Dear Friends,
Thoughts go out to each of you as we think of all that is going on these days. As we think of the seriousness and devastating effects that CSA/SA has on victims/survivors, we are very sorry for those who have suffered.
These recent months have significantly deepened my understanding, and I apologize for my lack of communication during this time. This crisis is much larger in scope than I first realized, and I am very thankful for those who have already helped with the needs at hand.
Our staff gathered on Monday and Tuesday to gain a better understanding of CSA/SA issues, and how to deal with them. On Monday, three of our friends who are professionals shared with us and answered questions. A therapist educated us on the effects of abuse on victims, how to handle disclosures of abuse, and how to support victims. A man who worked in law enforcement on CSA cases helped us better understand how predators think and work, and how to be wary of their grooming and deception. Another man who is a civil lawyer and worked on cases related to CSA helped to dispel fears of taking proper action because of misperceived legal reasons.
On Tuesday, we further processed what we had learned on Monday through sharing concerns and discussing a number of questions from friends and staff. We also discussed paths of how we can go forward, sharing the load together. I believe the whole staff valued the time, and how it drew us closer, helping us understand each other and encouraging us to work as one.
I have had the opportunity to attend some of the listening sessions to better understand your concerns and questions. One question that has been coming up is regarding when I learned of CSA allegations against Ken Pinney and Loren Spellman. I want to clarify that it was just after receiving reports of more than one credible allegation of CSA against each man that I asked them to leave the work.
In Robert Flippo’s situation, initial reports made to me were unclear, however, I later learned that there were credible allegations against Robert constituting sexual assault. Robert was dismissed from the work in May. All three of these men have been asked to not attend meetings.
We are grateful to those who have helped to keep our community safe. If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, you can report it to authorities and/or someone you trust. We encourage you to seek professional help if needed, and we want to be a support in that.
Many are asking what we are doing to help victims and survivors. We are so sorry for all who have been dismissed and disbelieved in the past. We hear you now and we believe you. We have started contributing to existing funds set up for this purpose and are actively looking into other options as well for providing therapy and healing resources to survivors.
This evening we will be at the listening session in Richmond, Virginia, and I feel what I have learned the past few days will help me better enter into your concerns. My thoughts are also with those gathering today for the Raleigh/Oxford listening session, as well as upcoming sessions through the weekend.
I know there are other questions and requests that have been made, and we are actively working to address and answer them.
Your brother,
Jim Holt
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Every dollar spent on conventions and travels, as well as every single bank account that the workers control or have access to needs to be drained and spent for therapy for the victims who have already paid a heavy price so that these men could gratify their lust. Words are cheap. Let them put their money where their mouth is.
I’d sign that petition!
I guess I have a hard time believing in the sincerity of an overseer or anyone fir that matter when they say they are ‘beginning to understand’ about the seriousness of sexual abuse and ‘grateful for professionals help to understand’. At what point did ANY kind of abuse become acceptable and hard to understand how wrong it is? Right at the top of Gods list of what He absolutely HATES is sexual immorality – all aspects of it!!! So WHAT is hard to understand?? Do these people even read Gods Word?? Who are these people who are in control?? It’s unbelievable totally unbelievable that these ‘workers’ did not deal with this definitely years ago!!
A-M-E-N!!!
Hi Sharon,
I do think there is an education piece here, because, there are instances where abuse hasn’t been thought of as severe and therefore not dealt with severely. For example if a worker hugged a girl and maybe kissed her inappropriately, then in the past this may not have been deemed as serious as it would be now.
Not all CSA is high scale abuse. We have workers removed for kissing an underage girl.
I always think of it like this. If it was my father or my brother who did something at the lower end of the scale, would I “hand them in”. It not as easy as you think.. once you think of the impact, particularly if you can convince yourself that its “not that serious” etc etc.
We all need to learn.
Not that serious in whose opinion? The child that was inappropriately handled whether it is a kiss, a touch or whatever. That scars that child for life and in some cases may make them think it’s acceptable behavior with a worker. Wrong on all counts and no way to minimize the destruction to the innocence of a child.
Exactly! And some people fall for their deception!
Good letter, Thanks. Commentors will doubtless think it’s lacking will be quick to pick it apart, but as for me, I sincerely appreciate the effort, transparency, and communication here.
Thank you so much for this, Jim! Our hope is that there will be more evidence of your honesty and remorse from our overseers. I know this cannot be easy and I’m thankful for your courage in stepping up about these horrific crimes.
“This crisis is much larger in scope than I first realized”, Jim Holt finally admitted. Yes, Jim, it is large in scope. A very, very large scope. Why? You already answered that question when you said, “We also discussed paths of how we can go forward, sharing the load together. I believe the whole staff valued the time, and how it drew us closer, helping us understand each other and encouraging us to work as one”. This statement acknowledged you, as workers, are NOT working together for the good, or as ONE. IF Christ was the head, wouldn’t everyone ALREADY be working together as one? It is very obvious you are still in crisis and will continue to be in crisis, stating, “We also discussed paths of how we can go forward”. You do not get it. There is only ONE PATH FORWARD and that path is led by Jesus Christ, The Lord our saviour. There is zero tolerance for any deviation from Christ Jesus, whether it be child sexual abuse, or sexual misconduct of any kind, spiritual abuse, or any other abuse. Jim, this is not a business you are trying to run here; it is supposed to be FOLLOWING JESUS. If it is not Christ like in nature, it is dealt with swiftly and absolutely. But, Jim, you know there will be wiggle room and no ABSOLUTE standards, so different “paths of how we can go forward” have to be looked at. Jim, you say what you mean. And, you said it. …Jim, also, NO business today would allow what is allowed by the good old boy network.
