at The Chapel have described them as credible and courageous. Bill wanted to make sure that every building was winterized so the camp could operate year round. 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. 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. Follow heronTwitter @Sjtaddeo. More history on Circle C Ranch can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_C_Ranch. Does public speaking or speaking in a group make you nervous? 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. They spoke to Aarum, who denied any wrongdoing, according to the Chapel's statement. During his tenure at The Chapel, pastors spoke to Aarum multiple times about his conduct with girls in the youth group, according to excerpts from Aarums employee personnel file at The Chapel. As an evangelist eh spoke at many youth camps during the summer and that desire to starta a camp grew even stronger. To honor, Glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. 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. 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.. More: Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. It's vital people describing trauma or harm be listened to with sensitivity and patience; coming forward is often an act of courage. "This is why we're suspicious of these charges. It makes a difference to people of all backgrounds and life experiences. The longtime director of a Christian youth camp in Delevan is refusing to step down despite complaints that he inappropriately touched young women and girls at the camp and when he was a youth pastor in the 1990s at one of the areas largest churches. I have zero recollection of that. Aarum is seeking $3.1 million in damages. 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. In school, our teachers told us to "show our math," or how we worked out a problem. It is very difficult to do this kind of work successfully from across the room. Hannah Buehler reports. He was not available Wednesday to speak to The News, said Dekalb. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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. Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer, and Jerry Gillis, lead pastor at The Chapel, discuss the allegations against Wayne Aarum. But now that she is an adult, she said she would describe the interactions with girls as intimate and a form of grooming.. In one letter, the board accused the Chapels executive pastor, John Camardo, of defamation. 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. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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