Over a period of years, a number of allegations of sexual and/or physical abuse or misconduct across our ministry has been brought to our attention. We readily acknowledge that our response to these allegations and reports has often been lacking—lacking in listening, understanding, compassion, and empathy. Our response was neither trauma-informed nor substantive. 

Being persuaded that we should no longer rely solely on our own instincts and limited resources in dealing with such accusations, we reached out to GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) in March 2024. On September 21 of that year, we formally engaged GRACE to conduct an independent investigation and analysis of events of sexual and/or physical abuse or misconduct anywhere within the GGWO church, ministry, and network.

We selected GRACE based on their expertise and experience working to identify, address, and combat abuse of all kinds, particularly in a church context. We did not control the investigative process or methodology and cooperated fully with requests for documents and interviews. We placed no time restraints on the investigation. GRACE states in their report that by seeking an impartial review, “churches demonstrate a desire for integrity in addressing concerns, seeking a process that is thorough, fair, and guided by best practices in safeguarding.” This sentiment reflects our hearts in this matter. We continue to work to be better informed and equipped to deal with incidents of abuse as well as to protect against such occurrences in the future.

The GRACE investigation focused on nine stipulated cases of abuse, which took place from the 1990s to the mid 2000s, some of which, as GRACE noted, preceded the current administration. Four of those occurred in the 1990s; two were prosecuted, resulting in convictions; three involved overseas missionaries; at least four leaders had their ordinations eventually revoked. At least two offenders have since passed away. Additionally, during the course of their investigation and interviews, GRACE looked at seven other allegations, four of which were “unsubstantiated or partially substantiated.”

GRACE further considered safeguarding concerns in youth ministries, church doctrine, internal systems, and church culture. Finally, GRACE provided 10 recommendations to improve accountability, trauma-informed care, and safety.

Following a 13-month process, which included a review of more than 4,000 pages of documents and electronic resources, more than 65 interviews, and nearly 400 responses to an open survey, GRACE submitted its final report to GGWO shortly before Christmas. 

We are appreciative of the hard work that GRACE put into the report and to all who contributed to it. As elders, we find the report sobering; our hearts are heavy as we further process the reality that anyone under the spiritual care or influence of GGWO was ever abused, in any way.

We believe that where transparency was not pursued or prioritized, it is critically important that we take the step to do so now. From the outset of the investigation, we committed to be transparent with the results of the GRACE report.

God detests and abhors abuse of any kind, and so must we. We are humbled by this process and grieved by the part we have played in the hurt and pain too many people have experienced. We seek to learn, to improve, and to always protect all within our care and purview, as well as to treat all people with the dignity and respect each one deserves as those created in the image and likeness of Almighty God. 

Where we have been wrong, we repent. Where we have been ignorant, we apologize and commit to being better-informed and educated about best practices in the field of abuse prevention. Where we have been insensitive, we say, “We are deeply sorry.”

At this time, we will not attempt to issue a point-by-point response to the full report in this statement, but we grieve the realities laid out in the GRACE report. We readily acknowledge that we have too often been slow to listen, quick to defend staff members or volunteers accused of wrongdoing, lacking in our understanding of the many realities of sexual abuse, and guilty of failing to fully acknowledge the profound hurt and harm that victims of abuse often experience. We also acknowledge that we have lacked proactivity in considering how our church discipline and affiliation policies have left us ill-equipped to adequately respond to allegations of abuse. As elders and leaders in the GGWO church, we repent of our shortcomings, imprudence, and sins. 

We now better understand and believe that even in reported cases of abuse that occurred prior to the appointment of Tom Schaller as senior pastor in 2005, we should have been more understanding of those who reported suffering various forms of harm. We should have been better listeners, less defensive, never combative, and more Christ-like in our dealings with all who reported abuse. 

The evil of sexual abuse demands immediate action in offering protection and advocacy for all victims. Our supportive action should have been demonstrated immediately. We should have understood the unimaginable high personal cost to the survivors and their families. We are deeply grieved at the price victims have paid, and the resultant need for this investigation and report. 

There are aspects of Greater Grace’s past that contributed to victims’ silence and to their deepening wounds. While we recognize these issues and have shifted away from them, we now better understand their impact and are planning our next steps related to those dynamics.

We commit to answering for any alleged abuse and to extending true empathy and care for victims within our community, regardless of when it took place. We commit to learn from our history that, with God’s help, will make us stronger, healthier, and safer.

We take GRACE’s 10 recommendations seriously and are processing them prayerfully with our leaders as well as wise counselors from outside our ministry. Some of the recommendations we have already begun to implement, while others will be focused on in the days and months ahead. We aim to make marked improvements in transparency, accountability, governance, and to holding leaders to a higher standard. We will prioritize victim care and will utilize professional expertise to continue to implement safeguarding reforms. We will further strengthen internal safety measures and protocols, in order to better protect all entrusted to our care, of all ages. We commit to timely action and communication. 

We sit, first and foremost, in grief, but also in gratitude to the survivors and advocates who raised their voices. We further pray for wisdom, strength, and courage to do what’s right as we navigate difficult waters. Finally, we pray for God’s redeeming grace and mercy to cover all who have been hurt. May it be so.

– The Elders of Greater Grace World Outreach
Thomas Schaller | Steven Scibelli | John Love | Glen Cannon | John Hadley | Kim Shibley | Bruce Wright | Gary Groenewold | Mark Minichiello | Robert Colban | Jim Hadley | Peter Westera | Chris Arman