Imagine the reaction of the national news media if a public school teacher had a long history of having sex with students, claiming victims in several states.And what if, after the authorities finally caught on to this predator, school officials did not do anything for months to let parents know that this man had been teaching their children, and those children may very well be his victims.
Add a few salacious details into the mix, such as hot tub incidents and naked Truth or Dare and the story would be a staple on all of the cable news programs and every media outlet from the New York Times to the National Enquirer.
If such a thing happened, the nation would be outraged and rightfully so; headline-hungry legislators would jump on the opportunity to take advantage of the situation, filing bills to stop the “epidemic” (and yes, they would call it an epidemic) of sexual predators in the classroom.
After all, public schools, if you believe those who are seeking to destroy them, are a cesspool.
But when the situation happens with the director of a Christian youth sports camp, run by a man connected to the politically powerful Focus on the Family organization, the cry for reform is non-existent.
For the past several months, I have written about Pete Newman, former director of Branson, Missouri-based Kanakuk Kamps, who pleaded guilty April 30 to two counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree, three counts of statutory sodomy in the second degree, and three counts of enticement of a child. All of the crimes involved underage boys.
Newman has also been charged in Colorado with sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust.
Other states are also considering filing charges against Newman.
Meanwhile, Kanakuk Kamps, has managed to sail through virtually unscathed, thanks to a complicit media, and an ultra-conservative Missouri legislature whose outrage against predators seems limited to the handful who somehow to manage to land in public schools.
Kanakuk officials waited for months after firing Newman to tell prospective campers (or kampers as they call them) about what had happened.
Shortly after Newman’s arrest, Kanakuk owner Joe White wrote to families who might be considering sending their children to camp:
Because you are an important part of the Kanakuk family, we wanted to make you aware that earlier today, the Taney County Missouri prosecutor filed a four-count criminal complaint against our former employee, Pete Newman. As you may know, Pete Newman was employed at K-Kountry. The prosecutor’s criminal charges allege that Pete engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior with adolescent boys, including some who had been Kanakuk Kampers.
When we became aware of this situation we took immediate action, terminating Pete Newman’s employment. Since that time, we have been working closely with the affected families and appropriate authorities. We reported what we knew to investigators and stayed in contact throughout the process, providing whatever assistance we could. We have also offered our assistance to the impacted families. Our fervent prayers are with those who have been impacted. We look forward to the completion of the legal process to ensure that justice is served.
Since I broke the news about Newman’s arrest on The Turner Report, I have received thousands of comments from readers, many of whom noted that Kanakuk officials had been warned on numerous occasions about Newman and had, in fact, had discussions with him about his unseemly behavior. But even after Newman was fired, it took months before White wrote his letter to Kanakuk families.
Local media has written about Newman and Kanakuk, but only sparingly. Not much of a fuss was made when a judge closed an early hearing, a decision that was contrary to Missouri law. Only a few questions were asked of Kanakuk officials about any steps they were making to ensure that no more predators would be turned loose on campers, and after that, there were no follow-up stories. As far as I can determine, the arrest was never mentioned in the hallowed halls of the Missouri Legislature.
And no wonder, considering that Joe White is connected to some of the most powerful forces in the conservative movement. He has been a regular speaker for Focus on the Family, with that organization’s former director James Dobson praising White’s connection with young people as part of the publicity for one of White’s 16 books.
White has contributed thousands of dollars to the Republican Party.
Next month, Pete Newman will be sentenced and it will not be long before the incident is totally out of the minds of the public. It is hard to believe that no one has an interest in making sure that Kanakuk and other youth camp facilities are standing guard against those who would take advantage of the defenseless.
Apparently, the attention of legislators and the media can only become focused when predators have a license to teach in public schools.
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Turner Report author Randy Turner's latest book, Newspaper Days, can be ordered at this link.
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Turner Report author Randy Turner's latest book, Newspaper Days, can be ordered at this link.
59 comments:
I do not live in Missouri and have never sent a child to Kanakuk. The only reason I am even aware of this case is due to my "connection" with some of the extended family of Pete Newman.
I have been shocked that this story has not received national attention and perhaps more shocked at the lack of local coverage there in Branson and the state of Missouri.
