Leaders at The Chapel said they, through MinistrySafe, also reported the allegations to law enforcement. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial, according to the court filing. Aarum, whose family has run the camp for decades and who is also listed as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Arcade, denied the allegations in an interview with 7 Eyewitness News. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. It is important for you to know that both The Chapel leadership and MinistrySafe have found the allegations to be credible, and we continue to stand with those who have courageously come forward, Chapel leadership said Friday in a statement posted to the churchs website. The leadership of New York Christian camp Circle C Ranch defended operations director Wayne Aarum against claims that he engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with multiple girls beginning decades ago, saying an internal investigation showed there was no substantial credible evidence of misconduct. Circle C Ranch, the Christian children's camp in western New York facingallegations that its director has inappropriately touched teenage girls, announced drastic changes to its summer plans this week. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). and we are celebrating 10 years of building community through these great events. In a letter to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Norris outlined dozens of alleged incidents connected with the youth group and the camp, including Aarum touching girls intimately, saying intimate things to them, and entering cabins while girls were changing clothes. An alleged victim who is now 25 and who said she was heavily involved at Circle C said, He would sit next to me and put his hand on my leg and rub my inner thigh and outer thigh. Please consider becoming a digital subscriber. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. At least 21 women have come forward to lawyers hired by The Chapel at Crosspoint to probe allegations of inappropriate touching and contact with girls by Wayne Aarum, a former employee of The Chapel who worked there in the 1990s. However, this effort on behalf of Afghan refugees is an initiative launched and overseen by Circle C Ranch's. Wes said he didnt know. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. He has consistently denied all of the allegations against him. Time and again, even as the local news industry has been buffeted for a quarter-century by change, reporting by trained professionals continues tobe a catalyst for positive change in our communities. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) Three days after sexual misconduct allegations were raised about a Cattaraugus County youth camp director -- allegations the camp director denied -- additional women have come forward to say that they either witnessed or experienced as teenagers inappropriate sexual contact by Wayne Aarum. Wayne Aarum and his wife, Julie, in an interview with WKBW-TV about allegations that Wayne Aarum inappropriately touched girls and young women while a youth minister at The Chapel and at Circle. In late 2019, allegations of abuse began picking up momentum when Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer who worked there in 2006, shared her story with leadership at The Chapel. He met Margaret Stevenson who had been born on a farm in Pennsylvania (which would prepare her for life at the Ranch). He has the backing of the camps board of trustees, which released a response to Norris report stating that there is no substantial evidence supporting the claims. Wayne Aarum, a former senior high minister at, in Getzville, New York, current pastor of. ORIGINAL STORY:. Besides doing the cooking, she became the office manager, the accountant, head of the medical dept, and a mother to their 2 sons, Wes & Wayne. INVESTIGATION: These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, 'He was my identity': How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma, More: Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago. ", "The USA TODAY NETWORK asked for comment from five individuals whosupport the Ranch and the Aarums. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. It made me mad watching the interview., Aarum, reached by phone denies that and all the allegations, saying again he wants the opportunity to talk with "anyone who has a problem with him. Waynes brother, Wes, was highly regarded as a minister at the Chapel for many years, as well. 3,832 were here. As a result of her abuse, Snell experienced mental and psychological effects, including fear and anxiety that have required professional treatment, the lawsuit alleges. But she said that it is important that parents be aware of the allegations when making decisions about their kids. She also attended First Baptist Church of Arcade, where Aarum is pastor, and volunteered at the Circle C Ranch in the winter. