Tag: child sexual abuse

(Note: Revised apology below: June 23, 2023)

June 19, 2023

Dear friends and fellow workers,

I want to extend a personal apology to each along with this updated Child Safe Policy. A while ago I was encouraged to seek out some professional / professing help to address the Child Safe Abuse (CSA) issues that have come to light in recent times. Three couples were chosen to help, and their dedication and professionalism have taken a heavy load off me. Recently 13 couples representing all fields in BC attended a Zoom session to review and critique the CSA policy. Stemming from this meeting, further constructive edits were made. This document was then reviewed by a CSA legal specialist for accuracy and legal compliance. Now we would like each elder to distribute a copy of the Child Safe Policy to each member attending the church in their home.

In hindsight I realize more than ever that I was in over my head and floundering as I was trying to understand and get up to speed with CSA. I do want to apologize to victims amongst us for my lack of understanding and the additional pain that this has caused them. I truly am sorry. The Ministry Safe Course we all took in 2021 was an eye opener, but that was just the beginning. I want to say “thank you” to those who have constructively reached out to help myself and others in the ministry who are coming from a background of zero understanding of CSA to become more aware and educated regarding the damage abuse does to little lives and the long-lasting effects that result.

Moving forward I do feel we are in a much stronger position to deal with CSA appropriately. Some of the new tools at our disposal are:

• Clearer guidelines, education, and awareness that past generations did not have. Recently, it was wonderful to see the response to an apology from the BC ministry to an older couple who felt betrayed in the past. She was able to die with peace in her heart and he is presently attending meetings again. We want to recognize and apologize for any other historical cases in BC.
• We understand that good victim therapy is expensive. We’d like to encourage victims from CSA to seek this help and If the CSA came from the BC ministry we’d like to offer to help with these costs if possible. Please feel free to bring these concerns to us for consideration.
• Our professing /professional advisory panel (similar to Acts 6) has kindly offered to help us navigate through CSA issues. I hope we all can appreciate their efforts and sacrifice helping us find a way through these issues in a more united way. We are aware that our enemy’s most effective tool is the wedge- creating divisiveness.
• Communication will be better going forward. We need to accept the fact that most communication will end up on social media but despite this we will endeavor to send out little updates more regularly to keep us all on the same page regarding things relevant to BC.
• Recently a person shared their story of coming ‘full circle,’ giving God the glory for a power beyond human strength to forgive and love those who at one time had been abusive. Isn’t this the power that our Master displayed at the cross as He was being abused sexually, verbally, physically, and emotionally, and then uttering the words “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. This allowed Him to slip into eternity with a free spirit. We don’t want to overlook this most powerful tool that is at the disposal of every true child of God. This victim also stated that convention memories were the 5 most wonderful days of each year free from abuse. Going forward with more awareness and better tools, conventions can be an even safer memory maker for our youth.

Thank you for your patience in these stormy waters and I hope I can regain your trust going forward. I do love this Kingdom and especially the youth in it and pledge to do whatever is best for the Kingdom.

Your brother in Christ,

Merlin

REVISED APOLOGY June 23,2023

June 23, 2023
Dear friends and fellow workers,
I want to extend a personal apology to each along with this Child Safe Policy. I have been becoming more aware and educated regarding the damage abuse does to little lives and the long-lasting effects that result.

In hindsight I realize more than ever that I was in over my head and floundering as I was trying to understand and get up to speed with CSA (Child Sexual Abuse). I do want to apologize to the victims amongst us for my lack of understanding and the additional pain that this has caused them. I truly am sorry. The Ministry Safe Course we all took in 2021 was an eye-opener, but that was just the beginning. I want to say “thank you” to those who have constructively reached out to help me and others in the ministry who are coming from a background of zero understanding of CSA.

Now we would like each elder to distribute a copy of the Child Safe Policy to each member attending the church in their home. To address the Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) issues that have come to light in recent times, I was encouraged to seek out some professional/professing help. Three couples (similar to Acts 6) were chosen to help us and their dedication and professionalism has taken a huge load off me. Recently 13 couples representing all fields in BC attended a Zoom session to review and critique the CSA policy. Stemming from this meeting, further constructive edits were made. The policy was then reviewed by 2 lawyers and a CSA professional to ensure the children are protected and our policy is in legal compliance.

