If you are an abuse survivor, or you would like to share your experiences about the events described above, please send an email to Charlie.Specht@wkbw.com or Hannah.Buehler@wkbw.com. Sticht said she brought the complaints to Wes Aarum, the brother of Wayne Aarum who was also involved in ministry at the camp. 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. Wes said none its for the Lord. In a written response to the allegations posted on its website, Circle C leaders defended Aarum, saying he has been systematically denied the right of every person in the American systemto know and confront accusers, and alleged that The Chapels leadership turned to social media influencers and the pastors of other churches to help distribute its anonymous claims., The leaders said sponsoring anonymous claims is directly counter to the Bibles specific teachings., In another documentone of seven on the siteCircle C accused the Chapel, a megachurch with an enormous budget, well over $12 million annually, of trying to acquire the Ranchs property, a very choice 315 acres of rural land, by demanding a board restructuring to exclude members of the family that began the Ranch in 1968 and has run it ever since.. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Chapel leaders say they began hearing troubling allegations about Aarum in October 2019 and again in February 2020. Many of these people say he could not have possibly done what he is accused. Email us at: info@circlecranch.org. In a written statement issued Friday, Circle C Ranch leadership also suggested that "false memories" could have been planted in accusers' minds. Aarum also said in a video posted to the Circle C Ranch website this summer that he never received complaints at the time the alleged abuse occurred about his behavior in either positions he's held at The Chapel or at Circle C Ranch. 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.. I dont want any more children to come through his camp.. Shortly after her graduation they were married. Aarum served at The Chapel, located in the suburb of Getzville in New York, from 1991 to 2000 before becoming director of Circle C Ranch. The investigation yielded an extraordinary amount of corroborating evidence from third party sources, most of whom were former staff members. 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. Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer, and Jerry Gillis, lead pastor at The Chapel, discuss the allegations against Wayne Aarum. I have been a staff reporter at The Buffalo News since 2002 and currently am part of the watchdog team. Click here to read the full statement from The Chapel. Click here to read the full statement from The Chapel. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone. 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. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage - $14,800. "He totally denies any wrongdoing whatsoever," said Dekalb, who is also a former member of the Chapel board. To reach young people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that they may know that they are born again. She said she reported her complaints to Camardoafter Aarums denials were posted online at the camp website. 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 . In one letter, the board accused the Chapels executive pastor, John Camardo, of defamation. Wayne Aarum, pastor accused of abusing teens, sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M. 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. I dont want anyone else to have to go through what I went through. For many years, The Chapel, a popular nondenominational megachurch with several offshoot congregations, encouraged families to send their children to Circle C Ranch. Marges love for the Lord led her, along with her other jobs, to be the teacher of a womens weekly Bible study. 'Overworked and underpaid': University at Buffalo resident doctors and fellows launch union campaign, Owner of Buffalo CPA firm denies claims of financial, workplace wrongdoing, Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier to take year off from coaching, Sabres acquire defenseman Riley Stillman from Vancouver for prospect Josh Bloom, Paula's Donuts to move Clarence store that faced backlash for tax breaks to Amherst, Jemal's firm forced to redo improper work on historic Fruit Belt house, Democrats explore blue-collar struggles as brand is 'damaged', 14 police agencies break up fights outside Boulevard Mall, Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane on salary cap, Gabe Davis expectations, Damar Hamlin update and more, Observations: In OT thriller, Sabres get the final answer over Lightning on Ilya Lyubushkin's goal, Sabres trade deadline primer: How GM Kevyn Adams can add to his contending roster. They spoke to Aarum, who denied any wrongdoing, according to the Chapel's statement. Whether you are a loyal D&C reader or a new one, please know that stories like this are possible because of subscribers like you. Georgie Silvarole/USA TODAY Network New York People reported his alleged behavior to camp officials and church leaders over 20 times since 1997. Are you looking for a friendly forum where you can practice and develop your For an overview of the site and a few ideas as to how it can help save you time and get you connected with your community, click About Our Website under the Home button. Aarum said in his lawsuit that the relationship between the church and the camp began to cool after the death of church founder James Andrews in 1999 and the start of a more expansionist and financially oriented management of the church under new Lead Pastor Jerry Gillis. In October 2020, they hired MinistrySafe founder Kimberlee Norris, who completed her investigation in December 2020. Last week, 7 Eyewitness News reported that 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 Aarum, a former employee of The Chapel who worked there in the 1990s. 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. 