VIDEO UPDATE:
Here’s the video and transcript of the “Ungodly Discipline” segment aired on AC360 on the night of September 22, 2011. Kudos to everyone involved who made this story possible.
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Tonight (Thursday, September 22) at 7pm Central, Anderson Cooper (host of Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN) is airing a story that takes place in my humble hometown of Chesterton, IN. Despite all the really awesome things about this town and community that I love so much, the story isn’t going to be a positive one. Perhaps you’ve seen one of his “Ungodly Discipline” segments before on his show. Well, after airing the show, former members of the Fairhaven Baptist church are coming forward with some horrifying stories to share with national television. While I won’t know what is being brought forward in the article until after I watch the segment, I do know that former church members are starting to share their stories on Facebook.
After exchanging e-mails with some of the brave people who left the “cult,” I decided to share some of the shared stories here. The only editing I’ve done to the paragraphs below are formatting changes to allow for the content to be read easier in this blog format. (I pressed enter to make paragraphs and added titles.)
In the interest of fairness, I have no way of validating the stories below except to say that the number of witnesses coming forward is alarming. At the same time, I have no reason to doubt them, either. If it matters, I believe the victims. For my own part, I grew up in this town and live here now. With that said, my contact with this seclusive church has been extremely limited. That alone is a red flag in a small and friendly town like Chesterton, Indiana. The contact I and many of my neighbors have had in the past has been from their church’s door-to-door solicitors. On more than one occasion as children, my younger sister and I were told that we were going to hell if we didn’t go to church with them.
To be honest, their approach of selling God like obnoxious vacuum cleaner salesmen only further strengthened my Catholic faith growing up. Unfortunately, this type conduct and the horror stories from the rare excommunicated transfer students to our excellent public school also did a lot to enforce the cynicism towards religion as a whole among some of my peers.
Read the stories below and I think you may begin to understand why.
The Mexico Trip:
… This was the first major trip the youth group had taken after Voegtlin and Damron took over the youth group. Whitecar was along for the ride as well… And everyone of these guys had a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. My father was along on this trip as a bus driver along with some other old timers…R.L. Grant and Dean Leslie. These guys looked up to my dad as a sort of source of wisdom I guess…As is in any youth group the younger kids are immature…thats why they are in 7th grade. A few of the kids made some stupid mistakes, some hardly worth mentioning, yet Damron felt like he needed to come down hard with an iron fist. Darcel McCoy did something silly and stupid in the shower but was accused of deliberately trying to urinate on someones tooth brush…(He didn’t) in case you were wondering… Caleb Stockman and Tom Almanza were seen on the opposite side of the road without permission and had stopped to buy a coke or something silly…nothing really offensive or a deep sin.
The next day we were not allowed to eat lunch or have anything to drink…mind you this is Mexico in summertime 100+ degree temperature in the shade…(and at this point none of us knew why we were being punished) We spent the day knocking on doors and inviting people out to see a film at a mission church that we were there to help…It was nothing more than brick walls with a tin roof, as it got later people began to show up at the church and the girls were allowed to sit down with them…The guys were sent upstairs under the tin roof in a room with no windows or ventilation, we sat up there and waited and waited for about 2-3 hours (still no idea, and pretty hungry and thirsty and PO’d by this time…)
After the service finished we got on the bus to head back to the compound that we were staying at and were told no one was allowed to talk. We wondered if they were finally going to feed us or at least tell us what was going on… But when we got back to the gym where we slept each night we were told to get changed and go to bed…once again, no talking. By this time I knew something was up…and didn’t think for a minute that we were going to be getting a good nights sleep…
Lights had been out for about 30 minutes when the gym doors came crashing open and garbage cans went flying like an opening scene from Full Metal Jacket… And Carl Bain in all his glory yelled for us to square the deck away…now most of these kids weren’t raised in military families and had no clue they just stood there…Finally he got it across that he wanted them to clear out an area in the middle of the floor and form a circle. They then began to berate everyone in the gym, saying “You guys don’t take this serious, ‘You wanna play games?’ fine we are going to play some games!”
They called Darcel, Caleb, and Tommy into the center of the circle and sat them down in chairs next to a fan and fed them steak fajitas and sandwiches, made sure they were nice and comfortable. Then began to make us do PT jumping jacks, sit-ups pushups, bends and thrusts(ask someone who has been in the military, what bends and thrusts are) then leg lifts while Steve Damron ran around the room stepping on each persons stomach saying that if they were doing it right they wouldn’t be able to feel him…
All the while we were told that we were being punished because of the 3 in the middle…this went on for about an hour and a half with no stop. Finally we are told to stand up…and they pulled Darcel into the middle and told us what he had done…or what they thought he had done…And they began to force him to drink liquid…It started out with bottles of arizona tea and then 2 liters of coke and gallons of water…I literally watched his stomach swell up from the liquid he was trying to ingest…and as if this wasn’t enough…Jeff Voegtlin…and I’m quoting him and dare him to dispute it…said “Only a “NIGGER” would do something like what you did butch…” ( Darcel is an African American by the way) then they forced him to drink more water until he literally exploded vomited and urinated all over himself and what not every where…
Then they made him clean it up and we went back to doing more PT while they sat him back down with his compadres…they had shut the air off in the gym as well, to make it more comfortable for us…”How thoughtful” after about another 45 min to an hour of this, they once again clarified they were punishing us as a whole due to the sins of those three guys…and that they were going to go outside for a break and kept saying they trusted that we would take care of it…As soon as they closed the doors behind them the entire 60-70 guys jumped the three in the middle…
Caleb was lucky he was a bit stocky and no one wanted to mess with him…Darcel and Tommy got the brunt of it…I watched tommy’s brother Andy beat the crap out of him…hitting him with his class ring and bouncing his head off of the cement, all the while yelling that tommy had sent some poor mexicans to hell because of his playing around and not being serious… Tommy the next day could not open his eyes they were swollen shut and Im pretty sure he had one if not several concussions…both he and Darcel would have been admitted to any emergency room here in the states , but those Jerks didn’t even have the thought to check them out….(Had they died or had been paralyzed this story would have taken a much different turn)
We were then told to go to sleep and not talk about any of this to the girls the next day…
- Darcel’s Version of the Story:
The doors in the shower was broken, and I couldn’t get out. I was 13yrs old and had to pee! So I went in the shower! Since I told them “I couldn’t hold it” I was forced to drink gallons of water and coke and tea until I had to pee, then made to urinate on myself. Again, this is after puking several times all over myself because of all the liquids being forced down. (tea, coke, dirty water)- Michael’s Story:
I remember this day like it was yesterday. Now mind the fact some of things I will say came to my knowledge years after the incident. Earlier in the day when most people were getting ready to go out canvassing, word started to spread around that staff was upset and people were going to be in trouble. So some people do what survival instincts prompted them to do and that was to save their own skin and tell on others. So Don Whitecar stood up and said if anyone has any information about people breaking the rules they need to come forward or everyone in the canvassing group would be punished. So we had people fabricating stories to save their own skin. They compiled a list of about 25 people that had “done wrong.”Since they were experts at making mountains out of mole hills, they said it was a widespread problem and needed to be dealt with. This is when Sam’s story comes into play. We also had gone to Mexico with a missions group that was not affiliated with our group and took their buses and people into chihuahua. So they put us down to bed until thwarting bus kids that came with us and the bearing precious seeds people were asleep out on the bus.While the people in the middle were eating they got the list of people out and one by one called them to the middle of the circle where Jeff Voegtlin was standing with a paddle. They were saying he was the executioner and would be administering swats. after you had been called out, they read the charges against you and decided on the how many swats you were to receive. They even had an algorithm to compute swats for some. For example they would say take the number of charges, multiply it times 3 and divide by 2. If it was an odd number that you divided by then they would ask what butt cheek you wanted half the swat on. Some were told to go butt naked for their swats. After this was done, they focused on darcel and made the kid, whose tooth brush was allegedly peed on, get his toothbrush for darcel to brush his teeth with.At the same time they told all the seniors to get their nice clothes and put them at the feet of darcel so that he would wet himself and the seniors clothes so they would be upset. Now mind touch, fairhaven staff was very good at prompting others to do their physical abuse for them. When darcel drank so much that he peed himself and the seniors clothes, they got in his face calling him names and shouting at him. They then walked out telling everyone they hoped the problem would be solved when they got back. It was not Andy who beat up tom, but I will not say who it was. People need to understand we had so much animosity, hatred and emotions stuck inside of us for so long that when the opportunity for an outlet came it came out with a vengeance. We would take our frustrations of staff out on others. After the beating, they made darcel clean the bathrooms with the toothbrush and was not allowed to pee or sleep that night.
The Cover-Up:
This story took place 15 years ago, but I have people willing to tell their stories from recent years as well. Many of us were too afraid to tell our parents (we had been told not to tell a soul) who had signed consent forms to allow these guys to “be responsible” for us. The staff learned not too long ago Caleb Stockman had a similar picture of Tommy after he had been beaten. They came to Caleb and requested he destroy the evidence in front of them.My father was and is the Head of the Deacon Board there and I have been forewarned that if I am responsible for getting this story out in the news that all ties will be officially severed…this is a common occurrence among many of my friends. When they speak up against abuse or disagree with the church or Dr. Voegtlin their parents are pressured into disowning them and forbidding their other chidden from speaking to them. I hope you know that I don’t hate the “church” as much as I hate the 40+ years of abuse and ruined lives it has produced…Broken Families, Broken Relationships…
“X” Your Family:
I believe that there is abuse going on at Fairhaven. I was there from 1987 until 1992. I was affected by the way they conducted themselves and my family was affected also. There have been long term affects from the way they have raised children there and from their cruel ways and unforgiving nature. People there are taught that it is o.k. not to forgive and that it is o.k. to turn your back on your family…they say “X your family and that will erase them out of your life forever.” God says “forgive them and I will forgive you.” There is a whole lot more than just physical abuse going on there.
Striking Babies for Crying:
I personally observed some of the abuse when I babysat for one of the families in the church. It was my nursing home leader and I went home to babysit for them after our service that day. Their 2 year old daughter had fallen asleep during the service and when she got home she got 10 swats: 5 for falling asleep, 2 for crying and making noise when she was awakened, 2 for crying when told that she would be “dealt with” when she got home, and 1 for crying while the first 9 swats were being administered. They made me watch, then made it very clear that I was expected to do the same while they were gone. One of their kids did lie to me while I was there that afternoon, but I was so upset about what would probably happen that I didn’t tell the parents.
Parents Not Protecting Their Children:
I attended from 1977-1991, and to this day, I still become physically ill anytime I am in Chesterton because of this place. I pray that this exposure will finally lead to some justice for those who suffered from this awful place all in the “name of Jesus.” What was so hard to comprehend, was how the parents of these children just stood back and did nothing. Those who have children should know and understand that they are entrusted to us by God to love and protect.Personally, I did not experience any physical abuse; I did experience emotional and psychological abuse. Like many others, it has taken a long time to get through it.
I pray that something will come from this national exposure. No more children and families should have to continue to suffer.
Drowning:
I remember and still have problems stemming from the treatment I received at Fairhaven. I was physically punished falsely so many times and treated like I was worthless. I remember when my favorite teacher, who never really fit in and was often criticized, suddenly drowned in the lake behind the church. He was an expert swimmer, young and healthy and he knew the lake like the back of his hand. There was much speculation surrounding his death and it still haunts me to this day. My self-esteem has suffered immensely because of this place. Thank God that my mother left when she did.
Gun Violence:
her son suffered physical abuses and was threatened and traumatized with a gun by staff members at Fairhaven. The broadcasts, as it appears has given many courage to come forward. Praise God and may they continue to do so!!!He was held at gunpoint as a young boy by Fairhaven staff member, while they assaulted him to some measure. We are currently gathering facts and seeking a secular teacher whom consoled the boy on the matter years ago.
