Missouri laws make abusers feel right at home--and at camp
from a Branson summer camp with KC Chiefs connections to questions about IHOPKC, it's time for changes in Jefferson City
(Note: lots of important info here, and you’ll probably have to click on more if you open this in Gmail, fyi: please do!)
One of the most traumatic sounds in the world to me is one many love: fireworks. As a person born where bombs regularly were tossed outside my window, and whose first memory was my mom telling me to duck in the street because there was gunfire outside you’d be hard-pressed to find any Palestinian who could enjoy fireworks.
I begin this tragic post with this comment because as I began writing, I was hearing what I call “the sound of bombs.” It was how I, not a fan of football (but give me baseball any day) knew the Kansas City Chiefs had won the Super Bowl—again. Many in Kansas City who are IHOPKC-connected may possess mixed feelings when it comes to the Chiefs and Super Bowl wins. Of course, the city loves the fanfare—whether relishing in Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce excitement (or even researching whether Swift really purchased carbon credits to offset her jet-setting across three continents in a week). In reality, most locals were focused on the adrenaline-pumping overtime (didn’t that happen last year too?) that took them to the win.
With apologies to celebrants, since the Chiefs win is a joy in the midst of the agony of the grief of the IHOPKC abuse and molestation nightmare currently being played out, it was through yesterday’s joy that I learned of the Chiefs’ dark connection to an all-too-familiar subject these days: abuse in the guise of Christianity. But let me back up a bit.
Sometimes the spotlight shines on darkness
Every IHOPKC person knows the prophecy-not-prophecy, where the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl ushers in revival—these days, it’s become more of a joke since most former IHOPers are asking what revival could there be when the prophets who suggested it were leading double lives in the midst of massive alleged sexual perversion, such as rape, molestation, manipulation, and abuse.
By the time the Chiefs did win the Super Bowl in 2020—after a 50 year gap—the prophetic declarations permeated people who believed the old Bob Jones prophecy of revival coming. But in another great twist of irony, the win happened just weeks before the extended Covid 19 lockdowns. So Mike Bickle went on Facebook and said, no, no, it wasn’t actually a prophecy for revival. He explained, “…[Bob Jones] did not say it was a prophecy. He would just say it and people would think it was a prophecy.” Hmmmmm. I wonder why he, and every single IHOPer in the history of Kansas City, thought that, Mike? I mean, people do not just think everything I say is a prophecy. And if they did, and I were a responsible steward of a prophetic gifting, I would correct them. But, hey, I digress.
By the next Chief’s win, last year, the prophetic wishes were back. Charisma News, of course, needed to remind people last year that Bob Jones was a prophet, that Mike Bickle confirmed it, and we peons clearly don’t understand this timing:
Detractors of course could say that the Chiefs won back in 2020, right before the pandemic went into full-blown lockdown and shifted the world's trajectory in ways that have not been fully realized as of yet.…But prophecies come about in God's timing, not man's.
Bob Jones was a prophet, confirmed by numerous leaders of faith, including IHOP's Mike Bickle. With words he has spoken from the Lord coming true, Christians have the same test before them that David had: Will they trust in the Lord that His words are true and will come to fruition, or will they cave to doubt and skepticism because things have not transpired as they thought they would?
It seems everyone else thought it was a prophecy, too, especially Shawn Bolz:
You might note he uses the favorite word of every stretching-for-a-reason prophetic type in his reply to Virginia LUFC: interesting. Interesting is one of those words Christians use when they are dropping a loaded hint that is devoid of actual evidence.
And of course there was Trump Christian Nationalist, Lance Wallnau.
Every year the Chiefs have won, the “prophetic history,” is rehashed to us all. But this year, a simple comment got in the way and sent me on a virtual trip to a Christian campground in Branson and back to Kansas City with serious concerns about the enablement the state of Missouri provides to predators due to its lack of regulations.
The Christian sex abuse “kamp”?
This unexpected journey began when former IHOPer Joanna May tweeted something that made me sick to my stomach (sorry, Joanna, it’s not you, it’s the perverts of the world).
The initial thread Nancy links to here is a horrifying account of an allegedly Christian summer camp a couple hours away in Branson, MO. The connection to the Super Bowl and the Chiefs is Clark Hunt, the co-owner of the team, who is a former “kamper” and helps promote the expensive and highly profitable camp where his wife and one of his daughters use their public social media to promote it heavily as well.
This link to the most recent Form 990 from Kanakuk Ministries (DBA as Kanakuk Kamps) shows that the nonprofit camp, which in 2015 was reclassified as a church (meaning it did not have to release its Form 990, though so far they have). But they are certainly not broke. In fact, in 2020, Kanakuk even took out a Paycheck Protection Loan of almost $2.5 million, which was forgiven.
A little background on Kanakuk and Missouri’s lack of regulations which has allowed predators to run wild, free—and naked—is in order here. You might note that I use the word allegedly here to describe the Christianity side, and not the criminal sexual abuse side. The reason for this is the stacks of proof that actual convicted sex offenders have worked at Kanakuk over the years.