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. Families can register online to attend camp overnightwith their children at Circle C Ranch on either July 9-11 or August 6-8. In school, our teachers told us to "show our math," or how we worked out a problem. Instead, Chapel leaders offered to share information gathered in the course of the investigation IF Circle C undertook an independent investigation in good faith. It is a credit to Taddeo's and Silvarole's reporting that they did everything humanly possible to find out more about what has occurred over the years at Circle C. Ranch. And of course if you have any questions please email us or call the office at info@circlecranch.org or (716) 492-3687. I have zero recollection of that. Its all lightweight stuff theyre bringing up anyway, Dekalb said. A friend of Ross & Wes was a man named Bob Lowe who was a very successful businessman. 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?. A former camper and staff member at Circle C Ranch,a Christian camp in Cattaraugus County, has filed a lawsuit against the camp and its president, Wayne Aarum, accusing Aarum of grooming and sexually victimizing her between the ages of 9 and 16. And at its best, local journalism reveals truths that leaders and institutions of importance would much prefer remain hidden. My byline has run in the Ithaca Journal, USA Today, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle and the New York Times. 3,832 were here. That was of the Lord. 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. 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." I remember looking at my friend in pure terror., This woman said that at times Aarum would corner her in the camp and that one time, when she was 15 years old, he told her, youre just so beautiful and guys are going to want to be with you and have sex with you because youre so beautiful., She said, the staff all knew about it. The state's rules allow for the camps to operate with different restrictions for the vaccinated and unvaccinated, with campers over the age of five required to wear masks and maintain social distancing in most situations. "This is why we're suspicious of these charges. It matters in cities. 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. On week ends there would be scores of men donating their time to help build the camp and Wes wife Marge was kept very busy feeding all these volunteers. 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. The family camp experience includes activities likechapel services, all-you-can-eat meals, horseback riding, laser tag androck wall climbing, according to the website, andfamilies will stay overnight together in the camp's on-site lodging. 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. Report stated 21 women have made allegations. An internal investigation earlier this year by Texas attorney Kimberlee Norris found 21 women who alleged Aarum touched them inappropriately when they were teenagers or young women. Theyspoke to 19 other individuals including persons who worked at the camp, relatives and local pastors. At 18 years of age he was the lifeguard at Pine brook, a very unique teen camp in Pennsylvania whose founder was Percy Crawford. 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. investigation by USA TODAY Network New York State Team reporters Sarah Taddeo and Georgie Silvarole, These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma, Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago, the camp announced a change for how it will operate this summer, Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. That was of the Lord. He was not available Wednesday to speak to The News, said Dekalb. Toll free: (866) 364-9980, Sex Abuse Survivors Call for System-Wide Audit of Southern Baptist Convention, Church Hires GRACE to Investigate Allegations of Sexual Abuse by Musician Chris Rice, Facing Trial, Brian Houston Steps Aside as Global Senior Pastor of Hillsong, Mercy Corps Rocked by Sexual Abuse Claims Against Founder, Alabama Church Leader Charged with Sexually Abusing Member of Her Youth Group. We have TWO options for bringing campers to Snow Camp. But 7 Eyewitness News spoke with a former employee at the youth camp who said she has spoken with one of the alleged survivors. Aarum has denied any wrongdoing, and he told his congregation in April that he never intended to offend anyone with his remarks or actions. Wes Aarum preaches at Kingdom Bound at Darien Lake in 2012. 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. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. She also said Aarum on occasion grabbed her from behind and pulled his pelvis tight to her body. 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.. We have reporters standing by. "I wish I had a more accurate way to respond to some of these things people are saying.". Attorney Kimberlee Norris said she interviewed 21 women who alleged inappropriate touch by Aarum. 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. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? Your support allows us to continue to produce quality journalism, week in and week out. 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. That always raises the risk that someone will find the teacher to be too close for comfort. 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. I dont want any more children to be affected. There is absolutely no credibility to any of these things, Dekalb said. Aarums lawsuit was filed by Amherst attorneys Steven K. Long and Olivia T. Paulo-Lee on Wednesday, the same day the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle published a detailed account quoting several other women who alleged inappropriate contact. Women allege WNY Christian camp director has abused teens since 1990s. 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. People reported his alleged behavior to camp officials and church leaders over 20 circle c ranch ny allegations since.... The price of the mortgage - $ 14,800 John Camardo, of defamation i i! Said Dekalb, who denied any wrongdoing, according to the News, said,... We have reporters standing by the Ithaca Journal, USA TODAY, the brother of Wayne Aarum who also! 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