Satan’s Fabricators:
you know what’s funny? i remember voeglin preaching about people like us. he said we were fabricators of stories and liars. that satan uses us to try to destroy creator’s work there. i guess i now fall into that category.
3rd Place Isn’t Good Enough:
i got the hell beat out of me when i came in 3rd place at a wrestling tournament instead of 1st. can’t remember his name but the youth pastor then (short, italian guy) was also the coach. he had me box 2 9th graders. 2 10th graders. 2 jr. and 1 sr. for losing. i was only in 8th grade. clearly remember that one. i still carry some anger from that time.
I went to Fairhaven for kindergarten only…Mrs. McNeely was the teacher then and I DO remember getting swats often…maybe not daily, but probably weekly (32 years ago!)…anyhow, it didn’t take much doing to get swats…one time, I remember touching someone’s arm when we were in line to go to lunch and she made me bring my chair to the front of the classroom (that’s how it always was), bend over, and take 3 swats…all in front of my classmates…I remember pleading with her that I hadn’t done anything wrong (hands to yourselves rule?)…long busrides home from Chesterton to Lake Station and selling candy outside a Kmart in the evening…Being the parent of a now-third grader, I cannot imagine putting my kid through that school…I’m all for following rules and discipline as it’s needed, but not that kind…kids don’t need to be physically disciplined to make a point…seems like ‘spare the rod spoil the child’ took on a whole new meaning there…
@drowning – That was Mr. Hodge the 5th grade teacher who drowned the summer of ’79. One of the few teachers there that I liked. My dad wised up to their brand of crazy and got my brothers and I out of there before it was too late. 30 years later and my mom still apologizes to us for sending us there. If anyone is ever interested I have a boatload of crazy stories from that era.
Hey Michael, was actually Steve Wright who drowned. RV has a sermon on it. He was one of my favorite teachers there, a great guy who really did not fit in there or conform to their ways. Neither did Mr Hodge or Greg Smith. I have many horror stories from there as well. Those of us who did not attend church there were especially singled out. Sadly at the time, no one believed many of us, including some our own parents. Nice that some are getting together to speak out against the atrocities that were and still are committed there. I just try to remember and focus on the good times we had there. One thing I remember- was that you or your brother Dan who was a master at solving Rubix cube in no time?
Hi, this is Jenny Legan attended Fairhaven for over 10 years. I loved Mr. Smith so much, he was the best teacher! Obviously he touched so many lives by providing some much needed compassion. I wonder how his family is? Thanks for sharing some of your experiences, it feels good to be validated.
Jenny, always what happened to you, Frank and Laura. email me
Mr. Wright too was amazing, it was devastating when he drown.
I have to say, I am glad that I was taken out of there after first grade. The saddest thing about what they do there is that they have so distorted the gospel. To the point that they have probably turned more people away from Christ than they have ever helped find their Savior. Jesus said in Mathew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” They never made anything there easy on anyone. They are NOT an example of true Christians. Christ also says in John 10:10-11 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” At Fairhaven they have no idea what it means to be a servant leader nor do they care what the bible actually teaches. Those who seek will find a Savior that truly loves and cares for them and laid down his life so they may have a more abundant life now and eternal life later.
If anyone has anymore questions about this I don’t have all the answers but I can help you find them.
I have just read your post. I would be very interested in hearing your ‘crazy stories”….as would my grown children.
Don’t know if you remember me but I lived with Mr. Yingling (headmaster of Fairhaven 1974) I was severely beaten by Roger Voegtlin, that same day I was sent by my Mother to live with the Yingling family. Are you validating the abuse or do you support it. ( not to be offensive )
You conveniently left out the part where members of this church are some pretty important people in the Porter County GOP. Considering that James Snyder is running for mayor in Portage and he illegally tried to tell the church to vote against you last year I’m really shocked this isn’t a more political story for you, Kev.
James Snyder is NOT a member of Fairhaven. He took a stand against them and left. I do not defend Fairhaven and have stories of my own! I grew uo with him-he went through a lot of crap himself while he was there.
I do know this to be true. He attends a church in Highland with my mother.
HELLO YOUR SO RIGHT JAMES AND MR.JOHN HIS BROTHER DID GO THROUGH THE RINGER OUT THERE.YOU SEE MY SON WAS ONE OF THEIR I GUESS YOU WOULD SAY SPONSEES DO TO THE FACT I COULD NOT OFFORD FOR MY SON S SCHOOLING SO THESE TWO KIND HEARTED BROTHER SIN CHRIST HELPED MY SON AND AFTER THEY LEFT THER MY SON STARTED HAVING PROBLAMS .FOR ONE PASTOR WHITTERKER SLAPPED MY SON FOR SAYING SOMETHING TO A LADY OUT THERE TWO MY SON WENT ON A TRIP TO GEORGIA WITH THEM AND COMES BACK WITH A BROKEN ANKLE HE CLAIMS IT HAPPEN WHILE HE WAS PLAYN SOCCER YEA RIGHT AND STILL TO THE VERY DAY WHEN I ASK ABOUT THE SYNDER BROTHERS HE WILL NOT TELL ME.I JUST HOPE THERE WILL BE SOME THING DONE BEFORE WE HAVE A NOTHER WAC TEXAS REPLAY.
I thought that Porter was a democrat county
No, it can be hotly contested at times, but it’s still more conservative than you would think being between Lake and LaPorte Counties.
James Snyder is not a member there & it is true he took a stand & against them as did my husband & I.
James Snyder hasn’t been in the church for a few years don’t know what your talking about
Mary, I know nobody believes me when I say this, but I’m really done with playing politics for the foreseeable future. I’ll share my thoughts on issues and events, but that’s all. Besides that, as I recall, enough stink was raised prior to him doing anything that the fliers never got to the church, so whatever happened is really irrelevant.
It’s not convenient that I left out any political facts from this story. When children are being abused in our community, politics take a back seat. Let’s wait for the facts to get out and the dust to settle before you start trying to make political gains off other people’s suffering. When that happens, and if there are any connections to the Republicans in the county, I’ll join you in your criticism of those individuals… but not before.
I attended FairHaven in 95 was in vited by a friend who was a life long member and even rode the bus it was a rough time in my life and i was an adult was looking for some spiritual guidence in my then termoiled adult life
i had a back injury that couldnt allow me to sit in the hard seats at the time and had to use the rest room when i returned from the rest room the ushers told me i left during a live broad cast i was not allowed back in to go out to the bus so i did after church was done the assistant minaster told me that theyd give me a ride back home but i would never be allowed back for insulting thier telivision audiance after eading some of these stories i can only say thank god for small mericles and i hope this place gets shut down!
As person that grew up there from 1st through 11nth grade. I can confirm most of the stories, maybe not specific ones in the articles that will be mentioned but to the beatings that I saw take place. I agree that Fairhaven is too excluded from the town, but it will never be part of the town if they never realize that they wont be like until you treat unsaved people with respect. I was there on the East coast trip that will be mentioned in the CNN report. One of the few times that I feared for my safety. I was just a sophmore student on the east coast trip so I took quite a bit of beatings on the trip and through my 10th grade year.
P.S. Mary I saw your post about James Snyder, not exactly sure you know about James Snyder and Fairhavens fallout. He left the church a few years prior to the election on pretty bad terms with the church. So I dont think that he could have much say in who he could recommend to be voted on.
The isolation between the community of Chesterton and FairHaven is very nerve racking. I’ve lived in Chesterton all my life and only saw these people when they walked to church or bought groceries. They dislike communicating with “unsaved people” and always made the community feel like there was something up with this church..this news story was completely unsurprising.
@drowning..I had a very good friend at one time( she has moved away, lost contact) that after “escaping” from that cult after her family had been very involved for years, shared with me how she had information about that drowning and if she ever told she would be “murdered” she was always scared to death. She had ALOT of emotional,phycological scars from being there..
I’ve received a voicemail from someone doing damage control in the Fairhaven church, inviting me to come see their church (after arguing I was attacking God… glad to see their tactics of condemn and invite are consistent). In the voicemail, he also personally attacked two of the victims, even claiming one of them was a cross-dresser… seriously. As if that would somehow justify the abuse and hatred directed at that human being.
He also attacked CNN, arguing it was “the most liberal news network out there.” I’m sure MSNBC and the BBC will take exception to that.
There’s not a lot of uplifting stuff from these people, is there?
How about posting a transcript from the voice mail?
I came from this town and was violently harassed by them during my childhood. I lived in a small neighborhood with few children so when I discovered that there were children down the road I was more than happy to make friends. However, upon arriving for a playdate I was locked in their lightless basement and bound with jump ropes. They forced my sister and I to stare into a mirror admitting that we were from “monkeys” because we were not a part of their church. They also forced us to say that our parents were sinners and that we would all go to hell. Needless to say our parents had words when they would not release us from the basement. That same neighbor was arrested years later for beating his wife within an inch of her life. Looking at it now, Westboro doesn’t seem so bad.
My parents specifically forbid me from going anywhere near that church or its members. I never understood why until I read this. I am so happy your sister adn you escaped that situation.
When I got my drivers license one of the first places I went was around that church. I was a rebellious teen and determined to go places I wasn’t allowed to before, but was too young to go to a bar and kind of afraid to go too far from home. Call me crazy, but there was a serious gut wrenching sensation that there was something seriously wrong when I was in the parking lot. I left immediately and still haven’t returned. Im so glad my parents knew to keep me away.
I completely agree with you brian. My mom always told me that place was bad news. and when i was growing up in a mobile home community where fairhaven visited and picked up people every weekend (including my old neighbors kids), I was approached by them one day while walking with a friend. They kinda made it sound like we were all sinners and needed to be saved or we would go to hell. they convinced me and my friend to be saved that day…..honestly nothing really sank in. But now i have the wisdom to tell them to buzz off when they come to my door.
Claire sweetie, I am shocked what you said about Westboro not seeming so bad. Trust me, I can almost guarantee these same acts play out among that church as well. How can any so called christian show up at a military funeral and say that persons death was because God is paying us back for people being homosexuals? Those soldiers died protecting freedoms and trying to help others to be free of tyranny. True christians with love in their hearts and who know the one true God would never commit such a vile act. Both churches should be ashamed of themselves. I had my encounter with Fairhaven around the age of 9-11 years of age and that was all it took for me to know those people were and still are truly messed up!
@Leroy Thanks for sharing. It’s shocking and a bit disturbing for me to see how many people are coming forward now.
@Michael I’ve gotten a few e-mails about Mr. Hodge and his untimely death. It sounds like he provided a bit of a reprieve during some very stressful times for quite a few people.
Hi, The stories sound bad. Just want to give a positive one and see if it is shared. My mom’s farmhouse burned to the ground this summer. She went to the church and they took her in and let her stay there for a couple of months. She very much appreciates the church.
Thank you very much for sharing both sides of the story.
I attended that “church” for many years in the late 70′s into the 80′s. The drowning, or so said, was a great teacher, Steve Wright.Yes, indeed, this was a cover up. The recent outpouring of victims looks to be isolated to that group of people. This has been going on since the place was founded. There are sooo many more of us willing to tell what we know…and DO we know! Everything I have read is true and I personally have seen and heard these events. The mental and psychological abuse is more than the average reader could even stand to read about. If all of us were gathered in one place at one time..it would be absolutely undeniable! Keep digging
I am pretty sure that teachers name was Steven Wright. actually I am very sure.
i guess you would know, huh? i’m so sorry that all the horrid actions at that place are true. for 40 some years i’ve heard about the ‘discipline’ and the ‘saving’ and iron fist and paddle fairhaven uses, and it does make me sick. even more so for my family, two of whom have gone there, sent their children to school there and one who still supports it. i hope he sees the light.
