Many of these people say he could not have possibly done what he is accused. Drew Silleman. Little did he realize that 23 years later God would let him have the desire of his heart. A USA TODAY Network Investigation found thatAarum, 55,touchedat least 16teenage girls inappropriately, according to their firsthand accounts. Weve asked for any information they can give ustheyve given us nothing, Aarum said. If you are interested in helping out please fill out the application below! It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. 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. Girls, now women, who participated in the investigation said that the behaviors became so normalized that they assumed others, including parents and ministry leaders, knew and approved, Norris wrote in her letter to the state office. Got a story tip or comment? 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. My evaluation of credibility is based upon 30 years of past experience interacting with fact witnesses and abuse survivors. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Few of the women who came forward during the investigation knew other; the behavior complained of spanned DECADES. Snell could not be reachedafterrepeated attempts, including a letter to his home, phone calls and an email to his wife.". The membership was advised that the independent investigation credibly confirmed a pattern of inappropriate interaction with young women involved in The Chapel's student ministry in the late 90s and also uncovered ongoing inappropriate interaction with young women not associated with The Chapel who had been involved in the previously referenced local youth camp over the last two decades, The Chapel said in its statement. 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. That can be the case in the busiest of news years (ahem, 2020) or on the slowest of news days. Aarum has denied the allegations and continues to serve on staff at the camp. Families can register online to attend camp overnightwith their children at Circle C Ranch on either July 9-11 or August 6-8. Fancher said the camp had documented instances in which other camp leaders had approached Aarum about his actions. 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. "He totally denies any wrongdoing whatsoever," said Dekalb, who is also a former member of the Chapel board. 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. The former employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she feared retribution from Aarums family, said the woman came forward because Aarum still has access to kids through his work at 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. None agreed to interviews on the recordfor this story, and they didnot provide additional sources who would be willing to comment on the record.". Waynes brother, Wes, was highly regarded as a minister at the Chapel for many years, as well. According to a report released by Ministry Safe, Wayne Aarum engaged in the following illicit activities: -stroking legs (outside clothing and on bare skin), -touching vaginal area- outside clothing (in shorts or jeans), -touching, rubbing and stroking breasts, outside clothing, -stroking from hips to breasts, clothed, on the side of the body, -pressing penis into back of girl (hugging from behind), -rubbing penis repeatedly in a girls presence, -extended hug of a partially dressed girl. Another woman wrote that the hugs were so bad that he proceeded to rub my back and hug me for an uncomfortably long time, and did not let go when I tried to pull away.. But she said that it is important that parents be aware of the allegations when making decisions about their kids. Some former staff said Aarum typically targeted specific girls who were pretty, slim, emotionally fragile or those who had father issues and that girls complained to staff asking for help in avoiding [Aarum]., In a March statement, The Chapels board and pastoral leadership said both their leadership and MinistrySafe have found the allegations to be credible.. The camps parent corporation, Living Waters Ministries, said in response: At the outset, a flat statement: Wayne Aarum, the Operations Director of the Circle C Ranch, never engaged in any of the conduct described in Ms. Norriss report.. Youth pastor, Christian camp director accused of inappropriately touching teen girls. That was of the Lord. She was saved as a teenager, went to Buffalo and became a Registered Nurse. 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.. Speaking the truth to a difficult situation can be met with hostility, fear, and a wide variety of other responses., The boards own investigative report also suggested that the unidentified women cited in Norris report may have misinterpreted Aarums gestures of good will because of a common type of trauma in their past that makes them ultra-sensitive to certain kinds of verbal Bible teaching or certain physical actions such as hugs that are entirely appropriate and not at all offensive to other women in the same circumstances.. This website was created for residents in order to provide you with more convenience and opportunities to share ideas and information; get news and announcements; access an online resource center for important association documents and forms; join discussion forums; utilize the member directory; and much more. It would have all the mystique of the Old West and it would look like a town in the 1800s. Litigator Kimberlee Norris, the co-founder of Ministry Safe, a Christian sexual misconduct investigative and prevention service, said 21 women told her in interviews Aarum had touched them inappropriately, with incidents dating back to when he was a youth minister at The Chapel at Crosspoint, a megachurch in the Buffalo area. According to information shared on its website, Circle C Ranch said state restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the sudden change in programming to include now the parents of children. 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. Other inappropriate behaviors allegedly occurred during his time as Circle C Ranch director, since 2000, although none of the complaints related to behavior within the past five years. And this started 20 years ago, said Fancher. According to a report . Circle C Ranch has provided a written response on its website in response to these allegations. Wes Aarum recently resigned from the Chapel after declining to step down from the Circle C Ranch board, according to a transcript of a meeting Camardo had with church members in January. Wayne S. Aarum claimed in a defamation lawsuit that The Chapel and its executive pastor, John Camardo, engaged in a sustained campaign of . However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. 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. 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. I dont want any more children to be affected. The Circle C Homeowners Association is a non-profit corporation governed by a seven member Board of Directors. DeKalb suggested that the allegations were part of a campaign by Chapel leaders to acquire the youth camp. Two men face multiple charges following a chase and search Saturday night in the Town of Collins, Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reported Tuesday. 