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's officials confirmed that they are investigating the matter. He also currently serves as pastor of theFirst Baptist Church of Arcade, New York. Click here to read the internal investigation report provided by Circle C Ranch. It was those subtle touches that made me scared and uncomfortable., Another woman who is now 29 said that when she and her friend were waiting for a ride home from the camp in 2007 or 2008, Aarum came up behind the girl and said [he] hugged me from behind. Over the last year, we have shared several updates regarding our response to the allegations brought to us of inappropriate behavior of Wayne Aarum, a former employee of The Chapel, current President of Circle C Ranch (a youth camp in the Western New York region) and Pastor at First Baptist Church of Arcade. Drew Silleman. These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, He was my identity: How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma. Circle C stands for "Christ Centered" which is the purpose and continues to be the driving force. According to a report released by Ministry Safe. Many of the allegations, which have been reported by Chapel leadership to the State Office of Children and Family Services, deal with alleged conduct occurring at the Circle C Ranch youth camp in Delevan, where Aarum serves as president. They initiated the whole process because she wanted [him] not to be able to work with kids anymore. I have zero recollection of that. There was documentation of people going to Wayne and saying, Hey listen, like, we love you, but you need to be careful of this.' To make a donation,click here. I found each of the women to be credible, one attorney who investigated the reports of abusetold our two reporters. In an interview in March with WKBW-TV, Aarum said he had "zero recollection" of touching anyone inappropriately. It all started in the heart of an evangelist named Wes Aarum. "Circle C Ranch is aware of allegations raised against our President. A camp director and pastor with ties to a megachurch in western New York has been accused of inappropriately touching more than 20 women when they were teenage girls. Officials at the Chapel said they were first made aware in 2019 of allegations about Aarums inappropriate behavior at the camp and took that information to the Circle C Ranch board, according to a statement provided to The News and posted on the Chapel's website. Chelsea Carnahan told The News that Aarum stroked her back, hair and legs during one-on-one counseling sessions when she was a Pioneer High School student from 2006 to 2010. The Ranch owed (Snell) a heightened, fiduciary duty of care because they held themselves out as being able to provide a safe and secure environment for children, the lawsuit read. I, myself, personally 20 years ago sat down with Mr. Wes (Wayne Aarums father) and said, I love Wayne with all my heart, but I saw him interact in a way that was just inappropriate. , Fancher said he also has heard firsthand accounts from women who are truly victims.. After meeting Wes and both of them realizing that someday they would be a team she went to Bible School to be better prepared to be the wife of a preacher. Click here to read a copy of the MinistrySafe report submitted to state officials. If you are not a subscriber, or if you want a friend or loved one to enjoy the D&C like you do, please share this link with them featuring special subscription offers:https://bit.ly/3zlqulC. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Check the lists below! Some of the allegations date back to the 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at The Chapel. She also said Aarum on occasion grabbed her from behind and pulled his pelvis tight to her body. Daryl Dekalb, a Circle C Ranch Board Member, appeared to place blame on the women who have come forward, even though leaders at The Chapel have described them as credible and courageous. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Its all lightweight stuff theyre bringing up anyway, Dekalb said. If you are interested in helping out please fill out the application below! During his tenure at The Chapel, pastors spoke to Aarum multiple times about his conduct with girls in the youth group, according to excerpts from Aarums employee personnel file at The Chapel. They have been a team that Gdo brought together. After Bible School, University and Seminary Wes went full time into the Lords work. As Ross Barker said, without Marge we would have never made it. How true! That always raises the risk that someone will find the teacher to be too close for comfort. But the allegations are from a small percentage of the young people Aarum has worked with over the years. You have permission to edit this article. The longtime director of a Christian youth camp in Delevan is refusing to step down despite complaints that he inappropriately touched young women and girls at the camp and when he was a youth pastor in the 1990s at one of the areas largest churches. 