Below are some of the highlights from the events that took place throughout the Clergy Sexual Abuse Awareness & Prevention campaign:

• Steve & Samantha Nelson were guests on the program God Answers Prayer, hosted by Ted Gonzales and Linda Cobb on KCHF-TV (Son Broadcasting) in Santa Fe, NM.
• Volunteers Gail & Elgin Jenkins staffed The Hope of Survivors’ exhibit at the Pacific Union Conference Session & Ministerial Council held in Ontario, CA. Gail reported things went very well, with many pastors and leaders requesting more information about the organization and more involvement with other initiatives to end abuse within the church. Both English and Spanish booklets, as well as the Enough Is Enough, buttons were distributed at this event.

Update of benefit concert held in Simpsonville, SC, August 6, 2011:

We were blessed to be able to participate in the Clergy Sexual Abuse Awareness month by hosting a benefit concert at Word of Life International Ministries in Simpsonville,SC. We had anointed musicians and singers that lead us straight into the presence of God. The testimonies were filled with hope and healing. I was so inspired by the bravery of those who stood up and shared their experiences with us. Our attendance was low, but that was to be expected when breaking new ground in an area that is saturated with clergy sexual and spiritual abuse. I believe that those in attendance were ordained to be there. We are hoping to do another CSA Awareness event within the next six months or so. We realize that we will have to continue to plow the spiritual ground in the upstate area of South Carolina and stand firm in our resolve to eradicate CSA from the Body of Christ. I want to thank Hope of Survivors for their support and contribution to this event. May God richly bless you as you continue to bring hope and healing to survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse.

Denah Moon
Soul Care Ministries
Head Counselor

Update of benefit concert held in Vancouver, WA, August 19, 2011:

A gathering of about 30 people was present for the concert and testimonies held at Oasis Christian Center, in Vancouver, Washington, on 8/19/11. The concert presented “spiritual-recovery music” by Linda B-K (Linda Beldin-Korter, LCSW) accompanied by the Awaken Music Band with Rob Louis and Jeff Hancutt. Three survivors of clergy sexual abuse presented testimonies. Linda, who also described the progressive steps that occurred in the process of the abuser towards the victim, presented the closing testimony. The program flier also included Progressive Steps To Healing (from clergy sexual abuse), also from Linda’s personal experience. This event was felt to be positive, spiritual, Jesus-centered, and uplifting to all present.

Some (who were unable to make it to the concert) checked out The Hope of Survivors’ website and were amazed at how in-depth it was and grateful that THOS is available. One pastor (not at the concert) also told of how he found out many years after the fact that a member of the clergy had abused one of the women attending his church; he spoke about how difficult recovery was for her.

Reported by Linda Beldion-Korter, LCSW