Category: News

My name is Loyd R Heimbruch.  Some people on Wings know me, others may know who I am.  Some people may not know my name, but they may know me as “Andrew’s Dad”.

Andrew was born with a disability.  He has Down Syndrome and Autism.  He is mostly non-verbal, but he does understand when spoken to, and he can read. He can speak two to four word simple sentences if he is motivated to do so.

When Andrew was in elementary school, he was open enrolled to a neighboring school district for their special education program.  His transportation was on the school’s van for children with disabilities.

One day when Andrew was in 5th grade, he was dropped off later than usual.  He immediately went to the back yard, took off all of his clothes, and sat on his swing set.  He had never done anything like this before (and he hasn’t done it since).  So Priscilla and I talked about it, and we were suspicious.  Andrew could not tell us why he took off his clothes, could not tell us why the van was late, and could not tell us what happened that day.  So the next day we took him to a pediatrician we knew that specialized in CSA cases.  The exam was inconclusive.  We talked to the school and arrangements were made immediately for him to ride the regular school bus with the other children. This was an appropriate modification to accommodate the situation.

Andrew is now 27 years old.  Since he was a young child, he would stay with me in the men’s dorms at conventions.  When he needed an afternoon nap I couldn’t leave him unattended in the men’s dorm, because of DTA (Don’t Trust Anybody).  So Priscilla would take him to the women’s dorm to sleep where he could safely be left unattended and checked on occasionally.  Or she could stay with him, as there was a speaker in there.  There wasn’t a speaker in the men’s dorms.

As he became an adolescent, and then a young adult, we continued to use the same procedures because this was safest for him.  He is a vulnerable adult, and we cannot place him in a situation where he could be harmed.  Most of the ladies at convention understood this.  Andrew understands that his “equipment” is just like his Dad’s, but he has no clue why.  He understands that men and women are different, but he has no idea why.  The ladies pretty much understood this (because it was obvious).  One year someone complained.  However, we couldn’t do it any differently, so we began preparing to leave convention.  Just before we were going to start packing, Priscilla was informed that if he stayed in a particular area away from others she could have him in the Women’s dorms.  So it worked out, but it was an unsettling experience for us.

Well, the thing is that a vulnerable adult has the exact same issues regarding SA as a child has regarding CSA.  For all practical purposes, he has an adult body with a child’s brain, and very limited communication skills.

The core of the issue is that any relationship that Andrew has with anyone is a relationship where one person has the advantage.  And it isn’t him.  It is not possible for him to have a relationship with others that is a balanced, equal relationship.  The person on the other side has the power.  If something inappropriate happens, it most certainly is not his fault.  He cannot prevent it.  It is completely and entirely on the other party.  He wouldn’t be able to talk about it.  He wouldn’t feel guilty.  But he would feel violated.  This is only one example of an unequal relationship. Other unequal relationships are:

• Adult – Child
• Older Experienced Adult – Young Naive Adult
• Adult – Vulnerable Adult
• Supervisor – Employee
• Male in the Work – Female in the Work
• Male Overseer – Any Other Worker
• Any Worker – Any Non-Worker in the Fellowship
• And others that I’m not going to get into here.

The key here is who has the power.  If one person is perceived as having more power (whether they actually have it or not), then anything that occurs of a sexual behavior is entirely the responsibility of the one who has the power.  The victim is blameless and guiltless, just like my son Andrew.

I do not for a moment believe that there can be a consensual relationship between a brother and sister worker.  There is no such thing.  The men have the authority and all of the power.  The power imbalance is so great that it is impossible to consider them as equals.  Having an inappropriate relationship with a sister worker is an abuse of power, unless they both leave the work and get married.

Even if the woman initiates it, it is still all on him.  Because he has the power.  If this happens where the man is CEO of a corporation, he’s gone.  Even if the woman initiated it, because he is the one in authority.  He stands to lose everything.  His job, his marriage, his family, and worst of all his integrity.  It may be very difficult to resume his career in a similar position.  A person needs to keep their body under subjection (I Corinthians 9:27).  Otherwise, he should become a castaway.  That’s what it says.  Do people just check in their brain at the door when opportunity is there?  Much better to use the brain that the Lord gave us and use the door as a way of escape.