You make good points, Mr. Turner, about the "power" of Joe White and the insinuation that this power could be the reason this story has not been covered more extensively. But, often someone with such power falls harder in these sort of instances as the media jumps all over such cases. One would think this would be just the sort of story the media would be thrilled to expose...because of Mr. White's affiliation with Focus on the Family and Kanakuk, a well known religious camp.
I am not sure how national media become aware of such news stories. Do they pick them up off the Associated Press? Does someone with inside knowledge, or just a concerened citizen, contact news organizations such as CNN, FOX, CBS or NBC?
When Mr. Newman was arrested last September, I was sure I would hear something about it on the national news within the week....but, here we are almost nine months later and nothing.
OK, so it is all curious...but, the real questions may be: Is it important for this story/case to become national news? Would it be detrimental or helpful to the public at large? Would national attention help to strengthen laws and increase punishment regarding pedophilia?
Congratulations on "breaking the story" haha... all you have done is cut and paste all they way through this whole mess! This is the first thing that you have written which is not even journalism, this is an editorial.
Additionally you suggest that the reason why this story is not getting national attention is because of Kanakuks affiliation with Focus on the Family and donations to the GOP..... Hahha really? As if James Dobson is controlling both the liberal and conservative media fom Colorado Springs. Even the Catholic church with its seeming infinite wealth and power can't keep their secrets in the closet. Kanakuk does not have the power and wealth required to buy the media. I mean seriously, get another theory man.
Bottom line is that this story is too hard to tell in a sound bite which is what the media loves. Its short and cheap. Additionally from what I can tell the victims dont want to talk to the media due to shame but also from what I read many of the victims and families still appreciate Kanakuk for some reason.
The people that are most passionate in their anger towards Kanakuk seem to be people that have had no affiliation with it, with a few exceptions.
Finally What proof do we have that "other states" are considering bringing charges against Newman? And I mean no disrespect to any victim or family, nor am I attempting to defend Newman but what proof do we have that their are 100's of other victims? Seems to me that one person has suggested it and now everyone is taking it as fact.
From Dictionary.com:
Definition of: blog
Part of Speech: n
Definition: an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; also called Weblog, Web log
Example: Typically updated daily, blogs often reflect the personality of the author.
Etymology: shortened form of Weblog
Blogs are editorial. Mr. Turner posts, copies, pastes, comments, writes, expounds...and yes... editorializes. IT IS HIS BLOG! This blog does not fall under the jurisdiction of any news agency and no one pays him to write this blog. He is accountable to no one but himself and offers his thoughts and opinions to those who choose to log on and read.
As for the Catholic church...they have been knowingly harboring pedophiles for years with the general public having no idea. They were able to accomplish this because of wealth, power and influence. It has only been in recent years we have learned the breadth and scope of child molestation within the Catholic Church...but, it has been occuring for decades if not centuries.
Do I think Joe White is "buying the media"...no. But, I do think he and Kanakuk influence the local economy of Branson, Missouri. The demise of the camp would be fiscally detrimental not only to Joe White, but to the community of Branson. Possibly a good enough reason to want Kanakuk to remain and thrive. Possibly a good enough reason to not want national attention brought to this story. Who knows?
You may be correct about those being most passionate are those not affiliated with Kanakuk. I think those not affiliated continue to be amazed at the lack of outrage by those who are affiliated. It is as if "Kanakukers" are more concerned about the camp than the horrible events that occurred under camps watch! If my child had attended Kanakuk last summer...after Pete Newman left and I was lied to about the reason he left...I would be furious to have been duped by Joe White and Kanakuk!
I suggest you do a bit more checking before you post a comment next time. The first mention of Pete Newman's arrest was on this blog and led to what little coverage there has been. That was not done by copy and paste but by going through online records after I received a tip. As for the other states, that comes from work done by the Crime Scene blog, which received that information from the Taney County prosecuting attorney.
I'll bet you Bill O'Reilly gets on top of this one quick and pronto, in order to protect "the folks" and to show up the clear and obvious "free pass" by the lamestream media.
Except for the...er... fact that... it er...well... deals with a Christian organization.
Ah well.
12:04
If you are unhappy with the coverage of this case by Randy, then I suggest you go elsewhere to receive coverage. OOPS..sorry...no one else IS covering this story!!