The teacher who drowned in the lake was Steve Wright. It was during their Preaching Conference that is held every year in April. I believe the date was April 19, 1981. He was my school bus driver. I was @ FH from 1977-1991
@Laura, is this the Laura that went to school and college with me?, My dad was killed in a bank robbery shooting, I was at FH from 1977-1999 or thereabouts
The short, italian guy was Delong. I was at Fairhaven many years ago and saw so many of the same things being described above and more. I remember seeing the wrestlers starved and made to wear diapers and pacifiers around their necks if they lost. One wrestler (who lived with one of the pastors) was beaten for eating scraps meant for the dog. I received swats several times in front of the class, in a dress for silly little things like singing in the bathroom, touching the walls in the hallway, etc… They told my brothers and sisters and myself that our parents were going to hell and that we should run away and live with them. My sister was locked in a closet for dating a boy who did not go to Fairhaven. I nearly drowned when they dropped me off in the middle of the lake and told me to swim back, calling me a sissy and weanie (one of their favorite words) if I had to stop and rest. Folks, this is NOT the church as Christ meant it to be!! Don’t turn your back on God because of these people! My God is about love and mercy, not this!!
Ill never forget stories from co-workers who attended that “church” . . . It terrifies me to know what goes on behind their walls.
I would like to add something, as a long time resident of Chesterton. This story makes it seems like the whole town is like this, but in all actuality it’s just the small population of Fair Haven. I grew up in Chesterton, and I NEVER associated the WHOLE town with this one church. Aside from that, Fair Haven is also in porter. I’ve heard several first hand accounts of leaders from Fair Haven riding around in their signature white buses, trying to take children from parks and their front yards to their church. They frequent door stops, and put their children out in front of the local grocery stores for hours at a time selling candy to meet their donation requirements. More often than not, I’ve been harassed and screamed at by these people for not buying candy from their children.
Another small, but possibly insignificant thing I’ve noticed is that most women over the age of 18 are often balding on the tops of their heads. I’m not sure what this can be attributed to, but it sounds wrong to me.
I can’t support what you said enough. Although we have our problems (as does any small town), Chesterton is really a great place and does not deserve to be dragged down because of the actions of a church that isolates itself from the vast majority of our community. The same can be said of Porter, too. If I didn’t believe this was one of the best communities to live in, I wouldn’t have moved back here after serving in the Air Force and working in DC. When I have children, I want to raise them here for that same reason. We’re a community that supports one another, which is why many of us who never attended this church are reaching out to those who are fleeing it.
I had a couple with a small child come to my house & said I see your son on Sunday mornings in the yard playing n he always waves n I wanted for him to come to church with us & I’m the driver & will pick him up.. I have seen them come in my neighborhood & return the children 5 hours later on a Sunday morning. I told him thanks but no thanks we have our own church right here & we are back before they are.. I had to tell him twice NO. the people that come over to the neighbors house to mow his lawn are from Fairhaven. The kids I think the mom has 4 n no husband. the kids are weird n they have a sticker on their front window of the house FBC.. I stay away as they are a very different kind of christian.
Exactly! Most people in Chesterton will agree that FairHaven is seriously screwed up..Chesterton for the most part is completely unaffiliated.
So sad, cant believe he would say that the suicide attempts werent part of the school. Really Voegtlin go through your school and say that…
That was just the tip of the iceberg!!! So much more that could be told if people weren’t afraid.
i myself cried out about the abuse as a bus kid.I was abused by Scott hallenbeck do you remember him he would play the trombone
I worked at the Chesterton K-Mart during my teen years (1995-1997), as did two Fairhaven girls. One night I gave one of those girls a ride to the church (which also was her home) after work. She had me pull into a somewhat secluded area so she wouldn’t be seen getting out of my car. I believe that girl ended up running away and getting married. The other girl also ended up leaving and moving in with another co-worker. I will never forget how nervous and on edge those girls seemed. I also remember hearing stories about Fairhaven, but I always thought they were just rumors. I couldn’t imagine a church treating people that way. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
I grew up at Fairhaven from kindergarten to 9th grade.. I can confirm some of the stories,although, I have memories of my own that occured in our family. We are all survivors and we all were brainwashed. My heart goes out to those that endured so much.
Can the state request an abuse investigation involving the church? How can the people of Chesterton do anything to prosecute?
Kevin well researched as always. Fair haven is an embarrassment to manh of us who are evangelical Christians. These stories make me sick and hope they rip the leadership to it’s core, time they step up like men and make things right.
As for being connected to James Snyder, he left four years ago as a young husband who was sick of being bossed around by overbearing leaders. Good for him, I’m sure they have nothing nice to say about him.
I’ve read every story on here and I’m near tears. It makes me sick to stomach to know these horrible things have been going on in our community for so long. I’m lucky to have had the mother i did who said that place was no good, and i’m lucky that i listened to her of all things i never did listen too that was the thing i did right…..I hope all these statements made will not be ignored and that the people responsible for the torture inocent people had to endure will be held accountable for their actions. maybe “what goes around, comes around” wouldn’t be a bad way to handle this. lock them in a mexican jail sell and go days without food and water, brush their teeth with pissed on toothbrushes and make them do bends and thrusts til they want to puke. I think they deserve any punishment coming to them 10 fold.
In addition to the discipline issues, I have often wondered why they have never had negative press concerning the candy sales. I attended from 1979-84 and for about 12 weeks every year (6 wks in fall and 6 wks in spring) we missed every Thursday and Friday of school to sell candy. We would be dropped off all day, down town Chicago to sell candy. As a kid it was nice not to attend school, but looking back, it did not seem safe. Nor was it good for our education to miss that much school. If you did not go and sell candy, but went to school, you did not do much as most the students were gone.
Just wondering. . .
Also, how did one of us never get picked up with our ponytails and skirts at 13 being left with two bags of candy? While selling candy with my mom business to business, I DID go missing for many hours. Ended up in Cabrini Green, the police searched for me for hours, I was VERY lucky — the police thought I was gone.
I was forced to attend fairhaven from 1977 to 1
I was forced to attend fairhaven from 1977 to 1981, along with my younger sister. I was 7 she was 5. I can remember waiting for my sister to get on the bus home, mother said I was responsible for her. Staff tried to forcee to get on the bus without her. When I refused, they forced both of us to miss the bus with no way home. I had to call mother in Michigan city to come get us. Staff blamed my sister and myself stating that we were on the playground and refuses to get on the bus. The beating we took was not pleasant. It was at that point I became an athiest.
Scott,
Please don’t give up on Jesus Christ because of these horrible people who ARE NOT representative of him. My son in law was also abused there. I am praying for you both.
I lived on Oak Hill Road about a half block from Fairhaven. When I was in the womb my Irish Setter dog ran off and ended up on the Fairhaven track behind my house. At that time they had armed guards. It was shot in the leg. No compensation to my parents. Years later my dog died of cancer that started in that leg. Also, I used to play sometimes at Fairhaven playground and with the children from there. I always thought something was seriously off with those people.
I lived in Chesterton for a couple decades, and — as a Baha’i and later an atheist — often ran afoul of Fairhaven cultists. The men always had so much anger and so much hypocrisy bottled up; almost to a man, they had short fuses and a general inability to resist vice in private. But I felt sorriest for the women, who all seemed to age rapidly and shrink from human contact; they may not have suffered as much physical abuse, perhaps, but something about that environment left them shattered and fragile. Even the ones who escaped still seem to poke gingerly at the memories, like a soft spot in their skulls.
WOW, YOU NAILED THAT. YOU ARE SO RIGHT REGARDING THE WOMEN EVEN AFTER THEY LEAVE ! IT IS SAD.
I went to Fairhaven Christian Academy from 2nd through 5th grade starting the very first year the school was in operation. We were not church members and my mother made it clear that we would not be participating in all of the extra church/school events in the evenings with the exceptions of Christmas programs and things like that. We participated in chapel on Fridays and Bible class daily. There was nothing about those things that hurt me in any way. They actually made it pretty fun. Early on they really didn’t give us a hard time about not being in the church, but started pushing it more by the time I was in 5th grade. I had some really wonderful teachers there and I have to say that everyone there was very kind to me. It did make me upset when other kids got paddled in front of the class and I was terrified that I would accrue enough demerits just by doing things like talking in class or having a messy desk etc. that could cause me to get paddled. However, I never did. When kids got paddled there was no anger on the part of the principal and/or the teacher and although I’m sure it hurt, the kids weren’t being beaten. To me it would have just been the worst kind of embarrassment. Just like in any school, I can remember some teachers who were sometimes unreasonable or not particularly my favorites, occasional group punishments that were kind of ridiculous and some practices that seemed overly strict, but overall it was a good experience for the four years I went there. I cried on my last day there only because I liked most of my teachers and had nice friendships with kids, but I was ready to go the the public school. I do remember having to ride the bus home every day, and it seemed like I was on the bus forever, coming from Chesterton, because kids were dropped off at their doorsteps all over Valpo. Kids would sometimes lay down on the bus seats because they were tired, and I remember the bus driver slamming on the brakes on purpose so kids would not lay down. Sometimes you would hit your head or fall off the seat. That’s about the most inappropriate experience I had. I have heard other really negative stories over the years but I didn’t experience anything to the degree that others have described in posts above. I feel bad for those who did and I can’t say that I doubt they are telling the truth. The truth needs to be exposed and if abuse has occurred, those who are responsible must have serious consequences.
THATS BECAUSE YOU WERENT CHURCH MEMBERS ALSO SO THEY WOULDNT BE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH ABUSING YOU LIKE THE KIDS OF THE PARENTS WHO THEY HAD FULL CONTROL OVER- THE ONES WHO DIDNT GO TO BOTH THE CHURCH AND SCHOOL HAD IT EASY-U GUYS HAD AN ACTUAL REAL HOME TO GO TO -THE OTHERS DIDNT.
I agree with you Rachel. I have learned a lot since I first heard about this story and it is extremely upsetting to me. I had classmates there whose parents were involved and I wholeheartedly believe their stories. I was lucky that I wasn’t involved in that church. My mom used to try to get my brother and I to go to camp there in the summer and we fought it like crazy. Thank God we never had to go.
My step mom told me that they were crazy there. I would always see the bus coming all the nway to Lake Station to pick up people.It is pretty sad that they had to go to another county to have people attend their church. Not to mention that many people from Lake Park Residential Care attended.Some of the people there were not in their right minds to understand the things that they were doing there.Makes me wonder what else went on.
I am 15, I went to Fairheaven for 7 plus years and heard these stories but never witnessed or was apart of them. It hurts to hear these stories from people because as a child I thought that was the best place in the world. I have friends pareents who were hit or given a ‘swat’ but I thought it was a joke or lie. This church was a second home for me I could have never imagined this, but it is true. These people are people that watched me grow up and progress in life. Come to see they are all phonie. Pastor Jeff Vogtlin always seemed like a mad person, not true of what he preached. For the people who suffered I feel they are heros that live to tell the truth about the place we thought was God’s home.
Fairhaven is associated with the Hyles Anderson College. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that WJBK, a Detroit, Michigan news team, in 1993 following up on allegations in five different fundamentalist churches of children molested by church workers, traced each alleged perpetrator back to Hyles-Anderson college. This news team produced a 30-minute documentary called Preying from the Pulpit for the Detroit Michigan Eyewitness News program.Pastor Joseph Combs and his wife, Evangeline Lopez Combs were members of First Baptist Church of Hammond and Combs was also a professor at Hyles–Anderson College. The two adopted Esther Combs, who experts say was tortured for nearly 20 years. “The 410 scars she accumulated from curling iron burns, baseball bat beatings and other abuse went undetected because she was in the care of a minister and his wife, who used a cloak of religion and home schooling to isolate her.” While one babysitter testified “that they suspected Esther was mistreated but didn’t want to contradict Combs, who had been their Bible professor at Hyles Anderson College.”Furthermore, another babysitter testified she “reported her suspicions to the college president, but apparently nothing was done, she said.”
