Further Notifications re Loren Spellman

135 Lake Mist Drive
Piperton TN 38017
July 13, 2023

Our dear Friends in Kentucky and Tennessee,

Since we last wrote a general letter to all in April, some most unpleasant news has surfaced. Loren Spellman who has labored here in the ministry from 2012 – 2018 is no longer in the work.

Quote from Jim Holt’s letter, (overseer DE, MD, VA, NC) July 10, 2023
‘Over the past few weeks friends and workers shared with me experiences regarding Loren’s behavior which crossed boundaries of appropriate conduct pertaining to women. In recent hours we received a credible allegation of CSA made by an adult living outside of our region, about contact that occurred while she was a child. If you or your children or anyone else has had any interactions with Loren constituting CSA or SA, please contact the local authorities.’
We are very sorry for everyone who has experienced hurt and discomfort as a result of Loren’s actions.

We continue to encourage all to report to the authorities (police in the county of occurrence) anyone whose behavior is inappropriate with children; family, neighbor, worker, friend etc. or phone the CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE. KY 877-597-2331 or TN 877-237-0004.
The workers in the ministry are mandated reporters so are responsible to notify the authorities, but also every adult in the state of Tennessee is a mandated reporter.

Anyone who makes a report in good faith, based on reasonable grounds is immune from prosecution or liability. The identity of the reporter is kept confidential.

Child abuse is now recognized as a problem of epidemic proportions. Child abuse has serious consequences that may remain as indelible pain throughout the victim’s lifetime. Child abuse includes physical, sexual, emotional or neglect. All of which are unacceptable.

The workers in Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and other states have taken the Child Sexual Abuse Training with Ministry Safe, based at 6001 River Oaks Ft. Worth Texas 76114. Some of us have taken this training every two years for the last 10 years. We have found this organization to be most helpful. We want to encourage anyone to take this Awareness Training. If you want more information about this Complete Child Safety System designed to reduce the risk of sexual abuse, we can help you get in touch with them. You can contact them 833-737-7233 or support@ministry-safe com

Gospel meetings are open to all who want to hear the Gospel and who behave appropriately and safely.

Conventions are held on private property and are only open to invited, safe guests. Please be sure to report to the owners if you notice someone who appears out of place or of questionable behavior. We will prevent anyone who is under investigation of an offense against a child to participate in our gatherings.

It is suggested that at our conventions, a parent should accompany younger children to the bathroom or shower area. Older children or teens should make their time out of meeting for bathroom breaks or other needs as brief as possible.

It is suggested that you talk to your teens about expected curfew times, what is appropriate behaviour in the dorm and elsewhere and the importance of staying on the convention grounds at all times.

Our brother who owns the convention property here at Madisonville said this morning ‘We want a safe place for our people’. That definitely is our purpose and labor also.

We are ashamed and burdened because of those who have been entrusted with the Gospel and the care of the Lord’s people, who have fallen to such base and unclean actions. The result is that some have been caused to doubt the integrity of those in the ministry, who have been true and pure in their service and the integrity of others who also follow Jesus.

Again, we want to assure you that we will standby and support in any way we can those who have suffered such harm and hurt through abuse, who seek the help of the Lord and professional help if needed. Those who have suffered have been cause to feel shame and guilt, when in reality the opposite is true, when they did nothing to deserve those feelings.

We are glad that we can look to the Lord Jesus for comfort, who is pure, holy and undefiled. He is the answer to all our questions and need. We have proven that He will never disappoint or fail us.

Sincerely, the workers in Kentucky and Tennessee

---

From Richard Gasser

Dear KS NE Friends

It seems to be necessary that we send a note with some of the recent events.
There is a worker that has been recently removed from the work because of a number of friends and workers concerns of him crossing boundaries of appropriate conduct.

There is also an allegation from the time while he was in the work here in these states. He was in Kansas from 1982-1986 and then on the KS/NE staff from 1997-2010.
If there are any other individuals that have experienced CSA/SA concerning him, please report to Law enforcement.

I believe he will be staying with some of his family in Gypsum KS for the time being. He has been asked not to attend any meetings. We have left out his name, In respect to what we heard in our informational meeting at York on Sunday, that people’s names would not be broadcast too soon, which could hinder investigation. Any questions please feel free to reach out to any of the workers.

We had a very informative meeting in York last Sunday. Christy Prang a director of training for the BraveBe child Advocacy center was very knowledgeable and helpful, seems like it would be a very useful organization for those who would need help navigating through some of those difficult experiences.
https://www.bravebe.org/services/case_coordination.html

Roy and I are currently on our way back from a meeting in Clever MO that we attended, along with quite a number of workers and friends from that area. Much of the focus there was on how to listen to the victim’s story. It is their story to tell and in their timing and we need to respect that, and never dismiss it or press them for more.

With Care
The KS/NE staff