Moving forward: we are in a much stronger position to deal with CSA appropriately with more awareness and better tools:

• We want to recognize and apologize for historical cases in BC. Recently, it was wonderful to see the response to an apology from the BC ministry to an older couple who felt betrayed in the past. She was able to die with peace in her heart and he is presently attending meetings again.
• Clearer guidelines, education, and awareness that past generations did not have. I hope we all can work together to find a way through these issues in a more united way. We are aware that our enemy’s most effective tool is wedge-creating divisiveness.
• We understand that good victim therapy is expensive. We’d like to encourage victims from CSA to seek this help and if the CSA came from the BC ministry we’d like to offer to help with these costs if possible. Please feel free to bring these concerns to us for consideration.
• To help us navigate through CSA issues, communication will be better going forward. We need to accept the fact that most communication will end up on social media but despite this, we will endeavour to send out little updates more regularly to keep us all on the same page regarding things relevant to BC.
• Making conventions a safe memory maker for our youth. A victim stated that convention memories were the 5 most wonderful days of each year free from abuse.
  

This morning I read over the story of the man who was stripped and wounded and left half dead (Luke 10:30-35). Hopefully going forward I have learned a little more about compassion from victims who have shared their stories and instead of walking past without understanding I will have a toolbox with some oil (comfort) and wine (disinfectant for bitterness) and love to bind up wounds.

We are more thankful than ever for our innkeepers (elders & wives) who can offer rest and safety and a place of healing for the victims amongst us.

Thank you for your patience in these stormy waters and I hope I can regain your trust going forward. I do love this Kingdom and especially the youth in it and pledge to do whatever is best for the Kingdom.

Your brother in Christ,

Merlin

20 June 2023 Update

Greetings–

We intended to get weekly updates posted here in this folder, so our apologies since this hasn’t always happened – we’ve just been fully occupied with travel, visits and communications.

Glad to say our friends who are psychologists, clinical social workers and professional counselors who have made themselves available to assist in finding help, now have their website up and active: https://dev.resourcesforhealing.org/home We appreciate the care and help represented by their efforts and sacrifice to reach out and make themselves available. We have also been reaching out to known victims to see if there are ways we can help them receive therapy, if needed. We invite any victims to be in touch.

In the last couple weeks we have worked at addressing some new CSA allegations that have been brought to our attention. All of these have been asked to not attend any meetings until risk is assessed and appropriate measures are taken:

• Gilbert Smith, an allegation from when he was in the work about 20 years ago was sent to us, he is going through the professional risk evaluation process, as mentioned in the Child Safe Policy document (here in this folder, and sent out to everyone a few weeks ago).
• Rodney Loera, several allegations from 30-40 years ago when he was in the work in Mexico and Central America have come to light, he also is beginning the risk evaluation process with a professional.
• Manny Delacruz, there have been some behavioral questions and his testimony at Casa Grande convention raised alarms and precipitated a CSA report by a concerned person. Language and misunderstanding have been an added complication. All of his children (a daughter and three sons) are focusing on helping Manny strictly address issues while they await the CSA report outcome.
• Joe Schoen, two allegations have recently surfaced from some 20 years ago when he was in the work, he is beginning the risk evaluation process.

Through the past little while we have felt His help and presence near and some scriptures have become more real and meaningful. Maybe we can share a couple here:

• Nahum 1 – this whole chapter tells of God taking vengeance, even mentioning Him being furious. We know that nothing at all escapes His knowing, and everything is within His power: woe be us if we feel we can hide anything from Him. In His own time and way He does cleanse His kingdom, on many levels. Problems do happen, but an important test of our faith is whether we will follow Jesus in how we react and respond to problems. Nahum 1:3 “… the Lord has His way in the whirlwind and the storm”– it is amazing how God is working purposefully and carefully in what we may perceive as ‘chaos.’ May our faith make it possible for Him to include us in the solution that honors Him. Also Nahum 1:7 “… He knoweth them that trust in Him.” It’s wonderful when we honor Him by trusting His plan and timing.
  The resurrection belongs to Him– the power that does the glorious when there seems to be no hope.
• 1Corinthians 1:19-31 – especially v23, God’s way is a stumblingblock and foolishness to the logic and reason of men– how Jesus got the victory through the crucifixion. As He said in Matthew 18, humility is crucial– we honor God by being quiet within, asking Him to show us His way, and allowing Him to give us the grace to walk with Him in His way– then, v31, the glory goes to the Lord where it belongs. As we cling to the Rock, the stability and peace of the Rock becomes ours and we reflect the same precious peace to the world around us.