The camp’s mission statement sounds ideal:
Equipping Next Generation Leaders is more than our mission, it is our heartbeat. Since 1926, Kanakuk has welcomed over 450,000 Kampers from across the country and around the world, equipping them with leadership skills and Biblical truths to impact their schools and communities as examples of Jesus Christ.
Wouldn’t all parents want this for their children? Chief’s co-owner and his wife Tavia Hunt certainly do. Her social media is laden with Chiefs, charity, travel, and Bible verses.
There’s only one problem. For many years now, Kanakuk has been under fire for its hiring of known sex abusers and child molesters—plural. And when the camp, or some of its most vocal and famous supporters are called on it, the double down defenses hit hard. This thread from journalist Nancy French Monday added a further dimension.
Tavia Hunt obviously admits in one of her private messages that the abuse happened—which is hard to deny since there is proof available—but she blames Satan and says now the camp is safe.
Now? What about when “nudity was just a thing” at Kanakuk, as this story in USA Today by French reported?
The first time former Kanakuk camp director Pete Newman was reported for being nude with kids was in 1999 — the same year he became a full-time employee at the Branson-based Christian athletic camp and a decade before he confessed to abusing multiple underage boys he met through Kanakuk and related ministries.
The 1999 incident wasn’t the last. Over the next several years, Newman’s supervisors were alerted to multiple incidents in which Newman ran, swam, played sports and rode four-wheelers naked with children.…“Back then, you know, we were dealing with college kids … that kind of stuff was not unusual,” Goodwin, the camp's COO, said in a March 2021 interview. “I mean, it happened.”
Indeed, Kanakuk’s “Safety” page reads as if it’s the safest haven for children.
But this 2022 Emmy winning Vice News documentary causes many to pause.
Further, an independent review of Kanakuk’s safety plan found multiple issues. The entire review is available here. The summary (which is expanded upon and explained in detail in the report) includes these comments:
• Unclear Applicability and Scope Statements
• Contradictory Key Definitions
• Inappropriate Inclusion of Key Definitions
• Omission of a Clear Reporting Framework
• Omission of Relevant National Legislation
• Omission of Plan Evaluation Details
The reviewers examined both a 2019 and 2022 update of the policy and concluded:
Overall, the CPP is unclear and convoluted. Moreover, it introduces terminology that has neither scientific nor practical basis. For a policy that should be easy to understand – by children and adults alike – the opposite holds true.[It] falls short as an effective tool for safeguarding children in the care of Kanakuk. …There is no policy statement outlining Kanakuk’s commitment to safeguarding children. The CPP appears to be both a document about safeguarding children and also about protecting Kanakuk from the consequences of lawsuits.
This single story cannot begin to scratch the surface of even the issues with this single camp, which is not the whole story itself.
Kanakuk has also taken heat not only for the worst of its crimes—the multiple child sex abuse under its watch, but also for cultural biases. KC Chief’s Hunt’s own daughter Ava is “Kiowa Princess,” a cultural appropriation, which is its own issue with those seeking changes at the camp. This is a picture from their Pinterest page:
The campers historically are divided into tribes—literally Native American tribes. This (one of many) petition explains: “They call their groups “tribes” and use Indigenous traditions and regalia. Example, every year they choose a “princess” and wear native regalia in a lot of their activities.” This is what Hunt’s daughter is referring to as “Kiowa Princess.” Past pictures include the majority white campers (certainly I acknowledge one can appear “white” yet be Native, but this is not what this situation is about) wearing Native American style headdresses and feathers, as well as face paint. You can even purchase Kanakuk “tribal” clothing, bandanas, and blankets, alongside the “Jesus” attire. Joe White, the director, also appears in pictures wearing a large Indigenous headdress, formally known as a War Bonnet.
Further, the camps are accused of segregation. Instead of providing scholarships to integrate Kanakuk, which is mostly white, White, the director, founded “inner city” camps Kids Across America (KAA), which, even on the promo page, is obviously shown as primarily for Black children (so are the pictures on the Google Map page). Here is a single pricing sample (many variants exist):
Apparently, White assumes that all Black children and their families have less money as well since the prices differ significantly. Note: these camps are only 6 days. The HG sessions are leadership training and as follows: HG 2 $400, 13 days; HG 3, $1,000 is 6 days + Mission Trip (more info).
Finally, I encourage you to visit the Linktree for Kanakuk survivors and those fighting to see justice for victims. (← CLICK THAT!) This extensive area of resources will both help you engage, as well as help those involved in the IHOPKC quest for justice for these survivors of abuse view those on a similar journey who are a few steps ahead.
Read some further stories here,1 here2, and consider signing the Kanakuk petition here3.
How does this connect with IHOPKC’s abuse scandal?
Honestly, I could write volumes about what I have learned in two days. I spent hours of my Sunday doing some academic research on predators in Christian settings, as well as regulations in states like Missouri, which clearly has some issues.
Here is one of them, which affects Kanakuk directly and should prompt every parent, counselor, and person connected with any camp in Missouri, including IHOPKC’s Awakening Teen Camp (ATC) and Children’s Equipping Center (CEC) Signs and Wonders camps. Please do note I am not leveling an accusation against either. But here are the facts we must examine for all camps and many other childcare facilities in MO:
Until Aug. 28, 2022 (so after that summer camp season), in the state of MO, background checks were not even required of staff for either day camp or overnight residential camps.