Thank you, Randy for continuing to keep us informed AND offer your opinion. I can assure you, it is valued by the vast majority of us!
Thank you 12:33 for pointing out that a BLOG is for writing personal thoughts and opinions... and reporting as well. I think Randy has done it all...and done it well.
One person continues to comment about how Bill O'Rielly will be "all over this case." Really? When?
Randy,
I just checked and you are correct in that you did break the story. You published it on your blog on the evening of the 14th. THe news outlets were a day to two days later.
Additionally I searched the crime scene blog and the mention of multiple states comes from an investigator in La Plata CO, not from Jeff Merrrel. Simple mistake.
That being said I apologize for what I said about you breaking the story as well as questioning the integrity of your facts.
Additionally I have been appreciative that while their has been a lack of media attention you have worked to try to keep the story and details alive.
All of the assumptions about the story is what is driving me crazy. Which has caused me to throw in my own, mistakenly.
to 12:33
Branson draws 8 million visitors a year. Kanakuk has less than 20,000 campers a summer. If each camper was accompanied by 3 guests it would be 80,000 people which still only represents about 01% of Bransons annual visitors. So I dont think that Branson needs Kanakuk. This story could potentially have a very slight impact on their publicity but its not likely.
Additionally lets not pretend that this a "blog" or some kind of diary. Randy chose to "break the story" here so it is a news source. And yes he is accountable because he has chosen to make his thoughts public. Its my right to challenge his thoughts and motivations in the same way you have mine.
Well done 1:24...well done. I am sure Randy accepts your apology.
1:41
It is absolutely your right to challenge Randy's opinions, my opinions or anyone else who chooses to post or comment publicly. That is what healthy debate is all about.
I still disagree with your take on the purpose of a blog and this blog in particular. Randy may have been the first to write or "report" on this story...in essence "break the story"...but, just because he did so does not eliminate his right to post his thoughts and opinions...in other editorialize. This is a blog!
My thoughts, opinions, or theories if you like, about why there is not more news coverage were just that thoughts and theories. I could be wrong and am even willing to say probably so. But, to determine why the lack of media coverage one has to start somewhere and encourage feed back from those commenting to make a determination. I believe Randy threw out all of his thoughts and opinions on this matter to get feedback and I (and you) gave it.
Wanna hear another chapter in this story of Kanakuk? Our County Commissioner declared them a "religious organization" and waived their real estate taxes here in Taney County. As I recall that amounted to about $35000. a year they saved by being "religious" There was no comments in the local paper about it except mine. So I guess they got by with it....again.
Dave Rust
I think that they are now a registered not-for-profit organization with 503c status, so are lawfully exempt from paying property taxes, or any sales tax as well. If Kanakuk did not pay taxes before they received 503c status, than that is wrong , but, if that just began, then they are following the law.
In response to some of the earlier comments, I wanted to say that I was not taking offense, but simply wanted to set the record straight. Sadly, I relied on my memory to do so. Had I checked I would have discovered it was the Colorado official who said charges were being considered against Pete Newman in several states.
A narcissist with a persecution complex? It's national news when it happens at government schools because children have to go there. It's more sensational when it's a government employee doing the molesting, and therefore has a better chance of making national news.
Good post, Randy.
The Springfield News Leader has hardly given ink to this crime while at the same time regularly handing Silver Dollar City an abundance of free advertising.
Just the other day the front page story was about Plumb Nellie Days for crying out loud.
And it's not because the NL avoids sex stories. Quite the contrary, a regular perusal of this publication reveals almost daily sex crime stories hot off the wire from the AP, St Louis Post etc.
The NL knows this stuff will generate comments on the website, which is clearly a goal.
But it's obvious to this reader that indepth coverage of a scandal of this magnitude in Branson is hands off.
-paintedpine
Get this story to HuffingtonPost and it will get the media attention it deserves. Trust me.
It i$ po$$ible to hu$h the media, if it'$ in the intere$t of an organization.
Thank you Randy. As a kamp parent this site is the only place I can depend on to keep me up to date with newman developments.
Randy
When someone leaves a comment on your blog, do you have access to their email?
No, not unless they put the e-mail address in the content of the comment.
The news never officially broke in Auburn, Alabama where Newman was on staff with a youth group for several years while he was in college there.