In closing, we want to again thank all of you who have selflessly helped us with the current issues, decisions and needs. We also thank all of you for your care and prayers, knowing our Father is watching over all things.

With care,

Rob and helpers

Dear Merlin,

This letter is also addressed to Reid, Paul and Joshua.

It has come to our attention that you are spreading the word that we are speaking to people to gather support for us having lost our Sunday meeting and asking them to speak up on our behalf. THIS IS NOT TRUE. We have NOT requested of ONE single person to reach out to any one of you with respect to our meeting being “taken away”. We encourage you to ask anyone that have written you about the removal of our meeting whether we had asked them to do so.

We continue with our Sunday meeting. Nothing to take away. We enjoy it when others attend our Sunday meeting on an ad-hoc basis to add to our number.

Note the following for the record:

1. With respect to our Sunday meeting, we have not gone looking for support from any person whatsoever.
2. Many people have however heard of the decision regarding our meeting and have reached out to US. Many of those people we have never even met before. Most of those people have shared with us their frustrations with the workers in BC and the mishandling of issues (see 3 below).
3. We have communicated the following concerns to you (as have many others):
   • Handling of CSA issues and suppression of transparency. (Why is there still no general notification of current CSA investigations in BC in order that victims be made aware. Also there has been no notification of members stepping down from Merlin’s CSA committee, why not?);
   • The unacceptable treatment, silencing and bullying of sister workers;
   • Overseers and workers’ abuse of power;
   • Suggested changes to restore trust and a healthy foundation for our fellowship.
4. We have communicated with friends regarding the manner in which you, as ministers in a position of trust have been conducting yourselves. One such issue is bold faced lying and below is a recent example:
   • Reid and Joshua, you have spoken to people this past week suggesting that you have been trying to arrange to meet with us and that we have not accepted this – HOW do you manage to lie so blatantly? You know that after Gospel meeting when we greeted you at the door that we INVITED you to come to our place. Specifically, you Joshua. We were genuinely pleased to see you when you took Paul’s place with Reid and we specifically said to you after your first Gospel meeting “thank you for a Gospel message today and please come and visit us anytime”. You know that we invited you directly more than once and you, Reid, know and heard that invitation after Gospel meeting. You have our cell phone numbers and email addresses and we have not received a single request to meet.
   • If anyone of you did send requests to meet with us and if we declined or if you did not receive a reply from us: please forward the time-stamped communication to us and everyone on this letter.

There have been meetings with concerned friends in BC where you are KNOWN to have LIED and be very clear: several people present in those meetings KNOW the truth. How do you expect the friends in our fellowship to have any trust in the ministry when you yourselves don’t follow the most basic Doctrine?

Merlin, we understand that communication was sent to elders recently regarding baptism arrangements. While we had heard of it, we never received any details. We then contacted Reid by text to ask if there were recent communications and were told there was communication about baptism, but without any details. We still have not received details from Reid or anyone else. This does beg the question whether you, Merlin, Paul, Joshua and Reid consider our children as unworthy of baptism? Interestingly, our text to Reid was recent and further evidence of how there has been ample opportunity for Reid and Joshua to make contact to meet with us.

Kind regards

Jeremy and Leonie Tomlinson

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WINGS Note: See more at

https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/05/11/suggestions-to-address-serious-concerns-about-the-ministry/

https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/04/26/letter-from-friends-to-overseer-merlin-affleck-and-vancouver-workers/

June 2023

It has become clear that questions are being asked about how I, Edward Emberton, came to be in the work in Canada.

First, I would like to make it clear that I was not transferred to Canada from England, as is often the case when immoral or illegal behavior has come to light. There has never been any suggestion of anything like this in my case.

As many of you already know, I spent 5 years in the work in England, and was asked to go to Switzerland as a temporary exchange for Rheinhard Wicks. This was intended to be for 1 year but became 2, and was a transformative part of my experience. I began to love my place in the work while I was in Switzerland, and a part of my heart is still there. Unfortunately, during my time there, I became ill with Lyme disease, having been bitten by a tick a few months before going. I returned to England early, and it was soon clear that I must take a break from the work, and I’m grateful to this day for one of the friends who told me about Lyme disease, which made it possible to get treatment. It was 4½ years before my health was back to a point that I could think about the work again.