This bunch will rationalize any behavior. I didn’t like them in 1968 and I like them even less in 2011. I would not do business with anyone associated with any of these cultish places. A different but similar place wanted me to teach math to their students and I just conveniently added their number to my blocked list.
This is absolutely ridiculous, child abuse happening in our own community, I can’t just look away, if this man was drown, the way they have their little community back there, no one would know, it would be totally covered up, how do we know children havn’t been killed something has to be done to stop this, these people need to file lawsuits against these attackers. Totally appalled at this whole thing, investigations need to be done, all those children in that community need the # to cps
I was born and raised in Chesterton and know very well of this “church”. I have 5 step children that used to attend the church every sunday. So help me god if I ever find out that any of these things happened to my children……
I too grew up in Chesterton but not in Fairhaven. The rumers I had heard while in my youth were scarey and unconcievable, so I stayed away and avoided going that way while driving. I recently found out my ex-daughter in-law sends my grand-daughters there for sunday school. I am praying to God that these acts of abuse are not going on at this time.
I remember going to that church on Sunday’s back in the 80′s. Man, I was only 10-12 years old then and i knew something was VERY wrong! The church services were all day long on Sunday’s. The church school bus would pick us up around 99am and we would not get back home till about 4pm. They bribed us with candy a lot and they were very strict.
As I got older, I always felt that place was a cult…
It is an evil place!!!
I wrote the accounts you wrote here kevin and stand by my eyewitness accounts…and this is only the tip of the sword…more to follow soon. Those who called you are former classmates of mine and blindly follow and support the leadership there..they went as far to even contact my pastor and try to damage my credibility. They are brainwashed and more full of hate and venom than any of those who have spoken out against the abuse.
Please continue to keep me informed. There are a couple things I’m investigating privately based on all the e-mail reports and some of the comments included in this post. If it turns up anything, I’ll be sure to let you know in case anything I find can help you out.
To put everything in perspective, I’ve received all the comments here plus about 40 e-mails from former members of the church claiming the presence of abuse. Only three people have written to defend the church, but their comments have been blocked because of the hateful nature of their rhetoric.
Kevin can you reconsider printing the responses in defense of Fairhaven? Let them discredit themselves. The more people that see the attitudes from the supporters the better.
If I did that, I would have to start letting 9/11 Conspiracy nuts and racists comment, too. When I first enabled comments on KTracy.com 6 years ago (I didn’t even want comments for a long while), I made the decision that I would promote healthy conversation, not conversation and debate for their own sake. As a result, (as I like to boast) the intelligence of those that leave comments on my website is higher than average. While I lack the sheer quantity of comments and the frequent dramatic fireworks created by outrageous and offensive claims made therein, many of my readers have found the comments on my site to be more insightful and therefore more worthwhile. Not only does this give readers a reason to come back, but it allows them a safe place to express their intelligent views.
And before I get the all too familiar line about censorship, everybody’s views can be found on other websites and everyone is free to express them there.
I am currently blocking 6 comments written by 3 people. They’ve done nothing but attack the victims, attack other churches, and attack other schools. Obviously, they deny what everyone here has said. Does anyone need to read their hateful rhetoric to reach that conclusion? No. Therefore, because they lack any value, I’ve decided to block them.
OK
No, you would not have to let 9/11 conspiracy nuts and racists comments also. But It would be possible to blot out any offensive words. You do seem to have a bias, albeit slight, against these people in the way that you phrase things, such as the use of words “cult” and “nuts” I am not exactly sure how you would define “cult” or “nut” If these people are stating things like that, it would do a great deal to shed perspective on what these people are truly like. I understand that because this is a private site, the constitutional protections on free speech do not apply, but It would be enlightening to see the state of mind of these people directly instead of second or third hand.
I’m actually working on getting that voicemail onto the computer for everyone to hear. I’m not allowing comments though.
Thanks. I think that it will be enlightening.
ok look, I don’t feel that it is right to have Fairhaven smashed and not let anyone defend themselves. I will not bash anyone in this and I don’t know if this will get posted but I attended Fairhaven for college I have not yet finished and do plan to go back. I have no complaints about Fairhaven the teachers were great and I had a family that really adopted me and treated me better than my own family ever has. I don’t know what you people got from Fairhaven but I only received the best treatment and I just left in July of this year I hope you will understand that not all or even colse to all about Fairhaven is bad and many kids grow up to love it by the way the family that adopted me was the Almanzas and Andy and Tom have no problems from there and one of my roommated married Caleb and he is still happily there. hope you post this
I happen to agree that not everyone there is a horrible person. I think everyone would agree on that. The problem most people have is with the policies and behavior (especially surrounding the abuse and humiliation of children) of certain church leaders. Scroll up if you want to see who.
If anyone is doing the good men and women of Fairhaven an injustice and giving them a bad name, it’s the Fairhaven leadership.
Kevin could you privately email me those emails…I am working on a book as well as a documentary with some others i grew up with…
Dear Kevin,
Maybe you could search for these guys. I personally wittnessed Dan Delong and Bill Behrens beat up these guys. Danny Anderson and Morris Scaggs. I have always wondered if they made it. Another name you might want to check into is Eric Whittey. He was in my class at Fairhaven and they were very cruel to him. You might want to check the stories in the NewsDispatch to see what he and his brother were convicted of doing.
Hi Jody: I remember you being in my class at Fairhaven. How are you? I was surprised to see Fairhaven discussed on CNN. I can’t believe it’s taken this long to get someone to investigate them. I pray God sends someone with great courage, intelligence and endurance to bring this entire place to justice. All these years and so many abused children, women, men, etc. Truly breaks my heart. -April Baumgardner
Jody, We are starting to put together a Landmark reunion for the class of ’83 and friends in the years around that? interested? Say Hi to your family.
i never attended this church but i can attribute to how deranged these people are. i was with a driving with a friend and just happened to turn around in their church parking lot to go towards chesterton. two people followed us from the lot…. all the way to portage, before turning around. these days, i dare one of these psychos to try it.
Unbelievable!!!! All in the name of GOD? If these accusations are true these people need to pay for the crimes they commited! Another Waco Texas waiting to happen again!
Folks, I’ve received so many e-mails thanking me for having this post up and letting everyone share their experiences in a safe place where the community will be free to hear the point of view of the victims. I’ve also been inspired by all the members of the local community outside the church who have stepped up and shown their support for the victims. I just want to take a moment to thank everyone for speaking up.
The days ahead are going to be very interesting now that the truth has been exposed before the nation and our community.
Mr. Tracy,
Don’t you understand? You’ve only scraped the surface of this. Fairhaven went through several child abuse cases back in the 70′s and 80′s and managed to get through without a scratch each time. The reason they slipped through is that no one would ever stand against them. Now, with a forum such as this, there is an opportunity for a lot of us to push back without fear of reprisal. We should make the most of this chance. If I had to name some defendants from my own experience it would be DeLong, Behrens, Yingling and Voegtlin. Not even sure whether these guys are still alive – in a perfect world they would be alive, able to stand trial and be able to live a few years in jail.
I don’t think I can say this enough. I am truly amazed by the incredible number of people coming forward from the 1970s to the present day. Typically, only a small percentage of abused individuals in cases like this will step forward. Even if that percentage were tripled in this case, the volume of people coming forward now gives us a terrifying idea of just how wide spread this problem is. Whether at the hands of a jury or the hands of God, I am confident these people will know justice one way or another.
But because I want the truth to be exposed, I hope like you that a jury will get the first crack at it.
I have lived in this area all of my life and have heard stories about this church and the people who went there. My one experience with this church was in the mid 70′s. My sisters and I were invited to attend Sunday school by one of our neighborhood freinds. I don’t remember much about the sermon, but what I do remember is – we were in a large gym, and on the stage there was a metal garbage can and they put a boy in the can pored gasoline or something on him and lit it on fire. You could hear the boy screaming, at the time a thought there must be a trap door under the can and the boy wasn’t really on fire, but after reading all these accounts maybe they did actually burn that boy. We went home and told our parents what had happened, the next time their church members came to our front door my dad told them to get the **** away from us. I hope something is done to close that church and the people who run it burn in hell.
Lisa, That’s by far the worst thing I’ve heard of any of these reports. I admittedly have a hard time believing that could have actually happened, but maybe there’s someone here who went to the church that can better explain what you saw. That’s extreme, even by the standards of monsters.
this was done on Halloween they used to do haunted houses and stuff…i can assure you they never set a child on fire…
I am so glad this finally has come to light in the Northwest Indiana community. I grew up during years of ’81-’96 in a close-knit neighborhood that included 2 large families from Fairhaven. We would play with the younger kids if they were “allowed”. As a 10 year old kid i never thought the huge black eye and other bruises on one of the boys were signs of abuse. One girl was my friend and would come over sometimes. I also attended bible school meetings in their home that were oodd. There we would listen to a story and the leader would give us candy as bribes to do various things. They would then ask us to get on the church bus on Sundays. I always had a creepy feeling. As we grew older, she told some horror stories about the way her dad and the people of the church were treating her. I wanted to help her but then I stopped seeing her for 2 years. She was never outside and no one would answer the door. Then when I was 20 we ran into each other again. I was happy to hear that she had left the church but her family had isolated her and her life was spiraling out of control due to stress-related disorders and drug addiction. She disappeared again but I still pray for my friend. I have alot of memories about those poor kids that I am not sharing. Yes “this IS the tip of the iceberg”. So relieved for those who can now tell their story without reaping punishments from the church! May justice be served iin this matter! This church has affected people in any community populated by their members. Not just Chesterton.
My last name is very familiar to anyone that went to Fairhaven for any length of time. My family was one of the first families that joined. We started attending in 1970 at the Sand Piper Restaurant in 1970. I was five. I left Fairhaven in 1988 after going from 2nd grade to (when the school started in 1972) until I graduated from the Bible College and was married at Fairhaven.
Fairhaven was great in the beginning. It was a real church with a real mission and growth happened fast. I remember the push for 300, then 700, then 1,000, etc. With growth came the Academy (of which my dad was the headmaster), then came the college along with many accolades from across the IFB movement (e.g., World’s Fastest Growing Sunday School, Bob Jones Founders Award, and an Honorary Degree among others).
Things changed. Fairhaven was evolving while it was growing. There was an ugly battle with the welfare department of which my dad was involved. The excitement grew into duty; love and joy were eventually replaced by fear and manipulation. My family was ultimately targeted and persecuted for years because my dad was not a “yes man” and did not always fall in line. I have had 23 years now to analyze and agonize over my own abuse and humiliation at Fairhaven. Many of the stories that are recorded here are not completely factual (e.g., it was Steve Wright who drowned not Mr. Hodge, there was no burning kid in a trash can). Nevertheless, there was a subculture of fear and manipulation that developed over a period of time that has every mark of a cult. The result is that hundreds of lives have been destroyed and scores of families have been shattered.
My point in all of this is to be a help and encourement to any ex-fairhavenite. By the grace of God I have been able to shake off the shackles of this abuse and have been free for some time now. I know that many of my friends and fellow ex-fairhavenites have not been able to do this. There is life after Fairhaven. It is found in the lovely person of Jesus Christ. In fact, God has used the scars that are still present in my life to force me to lean on His strength. I thank God for them; yet, I would never wish what me and my family endured on anyone.