The population of Branson, Missouri is just over 6050. Joe White employs approximately 2500 people just through Kanakuk alone. Some of these employees are year round and others are seasonal. These employees contribute heavily to the local economy of Branson. Not to mention the additional people needed to keep Kanakuk running and support the 20,000 campers and 2500 employees...such as local tradespeople, repairmen, the water, electric and gas companies, phone company, local retailers, grocers, doctors, nurses, etc., etc., etc. Kanakuk is a vital part of the Branson economy and Joe White an influential member of the Branson community.
Joe White has also started, or helped start, many other businesses/ministries such as:
Kids Across America
Promise Keepers
Men at the Cross
Pure Excitement
After Dark
These businesses/ministries employ another few hundred people.
Joe White's influence is far reaching.
Randy, I've found your posts to be tremendously helpful throughout this ordeal. As a Kamp parent fruitlessly scouring the Internet for info, I'm so glad that you've updated with news on this case.
The premise of this post is nutty, though! What in the world could your legislature have done to prevent Pete's actions? And there is nothing for them to "reform" at Kanakuk. You already have laws on the books. That's why Pete is in jail.
I don't get why you paint kamp parents with a broad brush as condoning Kanakuk's handling of this. I've read all the comments on your posts throughout this and there are plenty of parents disgusted with the deceptions perpetrated by kamp management. Count me as among them. My kids will never go back to kamp.
You clearly have an axe to grind with regards to Christians and conservatives. I don't see pedophilia as a political issue, myself.
Actually, the problem is not with Christians and conservatives, but with legislators who have bent over backwards to single out public schoolteachers for every evil that takes place in the world, but conveniently overlook problems that come from within their base.
Randy- So if you are so outraged...as are we all...why not let the national press know of this story....what is holding you back? Or anyone else for that matter? All it would take is an email with your blog writings.....I'm very curious......
From your first report on this awful discovery, you have been the only source of information. Thank you.
Do many people even take Branson seriously?
Randy, I still don't get it. What do you want legislators to do at this point so that they don't "overlook problems" from within their base? Make speeches denouncing Kanakuk for lack of proper oversight and transparency with parents?
I actually don't want legislators to do anything. I am simply pointing out that they will take one or two cases involving public schools and blow them all out of proportion, filing bills that make all public schoolteachers seem like criminals. Laws are already in place to deal with these situations. We don't see the posturing among Missouri legislators when it comes to situations such as the one with Kanakuk. My main concern has been with the media.
It does sound as though you enjoy taking stabs at Kanakuk. They made some big mistakes re: Pete Newman, but their heart is nothing but good for the kids. They sincerely exist to bring kids into a deeper, more authentic walk with Christ. They, like all of us, are flawed, and therefore didn't use the best, most responsible judgement concerning Pete Newman. Their mistakes have cost.....there are no words to adequately convey the cost and pain that has resulted from their mistakes. AND YET, none of it was ever purposeful. They love kids. All kids. They want nothing but the best for kids. They always will. Let's focus on the millions and millions of RIGHT decisions that they've made over the years, okay? How about that?
AGAIN, the point is that their mistake was never intentional. (Just felt that point needed to be stressed before some sideline-psychiatrist wants to say that Pete's bad was cancelled out by his perceived good.)
Concerning that: That's a ridiculous argument b/c all the bad he did WAS intentional. Purposed. Planned. Schemed. Deliberate. Conscious. With will. He purposed in his heart to DO and then, GET BY with all his evil. He re-created his own Sodom and Gommorrah and knew what he was doing. If ever anyone KNEW what they were doing, it was Pete. Just look at his awesome family and the sound teaching he's received his entire life. Surrounded by godly people who KNOW TRUTH. Oh, they better not come into that courtroom saying he didn't know what he was doing, or that he couldn't help himself, or any of that ridiculous-thinking. This is an evil monster, who knew/knows EXACTLY what he was/is doing. The cold-hearted calculation was carried out with perfection. He intended everything he ever did. But whatever "good" he did, he did as a COVER! It was part of his act. A part of his deception. A diversion. It was NEVER intended for good, but only to SNARE his prey. It worked. And let's hope this judge sees it for what it truly was.