Thank you for this letter! It is encouraging to see the fields communicating regularly who are led by new or “regular level” overseers working in tandem with their full staff.
Thank you very much Jim in, my opinion, your sincere efforts to cleanse the kingdom of those who are guilty of such heinous acts and behaviors. We sure need more overseers and workers to be acting accordingly. So to all overseers and workers that are reading this, please please be more like this true servant. That is what we are so desperately pleading for. TRUE servants amongst us.
From Advocates for the Truth Facebook page.
Harold Brown, a professing man in Illinois has been removed from all meetings due to allegations of sexual abuse. JIM HOLT head worker in Illinois at the time, was approached 25 years ago about Harold Brown’s allegations. Reportedly, nothing was done at that time. Harold is now facing a legal case.
Harold Brown has very close ties to Virginia, he has been in meetings many times over the years. Why hasn’t this information been transparent to all in Virginia?
When reading this letter please remember that overseers for decades have consented indirectly to sexually abusing children by not reporting and covering the problem up.
How would you feel if your grand daughter was fondled or raped and then the perpetrator was moved on to another state or allowed to keep his meeting and continued to sexually assault children?
The magnitude of the problem has been known to the overseers for years. The friends just didn’t know about it.
What is worse than hate? Indifference is!
Please don’t let a few letters negate years of allowed and fostered child sexual abuse.
The workers had NO right to handle CSA and SA further than taking it to the authorities or in the case of SA, the victim would decide, excommunicate the perputrator, as the Bible clearly says and notify the friends and workers.
Why did they handle things they knew nothing about and why didn’t they do what they were supposed to do?
-They were and are wolves in sheeps clothing, protecting their pack member’s.
-They were and are wolves in sheeps clothing protecting the image of the only ” way/truth”
-They were and are wolves in sheeps clothing protecting their pack members and themselves.
I am so sad and angry!!!!!
Jim Holt, please dont make any more excuses, please just tell the truth.
To the workers,
I dont understand the excuses some of you make, that you didn’t understand the seriousness of CSA and SA and the long term consequences on the victims.
Kindly answer the following questions:
Didnt you understand how serious sexual abuse against a child is or against a woman or man?
Didn’t you know that child sexual abuse should be reported to the authorities?
Didn’t you understand that you should obey God’s Word and excommunicate the perputrator?
Didn’t you understand how important it is to notify friends and workers regarding the perputrator so that they could protect themselves and their children?
You say you had a lack of knowledge regarding how to handle CSA and SA, why did you then handle it whilst you knew it was not in your scope of practise and why didn’t you handle it according to God’s Word?
Why did you move perputrators to other fields if you thought CSA and SA is not so serious?
Why did you keep these atrocities a secret if you thought CSA and SA is not so serious?
Why did you tell victims and parent’s to forgive and let go, yet you knew full well that you didn’t have the expertise to deal with the victims or perputrator’ s?
Why did you tell the victims and families not to report these atrocities to the authorities?
Why did you allow perputrator’s to continue as normal, even being elders with meetings in their homes?What consequences did you give the perpetrators? And were did you get your answer for those consequences?
Sincerely.
Louise.
@louise it didn’t seem serious to the workers because half their buddies were/are the perps! Cover cover cover
That’s their story! There are still loads of sister workers out there shaming victims, laughing at victims, and discrediting victims. No evidence of the spirit of Christ. It sickens me. I know a handful of precious workers working feverishly to straighten this up, but they are a SAD minority
I am dismayed to read several reports regarding these so-called “listening” tour/meetings. There have been reports of negative backlash within these meetings that has had reportedly deleterious effects. Since I’m not in a position to reach out and my voice being effectively heard (I’m ex), is there anyone with some senior clout who can caution all in attendance to listen (especially workers)? Does anyone here have the ear of an influential worker who is truly committed to moving this issue to a more positive direction and conclusion who would speak to other worjers/overseers?
Speaking from experience as a former school board member at my children’s school, if authentic listening is not done, and authentic actions not taken these meetings will be just another status quo fake attempt at doing “something” (while doing nothing) and the already present looming schism will be pushed further in that direction……
For real, how many ridiculous letters like this have we read? It’s been four months since the news broke about Dean Bruer and I don’t see any progress with steps being taken other than CSA guidelines being passed down that essentially say “don’t molest children”.
Bunch of professional can kickers at the top. “Hey there’s the can again let’s kick it further down the road”. None of you at the top are qualified to handle these matters. Praying for direction? Like God doesn’t know about this? Praying and Hoping is doing nothing. I’ve seen a bunch of suck ups in this church over the past few months. “Just think of what we have to be thankful for”. Great. That’s changing the subject. It’s possible to take action against molesters and sexual abuse and also be thankful for all that you have.
Read in a post a while ago that we should leave this church because that’s what Jesus would do. Amen. Bunch of sick narcissists who are brain washed. Overseers have been asked to step down and it’s been signed by hundreds of people. They won’t do it. Pride much?
What if I said “God spoke to me and he wants me to stop this church”. Would anyone believe me? Who would you believe? Because that’s what’s been on my heart lately. So much blatant tradition and ritualistic behavior that makes the members feel better. In my opinion, if meetings are our salvation…then shouldn’t we have them every day? Why just Sunday and Wednesday? If we’re really serious about getting to heaven then I say we have meetings every day!
I agree Nm, if this was the exception to the rule it would have been something else but this was and is the culture of this ministry, absolutely not led by God.