I was very aware when I arrived in Canada that speaking openly about the following few years would create judgements toward me, and create more questions and division, rather than encouraging unity. It seemed best that we would speak openly about my experience if it would be beneficial to the fellowship, and otherwise not. I feel the time has come to speak openly, and I hope no one feels mislead by this approach. I have been grateful to be judged not by my past but by my present amongst you. Very few know my full story. I have never said anything untrue but we have felt it better to not include all details until now.

After 4½ years I reached the point that I felt strong enough to be in the work again, and was grateful to be given the chance of this in England. This was a very positive time, and confirmed to me that my calling was to the work. During the next 18 months I became aware of a case of Child Sexual Abuse in my field, and when the victim, aged 18, confided in me and confirmed what one of the friends had suggested to me and my co-worker, it was clear to me that she was speaking the truth. I approached my overseer and explained what I had seen and heard, and asked for his advice on how to proceed. I was very disappointed to be told “We have experience with this girl, and she is a liar” which we have since heard is a common response. I was told to cut off all contact with her as it was inappropriate that I, a single male, would be in communication with a young female on such matters. I relied that I would be very happy to cut off all contact, as soon as he would arrange someone more appropriate than myself to give her the help and support that she needed, and that I had promised to give her. He refused to do this, and two weeks later it was clear that he would ask me to step back from the work. I was very grateful for the offer of Shaun Buckley to intercede for me, as we had been co-workers for a short time before this, but I knew that no one was able to help me now. Two weeks later I was dismissed form the work, and the victim was cut off from fellowship, leaving her father to be in full fellowship. He was made an elder in due course, but got offended and died outside of fellowship.

The opportunity soon arose for me to go and work as an electrician in Switzerland, and I was happy to accept this, partly because I felt it would be helpful for both sides to have some distance. I worked there for about 7 years before I felt the door was closing. During this time I was determined to find a solution, and not just ‘run away’ as others had done in the past, and so returned to England for conventions and Special Meetings when I had the opportunity. Twice I begged the overseer for a solution, but he refused. The third request for a visit was refused, and so I wrote a few times, which only made him angry. I understood at that point there could never be resolution during his lifetime, and found this is a very dark place, when all hope is lost.

I came to Canada for my brother’s wedding and met with Shaun en route for a few days. We had a good visit and I shared my feelings that Switzerland was closing down for me, and that it was time to move on, although I was unsure where to. BC felt right to me, and Shaun encouraged me to explore the options. After the wedding, I returned to convention in Switzerland where the message was repeated many times, “Lift up your eyes and move on” like Abraham did. I felt this was a very clear message to me, and so started exploring the options. I soon found that a job offer would be needed, although this proved difficult, but then I flew over for Shaun’s funeral, and returned with two job offers. The rest is history, as they say!

I feel that my time in BC has been a time of healing for the hurt caused in England, which I am grateful for. I felt confident that CSA would be dealt with very differently than in England, and was very happy to hear it spoke on during our virtual convention in 2021. Ī welcomed the training we did, and would welcome more. Unfortunately, this ha snot brought a change of attitude here, and I have been very distressed to find a similar approach to the one I saw in England. I have asked for updates to the cases here in BC but it hasn’t happened, all our information on local cases comes from hearsay, which has weighed heavily on me recently, but I am encouraged to hear of some places where this is no longer the case. I yearn for the day that survivors in BC get the recognition and help that they deserve.

I believe that the cleansing that is now beginning will be positive for our fellowship despite being painful, and hope for a brighter future. I also understand that releasing this account of my experiences will cause some to view me in a negative light, and this could mean that it is best for me to step back from the work completely. If it seems appropriate, I would very much like to be active again one day, my intention has always been to be a blessing as a servant to the lambs and the sheep of His fold, and I hope I can continue to be this, in whatever capacity. My choice would have been to leave the past behind, but recent events and rumours force us to be more transparent. Our recent study in Proverbs 21:3 states “To do justice and judgement is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice” which seems very relevant – my sacrifice in the work means nothing if it is facilitating abuse of whatever kind.

I am grateful for the help of my Heavenly Father through each stage of my experiences, and feel this has forced me to grow and mature in ways that could not have been possible otherwise. I am also grateful for those I have grown close to in each place where I have labored. I hope this growth can be put to good use.