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Neither I nor MinistrySafe (or any representative of the law firm) have ever offered information for payment to Circle C or Living Waters Ministries. Snells lawsuit alleges that Circle C Ranch failed to investigate claims against Aarum in a timely fashion and report findings about his conduct, and failed to terminate him in light of his inappropriate and predatory actions and behaviors with minors, according to the paperwork. For months, The Chapel facilitated conversations between women like McDonald, who say they were abused by Aarum,and the Circle C Ranch board of directors. The letter says 27 individuals offered corroborating evidence for the 21 victims, including former Circle C employees, church leaders, and volunteers who witnessed inappropriate behaviors. I think she is in a place in her life where shes ready to come forward, the former employee said. The inappropriate behavior included stroking legs and touching clothed breasts and genital areas, according to a letter Norris sent to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. We've seen nothing, heard nothing, and they're operating from an anonymous standpoint with everybody, and we believe they have an agenda to take over the ranch," Dekalb added. Just after the story published, the camp announced a change for how it will operate this summer, emphasizing the presence of families there and not individual teens. Aarum has denied any wrongdoing, and he told his congregation in April that he never intended to offend anyone with his remarks or actions. Carnahan had attended First Baptist Church of Arcade, where Aarum is pastor, and volunteered at the Circle C Ranch in the winter, she said. OPTION 1: Bring your Youth Group. Few of the women who came forward during the investigation knew other; the behavior complained of spanned DECADES. "I wish I had a more accurate way to respond to some of these things people are saying.". This Summer we are looking to hire Staff to help facilitate our Summer Camp, Day Camp, and Family Camp programs! I worked in the ministry, my wife and I have worked in this ministry, all of those same years that theyre talking about. Thursday, April 8, 2021. Wayne Aarum, a former senior high minister at The Chapel at Crosspoint in Getzville, New York, current pastor of First Baptist Church in Arcade, New York, and the operator of Circle C Ranch youth camp in Delevan, New York, stands accused of sexually assaulting at least twenty-one girls spanning decades. But 7 Eyewitness News spoke with a former employee at the youth camp who said she has spoken with one of the alleged survivors. I dont want any more children to be affected. I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive," Aarum said in an email to USA TODAY Network reporters on April 28, 2021. The lawsuit alleges that leadership of The Chapel have become aware of the growing value of the camp property and that Camardo has sought since 2019 to dig up dirt on Aarum, with the aim of hurting his reputation and creating a more favorable board of directors to control the Circle C Ranch camp and the use and disposition of its land.. Attorney Steven Long of Williamsvillelaw firm Long & Paulo-Lee, PLLC, who represents Aarum, did not immediately return requests for comment. The camp is veering from its traditional model this summer, insteadfocusing on "Family Camp Weekends" in July and August, according to information shared on its website on Monday. Many say the former Chapel at Crosspoint minister and president of Circle C Ranch abused his spiritual authority over three decades -- and that the inappropriate contact with teen girls was the camps worst-kept secret. "Waynes work prevents teenage suicides, avoids teen pregnancies, postpones too-young marriages, helps confront bullying at school, teaches how to respond appropriately to parents and authority figures, how to survive peer pressure, and how to defend their faith in a kind, positive way, the board said. Oh, and if you have a good story tip, on any subject, please let us know. Wayne Aarum, a former senior high minister at The Chapel at Crosspoint in Getzville, New York, current pastor of First Baptist Church in Arcade, New York, and the operator of Circle C Ranch youth camp in Delevan, New York, stands accused of sexually assaulting at least twenty-one girls in the 1990s. Got a story tip or comment? When the camp went to pay Bob back he made it a gift to the ministry. 1.) It matters in suburbs. My byline has run in the Ithaca Journal, USA Today, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle and the New York Times. But now that she is an adult, she said she would describe the interactions with girls as intimate and a form of grooming.. Hed get uncomfortably close to my face, and I remember thinking as a teenager about the tension of him being so close to my face, like is he trying to kiss me? said Carnahan, who now lives near Tampa and works in a restaurant. God knew that Wes would need a man that would be a confidant, a prayer partner, on who could give wise counsel and one who had the same soul-winning burden and vision for the camp that he had. Both of the local jurisdictions that were contacted in this investigation had determined that, given the passage of time (in some cases) or the nature of non-criminal allegations (in others), the allegations are not believed to be subject to criminal prosecution, they stated on The Chapel website. 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