I want to start by saying we attended this church for two years and were about to become members. I was teaching an Awanas class. My 3 year old was in another awanas class and I was told by another lady in the church that the male helper of the class had taken her to the bathroom, this same helper then brougut her to my class. I felt uncomfortable, because they had "rules" about adults being alone with kids of the opposite sex. My daughter never went back to the other class after this incident. Then in late January I found my daughter in a closet with a male deacon, while another man stood at the door. The man heard me calling my daughter's name, yet I had to speak to him directly about where she was. My husband and I brought this situation to the attention of the preacher. Only to be told how we would ruin the reputation of the church and the men if anyone found out. He showed no concern about the two situations with our daughter. I spoked with another deacon hoping someone would show any amount of concern, and was met with the same "the reputation of the church and men." I called the local law enforcement, as I came to find the church did not make a mandatory report, as is required of them by Minnesota law. The lady that witnessed the incident with me was never called by the preacher, even though we had asked him 3 times to do so for his report. On the phone he had told me he would reach out to the man of the house before proceeding. It never happened. Her account is not on the internal church report, but the account of two people not even present is. After the preacher told me he wouldn't read me the report because " I wouldn't like what he wrote." Then he proceeded to quote bible scripture to us as parents. I was shocked as a parent that a situation this serious was brushed off as "that's just that guys personality, we know him" rhetoric. I was tols in a voicemail, which I still have, that I was no longer allowed to teach my awanas class. After being retaliated against, and having people accuse me of trying to "damage the church.' We decided there was no way we could continue attending this church. They do not seem to care that there is inappropriate activity going on. I've since had others from the church tell me of similar incidents, that are not being reported outside of the church. This has been the most hurtful situation to happen to our family. Had I known we would be treated so terribly, and gossioed about for being "bad people," I should've called law enforcement the night it happened. Then my witness could have her voice heard as well, and the church would be held accountable for what happened to my child. read more

I know this church. It is great - full of caring people. I heard about the steeple. It had to be taken down because it had rotted out and was extremely dangerous. I'm sure that the pastor and deacons would love to talk with Mr. Lonnie F. I also have heard of the pastor he has talked about. He was not asked to leave. In fact he is still a member there, and is presently the Pastor Emeritus. read more