SC--State’s largest church loses three men
Two face recent charges of child sex crimes
The 3rd, the head pastor, was fired for “alcohol abuse”
Group urges “independent investigation” into “network”
“Independent churches are ripe for wrongdoing,” SNAP says
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will
--blast officials at a state-wide mega-church where two volunteers were recently charged with abuse and the ‘founding pastor’ has been fired for “unfortunate choices and decisions,"
--urge anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered child sex crimes, cover ups or other misconduct there to call secular authorities, not church officials, and
--warn church-goers that abuse and cover up is sometimes more prevalent in independent mega-churches that are often started and dominated by powerful personalities and lack any real “checks and balances” that are usually found in more established denominations.
Wednesday, August 10 at 3:15 pm
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the NewSpring Church, 5101 Ashley Phosphate Road, Unit #135 in North Charleston (843-766-7747,charleston @newspring.cc)
WHO
Two-three individuals who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri woman who is the organization’s long time outreach director
WHY
Three times in recent months, staff at a rapidly-growing mega-church with 18 branches in South Carolina have been ousted. Two were accused of child sex crimes while the ‘founding and senior pastor’ was let go for “alcohol abuse and other unfortunate choices and decisions."
http://m.christianpost.com/news/former-newspring-pastor-perry-noble-checks-into-treatment-center-for-alcohol-addiction-166974/?m=1
In April, a youth group volunteer at NewSpring Church reportedly fondled and kissed a boy. And in May, a different volunteer at the same church was arrested on similar charges.
http://wbtw.com/2016/04/29/florence-church-youth-volunteer-kissed-and-fondled-teen-boy-police-say/
http://www.wyff4.com/news/former-newspring-church-volunteer-inappropriately-touched-boy-officials-say/39503876
The church is the largest member of the South Carolina Baptist Convention (claiming 30,000 weekly worshippers) and is part of a ‘network’ with locations in seven of the state’s largest cities: Charleston, North Charleston, Rock Hill, Myrtle Beach, Sumter, Inman, Columbia, Spartanburg, Greenville, Powdersville, Lexington, Anderson, Clemson, Seneca, Greenwood, Aiken, Hilton Head and Bluffton. The network says it “has served more than 45,000 church leaders around the world” (NewSpringNetwork.com). The Florence branch is at 1100 N. Cashua Drive (843-407-7986).
Until July, Rev. Perry Noble was head of the network. But he was ousted for his “alcohol addiction and his attitude toward his marriage” though he denied any adultery or sexual wrongdoing.
http://www.christiandaily.com/article/christian-publisher-temporarily-shelves-dating-book-of-fired-megachurch-pastor-perry-noble/55043.htm
The first alleged offender is Leo LaSalle Comissiong, 20, of Florence, according to Florence Police Major Carlos Raines. The second is Chaz Mckinsey Wood, 23, of Piedmont, according to the Anderson County Sheriff's Office. Comissiong’s alleged crimes happened in February and Wood’s reportedly happened in January. Comissiong is charged with third degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Wood is charged with one count of criminal sexual misconduct with a minor.
NewSpring’s executive pastor is Rev. Shane Duffey. Its’ public relations director is Suzanne Swift (864-328-1632). Justin Rhodes works at the Florence church.
http://www.snapnetwork.org/sc_newspring_church_must_do_outreach_on_child_sex abuse_case
“No matter what courts or church officials do or don’t do, we urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups in churches – especially these mega-churches where ministers are given exalted status – to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling law enforcement, get justice by calling attorneys, and be comforted by calling support groups like ours,” said SNAP’s Barbara Dorris. “This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.”
CONTACT
Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected], David Clohessy 314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home,[email protected]
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director
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