He was an authority figure and an adult; they were teenagers. Click here to read the full statement from The Chapel. Yet for decades this alleged abuse continuedeven though leadership at both The Chapel and Circle C Ranch were confronted about Aarum's conduct at least 20 times in the past 24 years. There was over 100 acres of good haying land on this property so they had plenty of feed for the horses. Carnahan described Aarums actions as grooming and sexual predation. She also accused Aarum of inflicting what she termed religious trauma on her. In addition, a contemporaneous writing provided evidence that the behaviors were previously reported to camp leadership. But the 7 Eyewitness News I-Team heard from multiple women who said they were not included in the MinistrySafe investigation, which examined claims stretching as far back as the 1990s, and who said their allegations stem from a time at Circle C Ranch between 2000 and 2016. We believe in the Divine Inspiration of the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, the creation of man by the diret act of God, the Incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His vicarious atonement for the sin of mankind, His death, burial, resurection, and His coming again bodily to take His saints to be with Him forever. It matters in suburbs. The details, the word choices and the extra effort to confirm facts and reach difficult-to-reach people all matter greatly. A Chicago developer has been eyeing the 315-acre Circle C Ranch camp property for a proposed $500 million windmill project, but the camps board has refused to sell or lease the land, according to court papers. Weve asked for any information they can give ustheyve given us nothing, Aarum said. It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage $14,800. Reporters also tried to contactRonald Snell,a longtime friend of Wes Aarum Sr. andCircle C board member for a short period, whowas also present at the meeting. 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. Circle C Ranch has provided a written response on its website in response to these allegations. He previously has said that Chapel leaders were not seeking to take control of the Circle C Ranch board or the camp property. The suit is seeking more than $2.5 million in damages for "harm to reputation, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, and emotional injury," as well as an additional $625,000 in financial damages, according to court filings. Our Goal: "To reach young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ, to encourage godliness in their lives, and to send them out as equipped witnesses for His kingdom." Chapel leaders say they began hearing troubling allegations about Aarum in October 2019 and again in February 2020. But now that she is an adult, she said she would describe the interactions with girls as intimate and a form of grooming.. They travelled over 100 miles one way every weekend until the job as done and then they donated all the fixtures as well. Less than a week after the USA TODAY Network New Yorkpublished its investigation into the allegations against Aarum in June, Circle C Ranch announced it would pivot its typical summer camp schedule for 2021 to family weekends, which would include parents as well as children. 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. The camp was going to be a western town called Circle C Ranch (Circle C standing for Christ centered) and it would be legally owned by the Lord. Circle C Ranch'sboard of trustees said they did their own investigation. He was not available Wednesday to speak to The News, said Dekalb. Marges love for the Lord led her, along with her other jobs, to be the teacher of a womens weekly Bible study. Its a thrill to see what God has done over the years. Circle C Ranch opened in the late 1960s on a 315-acre wooded parcel in rural Cattaraugus County. She was saved as a teenager, went to Buffalo and became a Registered Nurse. OPTION 2: Form your OWN GROUP (Adult supervisors will be responsible for the students they bring) TO REGISTER OR ASK QUESTIONS: Click Here! The lawsuit alleges The Chapel's executive pastor, John Camardo, used the abuse allegations against Aarum as a way to damage Aarum'sreputation and ability to conduct business, according to the filings. $10- ages 10+ $5- ages under 10 Circle C Ranch, the Christian children's camp in western New York facing allegations that its director has inappropriately touched teenage girls, announced drastic changes to its summer. In a March 26 interview with Buffalo TV station WKBWs 7 Eyewitness News Aarum said he had not been given the opportunity to defend himself by MinistrySafe and that witnesses who supported him had not been interviewed. Dekalb appeared to place blame on the women who have come forward, even though leaders at The Chapel have described them as credible and courageous. Aarum, whose late father, Wes Aarum Sr., founded Circle C Ranch in 1968, previously worked as a youth pastor at Buffalo-area megachurch The Chapel in the 1990s. Families can register online to attend camp overnightwith their children at Circle C Ranch on either July 9-11 or August 6-8. Percy, as they wanted to call him, was considered by many to be the founder of the Christian Camp Ministry. I dont want anyone else to have to go through what I went through. 