John, your post is so well written and I am so proud of you for writing it. My prayer is that each and everyone of you who have suffered because of mis-guided people, can find peace and forgiveness of those who caused your suffering.
Dear John,
Oh how eloquently you have written. I will always defend your father because he stood up for me when Roger was over spanking me back in your dads office. I have told my children the story over and over again about the time you fell asleep in church after a rough weekend with bus duty, and Roger singled you out and made you stand with your nose against the pulpit for the rest of the service. I too have had 23 years to come to grips with what happenend to me there and I think it is time that Roger, Dan Delong and Bill Behrens have to account for how many lives they have touched? Do you remember the movie they had us watch put out by Bob Jones University? I think it was The River Runs Red or Red Runs the River? I still at the age of 46 have nightmares over the three scenes that stick in my head. The pencils beings shoved into the boys ears, the children dropping their father on to pichforks buried in the ground and the decapitation of the boys head and it rolling down the street.
My husband and I just purchased a house in the Morningside subdivision, down the road from the church. I guess they had tried, unsuccessfully, to take over that subdivision in the past. I dare them to come knocking on my door. Will not be a godly experience for them.
Hyles Anderson is NOT related to this church. Someone has been misinformed. Sorry to hear about all of the terrible things. Everyone involved will be in my prayers.
I feel like I am coming out of denial about all this. I didn’t experience any of what has been described because I left the school only four years after it opened when I was in fifth grade and I wasn’t a church member. I have a few old classmates on my Facebook page who stayed there and went to high school and/or college. They are corroborating some of these stories and saying that they were shocked that the Pastor bold face lied and didn’t defend these actions with biblical principals. Apparently some of these stories were used by some of the teachers as warnings to keep the students in line over the years. I went to the Facebook pages of these former classmates to see what they were saying, expecting them to say these accounts weren’t true or were highly exaggerated. However, the opposite happened. A few of the specific stories were corroborated. These are good people and they were good kids. This investigation needs to be taken much farther.
I lived in Chesterton for about five years. During that time, I frequently had coworkers who attended Fairhaven as my workplace was close by. Those coworkers were really kind, honest people. On several occasions I gave one of my Fairhaven coworkers a ride back to his church at night time. The place is exceedingly creepy–it strikes you immediately as being totally isolated and self contained. It is also guarded–my coworker instructed me to flash my lights (or some similar signal, it was years ago) to indicate that I was “okay”. My coworker told me that I might be followed as I leave the Fairhaven grounds, but that there would be no trouble since I had a legitimate reason to be there. One of my Fairhaven coworkers also told me that they had an armory of some kind. Needless to say, the place is unsettling.
This is hearsay, and I can’t confirm it, but I’ll relate the tale for what it’s worth. Some of my coworkers knew the local police pretty well. Apparently a police officer entered the Fairhaven grounds on one instance. I can’t remember what he was doing there, whether he was called, or whether he entered for his own reasons. But upon entering, he was told by a guard that they had everything under control, and to leave. Obviously this in itself is quite innocuous, but when you consider the isolation of the place, and the accounts that are being related on this website, it makes you wonder.
I attended Fairhaven from “79 until my graduation in “85. I can personally attest to the abuse, as I both observed and experienced it, both physically and emotionally. There were many times when I was “spanked”, which was really beaten with a paddle. Most of the times it was only 3 swats, but they were excessively hard, to the point where they nearly or actually knocked you down, and it hurt to sit for some time afterward. There were 3 occasions where I was beaten more severely than that. These were not in front of the class, but in an office. Like 5 hard swats, talking to, 5 more, repeated several times. And these were not with those novelty paddles they showed at the end of the video. These were big professional paddlin’ boards. Once was made to pull my pants down, in front of other boys. The big offensive sins to deserve those- goofing off during detention, and being alone in a room with a girl. Wonder what they would have done if they found out that girl and I were making out before we were seen in there. And she was a pastors daughter as well. The physical abuse was only part of it. Physical conditioning was next to Godliness for these people, they must have been insecure in their own manliness to act this way. Dan DeLong, Chris McNeily were offenders in this, but at the time to me the worse was Billy Smith. I think he was in college there at the time, then on staff. He was obnoxious, foul tempered, would constantly call anyone who did not perform to a physically high standard a sissy or faggot. He would push us around, trip us in the hallways, constantly berate and belittle us. There was was to intimidate and try to put the fear of God in people. All it did was make me want to rebel even more. How they get so many people to attend there by forcing religion on them is beyond me. When I left there, got out on my own, I wanted little to do with church. I now realize that live is about a relationship with God, and not religion.If we draw close to God, they we will realize what we need to do to live our live in the right way. Unfortunately, there are pious self righteous zealots like at Fairhaven who belive it is their God-given duty to force religion upon others.
Now I am going to play the devil’s advocate here, and say that most of the people from Fairhaven at the time I was there were decent and well meaning, but brainwashed into the wrong ideals and system. RV and the other pastors, staff, and members of Fairhaven need to realize that to quote their favorite saying “being right with God” is not about following rules, looking and acting a certain way, or being a member of a certain religion. It is about having a true heart for God, for showing the love that He showed us by sacrificing Himself through His Son to save us of our sin. Living life as a true Christian is about reaching out to others in love and truth, and building positive relationships with others and bridges into the community. It is no coincidence that Jesus was born to and raised a carpenter- someone who builds and fixes things.
I used to have hate and resentment for what was done to me by these people, but have completely forgiven them. I can even say that I love them, even thought I hate what they have done.
I am hoping RV and others from Fairhaven are reading these posts and can understand what is going on, take responsibility for it, and make positive changes to correct it.
I was a bit dissapointed, but not really surprised to pick up today’s Chesterton Tribune and not see a single thing about this. I found out about this on my Facebook at 5AM today, so there’s no way this story didn’t make press time for a paper that releases it’s editions in the afternoon. A quick scan on the NWI Times website also didn’t turn up any results. Shame on you Northwest Indiana newspapers.
I attended the college at Fairhaven for one semester in 1989. I worked in the church nursery for 2-3 year olds the first sunday I was there. I was instructed to line the kids up and take them to the bathroom. Many were little and needed help in the stalls and as I helped child after child, I realized the vast majority of those tiny little bottoms were covered, and I mean covered, in black and blue bruises from being spanked. I almost threw up in the bathroom as the room spun. I ended up refusing to work in the class and regret to this day not telling anyone about it. I only lasted one semester at the school as I realized what a cult it was. Those bottoms will haunt me til my last day. I also heard many stories about how the little boys were forced to box eachother silly in boxing matches in order to show them how to be real men. That place is pure evil
.
Tricia, my wife just recounted to me this exact story, and then I read your account a couple minutes later. And I know you and she both can give other stories that will make hair stand on end.
Tricia,
I remember you – you were my room mate. I too had the same experience in nursery changing a diaper on one of the staff members children – it made me sick. I also saw the abuse and experienced the pressure to be what they thought we should be. They told us what we should weigh and weighed us every quarter – do you remember that? Girls would starve themselves and sleep in garbage bags, take pills whatever it took to try to reach unobtainable goals – some even ended up in the hospital and were told not to say anything about the weight program. I had a close friend that ended up battling bulimia which started at college when she went for help they told her it was her problem and they were not the cause.
I was there when a staff member was found guilty of sleeping with a former secretary and her college daughter -while he was married and had twin daughters. He had beat one of the girls with 100 swats and she bled so badly her clothing stuck to her – remember he was the dean of students that came from Terre Haute. Girls were constantly looked down upon and treated badly. It is cult and I regret attending and despise my diploma – Pastor Voetglin was not concerned about the students I went there four years and never one did he speak to me.
Dr. Behrens lied about alot of things, Pastor Delong played favorites and many things were covered up. It is a haunting memory I like to forget.
Hello there my name is Jeremiah Souza. I want to thank everyone for their support especially after the airing last night. I want to sat that my story as well as everyone else’s who was interviewed was true although RV lied. This is just the start and I ask for your continued support and please don’t be afraid to speak out. You never know who you may help!!!
Like other people who have spoken out, I was confused and saddened that this wasn’t mentioned in either the Chesterton Tribune or NWI Times. The fact that major local newspapers would completely miss a story which involves the abuse of so many people in our community is shocking, to say the least. Hopefully they were just doing independent research for later papers.
But especially if they don’t stand up and report what’s happening, everyone needs to keep talking so the rest of the community knows what’s happened there.
Fairhaven Church and Academy has a strong influence on the area, who would dare speak the truth about what really happens there.
So much emotion is evoked within me. For so long, I knew how messed up Fairhaven is and just couldn’t believe it still continues in the same way.
If you are investigating, wanted to share the worst experience I can recall in my many years there. A girl by the name of Lori Loder. She was adopted by the Loder’s, slightly overweight as a maybe 12 to 15 years old (I can’t recall which year). While as a child, I was unaware of any testing of her mental capacities, it is my belief she was a bit slow, slightly mentally handicapped or at least a low I.Q.
But according to Fairhaven there is nothing that prayer can’t fix, so that is not an excuse. So when Lori wouldn’t or couldn’t get the grade in school, she was beaten, badly. Also, she was starved — she was depraved of food, to make her loose weight, in a very short period of time, she was skin and bones. Just thinking about this poor girl makes my stomach turn to think of what she went through. I befriended Lori and tried to help her study to help her grades so she wouldn’t be beaten. I noticed that there came a point where she no longer sat in her seat, instead, she would lean forward on her arms — all day, never letting her bottom touch the seat. While changing our clothes for gym, one day I followed her into the shower stall, just to put on our coulottes for gym. I saw with my own eyes why she never sat down,she had scabs, upon scabs from just above her knees all the way up her legs, her bottom and even the lower back. How these didn’t get infected or cause disease, I’ll never know?
Without her knowledge, I helped her cheat on a spelling test, when she got the “A”, she was beaten for lying all the previous times because see if she worked hard and prayed she could get the grade. The “A” was proof. I felt horrible.
After I was expelled, coincidentally for reasons connected with Frank’s expulsion, I always wondered what happened to her. I was personally good friends with both Frank and especially Cathy — I recall the episode where he was forced to wear a dress. He was telling the truth. They always did degrading things like that to the boys, my brother being on the wrestling team has a laundry list of stories. My sister was RV secretary. Sorry to be lengthy but it was time to share some of these horrific memories.
Lori’s father was the high school math teacher at Fairhaven for some time — if I noticed what was happening, believe me so did the administration. They I believe applauded turning these adopted souls over to God and breaking their will in the process.
I too remember Lori Loder. I have been reading these comments and I thought of her first thing and what she went through. I sat next to her one year, I was in 7th and she in 8th. She would tell me things about her home and I felt so bad for her. She was whipped with “the rod” I am guessing it was a cane of some sort. She told me that after Loder beat her the rod was all bloody. She could hardly sit she was in tears. That poor poor girl. I wonder where she is now and if she was able to get out of that house.
I attended Fairhaven Baptist Academy in Chesterton, IN back in the 1980′s. I witnessed abuse of students, alot of mental cruelty, mind games and violence. The educators spent less time on academics and more time on writing up demerits for “normal” things that kids do, even walking briskly or fast could rack up demerits, should the student receive 10 demerits, he or she would eventually be administered swats in front of the classroom students. The pants would be dropped and hands placed on chair, and I saw the principal administed an additional set because the boy was not positioned properly for swats. I witnessed a teacher drag my brother across the hall and take him to what I recall was a storage closet.
UPCOMING PROTEST!
This is to let everyone know that there is a protest scheduled at the Fairhaven church tomorrow evening (Sunday) at 5pm. The protest is being made up of victims, ex-members, and concerned members of our local community.