3,832 were here. I have never had any sexual interaction with anyone other than my wife. That always raises the risk that someone will find the teacher to be too close for comfort. The Circle C Homeowners Association is a non-profit corporation governed by a seven member Board of Directors. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Youth pastor, Christian camp director accused of inappropriately touching teen girls, 21 women who alleged Aarum touched them inappropriately, 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. In addition to his duties at Circle C Ranch, Aarum also currently serves as a pastor at First Baptist Church of Arcade in Wyoming County. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's officials confirmed that they are investigating the matter. An email to Wayne Aurum, and a call to attorney's in Williamsville who are representing Aurum in the defamation lawsuit were not returned Monday. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. This website was created for residents in order to provide you with more convenience and opportunities to share ideas and information; get news and announcements; access an online resource center for important 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 C Ranch, a Christian camp he runs in Delevan. I still dont know, although they have accused me and pretty much condemned me, I dont know what Im accused of, Aarum said. 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. Read the full story from News Staff Reporter Jay Tokasz. 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 found each of the women to be credible, one attorney who investigated the reports of abusetold our two reporters. But the allegations are from a small percentage of the young people Aarum has worked with over the years. Aarum left his role at The Chapel in 2000. Wes Aarum preaches at Kingdom Bound at Darien Lake in 2012. We have reporters standing by. In October 2020, they hired MinistrySafe founder Kimberlee Norris, who completed her investigation in December 2020. 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. Chapel leaders say they began hearing troubling allegations about Aarum in October 2019 and again in February 2020. Mr. Barker became the Vice-president and chairman fo the Circle C Ranch Board adn has worked with Wes in that capacity up to this very day. No, he said when asked whether he ever touched anyone inappropriately. In her lawsuit, Snell accused Circle C Ranch and its parent organization, Living Waters Ministries, of negligently retaining Aarum on staff and thus allowing him unfettered and unsupervised access to minors on the campgrounds and during other activities, according to the court filing. I found each of the women to be credible; patterns of predatory behavior emerged and grew more egregious as time passed. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how thisinvestigation was conducted and who conducted it. Norris also wrote to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services with a list of dozens of inappropriate actions alleged against Aarum, including entering cabins without knocking or announcing himself, while girls were changing clothes; meeting alone with girls in his office after lights out; whispering intimate statements to girls, such as I love you and You are so beautiful; and giving back massages that included rubbing of girls buttocks. In her lawsuit, filed last month in Cattaraugus County under the state Child Victims Act, Snell claims Aarum, 55, touched her inappropriately between 2008 and 2015, when she was a minor, including touching her genitals, breasts and buttocks; rubbing her inner and upper thighs and pressing his pelvis into her back. This Summer we are looking to hire Staff to help facilitate our Summer Camp, Day Camp, and Family Camp programs! 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More: Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface. As you've read, Taddeo and Silvarole spent months speaking to 16 women who described inappropriate and uncomfortable encounters with the man who hasbeen camp director or president for many years at Circle C Ranch. He has consistently denied all of the allegations against him. Percy, as they wanted to call him, was considered by many to be the founder of the Christian Camp Ministry. Wayne Aarum, a former senior high minister atThe Chapel at Crosspointin Getzville, New York, current pastor ofFirst Baptist Churchin Arcade, New York, and the operator ofCircle C Ranchyouth camp in Delevan, New York, stands accused of sexually assaulting at least twenty-one girls spanning decades. The Chapel in Amherst said it cut ties with the Circle C Ranch following an internal investigation by a Texas lawyer that found Wayne Aarum hadengaged in a pattern of inappropriate behaviors, such as stroking the legs and touching the clothed breasts and genital areas of young women and teenage girls. Delaware North scores with billboard with Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka, well, you know Pastor accused of touching girls sues Amherst church over allegations, Watch now: Youth pastor, Christian camp director accused of inappropriately touching teen girls, More than 300 words have been added to the English dictionary, Citizens travel to Peru's capitol Lima to protest against Boluarte, Senators react to the end of emergency SNAP benefits, Russia accuses U.S. of intent to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Other inappropriate behaviors allegedly occurred during his time as Circle C Ranch director since 2000, although none of the complaints related to behavior within the past five years. It's particularly true, though, when enterprising reporters receivea good story tip and stay with it until they get to the heart of an important story that otherwise would never have been told. He was born in Buffalo, NY into a godly family and at 17 years of age accepted Christ into his life. 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. When the camp went to pay Bob back he made it a gift to the ministry. The allegations also were referred to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating, according to Sgt. Im not the type of person to spread things around just to ruin someone, she said. Leaders at The Chapel said they, through MinistrySafe, also reported the allegations to law enforcement. Some members defended Camardos handling of the situation, including an unidentified board member in the meeting who pointed to the Catholic Diocese of Buffalos troubles in recent years for sweeping all of this stuff under the rug.. Teenagers have also historically made up the majority of employees at the camp, working as counselors, in the kitchen or in maintenance roles throughout the summers. Hannah Buehler reports. Carnahan said she was not among the 21 unidentified women cited in the investigative report. "Circle C Ranch would ultimately determine the initial allegations were false through its own internal investigation. Last week's investigation by USA TODAY Network New York State Team reporters Sarah Taddeo and Georgie Silvarole is just such an example. 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