I was mentioning to Mrs. Wonderful the other day about some of my experiences when various women tried to initiate something.  Some before we were married, some after.  It is absolutely necessary to keep my integrity.

This is even more important for clergy, as they have the additional responsibility of being in a position of trust.  They are the shepherds of souls, that are thought of as being willing to lay down their lives for the sheep.  If they harm the sheep instead of protecting them, there will be a heavy price to pay.  The Good Shepherd is simply not going to put up with it.

Speak the Truth in Love, with temperance.  Be ye angry, and sin not.  The truth will overcome.

Love in Christ

Loyd R Heimbruch

Most abuse disclosures this year have involved North American overseers, workers and friends.  However, many have shared their hope that growing transparency and engagement will spread to other continents. It is well-known that abuse is a global problem and no area is immune.

This developing transparency has largely been due to victims and survivors courageously providing details of their abuse (sometimes anonymously, and sometimes with their names). This has given strength to others to also disclose their experiences, and to break the silence and secrecy that have been imposed on victims.

This secrecy may have been common in general society many years ago, but is no longer acceptable. Victim-survivors continue living with trauma, and open acknowledgement of their experience is a crucial part of healing, as well as prevention of future abuse.   Secrecy surrounding previous cases allowed some perpetrators to continue their abuse, at times in an unsuspecting area when they were silently shifted to a new field, sometimes in another country.

WINGS has received reports of abuse in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australasia and Africa. 

This is the time for growing transparency, for friends and workers to share information no matter their geographic location. WINGS aims to collate and share information in an honest and victim-centric way, with the hope of leading to radical, victim-centric changes in the treatment of abuse cases:

• Sincere, individual apologies to all known victims
• Arrangements to fund therapy when required
• Revisiting past cases where perpetrators were protected and moved
• Open discussions and clear guidelines regarding perpetrator attendance in meetings, conventions
• Zero-tolerance policies toward abuse
• Regular training to identify and report abuse, undertaken by all workers and others with responsibility

WINGS advocates for past child victims, and protection of current/future children.  The prerogative for more general change in the fellowship lies with friends and workers.  WINGS has received communication from many expressing concern that the strict hierarchy in the fellowship limits accountability among those in positions of power.  In many cases, this has allowed immoral actions harming the most vulnerable among us, which might have been prevented or minimised if there were more involvement of elders, friends and women. 

Note: This post has consistently used the term ‘abuse’. It is intended to refer to both Child Sexual Abuse, and adult abuse, of all types.

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Note: Edited June 18, 2023 to provide clarity. Content not changed significantly.

From: Richard Gasser <email redacted>
Date: 6/15/23
Subject: REVISED KS NE EMAIL

Dear KS NE Friends,

As we had said before, we had planned to send an email after our Scottsbluff Convention; Which we believe everyone who was there would agree, was very special and very timely! A very special soft spirit was there, and so much encouragement to raise our vision to Jesus the Rock, the One that will not be shaken. We heard what Jesus told Peter, “Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as Wheat.” The Combine does a lot of shaking to separate the chaff from the wheat.  The kernel is saved: That’s where the life is. Maybe sometimes it’s pride that has to be shaken out; Maybe some of our own agenda has to be shaken out; or self righteousness; or self pity. He has prayed for us that our faith wouldn’t fail during the process. He wants us to make it through! Job said, “But He knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Since Marge Major’s passing, we are now short of 2 sister workers, with no one yet to fill the need; so it  looks like we now will be combining some of the fields. It seems best that Lincoln will now be a part of the Omaha field; Kearney and Broken Bow will be a part of the York – Grand Island field; and McCook and North Platte will be a part of the Kimball Bird City Field. Columbus will go back to the Valentine – Norfolk field Marleah will be with Julie in the Kimball North Platte, Bird City field, and Sarah with Darla in SE KS.

