- March 28th, 2021, 7:35 pm
#624190
Full disclosure up front: I provide crisis communications support to another major chain of Christian camps. I also have ZERO patience with Christian organizations who cover up sexual abuse for "the good of the ministry".
David French and his wife Nancy have released an investigative story today on a serial predator who was a star in the Kanakuk universe before eventually heading to prison. It should be noted that the primary issues happened several years ago but those in charge accused of looking the other way remain in senior leadership. Since I know that many LU folks have connections to Kanakuk with Joe White a regular on campus, I share this story and look forward to your thoughts:
David French and his wife Nancy have released an investigative story today on a serial predator who was a star in the Kanakuk universe before eventually heading to prison. It should be noted that the primary issues happened several years ago but those in charge accused of looking the other way remain in senior leadership. Since I know that many LU folks have connections to Kanakuk with Joe White a regular on campus, I share this story and look forward to your thoughts:
The French Press wrote: ‘They Aren’t Who You Think They Are’Click Here for Full Story
The inside story of how Kanakuk—one of America’s largest Christian camps—enabled horrific abuse.
David French and Nancy French
A cross at Kanakuk Kamp near Branson, Missouri. (Kanakuk Kamps/Facebook.)
The first thing you need to know about Pete Newman is that people loved him. He has olive skin, dark hair, and thick eyebrows that generated good-natured “unibrow” teasing. Girls wanted to date him, guys wanted to be him, and children wanted to follow him.
He was a camp director at Kanakuk Kamps, one of the largest Christian camps in the world. Kanakuk is an immense operation. Since its founding in 1926, it claims to have served more than 450,000 campers. Its main campus is located outside of Branson, Missouri, but it has international reach. Every summer approximately 20,000 kids pass through its gates, and the institution is particularly prominent with the Evangelical elite.