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. In its response to Norris report, the Circle C Ranch board suggests that the volume of complaints against Aarum was related to the work he did, often with troubled teenagers. Sticht, who said she worked at the summer camp from 2000 to 2003, said she witnessed Aarum hug a girl in a way that his fingers would be touching the underwire of her bra., Id see Wayne touching these girls, exactly the ones we knew he would, at the rock climbing wall, Stitch said. It's vital people describing trauma or harm be listened to with sensitivity and patience; coming forward is often an act of courage. Investigation: 16 women say this pastor and camp president abused them. A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular Cattaraugus County youth camp stands accused of sexual misconduct with teen girls -- but he denies the allegations. WHAT TO BRING: WHAT NOT TO BRING: The camp was founded by Wayne Aarums father Wes Aarum Sr., and both Wayne and his brother, Wes Aarum Jr., serve on the board. Sarah Taddeo is an enterprisereporter for USA Today Network's New York State Team. These persons said they'dwitnessedAarumsactions, or heard aboutthemfrom staff or loved ones. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. A few months later Wes realized he needed $10,000 more. I have been a staff reporter at The Buffalo News since 2002 and currently am part of the watchdog team. Email us at: info@circlecranch.org. ContactSarahat STADDEO@Gannett.com or (585) 258-2774. Its common for women as they get along in lifeto see how their lives are not going well and when they sit down, like with a social workerand they start hearing stuff from a social worker that says to them, Well, have you ever had something in your life where maybe this is set off, the condition that youre in now? I mean, none of these women had any complaints at all until they were contacted by this group and suggestions were made to them.. No, he said when asked whether he ever touched anyone inappropriately. Aarum is seeking $3.1 million in damages. 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. I dont want any more children to be affected. 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. That can be the case in the busiest of news years (ahem, 2020) or on the slowest of news days. The Chapel also hired MinistrySafe, an independent legal firm that looks into abuse allegations in Christian settings, to investigate allegations that abuse occurred at The Chapel in the 1990s. Judge Rules That Michigan Public University Violated the Rights of Christian Student Group, Citygate Network Seeks Greater Diversity in National Rescue Mission Leadership. Former Chapel minister, Circle C youth camp director denies sexual misconduct Report stated 21 women have made allegations A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular. More history on Circle C Ranch can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_C_Ranch. Many of these people say he could not have possibly done what he is accused. . A detailed report written by Norris to State Children and Family Services officials was given Sunday to the 21 women who came forward. I think she and other survivors felt responsible to bring it to light., The former employee said she never recognized Aarums interaction with girls as inappropriate while she worked there as a teen. A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular Cattaraugus County youth camp stands accused of sexual misconduct with teen girls -- even though he denies the allegations. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Aarum denied such behavior last week, saying, I can tell you right now I never did thatand I would love an opportunity to talk to them.. I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive," Aarum said in an email to USA TODAY Network reporters on April 28, 2021. She said upon receiving the letter that was sent by MinistrySafe to survivors on Sunday, she has been sick to my stomach ever since.. 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. information shared on its website on Monday. If you are new to the Web site, be sure to complete the Sign Up information to receive a password to the private and secured portions of the site. Prior to becoming director of Circle C Ranch, Aarum worked as a youth pastor atBuffalo-area megachurch The Chapel in the 1990s. Wayne S. Aarum, who runs the Circle C Ranch in Delevan, claimed in a defamation lawsuit filed this week that The Chapel and its executive pastor, John Camardo, engaged in a sustained campaign of false and malicious accusations against Aarum that hurt his reputation. The Circle C Homeowners Association is a non-profit corporation governed by a seven member Board of Directors. OPTION 1: Bring your Youth Group. 10451 Ashcraft Rd Delevan, NY 14042 One of America's most exciting Christian Camps. 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