I hate it for Pete's family. They're suffering and that's horrible. BUT WE, OR THIS JUDGE, ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THEIR HURT. God will be their Comforter and Healer. And we pray and will continue to pray for them. A longer or shorter sentence will never erase the life-sentence of pain that their son has sentenced them to. Pete can't even erase their pain. No one can.
So, lest we, in our pity, lessen Pete's consequences b/c we hope this will therefore lessen the pain for the Newmans....we need to think again. 1st of all, they're gonna be in pain for the rest of their days. Only God can heal them. But more importantly, there are CHILDREN out there who are hurting and wounded and bewildered and betrayed and confused and heart-broken and in immense pain b/c of the pain that Pete Newman KNOWINGLY INFLICTED UPON THEM and HE NEEDS TO PAY FOR EVERY SINGLE CHILD HE HARMED. He doesn't have enough years left to pay the cost. These kids, and potentially THEIR kids will endure the pain for their entire lives.
We EXPECT JUSTICE here! Justice for the children.
We as a community and country, EXPECT SAFETY from him. He should never step one foot outside the prison system.
SERIAL PEDOPHILES, WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE CAUGHT/ARRESTED BEFORE, ARE SERIAL PEDOPHILES. Prior arrests are irrelevant, if we know he was a serial offender.
No prior arrests simply means that the "system" has let us down before, so the "system" had BETTER NOT let us down NOW!
Continued below...
...Continued from above...
The eyes of the nation are watching, and we don't need the media to watch. Thousands, yes thousands, of Kanakuk families and other interested citizens from all around the country, and if fact, countries all over the globe, will be tuned in come June 9th. No one but the local media may ever show up, but that doesn't mean that the world is not sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting on a JUST sentence here.
Within a minute, this news will be flung to the uttermost parts, where praying people will be waiting and holding out hope, knowing that The Ancient of Days still sits upon His throne.
Randy, I am the commenter who asked you to clarify your comments with regard to the legislature.
I wholeheartedly share your dismay at the lack of media coverage. Leaving the national media outlets out of it, where has the local and state reporting been? There has been little to no investigative reporting. If I was a reporter, I would want to know what K- leadership knew and when they knew it. Rumors abound. If he was reprimanded for playing naked games with kids a decade ago, shouldn't the directors have reported this to police at the time?
There have been thousands of kids exposed to Pete over the years. This is a huge story given the number of potential victims and the number of people who knew this man. Additionally, there are thousands of kids (two teens in my house) who have to reconcile the fact that the man who taught them so much about their faith, perhaps led them to Christ, is evil incarnate!
Many people would read/watch these stories and reports if there were any. But there aren't.
Many believe the only way this story will hit the media at large, is if Pete Newman gets less than the maximum sentence.
As consumed by this case as we all are (by we, I mean those reading and commenting on this blog) there are so many similar sorts of stories happening all too often around this country. Serial pedophiles such as Pete Newman operate the same. They position themselves to have easy and prolific access to children. When caught they leave a trail of dozens of children molested by them over many years. So this story is not completely unique.
Though, I would think the Christian slant and the years of obvious red flags while in the employ of a Christian camp would provide just enough solacious material to make it "national news worthy"...just the sort of story the public would find irresistable.
What is it about a particular story that grabs the attention of a national media outlet? Who knows. But, the large outfits, such as CNN and FOX, scour the internet daily for stories to report, usually picking them up from local media outlets. There has been so little local news or editorial coverage of the Pete Newman case it would be difficult for the national media to get wind of the situation in Branson, Missouri.
Kanakuk has done wonderful things for kids. However, they continued to let not just this incident, but other illegal activity with children, continue after being notified of the situations.
It's time for them to answer painful questions that parents have regarding their children.
There will be civil suits filed in this case, I guarantee it!
And for the record, Randy and I have really been the only people keeping up with this story because we believe the victims deserve a voice!!
Pete Newman will serve time in prison for his crimes. How much time to be determined in June.
What sort of punishment will Kanakuk Administration receive for its' crimes?
Civil suits are necessary.
Kathee
Many thanks for you and Randy's coverage of this case. It has been important not only for the victims, but also as a public service to those who care about children.