I know I don’t have to stress this with anyone, but this is going to be a PEACEFUL gathering to protest the abuse happening at the church. The event will be covered by the NWI Times. If you can, bring signs citing relevant Biblical passages or cameras to make sure the event is documented. Most importantly, bring yourself and help us represent the good nature of the Porter and Chesterton community.
Here’s the event page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137985006299017
Do you know if we will be meeting at a spot so we can all go there together, so we aren’t walking around looking for other protestors? Since it is their anniversary I am sure there will be a lot of people there and it would be nice to know who was there for the protest.
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Sitting in class, I can still recall hearing the sound in the distance of a doorknob being turned, unlatched and drawn open, and then the door would slam closed. It was quite a distinctive sound, especially in the hands of the principal. Even five classrooms away you could still feel the anticipation in the air as you waited for the sounds to begin. Wait, could it be a false alarm? Then the sound as the paddle hit some poor soul down the hall in another classroom. Oh, my! Slowly you would hear the paddle collide with some young souls bottom. One. Two. Three. Wait for it …then a pause. Then that sound again. One. Two. Three. The ritual would repeat until again you would hear the door close and another open, each moment bringing the torment closer to you. Oh, my, the anxiety that would reek havoc on your stomach!
Remember what it felt like when you were up for swats? Try paying attention to your teacher with that external distraction! On this particular day, my name was on the rooster of those to be disciplined for having received my 10th demerit. My palms sweat as the door to my classroom swung open. In walked Mr. Yider (I hope I got his name right), as we all clamored to our feet being sure to award this paddle-bearing man the proper amount of respect required. Mr. Yider looked at the 23 students standing, silently hands at their sides, paused than nodded, stating “You may be seated.” Girls were always first, not the first time that being a girl really sucked! At least my name is halfway through the alphabet. Avoiding eye contact with anyone, my eyes worked very hard to focus on nothing, nothing at all. The blood drew to my face, and the rosy color rose by the second. Mr. Yider opened the white manilla envelope that housed the demerit records, his swat rooster for the day. As he shuffled papers, “Jennifer Legan” he stated, he looked up at me, directly in the eyes. My heart sank, I was the first, no other victim to go first? Thus, making my punishment even more humiliating. As he shuffled through the papers, he called a few more names but all I heard was the rush of the blood pounding in my ears. When he stopped, he looked at me. I stood at my desk pulled out my chair and preceded to carry the chair to the front of the classroom. Being sure to place the chair with the back facing closest to my body and the seat facing the chalkboard, I placed my hands on the back of the chair, bracing myself and waited for the first powerful strike. Living in this moment you feel so awful, it is excruciating. Embarrassed, scared, nauseous … you want to run or just disappear…but where is there to run, how can you fade away from this scene?
So, instead you wait and then as he raises his arm large paddle in hand, I breathed in deeply and then felt the you the rush of air as his arm forcefully advanced toward my rear – the paddle connect with my 8 year-old behind, my skirt jumped, lifting in a swooshing manner from the air forcing the fabric to move, my body jerked forward, the chair despite my body weight came off the ground. I was startled, hurt, my eyes fought back the tears, in my head I screamed at myself, “Don’t cry, don’t cry!” Knowing from experience, I quickly braced myself for the second swat, trying not to think of all my peers, staring at me. And then again his arm swiftly and intentfully brought that big, thick paddle down, my body and clothing once again jolted forward and again I braced myself for the final blow of the day (or at least until I go home.) As I sucked in my breath, and fiercely held back the tears, I brought myself to say those humbling words, they so wanted to hear, “Thank You Very Much Sir!” before I returned to my seat. And the next student took my place.
Mr. Bob Yockey … that was the principal’s name during that era!
It has come to my attention that rampant sexual abuse has occurred, in currently going on and is covered up by church officials. Do you want to make the abuse stop? We need victims of sexual abuse to come forward. Legal steps can be taken.
Molestation is broken into two classes; one where the perpetrator is over the age of 21 and used threats or serious injury has no limitation. If this happened 30 years ago, the perp can still be punished. If no threat of harm occurred, the abuse has to have occurred within the past 5 years to take legal action.
In Indiana, a Class A felony has no statute of limitations. That means that any act of child molestation that involves a significantly older person, weapons or threats, serious injury, or drugging a child (without their knowledge) can always be prosecuted in Indiana. Child molestation as a Class B or Class C felony comes with a 5-year statute of limitations, although it may be extended a year for reasons such as the discovery of DNA evidence.
Send Kevin an email if you have information. I will work with him to get this to the proper authorities. The abuse has to stop.
Kevin – Will you please email me? Thanks
Will do.
I personally have witnessed and experienced many things there, horrific things; thus some of which I will not mention. Roger E. Voegtlin for starters is a habitual liar. He is the worst, most atrocious man I have ever met in my entire life, my entire life. He lies continuously in attempts to cover his trail of deception. I would like to start by asking Roger and his first lady, Sharon, “Where are all those so called strong Christian families and marriages you claim your church has built and continues to build? Most have left and left in many cases under destructive terms and with extremely negative results. The old timers that remain there are either disassociated from their children, as you are, or they are victims or perpetrators of your abusive heresies, dogmas, and ideologies.
Frank’s experiences, for example are bold face lies on Roger E. Voegtlins part. You see, I attended Fairhaven between 1977- and 1992. You did beat him to a pulp, up and down his legs, lower back and buttock, to the point where he could hardly change during wrestling because of the pain he had in the blood welts. This done and seen on many occasions. “Another big lie of yours was you did not make him wear a dress.” Hey, we all know this for a fact as we saw him parading around in a dress doing detention throughout the compound, in a dress, and he even did detention in the bus barn with Mr. Stockman. It comes as no surprise though that you still continue to lie, must be a “bad habit”, that is how you always have built this church, with lies and bad destructive habits.
We remember and will not forget. What about your x staff member, MB and yourself, whom beat their adopted child to the point of bloody welts all over the upper legs, lower back and buttock? You see, when the kids squirm from pain, REV, says it is rebellion so they cut lose even more and begging beating the kids all over. We are trying to find old sermon tapes that prove this. This particular child was spit upon and punched in the face by step mom, “evil witch”, and to imagine her husband is an evangelist today. The back of this child was beat so badly that three disks had to be removed from lower back and replaced with plates and screws. The doctors, btw, say it resulted from trauma and not wear or genetics.
What about the lie of telling CNN, on national television, you did not have any prior knowledge of the Mexico Mission’s trip beatings and abuses? Well, we know for sure you have known for about 5 years at least. Most likely longer as you and your minions like bragging to one another about this kind of sick stuff. It was all over the internet, even before that on the IFF. Don’t you recall you and Mr. M. having a heated argument in the hallway when he gained knowledge of the incident ten years later, as he was upset for this being kept secret for ten years and even being kept secret from parents; hence making the boys lie to their parents telling them they fell down some stairs in Mexico; thus provoking them to lie to their parents for ten years or else.. EVERYONE in the halls heard it. It was so dramatic that Mr. M. left cause he wanted no part of you and your children’s’ deception and heresies.
Just remember, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. Also remember whom the Lord Loveth he chasteneth. We rejoice in our chastisements from God, as this is evidence of our heirship; yet those whom are bastards receive not the chastisements of our great God because they are bastards, as in non sons and daughters of God. However God’s wrath pours against the unjust in due season. So take that smug off your face, as depicted towards the end of the CNN interview; a fair caution, it is not over yet.There should be no sigh of relief on your face, ever.
Oh and lastly, the child beat and punched by MB recieved a broken nose at one point from the brutal beatings.
My sister sent me this and reading the stories brings back a lot memories. I went to fairhaven from 78-82. Basically kindergarten through 3rd grade. I remember the spankings and mr yockey standing in the room with a paddle after coming back from a trip to the bathroom. I was a bad kid so I probably deserved it, although how bad can a 5 yr old be??
We went there because it was the only private school in the area at the time and thats what my father thought was best for us. It wasnt for the religious perspective, I am jewish, although I wasnt religious at the time. I remember one time I came home learning all kinds of four letter words from the pastors son that I shared with my dad and my father confronted him. He ignored it and said it wasnt his kid and that my father was lieing. I ended up going to public school the next year along with my younger sister. I was academically ahead of everyone. I was 4 when I started kindergarten although if I went to public school I wouldnt be able to start until I was 6 so thats why we went there.
I was too young to remember the many of the experiences there. I remember the cross country runs around the lake, the wrestling coach delong and his son chris, the 1hr bus rides home to westville, the library, etc….. One thing that sticks out of my mind was my mother called the school to let them know president reagan was shot. Nobody knew because many of the members didnt and probably still dont have a television in their homes. I remember them coming to the classroom and letting us know. I believe alot of these stories the place was nuts and we got out at the right time.
Wow….I recognize many names here.
I also know all of the stories and many that will never be spoken of.
Yes, I’ve waited a lifetime to read these postings. I was there from 1976 to 1983 as a JH & SH student. I saw the many, many abuses to young kids and athletes there. The same abusive “men” beating on boys and girls day after day in class and far worse, at sports practices; our coach with his beloved “big ben” canoe oar that he carried around wrestling and soccer practice, ready to beat us with it.
I think he was making up for his lack of height!
He would chase us around Fairhaven lake with that sawed off, taped-up oar. What a coward!
I’ll never forget when the coach squeezed Ivory liquid soap down one of the wrestles’ throat when he was overweight before a match. Or when he would make us wear diapers for having a dreaded ‘hand ball’ during a soccer match. Nice guys.
These people were, and likely still are animals.
I contemplated writing a book about the many painful abuses I saw and lived there, but frankly I feared that I would end up dead.
About five years after graduating high school there and leaving the church/school, I was in my own home with my wife and a few Fairhaven friends. We were discussing some possible scandalous things going on there at the time. Word got back to the church and the next day one of the pastors (the aforementioned abusive coach, no less) showed up at my PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT with a private investigator wanting to know what was said in my own home!
Fairhaven didn’t play around. Intimidation was their M.O.
As an aside and with much respect, Steve Wright was a wonderful teacher who never abused. He was guilty of being used in the system, but his drowning was very sad. He was a good man and a great teacher. i remember the day it happened; he was teaching P.E. at the lake with canoes and one of the canoes overturned. He dove in to help the floundering students, but he had no life vest (they did). It was April and the water was very cold. He suffered a heart attack and drowned.
Nice job. Don’t think I ever quite realized just how MUCH you endured there. Glad you can finally speak up. Three good things about the publicity: others have a better understanding, you don’t feel so much like the lone ranger, and it may force a positive change.
My name is Alison Lavery, and I was part of the CNN interview. One of the sickest parts of the spankings that were given by the Principal was that he took particular enjoyment in breaking a wooden paddle on a childs butt. I saw several paddles broken in my time, and the Principal would laugh about it. We haven’t even touched the tip of the iceberg with the abuse stories.
Like Mike Waechter, (a friend from many years ago!) said so succinctly above, the fact that we have strength in numbers can only help expose those who have prayed upon and manipulated so many young people for so long.
We can proceed without fearing these once-powerful men with their abusive tactics and threats.
I’ve lived with these horrible memories for so many years. I hope justice is done.