Sarah and Marleah are helping out at Elizabeth CO preps this week and will then be there for the first convention. Jon, Dale, Martha and Heidi are in Riverton this week; Julie, Christina and Lara are at Chugwater; Roy, Lyle Dena & Tanya will be at Hermosa for Conv. next week.

In July, Andy and Darla are to go to some of the conventions in Canada. Dale is going back to NM to help with the preps and Conv at Mountainair NM, so Jon will be with Richard during that time while Andy is gone.

Our whole staff did attend a child abuse seminar held in the Western Nebraska Community College and were made aware of some of the laws and services that are provided. We have appreciated the professional help from those who are familiar with, and deal with these matters everyday. Some of those resources will be printed below if any would like to look into them.

We also would suggest that elders, (or anyone else) would also take the online Ministry safe course. There are a lot of helpful tips there that can make us aware of how to deal with this problem. This is the same course we workers have been taking for the past 10 years or more.

Here is a link to that:
https://ministrysafe.com/training-saat/

We all have a fear of creating more policies to deal with these things;  I believe we all know these actions are so wrong already.  There are plenty of Bible verses written that can say it far better. For example: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the Will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication.”  In plain English, fornication is anything sexual outside of marriage. And then in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”  I believe we all just need integrity, integrity, integrity.

Romans 8:13-14 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

We do believe there should be no tolerance for CSA (Child Sexual Abuse) or Sexual assault in this Fellowship.  Matthew 18:6 “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” To me that use of ‘offend’ means to do something that would destroy their faith. I can understand totally if someone you trust to be a servant of God, would do something of that nature, it can easily destroy faith. If we don’t believe that verse we really shouldn’t be in this ministry. And Romans 12:19 “Vengeance is mine, I will repay sayeth the Lord.” It should be enough to make anyone behave.

We are very sorry that in the past, too often the victims were not believed and things were not taken care of as they should have been, I feel there a is different environment now and victims are being heard. We are glad laws are in place for all of this sort of thing in our country’s government. In Nebraska everyone is a mandatory reporter for abuse to a minor. In Kansas not everyone is mandatory, but anybody can.  We want to comply with the law in every way we can.  We have been told, and we know, we are not investigators; So please just take it to the Law. 

1 Timothy 1:9 “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine…”

Now, if it is just a boundary issue and not criminal,  Matthew 18:15 is the answer. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

Even if it is a worker, we should not be above taking correction from anyone; we are guests in your homes. Now some people have different boundaries than others; Please always feel very free to share them to anyone who is a guest at your house. It doesn’t matter who!

There are a number of you who have said you do not want to receive the emails that contain some of the recent allegations, however, some who have been victims do.  I don’t have a list of who wants to know and who doesn’t. I will just add this link to a page that contains them. If you wish to, you can click on it and it should take you to it; Or else you can just delete it. THANKS.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11_9EKjX-FJZA_XvrQRXu5VQlgbddOFTYShcr1ogdmxE/edit?usp=sharing

Sincerely and with care
The KS NE Staff

Nebraska Child Abuse/Neglect / Elder Abuse Hotline: 800-652-1999

Nebraska Family Helpline: 888-866-8660

Kansas Child Abuse/Neglect / Elder Abuse Hotline 800-922-5330

Kansas guide to reporting: http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/pps/documents/guidetoreportingabuseandneglect.pdf

RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) Hotline: 800-656-4673

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

NetSmartz: resource developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to support healthy and safe boundaries and behavior with electronics/the internet https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/home

Culture Reframed Parents’ Program: building resilience and resistance to hypersexualized media and pornography http://www.parents.culturereframed.org/tech-guide

Circle of Security parenting education and support http://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com

Contact information:
Shelley Thomas, Forensic Interviewer/MDT Coordinator at CAPstone Child Advocacy Center, Gering, Nebraska ptinterviewer@capstonenebraska.com

Detective Brandi Brunz bbrunz@scottsbluff.org

Children and Family Services Supervisor Caroline Teeple Caroline.Teeple@nebraska.gov

A resource from Darkness2Light: https://www.d2l.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/FINAL_D2L_5-STEPS-BOOKLET.pdf

I would like to talk about a few things that have been heavy on my mind lately. Maybe I should add a trigger warning for CSA/SA because I am going to speak bluntly.