Public awareness is the way to begin to stop the exploitation and abuse of children.
so your rage is based on what you see as an unfairness to teacher. You are really interested in the welfare of teachers...not the actual events of this affair.
(quote Randy) "Actually, the problem is not with Christians and conservatives, but with legislators who have bent over backwards to single out public schoolteachers for every evil that takes place in the world, but conveniently overlook problems that come from within their base."
Pretty darn shallow, Randy...
I have to ask...do you, as a teacher, care more about students or about the care and feeding of teachers?
Me thinks you protesteth a bit too much..
Kathee, I so appreciate your reporting on this case as well.
What do you mean when you say that Kanakuk let other illegal activities involving children continue after they became aware of them? What else happened?
12:05 PM,
I think he's just pointing out an obvious double standard against people in his profession. I agree that if a school teacher did what Pete did, there would be a lot more coverage.
However, would more coverage in this case be a good thing?
As long as Pete is appropriately punished for his crimes, I see no need to take Kanakuk down with him. I definitely think they made some horrible decisions involving how they handled Pete's employment from the beginning. Some of his early actions such as the naked games, should have gotten him fired, no doubt.
However, the greater good that the camp provides to 1000's of children outweighs the need for Pete to be publicly dragged through the mud. I just hope that his disgusting actions are an isolated incident.
Katie and Riley: How are they doing? Does anyone know?
9:03--Hopefully they are moving on and trying to close the pete-chapter of their lives. Hopefully, Riley can forget, so that her grief/loss doesn't get dragged out for a lifetime.
There are two separate issues at hand.
One: Pete Newman and his molestation of many, many children which resulted in his being caught, arrested, eventually pleading guilty and now awaiting sentencing for crimes.
Two: The negligence of an organization who took on the responsibility of the care (both physically and spiritually) of thousands upon thousands of children. This negligence resulted in the number one issue above.
Broad media coverage and civil suits against Mr. Newman and/or Kanakuk is not about "dragging one individual through the mud", but rather about holding them BOTH accountable for their actions and to prevent future such incidents of occuring.
To downplay Kanakuk's role is to downplay the entire issue. The result of their negligence is horrendous. A full investigation of camp will bring to light exactly where Kanakuk failed these victims by not protecting them. Could they have prevented these crimes against children? We will never know, because Kanakuk did not follow their own rules and regulations...rules and regulations which were in place to prevent such an occurrence.
At the very least, the ACA (which provides accredidation for Amercian camps) should investigate if Kanakuk veered from their guidelines which allows camps to receive accredidation.
Kanakuk has done a lot of good over its' many years of operation. But, I beg to differ that "the greater good" outweighs the "bad" of this situation. Let the truth be revealed and allow Kanakuk to make the necessary changes to move forward and provide a safe, nurturing environment for its' campers.
I agree with all of the previous post.
Just one problem...Kanakuk Kamp is not an accredited camp. The have no accreditation by American Camp Assoociation or any other association which accredits camps, so ACA would have not jurisdiction over Kanakuk or any reason to conduct a review.
At first glance, this may seem like a red flag in itself...but, only about 25% of camps are actually accredited. To be accredited you must welcome a committee from the ACA which scrutinizes the facility from every angle before issuing the accreditation. Once receiving a ACA accreditation, representatives from the ACA will visit every two years to review the facility to determine if accreditation can continue.
There are many fine camps which are not accredited...but, accreditation from an organization such as ACA does provide one more safety feature worth considering when choosing a camp for your child.
Recently, when searching for a potential camp for our children, I came across an article (Parenthood.com) which addressed choosing a camp. It strongly suggested only choosing a camp accredited by the ACA, but also pointed out the previously stated fact that only about 25% of camps are accredited.
Accredited or not, the article gave a list of very important questions which should be answered by the camp you are considering. One of the questions (which I found very interesting due to problems now facing Kanakuk) was:
Does the camp adhere to its written rules and regulations?
The article goes on to point out that all camps have written rules, regulations, policies and procedures...but, the important questions is do they have a track record of adhering to them.
And the thing is, like most Christian organizations MORE kids will be molested in the future! They almost invite it because these closed minded Christians bury their crap like cats in kitty litter --- refusing to believe it happened. What do we expect from those who call believing in magic devine?
The perfect storm is combining the simple minded with the deceitful.