I just wish that many of our parents could have seen what we as children saw so plainly!
parenting advicehttp://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.asp?SID=6180613920 from 8/7/2011 this directed towards for fathers
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I remember vividly growing up at FH. A lot of the ppl that are speaking out now i grew up with. There are many things that I learned there that I thinked helped me things that now when I look around at kids today dont have kids terrorizing stores being completely obnoxious and noone says anything to them because they dont care. That being said I believe there is a line you just dont cross. I remember being wrestler and not running fast enough so I was held in the middle of the mat by my coach Mr. Wright (not the one that drowned) while two of the older boys used me as a punching bag meanwhile my dad stood by and watched. I remember the mexico trip i was.so upset because i was to young to go thankfully I didnt get to one of the three boys was a good friend of mine and I remember when they got back he told me what happened. The sad part is back then you never thought twice about it it was the norm life at home was the same and growing up from a child there you never knew a difference. When my parents divorced I was branded a traitor from the pulpit by RV for living with the one that wasnt in church because the courts awarded them custody. I have met up with lots of old timers who were there when things were just starting there and have heard horrific stories and looking back trying to remeber just half of the things that happened to me and or my close friends is shuttering. So to those who have been there I get where your coming from just dont be bitter about it because it will ruin your life more. I dont know if change will ever come but if we try with the right spirit not vengefully its more apt to happen.
p.s.
I didnt know about the protest tonight till i drove by and there were ppl yelling at my because i didnt honk for them and there signs sorry folks my horn does not work but yelling drink the koolaid at me doesnt turn me on to the cause try a little more tact next time.
And someone suggest if everyone got in the same room tbere would be some stories i vote for that it would be nice to meet up with some more FH survivors
I actually remember you driving by! I saw someone pressing their horn and saying out the window, “The horn doesn’t work.”
There were a lot of kids there and that’s just how they protest. Even if some of the things they said were a little tactless at times, the truth of the matter is that I’m thrilled they cared enough to come out. The kool-aid comment originated because the church left a cooler filled with kool-aid and cupcakes out for the protesters; which we refused to accept. It was an ongoing joke during the entire event, so please don’t take it personally.
I did not attend the Academy, but I did attend one year of college (btw one year too long). In just that one year I was disgusted with how things were done. I remember the college girls starving themselves so they could pass gym class. You had to be of a certain weight. Getting demerits for dozing off in the church even though you worked the night before, had to get up early to go on your bus route to east Chicago and ride back after the service. Getting demerits for not being out of your bed at 6:30a.m. My best friend was getting married in that church and because I had left they told her that if she did not remove me from her bridal party (I had left the school by this time) they would not marry them. My other good friend had siblings that were adopted by the DeLongs and the Halls and she had some scary stories. My monthly payment was $600 plus and they took every paycheck which equal $800 plus and when I left they called my mother and told her I still owed a lot of money so my mom closed my account and sent them over $1000!! I was furious but glad I left. It’s a crazy place!! I am so sorry for all the worst things everyone had to endure, but be assured that some day they will face the True Judge and they Will answer for everything they have done.
Evelyn,
I remember well when the S. and H. kids were all adopted.
I also remember feeling bad thinking how awful their lives were going to be with the ongoing abusiveness in those ‘new’ homes! Unfortunately it was very much the case.
I saw F. V. walking down the halls of FBA (FCA, Fairhaven Christian Academy at the time) with that dress on. He also had lipstick on–smeared on his poor little face. If his adoptive father denies it, he is lying through his teeth. Many of us saw that and will never forget, even thirty years removed.
Such were the tactics of many of the senior men on staff there.
….
Your “school bill” thoughts brought back memories. I attended the college for one year, 1983. I accumulated a reasonably hefty school bill due to the fact that I lived in the dorm. It was unbelievable living in one small room with 14 other guys all on triple bunk beds, but it was my decision at the time.
When I left I was shocked at my bill and the horrible interest that kept accruing monthly.
It took me five years to pay down that bill. The real victory came when a Porter County Judge ruled that the interest FBC was charging was both unreasonable and ILLEGAL. A fine Christian lawyer made it his mission to bring the college’s unfair gouging to light and he succeeded.
My bill was paid and I was free of that place forever.
I attended the college for 2 years in the early 80′s. At the time I abused on several occasions. Once when my mother and one of my sisters came to visit me, I wanted to leave place and go back home, but was not allowed. While walking down the stairs to go out the door of the dorm with clothes in my arms one of the deans at the time (Dr. Dillabaugh) took them out of my arms and said I could not leave or I would not let me have my clothes back. I was accused of demons and other things. When I would receive mail it would already be opened and taped back.
I remember going to Iowa with the wrestling team at a wrestling camp and while there I broke four of my ribs I told Pastor Delong that I had broke some ribs, So after begging for some time I was taken to the hospital and X-rays showed four broken ribs. so I sat out the rest of the week. Then on the way home Pastor DeLong called me to the front of the bus and in front of everyone gave me a bear hug. I let out a scream and burst into tears I’ll never forget that
Would anyone like to buy a box of candy? Sorry, I could not resist.
If not how about a donation?
Indiana Child Abuse reporting line is 1-800-800-5556
On top of the horrible things the leadership of Fairhaven did to punish and humiliate children, they also felt it necessary to humiliate adult church members as well. Parents were unable to advocate for their children. If you dare question their authority, you were a weak christian in their eyes. You were bad parents! You were verbally berated and then humiliated in Voegtlin’s next sermon. He would make a public example out of you. I truly believe there are some good families at Fairhaven. Good people who fear the wrath of Roger Voegtlin. As for the Mexico trip, how can Voegtlin lie on CNN and go back to his church and not be questioned by his church families. How can he talk his way out of that one. He knew about it years ago and swept it under the rug. I’m sure in his eyes, it was OK to lie when your son could be criminally charged with child abuse. This is all very sad. To all the good Fairhaven families: RUN, run fast, and never look back! There are so many good Baptist churches waiting for you with open arms and compassionate hearts.
Voeglitn isn’t questioned by his church because the majority of them don’t even know about the broadcast. The point of a cult is to keep the people in the dark. They don’t have televisions in their home, forget cable, no basic television. It’s a sin. All modern technology, the media, modern music are taught to be of Satan.
Actually, I’ve been blocking about 20 comments left by three supporters of the church (using different names and emails but sharing the same three IP addresses). Almost all of the comments start off with something like…
“Are you kidding me? Do you really believe the Communist News Network (CNN) over a Christian church?”
I don’t know how isolated they are from the broadcast, but they are definitely kept very skeptical about the media and any criticism of their cult, from outside or inside.
Those comments make sense, and the fact that only three supporters were responding also makes sense. The percentage of them actually responding at all represents the percentage of people who probably actually know anything about the real news. As I got older and asked questions about it, my dad told me that he was shocked after a few years to realize that a few, and very few of the “esteemed” members had televisions and watched them. The CNN comments remind me of Independent Fundamental Baptist rhetoric I was accustomed to the first 20 years of my life.
The whole irony is that some fundamental Baptist preachers preach against TVs yet I once heard David Cloud mention in one of his sermons about a program he watched on tv. So I guess everyone is different . I’ve always had a tv even during the times I was at fairhaven.
Yes at that time the principals name was Robert Yockey…you called him Mr. Yockey and I can remember his dark hair and the huge paddle. I also remember the short tempered coach Mr. Smith (Bill Smith) he would teach Bible class and then coach! I witness him punch a kid back then in class then his nose bled. One time I was in class and he spit on a students desk and the student was asked to leave the class room and he would not be allowed to return until he knew why he was removed from the class, he did not know why he was required to leave and stand into the hall…finally Mr. Smith told him to come in and told him that because he wiped off his desk he wiped off “holy spit”, I can not recall but believe he gave the student demerits. I have never heard of such nonsense. Today we would call saliva on a desk a potential health hazard.
Thank God that people have come forward! I have prayed for years and years… Thank God for the internet and media now the truth can come out. I always believed in seperation of church and state, now I wonder. Indiana needs oversight of all educational institutions. This CAN NOT continue.
I have lived in the Chesterton area my whole life (though never in Chesterton proper). I am amazed to say that I never knew anything about this place. I also didn’t see the thing on CNN even though I follow web-based news very closely. I started hearing about this story on social media which led me to this site.
I am shocked, to say the least, and outraged. My thoughts, though, center around action. How will you all force change at this place.I ask how will you all do it because you have the ability to affect change. My thought is a class-action lawsuit, or investigating whether charges can be brought for any physical abuse.
If you are waiting for the media to do the work for you, it won’t happen with the story as currently constituted. If you want this to stay in the media, you need to advance the story. File a lawsuit. Press charges. Get organized.
The protest was a good start, but if you stop there, the story will die. Does anyone have first hand knowledge that there are firearms on the premises? If so, approach the Sheriff and the media with that, but you had better be sure. You don’t need to be sure that the weapons are there now, just that you saw them at one point.
I imagine the ATF and/or FBI would be interested in a church compound that had an armory. If any of the weapons were full auto, that would be enough for a warrant.
I’m just saying that you have delivered a decent punch, but it needs to be followed with another, or your opponent will brush it off and continue business as usual.
God bless.
I know Roger Voegtlin and sat under his preaching several times. I was raised in an IFB Cult that was ran by Wayne Dillabaugh, a product of Fairhaven. Dillabuagh tried to mimic everything about Fairhaven, as if Voegtlin was his god. Even their websites to this day, the beginning statement/paragraph are almost identical. ( http://www.calvarycoversitall.org ). Both Voegtlin & Dillabaugh preached about beating (not spanking) kids with a large wood paddle until you broke the childrens will. The fathers were taught to leave the children black & blue for weeks if not months at a time, and barely able to sit or stand. This alone is child abuse. Not to mention how our “pastor” would force young pre-teen and teen boys to massage his feet in and out of public. It sickens me. Would a public school principal be allowed to have young boys massage his bare feet??? NO!! So why should a so-called pastor get away with it. Both of these men are very sick and twisted and are only out for financial gain, power and control.
Jeff Voegtlin (a patsor at Fairhaven, sone of Roger) is quoted yelling the “N” word at a young African American boy. If a Public School teacher did this, it would make the news immediately and the teacher would loose their job!!!
Wayne D. was a pastor in Wisconsin before he came to Fairhaven.
He had legal problems of his own there for beating a young student in his church/school. I remember boarding buses with our parents and other students to “rally” support for him there. He avoided conviction and jail time and ultimately he left the state and came to Indiana to join R.V. on his staff. How perfectly fitting!
I went to the academy with his daughters.
W.D. was a real piece of work, he never left those beating ways behind.
I’ll never forget camping down at “the Wilds” a Christian camp nestled in the mountains of North Carolina. One afternoon I was fishing the creek there for trout and as I eased through the woods creekside I came upon W.D. (who was at the camp for the week with all of us) and he was with the Wilds camp staff.
I watched terrified as he pummeled (closed fist) my friend and fellow classmate F.B.; hitting him in the face over and over again, telling him “you’re not a tough guy now, are you!”
A quick look at the Wilds’ camp counselors showed me they didn’t like what they were witnessing. I slipped back through the bushes praying I hadn’t been seen.
F.B. walked the camp for the remaining week bruised and beaten. As usual, nothing was said or done about any of it.
As kids we all lived in total fear.