Lately I have heard and read some very disturbing reactions from some of the friends and workers. It feels like there is a lot of lip service to the child sexual assault, sexual assault and sexual misconduct issues, and a hope that this will soon blow over and everyone will forget about it. To be fair, I have also heard some very positive things, but I am not writing about that today.

To be specific, I have seen statements that indicate some feel that if there is not significant evidence or offence to secure a legal conviction, the accused should be considered innocent. One such example was from an overseer speaking about an admitted pedophile and long-time sexual predator with a huge list of survivors in his wake. “but he was never convicted”…. Are you kidding me? Anyone with half a brain could determine that this man should never be allowed to attend meetings or church functions.  And he would have been convicted if you hadn’t covered it up years ago.

Or what if it is just “innocent” touching? Hypothetically, if a young girl complains about a worker who hugged her awkwardly and felt her butt, the likelihood of a legal conviction is almost zero. But that should still be a huge red flag. Was it an accident? Highly unlikely, you don’t grab a young girl’s butt or feel her chest accidentally. But let’s say there are multiple complaints of the same behavior from different girls. Still, he’s probably not going to be convicted and sent to prison. But it’s proof that he is a sexual predator and has no business attending church functions let alone being a minister.

This old, “that’s just uncle Brad, he’s just kinda handsy but he’s harmless” way of thinking is just plain wrong. And no, the hell, it’s not harmless, not even a bit. The harm that comes from incidents like this are real and the harm of sweeping it under the rug is worse. Like it or not, ministers and elders are held to a higher legal standard when it comes to stuff like this, whether committing it or reporting it.

And let’s talk about consensual relationships. We hear a lot about that. “Well, it was inappropriate behaviour for a worker, but it was a consensual relationship, so no harm done. Who can blame two people for falling in love?” This is a very slippery issue. First of all, whether we admit it or not, there is very much a hierarchical order of organization within the “Truth”. There are country or regional head workers, state or area overseers, older brother workers, younger brother workers, older sister workers, younger sister workers, elders, back up elders, saints, and wives, unmarried men and women and children. Pretty much in that order. In the business world, if an executive manager has a relationship with a subordinate they are sacked. Why? Because it isn’t appropriate and there is too much room for the more powerful person to persuade the less powerful person to do something that they wouldn’t otherwise do.

I get it, people fall in love and that can be a beautiful thing. But in a hierarchical organization, where the man has power over the woman, “consensual” relationships are more often than not, not actually consensual. Let’s say, good ole handsome brother worker Tom likes the ladies, and the ladies like Tom. But what the individual ladies don’t know is that Tom is a player, he has a lady in every state. So, when the lady in Kansas is found with Tom, she defends him and says, “it was consensual.” Sure, she thinks she is his one and only, she doesn’t know about Miss Oklahoma or Miss Nebraska. So, is it really consensual? Or is Tom a dirty rotten sexual predator that has no business holding his position? He will never be convicted in court, but he absolutely deserves to be fired and sent away in a transparent manner.

The type of sexual assault we are talking about hardly ever involves a man dragging a vulnerable woman or child into a dark alley at knifepoint and raping them. What we are talking about is very sophisticated and deliberate grooming or courting, so that by the time the actual sexual assault happens, the carefully chosen victim feels helpless to do anything about it or even might feel like they are somehow special that this wise and powerful “servant of god” has chosen them to be his special one.

To deal with this problem, we must understand what we are dealing with. We must understand the level of evil that we are dealing with. We must understand that these types of predators don’t just stop doing what they do because they got caught. We must stop thinking of them as someone who is good that just fell into weakness and start thinking of them as evil people who are very good at appearing to be good. We need to stop being wishy washy about how we deal with these predators and cut them out like the evil cancer that they are.