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WINGS Note: Edward is currently on the “Care of health” list by choice

WINGS Note: Sent to Ray Hoffmann in reference to his recent ‘letter of apology’ to the friends:

https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/06/19/jim-holt-and-ray-hoffman-letters-of-apology/

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This letter was posted on June 20, 2023, with the author’s approval.

However the author faced significant adverse comment and has now asked that the letter be removed and replaced with a new letter. See https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/06/28/victors-second-letter-to-ray-hoffman/

Dear friends in western PA field:

I want to make contact with you and inform you of my current situation. I regret to have to write to you that as of Tuesday of this week that I am dismissed from the work due to an imprudent move that I made 40 yrs. ago now. It was with a 15 yr old minor, and was a CSA offense.

I am very sorry for this. And I have sought to live uprightly since. I regret that it has led to me being dismissed from the work. But I realize any history of this sort is not acceptable.

I ask for your prayers and help and mercy.

At present I am able to stay with relatives that are in Ohio, for which I am very thankful.

Now to conclude – heartfelt Thanks for listening attentively to our messages in the gospel mtgs. and for your kind hospitality to us in your homes.

With sincere love of Christ and your brother in the faith,

Don Reynolds

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WINGS Note: Don went in the work in the 1960s He is now in his 80s, and would have been in his 40s at the time of his offense against a 15-year-old minor. Don has labored in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, New York, Peru, and Bolivia.

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Update: On June 19 WINGS was advised by people who attend Reynolds’ usual meeting that he has been told by the workers that he is not permitted to attend any meetings of any type. See https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/06/19/don-reynolds-dismissed-from-ministry/#comment-24379
WINGS has not seen any official notification from workers.

From: NC/VA/MD/DE <email redacted>
Sent: Sunday, June 18, 2023 8:00:30 PM
To: NC/VA/MD/DE <email redacted>
Subject: Letters from Jim and Ray

Dear Friends,

I will share the attached letter from Ray which I wholeheartedly agree with. We are very sorry for the pain, sorrow and misunderstanding that victims of Child Sexual Abuse have faced, and we want to do what we can to help them. As Ray mentions they are planning to have some open dialogue with friends in different areas, and we will try to do the same. We are still working on some of the details about where and when we will have them.

Your brother, Jim

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Dear Friends,

It seems best to me to just speak from my heart in this letter.

We all have been distressed by the recent disclosures of criminal and immoral offenses by our fellow workers and also friends. I acknowledge that our ignorance and lack of education and awareness on CSA has allowed perpetrators to continue to victimize innocent children among us. And we condemn this. Victims have suffered more because of our lacks and I deeply apologize for this. I am deeply sorry for the betrayal of trust that has caused many to doubt the integrity of the ministry and those in positions of responsibility.

More recently we have become much more aware of the various aspects of CSA, the lifelong damage to the victims, the ways of the perpetrator etc., and we are so thankful for those who are helping us to become more educated.

The CSA victims are 100% innocent in every case. They have been made to feel guilty and ashamed, when actually the opposite is true. We have failed to meet the victim’s great need for understanding, compassion, and care. I have a deep respect for the victims among us. They have fought and are fighting a lifelong battle, and in many cases, without the understanding of workers, friends and sometimes even family members. They have been deprived of enjoying the fellowship among us, and even their fellowship with God could be affected. Through this many have endured the suffering and continue plodding on. We so much admire them.

Going forward we want to be open to have dialogue with our friends who would like to talk about this troubling issue amongst us. So we will make a plan for each field for workers to visit to have some open dialogue, likely bringing two or three meetings together for this opportunity. We hope to have brother and sister workers present, and a moderator or facilitator to guide the discussion, coming from one of the friends in the area that is respected for their wisdom. Attendance would be on a volunteer basis. More details will be forthcoming as far as when.

We are a forward moving people, keeping our eternal goal in mind. The Master is purging His family and we know He wants us to care for the victims. We want to be willing for this purging and remain on the Vine so the fruit of His efforts could come forth to make us more ready for our Bridegroom’s return. We want to be part of the solution not part of the problem, as we have been in the past.

Your brother,

Ray

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WINGS Note: See a victor’s response https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/06/20/victors-letter-to-ray-hoffman/