MY SON WENT TO HIGHSCHOOL AND COLLEGE OUT THERE AND YES THESE SO CALLED GODLY PEOPLE ARE A CULT.I RED WHERE THEY TOLD KIDS IF THEY DON’T COME TO CHURCH THEY WHERE GO TO HELL WELL THE PASTOR HAD IT BAD PREACHING ON IF WE DID’NT LISTEN TO WHWAT HE WAS SAYING THAT WE WHERE GO TO HELL.I AM ASHAMED THAT I DID’NT COME FORWARD WHEN THE PASYORS SON-IN LAW TOLD ME TAHT HE HAD SLAPPED MY SON IN HIS FACE BECAUSE MY SON HAD SAID SOMETHING TO A YOUNG LADY WHAT EVER IT WAS HE HAD NO RIGHT.NOW AS FOR BRAINWASHING THESE PEOPLE ARE GOOD AT THAT THE REASON I SAY THIS IS THAT WHEN THE HOLIDAYS CAME I DID’NT SEE MY SON AND I WOULD CALL OUT TO THE SCHOOL AND ASK FOR MY SON TO SEE IF HE WAS COMING HOME IT HAS BEEN SOME CRAZY GOING ONS OUT THEIR AT THIS CHURCH.WHEN YOUR ASK WHERE YOU GO TO CHURCH AND YOU SAY FAIRHAVEN BAPTIST CHURCH THEY’LL LOOK AT YOU LIKE YOU HAVE A SPOT ON YOUR FACE.THESE PEOPLE ARE RUINING LIFES SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING BEFORE WE HAVE A WACO TEXAS REPLAY.I KNOW JAMES SYNDER AND HIS BROTHER MR.JOHN AND THEY ARE NO LONGER WITH THE CHURCH WHEN A ASK MY SON HE SAY HE REALLY DON’T KNOW BUT IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THEM TRYING TO HELP MY SON GET A GOOD EDUCATION WELL THAT WHAT I THOUGHT TIL NOW BUT WHO EVER KNOWS JAMES AND MR.JOHN SYNDER PLEASE LET THEM KNOW AL IS DOING JUST GREAT AND I THANK THEM FOR THE LOVE THEY SHOWED AL AND BEING THER WHEN HIS FATHER DIED.I HOPE AND PRAY SOMEONE CAN HELP THE ONES OUT THEIR SEE THE LIGHT BEFORE IT’S TO LATE FOR KID MAYBE EVEN A ADULT MAY GOD BLESS .
I’m glad that I have a safe place for my children to attend church!
Define “safe place”…
My sister and I went to Fairhaven church ONE time. With some friends that were members there and invited us to go. Now this was 34 years ago and I still remember it. It was in the fall when we went and we lived in South Haven. There was some kind of a play that they were performing. About a child that was a bad kid. There must have been a whole cut in the stage and a pot covering it. The boy that was in “trouble” was thrown in the pot nad set on fire! I was 6!!!! ( it was a trick to try and scare us.) it worked! I remember hugging my older sister and crying. “I want to go home.” She was also scared and crying. When leaving the church they were passing out pumpkins at the end of the bus. And the boy that handed me my pumpkin was the boy that was set on “fire.” I was terrified. And it is something I have never forgotten. We went home and told my mom and lucky for us we had a great mom that listened and we never went back!!!
Thank you for posting this story! Someone else commented earlier about this, seeing a kid set on fire. I had a hard time believing they would do something that extreme, especially in public.
It goes to show how susceptible to illusion we are as kids. Thankfully nobody was hurt. Just scared half to death.
I’m just now hearing about all of this. I’ve listened to Fairhaven preachers and their musicians. Their message is true. But’ I’ve always been suspicious of their preoccupation with harping on sin and hell -which are part of preaching!- but there is only scant mention of God’s great love and our freedom from guilt once saved. I personally knew one evangelist that I met at a church camp. He was a fervent preacher and I thought of him as a friend. But, I noticed some things about him that I didn’t like-most people from my church would not come to his evangelistic services because they really didn’t like him- he punched a little guy right in the face while he was teaching him how to box. (The boy grew up and about ten years later put the guy nearly through a wall while playing basketball-hurt the man bad). I also watched him throw a tantrum and go sit in a corner and pout when a bunch of young guys beat us at basketball. Those that golfed with him said that he was hot-tempered on the golf course as well and was always bending clubs around something. Sadly,his passions-not violent,but sexual- have him sitting in prison for a year for soliciting a minor and her mother with explicit photos and suggestions. Turns out it was a police sting. I feel no satisfaction in telling this story. As a born again follower of Jesus Christ I still love the man, but my heart aches for him and his family(a wife and 5 children), because his attempts to be a ‘man’ of God in his own strength led him into a snare. Sounds like Voegtlin and his ilk are going to reap the seeds which they have been sowing. As Christians we are to be unspotted from the world,but it must be in Christ’s strength and we must be vessels that are yielded to the Holy Spirit. While discipline and self-discipline are attributes that we may be able to accomplish on our own to some degree, it is only from a childlike leaning on Christ that we truly will become like him. Finally, I’m afraid that many of you that have commented are using Fairhaven as a scapegoat to excuse your own rejection of Jesus Christ. If it hadn’t been Fairhaven many of you would have found someone or something else to justify you unbelief.
I don’t think many people here are necessarily non-believers. With that said, for many of the victims, Fairhaven has severely challenged their faith. However, if you read the comments here and elsewhere, I suspect you will find that most of them have come to the conclusion that the abuse taking place at Fairhaven is NOT sanctioned by Christianity.
please contact me ill answer any questions you may hae
I attended FB academy my junior year of high school (1978-1979). It was my first year in Christian school so it was a little hard to adjust to. But everyone was very nice to me for the most part and I met many people who remained friends for years. I think I escaped a lot of “crap” because I was not a member of Fairhaven, but I saw enough that one year to make me believe most of what I read on here. One thing that stands out in my mind was when a young guy in my class (a really good guy, nice kid) wrote a little “love note” to a girl. I don’t recall if the girl was so brainwashed that she turned it in, or if someone else ratted on them, but the punishment was to reproduce the note on a huge poster board and hang it up on the wall for everyone to read. It wasn’t a bad note at all, just a silly note that any teenaged boy might write to a girl, and the humiliation I knew he was feeling just tore me up. I was so angry on his behalf. I have a grown son now and had he ever been treated like that, they would have to hold me back from just going off on the people responsible. Another thing I remember was a girl there, I think she was a senior. She was a lovely person, so sweet and with such a heart for serving the Lord. I remember her dressed in a rubber suit that the wrestlers wore, running around in it, and starving herself because she wanted desperately to go on the yearly mission trip to Haiti. The men in charge thought she was too fat and wouldn’t let her go until she lost a certain amount of weight. I was pretty horrified by that as well. I was a bulimic and having a terrible time of it at that time, but it was something I was doing to myself and not being done to me. But it amazed me that some of the tactics I was using on myself were being used by the men to re-mold these kids into their image of what someone ought to be. I remember DeLong getting up and preaching that he had a fever of 102 but he was there anyway, because only “weenies” took it easy when they were sick. Even at the time I wasn’t impressed and thought, “Thanks, Jerk, now we all have your germs.” I remember selling candy in Chicago in the bitter cold, being dropped off in South Bend to sell candy in the dark in a dodgy neighborhood and getting some of it stolen right out of my hand—luckily it was just candy and nothing further happened. My brother was a little wild in school and he was made to do so much work for Fairhaven to get his demerits knocked off. My mom had to drive him back and forth from Hobart to Chesterton every day that summer following or they wouldn’t release his school records. She was working a minimum wage job to send us to Christian school and her car was never the same after all that back and forth. She still jokes that if their landscaping looks any good, it’s because she sacrificed her car for it. The next year I went to Hammond Baptist High School. I know they had their problems too, but I was happy and saw real Christian love there. I saw it at Fairhaven too, from some people, those who weren’t too terrified or too indoctrinated to act like the others. Those folks didn’t last long there, of course! All that being said, my faith was never weakened by the goings-on there. I had a wonderful pastor and a wonderful church, and even at that young age knew that Fairhaven was acting on the whims and ideas of men, not on the word of God. Jesus loves us, he doesn’t intend that we live in fear and abuse our children in his name. There will be a reckoning, if not on this world, then in the world to come.
I would also like to respond to those who have some stories of their encounters with Fairhaven members. Some of the reports of interactions with members of this church seem pretty “out there” to me. On the other hand, it is an “out there” kind of place, so who am I to say that these stories aren’t true? I will say that it is not my experience, fortunately. One of my mom’s best friends–still one of her best friends to this day–was a woman whose family was quite involved in Fairhaven–pretty loyal members the whole time we knew them. That is how my mom became familiar with Fairhaven’s school. This was a wonderful family and they were wonderful to us. Never once was there the slightest hint that we were not as good as they were because we were members of another Baptist church. They were kind and decent, and to me, wonderful examples of the Christian life. They had three kids, very nice boys who have grown into very good men. I babysat for these boys for years and never once saw them abused. Their parents were pretty strict but very loving to their kids. I never saw bruises on them or saw any evidence that they were mistreated in any way. They were normal boys, but really well-behaved, and I can’t say that about every kid I babysat for! Anyway, I know that probably lots of parents there blindly followed Fairhaven’s dictates about child-rearing, but I know that some families didn’t. I was very closely involved in this family for years and had these boys been abused I would have known it. Even though I wore pants and shorts, never once did this family look down on me or reprove me for not acting like they thought I should act. So not everyone from Fairhaven was like these reports. However, I do know that it was a huge church, and I’m sure there were plenty of members who were not a good example of how Christ would want us to act, and I’m sorry for those who came across people like those.
Years later, when I was married and still a member of the church I attended as a teenager, a great many former Fairhaven members left Fairhaven and joined our church. They had some stories to tell, and all were in one way or another traumatized by their association with FBC. Many parents had regrets for how they reared their children under the direction of RV and his minions. Some were quite bitter and found it hard to trust churches and church members, and I cannot blame them at all. I know they will carry the scars for a lifetime.
I am not defending Fairhaven in any way, but did want to comment on people I knew who were not blindly following RV and the dictates of one rogue church. Many very good people were in that church. Some just went along with things, others did not. Please don’t judge Jesus Christ or those who follow him on the basis of some very weak and misguided people. God will take care of those who abuse and mislead others. He is merciful for a long time to those who are doing wrong, but eventually He will take care of them.
Does anyone know what happened to Dr. McNeilly? Bruce Snyder? I used attend church back in the late 90s but left in 2001. I kinda figured something was evil about this church .
Last I heard, Bruce Snyder was still a member.
From what I see Fairhaven needs a tremendous change in leadership. Im pretty sure they’re losing members over what’s happened in the past.
Mr Mcneilly is at a church up by Lansing, MI last I heard. Rumor is that he left over the Mexico incident. I attended college there for a year (Iwas demerit king in 90-91) The place is strict but I can honestly say that I never felt mistreated. Do the allegations suprise me? Not at all it is the Fundamental Baptist way
Thanks for the information guys I will continue to read through all this and Roger’s little schemes.
It’s sad to read all these stories, but I’m sure there’s a lot of good families attending this church. A family that comes to mind is the Almanzas. Does anyone know what happened to them?
When this aired, I was informed through facebook by many “friends” who attended. I personally attended from the age of 4 until I was 10. My dad attended the college, I attended the academy, and of course we spent that time at the church as well. I was reluctant to watch the show. Those 6 years I’ve blocked from my memory as best I can. They are the darkest memories, the darkest moments of my life (and sadly, I have more than just those 6 years). I did watch, I cried, possibly for a full week, and I didn’t look at any of the follow up information, comments, etc. until now. The above comments and statements aren’t lies. Fairhaven is full of abuse, specifically toward children, and worse, full of cover ups. The abuse reaches further than a physical experience, or years of physical experience. What isn’t being acknowledged, is the the emotional, mental and psychological torture that children, women and even men are enduring there. These things last years, a lifetime, possibly. I’ve looked at the child abuse laws in IN, and I’m convinced that Roger Voeglitn is a very cunning man. He chose IN, not IL, not Chicago where his home is, as base for this cult because the laws in IN protect the church. Separation of church and state make it easy for a church to continue abuse within its walls. It should change. People should stand up and fight it, but many don’t because the darkness there is terrifying…the kind of terrifying that sticks with you.
Thanks for speaking out, Erin.
Erin is your mom Pauline?
Another thing I remember is how Fairhaven frowns on all other Baptist churches. They always thought they were the only ones right with God. I’m sorry but they are a cult. Roger will have some answering to do come judgment day.
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