WINGS administrators take no responsibility for the accuracy of these statements.  The opinions expressed and testimonies received by WINGS are published in good faith of truth and accuracy.  These statements, although published on this website, do not reflect the administrators’ views or opinions. Some of the people mentioned may have never been charged or found guilty of criminal offences.

The historic practice of many religious and other groups was to keep any incidents of CSA secret. This had the appalling result that perpetrators were able to continue their evil acts against further unsuspecting and innocent children and those who had already been abused were not properly assisted with their process of healing, including seeing justice.

NOTIFICATION LETTERS

Letters from overseers in various fields show that overseers are aware of the need to handle CSA issues correctly. However it does not appear that their guidance meets current best practice.

In March 2023, the past life of the late Dean Bruer as an overseer who was a sexual predator of adults and minors was exposed, nine months after he died in June 2022. The following letters to workers and friends, sometimes distributed via elders, show a variety of attempts to provide limited belated disclosure and transparency; justification for delay; limitation; and in some cases the appropriate links to external agencies. These communications occurred after the news spread rapidly on social media, after one elder photographed the Doyle Smith letter that was meant to only have limited distribution. The news generated huge concerns from many members.

Abuse matters should not be kept secret or hidden, as that would just allow perpetrators to continue their actions against further unsuspecting children. The letters reveal a growing (but still patchy) awareness of the need to handle CSA accusations promptly, openly and in accordance with legal requirements and biblical teachings.

Don Reynolds dismissed from ministry

Jim Holt and Ray Hoffman letters of apology

Kansas Nebraska notification

Lance Jesse (Oklahoma) removed from meetings

Woodstock convention cancelled….again

Companion’s report concerning Jim Chafee

Texas and New Mexico worker communication

Harold Bennett removed from ministry and Parma convention

Glenda Pickering leaves ministry

Convention Guidelines distributed to local Montana meeting June 2023

Ira Hobbs banned from meetings with children in Missouri

Clint Bechdolt resigns from ministry – honorably

Gilbert Smith, California elder, removed from meetings

Brad Holman removed from convention

Rick Simpson removed from meetings

Ed Alexander letter to perpetrator – 2005

Missouri Meeting of friends and workers

Clint Bechdolt sermon at Walla Walla convention June 2023

Illinois and Indiana Resources

Letter from Ray Hoffman April 2023

Robert Corfield circumstances

Notification that Jeff Thayer not returning to the MN/IA staff

Comprehensive letter from Perry Pearson to Dakota friends

Emails to/from Merlin Affleck and Michael Hassett re Burkinshaw and McChesney allegations

Resources issued by Rob Newman to CA/AZ/HI/NV workers and friends

Offense – Mercy – Saving sinners

Perry Pearson clarification re Eric Nelson

Ken Pinney removed from the work in NC/VA/MD/D

Scott Hamilton leaves the work

Eric Nelson – South Dakota, removed from meetings

Jim Atcheson letter to workers and friends – April 2023

Dakota workers meeting May 2023

Texas / New Mexico workers workshop May 2023

Thoughts from the ministry leadership

John Vandenberg clarification

Ronda Stidolph leaves the work

Ron Hanson removed from meetings in Calgary, Alberta

Robert Corfield removed from work

Removal from meeting attendance

Attendance at meetings after release from prison

Worker [name redacted] reported and removed

LeRoy Sandford disclosure

Honourable disclosure of past conduct

Letters from Rob Newman (overseer of California)

Minnesota and Iowa zero tolerance policy going forward

Lyle Schober advises that [male worker name redacted] and [female worker name redacted] have been asked to step down for unstated reasons

Jeff Thayer steps down as worker

Richard Gasser advises that Russ Hall removed from meetings

Jim Holt notification that Robert Flippo no longer a worker

Email from overseers Darryl Doland, Wayne Bechtol, and Brian Getz to the friends in Washington, N. Idaho, and Alaska areas

Andrew Scholl voluntarily resting while getting help

Merlin Affleck reply to BC friends

Message from Rob Newman, California overseer, re removal of Kingsley Stone – May 2023

WA/N ID/AK workers, elders and friends notified that John Mastin is leaving the work due to child abuse in Pohnpei

Braydon Dutton removed from work

Letter with CSA Information and Resources Issued by Ray Hoffman to Quebec-Atlantic friends – April 2023

Letter by Rob Newman, Overseer of California Re: Removal of John VanDenBerg from the work – April 2023

Letter by Lyle Schober, Overseer of Texas and New Mexico – April 2023

Letter from Alan Mitchell (Overseer of Queensland, Australia) April 2023

Darryl Doland letter to WA, N ID, AK workers elders and friends – April 2023

Craig Winquist letter to Arkansas, Missouri & Oklahoma friends

Dale Shultz, Merlin Affleck, Rob Newman, Scott Rauscher, Doyle Smith, Darryl Doland letter to WA, N ID and AK elders and friends April 2023 re Mark Huddle

Michael Hassett letter to AB YT NWT NEBC friends April 2023

Jerome Frandle letter to Kentucky and Tennessee friends and workers – April 2023

Clarification letter from Doyle Smith March 2023

Doyle Smith letter to friends March 20, 2023

Dan Lawty letter to Alaska friends March 2023

Leroy Sandford, Overseer of ND/SD, letter to brother workers March 2023

Letter possibly by Rob Newman for CA et al workers March 2023

Jeffrey Thayer letter to MN-IA friends March 2023

Mark __ letter to friends March 2023

Merlin Affleck letter to Elders March 2023

Robert Eberhardt letter to LA, MS and AL elders and friends March 2023

Amy Thompson letter to friends March 2023

Glenn Gasser letter to Wisconsin workers and friends March 2023

Wayne Bechtol letter to WA, N ID and AK friends March 2023

Richard Gasser letter to Kansas / Nebraska friends March 2023

Lyle Schober letter to Texas friends March 2023

BethArlene letter to ND friends

Kelvin Naef letter to GA/SC/FL friends

Dale Shultz letter re Mark Huddle March 2023

Titus Lehman letter to CO UT NV friends March 2023

Jim Holt letter to NC, VA and MD workers and elders March 2023

Older letters:

Merlin Affleck letter re Walter Burkinshaw and Aaron Farough March 2021

Alan Richardson letter to New Zealand workers – August 2012

Dale Shultz letter to California workers re R Mata – July 2006

Dale Shultz CSA Guidelines for California workers – July 2006

Bill Denk letter to friends and workers July 2013