7:11, some of what you said is correct, but you don't know Christ.
To 7:11
I'm not sure what you had in mind with your post...perhaps just to get something going.
It is true people who call themselves Christian can often look very unChristlike and do unChristlike things.
However, the measure of being a Christian is Jesus Himself. And, He wasn't known to bury the truth. He faced it head on, with complete trust in His Father to bring about the results He wanted.
Sadly, one of the greatest mission fields for bringing people into a oneness with Jesus is the church.
However, there are many who call themselves Christian who truly are walking with Jesus. Those people don't bury the truth, but, in union with Jesus, they face it head on and rely on the Father to do what He chooses to do.
I think your comments are directed to those who call themselves Christian and do their own thing (67% of all adults in America), not the genuine Christian who resembles Jesus Himself.
Gotta love the wackadoodles! It takes all kinds to make this world go round.
I was a Kamper at Kanakuk. It is an amazing kamp to help young christanins whith their faith. I am shocked that someone like Newman even got a job at Kanakuk, considering all of the people there (or most of them it seems) are whole harted christans.
i am a camper at kanakuk, and have been to k-kountry.i have spent some time with pete newman ,and am shocked that he could do such a thing...i was studying to go to china with him on a missions trip..kinda glad that didnt work out.
i am a kamper at kanakuk kamps and it is the best thing of my life. i would never miss it for anything and it has literally changed me. it makes me SO sad to relive this story. as a kamper of 6 years, i was a kamper when this scandal was happening. its so upsetting that the wonderful life changing place that i call heaven, has been hell for some boys. yes, its a terrible thing. i feel terrible for the victims and their families, but there is no reason to place blame on joe white, a hero of mine, and kanakuk kamps, a place i call home.
Newmans' pedophilia existed before his ties to Kanakuk. Kanakuk fell victim to Newman as well. Terrible things happen. People deal with the SHOCK of such a scandalous and sensitive injustice in the best way they know how. They do so typically/hopefully to minimize the damage to all involved. There is no "textbook" response to evil and injustice. The process of uncovering and realizing such a horrific injustice is so complex; whether it is within a small family or a large corporation/business. I think it's really easy to judge and critizize how Kanakuk "handled" the situation; but, the bottom line is justice HAS been served~ in COURT. It is unfortunate that the positive, healing, Godly environment of Kanakuk and it's long "good standing" in the camp realm is overlooked and lost under the horrific umbrella of lingering suspicion and doubt because of a terribly unfortunate incident involving NEWMAN. This "kamp" is a microcosm of society. It is a sad reminder that EVIL can exist anywhere. People want to blame someone and are rightfully angry. However, why must a witch hunt continue to ensue toward Joe White and Kankuk? Really?? They are paying, believe me. Do you not think Joe White is horrified and devastated over this? He will have to live with this for the rest of his life. He did not ask for this and is just as much a victim in the sitation. Conservative, well connected to Christian media or not; he is suffering the consequences that no one but NEWMAN brought to all parties involved! Good vs. evil is LIFE. God/Good should prevail. A media hay day will not undo Newman's damage. Nor will destroying Kanakuk and White.
I live in the area and am also an employer. Locally it is impossible to cause a reform, being a one party system. Those of us who have to deal with Taney County. Rampant Police misconduct, and very questionable practices by Taney County administrators have called into question weather or not we have a government or a gang. Mr White can pull the right strings, we need to turn the criminal justice and political system into a revolution. Open honest discussion, and the elination of cronyism is the goal. Dangerous thought in a closed society
You can't throw Kanakuk under the bus just because one man did something that horrendous. You don't realize that this scandal did greatly hurt Kanakuk, even if it was widely recognized. That's nobody's fault but reporters who could have put it out there. Kanakuk has since placed an intense Ministry Safe training protocol for spotting people like Pete, along with background checks and other things. I have been employed by Kanakuk, and it's not fair that you are bringing this kind of information to light and not the incredible things that the rest of the employees do everyday for the kingdom of God. One man does not make the Kamp.
What is interesting is that there are still employees running camps at Kanakuk who were discovered to know about Pete's molestation activities and kept it a secret. You have to wonder why that employee is still on staff at Kanakuk when the courts found that he had kept these secrets. His name is Chris Cooper
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