There are no requirements whatsoever for camps to be licensed in the state of MO.
Myriad exceptions to licensing exist under Chapter 210 of MO law for childcare facilities, including those of a religious nature. (Read more here.)
Additionally, a troubling postscript to the multiple lawsuits and settlements from Kanakuk have involved the nasty three letters: NDA. Those involved with the IHOPKC scandal know those letters well. A nondisclosure agreement is code for “deep dark secret.” Someone told me once that secrets were a killer of sorts in the body of Christ. He was right. IHOPKC executive leadership is required now to sign NDAs, as if the Bible and its teachings in a ministry are somehow proprietary. But we know that it is more. Apparently, there is an entire movement dedicated to #NDAfree within the body of Christ. I support this move. The “Hold Kanakuk Accountable” petition includes language about releasing victims from their NDAs, which is a morally repugnant thing to even require. In fairness to Kanakuk, they posted this statement that says they encourage victims to share their stories. I have asked for clarification from their victim support site and will follow up when—and if—I receive a comment.
Reading this heavy, disturbing—and factually verified, seeing as cases have been won in court and employees confirmed to have worked for Kanakuk who were past convicted abusers—I read much of the Facts about Kanakuk site. It reminded me immediately of a larger-scale, longer-term version of the IHOPKC Stories site. The latter was launched shortly after the initial Bickle accusations, and currently is not as robust as the Kanakuk site, but there are stories (see “Survivors” tab on Kanakuk) on both of those who were part of each ministry.
I looked back at IHOPKC Stories and extracted a couple of the stories specifically addressing ATC, the teen camp. Keep in mind they are self-submitted, but reviewed prior to posting, and from a public site. I am posting them here. The link to the entire site is above. Here’s a camper from Awakening Teen Camp (ATC):
This next story from the site does have a content warning before uncovering. It is not a graphic post, but be aware.
Returning to where this long post began—the Super Bowl—I learned a new term thanks to Nancy French. The term is “Super Predator.” My academic research tells me that it’s a term that some academics believed was a legitimate designation many decades ago, but was debunked. Probably I’ll discuss that another time. My use—and hers, I think—is not the official one, but a term that indicates someone with a propensity to predation. Most know that a real predator is not just going to stop (and studies—also for another post) show this. Serial killers, for example, are labeled as such, when they kill three or more people. What makes a person a “super predator”? There is not an official answer, but the former Kanakuk creeper director, Peter Newman, who had at least 57 known victims—I’m gonna say he qualified.
North from Kanakuk in the KC metro area, Bob Jones, the late prophet (“prophet,” to some), had his own sexual failings, though certainly not of the Newman level. In fact, as you can read in this PDF version from the late Jamie Buckingham’s report on Jones’ discipline after he confessed his “moral failure,” in a line similar to Bickle, Jones made it clear that while he committed sexual sin, “I did not commit adultery.” Allrightythen.
Jones, who mentored Bickle, was known for the same things of which Bickle is now accused. You can read some of the documentation here on page 3 of the PDF (note this site is anti-Charismatic, but if you are a non-cessationist Christian, you would want to know that, as the opinions expressed may disagree with yours, but the documentation is accurate). Here is an excerpt.
All we know from the IHOPKC camp—double meaning there—is that Bickle has been accused of at least two sexual encounters with minors over the years, and more with teens who were not technically minors, yet would still be victims of clergy sexual abuse, due to the power differential, among other troubling issues (Bickle also posits, “I did not commit adultery.”) Some stories have emerged regarding IHOPKC’s Children’s Equipping Center, though they are anecdotal so far, regarding people reporting abuse or predator suspicions and having no action taken. In light of the reality of non-regulation and the fact that zero background checks were required until late 2022, while it may standards may sound nice and printed text may look good, it cannot be stressed enough how vital it is to verify and examine everything.
It is never paranoid to keep your child safe.
Back to the KC Chiefs: You know, as I have spent more time across the Pond these days, I have come to associate the word football as something as a sport where one never uses his hands.
It would be a good ideas for players to remember that, methinks.
Resources to research and help
Crime Stoppers‘ web site on the unregulated camping industry.
Crimstoppers’ link to a spreadsheet that is a state-by-state registry of camps with reported incidents of abuse (note the number of Christian camps).
The Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP—I mentioned this in an earlier post, when I discussed the protocols at my friend Samantha’s church, Providence Frisco. At the time I was unaware that her children’s director, Jeremy, who I have had the immense pleasure of meeting many times, was part of this.
Providence Frisco Safety Link- A model I know is in place and working because I know them firsthand. Here’s their kids’ ministry.
A link to the American Camping Association Standards at a Glance, which is a free download. The ACA is the only licensing organization for camps. The bold, italicized (with an asterisk*) standards are mandatory. If your child’s camp doesn’t do/have these, leave.
Multiple resources from the Kanakuk page; many of these are applicable to IHOPKC survivors as well.