Latest news with #KingdomMinistryofRehabilitationandRecreation
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Iowa Police Take 88 Children From Church Camp Over Abuse Allegations
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Authorities in Iowa removed 88 children from a church camp as part of what they called a child safety operation. The children were removed from the Shekinah Glory Camp run by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation in Columbus Junction last week, the Louisa County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that was provided to Newsweek. Victor Bawi, whose family runs the camp, denied that any children at the camp had been harmed in an interview with local news station KWQC. Newsweek has contacted the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation for further comment via email. The Context The Shekinah Glory Camp had initially been scheduled to run from June 8 to June 29. The website of the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation, which was founded in 2018 and is run by its pastors, says its mission is to aid individuals "in breaking free from addiction through God's Word, offering food and shelter to those in need, and supporting individuals during fasting and prayer." A stock photo of a police vehicle A stock photo of a police vehicle iStock What To Know The sheriff's office said it conducted the search at two locations in Columbus Junction in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Health Human Services), Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Columbus Junction Police Department between June 12 and June 13. The operation was in response to reports of child abuse and endangerment, the sheriff's office said. During the search, authorities took 88 children from the camp and brought them to the Wapello Methodist Church to meet with multiple child protection workers. They were then reunited with their parents and guardians or placed in temporary foster care until they could be reunited with their families, the sheriff's office said. Bawi told KWQC that a 15-year-old from Texas who was at the camp had called authorities because he did not want to be there. He said the camp is for Christian teenagers from all over the country. "We never harmed that child. We loved him," Bawi said. "We bought him like $400 shoes, clothing, everything." What People Are Saying Victor Bawi told local news station WQAD: "If they want to investigate, they can investigate. We're innocent. They're not going to find any abuse or anything like that. We never abused anyone. You can ask any of the children as well. They were having a fun time." He added: "We hope that the children are well and that they can come back." What's Next No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed. The sheriff's office said the investigation is ongoing.
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
88 children in protective custody after reports of abuse at Iowa religious camp
88 children in protective custody after reports of abuse at Iowa religious camp A total of 88 children were removed from the camp, entered into temporary foster care and reunited with their parents, officials said. Show Caption Hide Caption Calling 911: What you need to know Calling 911 is for emergencies only, but what counts as an emergency? Nearly 90 children were removed from a religious camp in Iowa last week and placed into child protective custody following reports of child abuse and endangerment, an Iowa Sheriff's Office announced on Monday. Multiple agencies were involved in the large two-day operation at the Shekinah Glory Camp, a bible camp with a stated focus on helping adults and children suffering from addiction run by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehab and Recreation in southeastern Iowa, according to the Louisa County Sheriff's Office. A total of 88 children were taken into custody and moved to a Methodist church to meet with child protection workers, enter into temporary foster care and reunite with their parents, the sheriff's office said. Officials have not provided details about why they believe the children were in danger, how old the children were, why they were at the camp or if anyone was arrested. Louisa County Sheriff Brandon Marquardt did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network. "The investigation is on-going at this time," the sheriff's office said in a statement on social media. What is the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation? A website for the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation says its mission is 'Assisting individuals in breaking free from addiction through God's Word, offering food and shelter to those in need, and supporting individuals during fasting and prayer.' The Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation, which was founded in Iowa in 2018, was hosting a summer camp from June 8 to 29 at the property where the law enforcement operation took place. The ministry's website says it rents five mobile homes for over 60 people in Columbus Junction, a city about 60 miles south of Cedar Rapids. The ministry has a stated goal to build a church and "a house for 100 people" in 2025. Family behind ministry denies allegations The family that runs the ministry and camp denied allegations of child abuse or endangerment. "If they want to investigate, they can investigate. We're innocent. They're not going to find anything," Victor Bawi, whose parents run the ministry, told WQAD-TV. He added, "We hope that the children are well and they can come back. We talked to the children and their parents. They want to come back." Bawi told the outlet that the group takes in adults and children from across the state who are struggling with drug addiction or alcoholism. He said the camp has a focus on bible study and said that during free time, children play volleyball, soccer and other outdoor activities.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Bible camp bust: 88 children removed in Iowa raid; teen's calls sparks human trafficking investigation
(Source: X) Authorities in Iowa have removed 88 children from a Bible study summer camp as part of a wide-ranging human trafficking investigation, reports the New York Post. The operation took place over the weekend at the Shekinah Glory Camp, run by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation in Columbus Junction. Deputies from the Louisa County Sheriff's Office, working with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and Columbus Junction Police, executed multiple search warrants. The children were taken to the nearby Wapello Methodist Church, where they met with child protection officers, and were then placed in temporary foster care. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said the children will remain in state custody until they can be safely reunited with parents or guardians. The camp had been scheduled to run from June 8 to 29 and drew participants from across the United States. The family operating the camp has denied all wrongdoing. Victor Bawi, whose parents founded the ministry in 2018, said the group helps both children and adults battling addiction to drugs, alcohol, or nicotine. 'What we try to do is, we take care of adults and children who are under the influence of drugs, alcohol, nicotine,' Bawi told local outlet WQAD8. 'The adults and children, we take care of them, we provide food for them. The children we separate from the adults. We separate the boys and girls. We care for them, we provide for them.' Bawi said a teenager from Texas called authorities because he didn't want to be at the camp. 'We never harmed that child. We loved him,' he said. 'We bought him like $400 shoes, clothing, everything.' He also said the camp involves not just Bible study, but activities like volleyball and soccer. Another location in Fredonia, where the ministry reportedly helps people with housing, was also searched by deputies. The church is led by two pastors originally from Burma, now Myanmar, and belongs to the Chin ethnic minority. Many Burmese refugees in Iowa work at a local Tyson Foods plant, which slaughters about 2% of the country's hogs each year.