Aside from the moral right and wrong aspect of this issue and the fight between good and evil, there are also very serious potential legal accountabilities that many of us could be faced with. Those who have meetings and conventions, or just host a get-together or have an open home. Have you thought about your legal liability if a known predator assaulted someone on your property? Or forget the legal aspect, how would you feel knowing that someone’s child was assaulted at your home? This is serious business and must not continue to be swept under the rug.

Every one of us has much more power to address this than we think we do. All we have to do is speak up. It might be uncomfortable, speaking up to those who are above us in that very strict hierarchical organization, but it is possible, and it is effective. The hierarchical organization only exists in the minds of those who accept it, after all, that country head worker or state overseer has no closer connection to God than you do, and is certainly no more intelligent or business savvy. It’s time we realize that and hold them accountable.

Joe Trapp

Doyle,

You’ll notice the tone of this email is much different than my last one. That is because we are out of patience. And when I say “we” I mean Ryan & I, the people of the Church, and every single victim who has been ignored.

I wrote you an email in April detailing my abuse at the hands of Scott Richardson and your words were “I’m not exactly sure what our next step will be, but I do need to inquire further. We do have some ground to cover. There has been a lot to think about – it’s been more than overwhelming frankly.”

I was so absolutely frustrated at this response that I could not even type out a reply. The hurt and anger and betrayal I have felt the last couple months is unparalleled. So now that I have had a few weeks to sort out my feelings, let me tell you what your next step SHOULD have been (and what still needs to be done) since you seem to be having trouble deciding. These steps need to be taken immediately:

1. You should have called Scott Richardson and told him that he is no longer welcome in fellowship meetings. Ever. For the rest of his life. This is non-negotiable. Then you should have communicated this to the rest of the state so they are aware.

2. You should have called every single other predator within this fellowship that you are aware of and told them they are no longer welcome in fellowship meetings. Ever. For the rest of their lives. Then you should have communicated this to the rest of the state so they are aware.

3. You should have removed Harold Bennett from the work. He is a predator and is no longer welcome in fellowship meetings. Ever. For the rest of his life. Then you should have communicated this to the rest of the world so that they are aware (Harold’s reach is far & wide).

4. You should have notified every single other predator worker within this fellowship that you are aware of and told them they are no longer welcome in fellowship meetings. Ever. For the rest of their lives. Then you should have communicated this to the rest of the world so that they are aware.

Going forward:

5. You should step down from overseer. You have proven yourself unable and unwilling to meet the demands of the position.

6. You should repent before the church. Be it in email, video, or (preferably) in person, you should admit to putting the feelings of predators before the needs of victims. This step can only happen after the first five. True repentance is proved by deeds.   .and NOT combined with excuses.

On a personal note, our faith in the ministry has been broken. And as such, our home is no longer open for (most) workers. (We will always welcome those who walk in honesty and truth). By your unwillingness to address the despicable evil that has infiltrated our church, the ministry has been tainted. You saw and did not see, you heard and did not listen.

We are well aware there are “good ones” among us. In time, they will come forth as gold. But right now, we are in a battle. We are in a battle for souls! If you aren’t willing to pick up a sword and fight against that which besmirches the name of God then step down and let others cleanse the temple. Yes, I realize I just used a bunch of different references but the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). The Word of God doesn’t necessitate “inquiring further”. The Word of God has already told us what we are to do with wolves: we remove them from our fellowship (1Cor. 5:2).

We await your reply,
Ryan & Jessica Garrett  

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From: D Smith <email redacted>
Subject: Re: What you should have done….
Date: June 13, 2023 at 9:07:03 PM PDT
To:  Hi

 Just one quick note tonight… (I’m scheduled to speak tomorrow) Harold Bennett is no longer in the work and Scott R. isn’t presently coming to meetings… 

Doyle