Timeline

The following timeline presents some of the documented evidence that we believe indicates the need for an independent investigation to establish clarity. There are many unanswered questions about what truly happened at Sankey Samaritan children’s home.

  • 2000-2012
  • 2000 - Sankey begins taking children

    The first children arrived at Sankey in 2000.

    Tom Randall tells two versions of the founding. In one, two Filipino Christians volunteered to give him land to start an orphanage. In another, Randall and his wife decided to adopt some kids and built a home for themselves.

    In the version told by the original directors, Randall approached them initially to help with their existing ministry and later asked them to build an orphanage on their property.

  • 2002-2004 - Sankey changes hands

    The original directors of Sankey parted ways with Randall due to a conflict. Toto Luchavez became the director sometime before August 2004.

  • 2005 - First known instances of abuse

    The first incidents of sexual abuse as reported by two boys in sworn statements from January 2014 began.

  • Fall 2012 - Victim 1 begins disclosing

    Victim 1 told the in-house social worker about the director’s harassment of her in October 2012. This is also stated in an affidavit filed by Sankey’s assistant coordinator, Sheeree Ann Kaw.

  • 2013
  • Mid-2013 - Multiple staff resign

    Sankey’s social worker resigned from her post. Other houseparents resigned as well.

  • Aug-Sep 2013 - Victim 1 discloses more widely

    Victim 1 began telling the other wards at Sankey about her experience, causing some “disorganization”, says the assistant coordinator’s affidavit. The affidavit also states that Victim 1 disclosed to a short-term missionary who arrived at Sankey in the summer of 2013. Another ward’s affidavit says he informed Tom Randall when he heard about it.

  • Sep 2013 - CCC hires Tom Randall

    Tom Randall was hired as “pastor at large” at Christ Community Chapel in Hudson, Ohio, according to MyTownNEO. He had already left his position as chaplain of the PGA Champions tour in the summer of 2013.

  • Sep 1, 2013 - Sankey hires Venny Jumawan

    Venancio “Venny” Jumawan became the assigned social worker at Sankey on Sep 1, according to the Luchavezes’ counter-affidavit.

  • Sep 15, 2013 - Issues noted by DSWD

    The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) issued a report that recommended holding Sankey’s license to operate in abeyance, citing numerous issues, including that director Toto Luchavez was conducting counseling sessions without documenting them, that children were being discharged without proper paperwork, and that Sankey was keeping the children in long-term care against DSWD policy.

  • Sep 30, 2013 - Victim 1 signs a retraction

    According to Toto Luchavez’s affidavit, Victim 1 signed a letter retracting her allegations against him in his presence and the presence of social worker Venny Jumawan and assistant coordinator Sheeree Ann Kaw. Victim 1 later said she was pressured into this retraction.

  • Nov 5, 2013 - Letters sent to Tom Randall

    Missionary and ministry partner Joe Mauk emailed Tom Randall with scanned letters from Victim 1 and Victim 2 detailing multiple forced kisses by Toto Luchavez, then director of both the children’s home and World Harvest’s operations in the Philippines. Mauk’s daughter and her friend had received the letters directly from the girls. Mauk wrote to Randall:

    If you give Toto any indication you have been informed of this, innocent people may suffer and most likely no additional evidence of wrongdoing will ever come forth from our kids.

  • Nov 6-7, 2013 - Toto Luchavez informed of reports

    In a Dec 2018 interview, Tom Randall said he put Toto Luchavez on leave from his Sankey role. According to Toto Luchavez’s affidavit, he was told this was due to the complaints from Joseph Mauk but that Randall did not indicate he believed the complaints had substance.

    Randall has at times claimed he didn’t tell Toto anything except to stay in his house and other times claimed he fired him. Randall has also said Luchavez was only put on leave from his role at the children’s home, not his role as World Harvest director. A witness says Luchavez continued to use his office on the Sankey compound.

  • Nov 16, 2013 - Change of guards

    After receiving concerning reports that the young people’s communication access was being restricted, and that a man was being allowed into the girls’ dorm at night, Joe Mauk consulted his lawyer and security agency. They believed it would be prudent to change the guards assigned to the compound and add a female guard for the girls’ dorm. Toto Luchavez, who claimed in an affidavit that he was President of Sankey at the time, refused to allow the guard change and called military friends to prevent it. Tom Randall was called. After a tense altercation, Randall agreed to allow the guard change. Police arrived and defused the military situation. Days later, the new guards fled their posts and wrote to their employer explaining why: Luchavez had hired a new security agency and accused them of trespassing.

    Randall describes this event quite differently. He claims Mauk was trying to “take over” the Sankey property. He says that armed men searched the houses and the property, and that the children were sequestered in a room and questioned. He says he warned Mauk that if he didn’t leave, he was going to call the police. Sankey later filed suit against Mauks et al for trespassing.

  • Dec 13, 2013 - Tom Randall speaks to Miriam Bongolan

    Tom Randall spoke to Miriam (Mauk) Bongolan and her teacher friend who had received the first abuse reports in the Philippines. This is recorded. He said Bongolan and her whole family could be deported. He also admitted he was the one who had the children’s communication devices removed. He claimed he was trying to protect everyone, including the kids and the Mauks.

  • Dec 18, 2013 - DSWD follow up visit

    DSWD officials visited Sankey to follow up on the September report. Karen Randall wrote:

    We went over several pages of things they are suggesting as changes in the handbook and Benny (ed: Venny) had already taken care of most of the changes. So it was a long morning but necessary in the grand scheme of things.

    The newsletter does not mention an abuse investigation.

  • Dec 29, 2013 - Ministry trip with Toto Luchavez

    Tom Randall, Toto Luchavez, a basketball team from the United States, and several Sankey boys began a basketball ministry trip. Luchavez gave a spiritual testimony on the trip. Randall has said that at this time he was awaiting the final report from a DSWD investigation of the earlier abuse claims.

  • 2014
  • Jan 13, 2014 - NBI AHTRAD rescue

    The NBI arrived before dawn to execute an emergency rescue. During the rescue, a houseparent was found in an orphan’s room, but the staff prevented the NBI from questioning them.

    Tom Randall, Toto Luchavez, and Jake Luchavez were arrested and taken to the NBI office in Manila. Randall has claimed he was interviewed by US Homeland Security agents who told him he would not be charged. Nonetheless, he and the Luchuvezes were eventually taken into the NBI detention center in Manila while the NBI investigated further to determine charges.

    The Sankey youth were taken into DSWD custody and interviewed. Several gave sworn statements describing forced kisses, girls paid to give massages to Luchavez, rape, and more. In total, four of the children’s home staff were named as alleged perpetrators. Miriam Bongolan says that she and her family were called in to help care for the kids and provide food and toiletries. Randall has said he was called and asked to pay for food for the children.

  • Jan 14, 2014 - Joe Coffey blames 'Joe M'

    Joe Coffey, Tom Randall’s senior pastor and friend, published a blog post defending Randall and blaming a “Joe M” for putting Randall and the Luchavezes in jail.

  • Jan 14, 2014 - Karen Randall defends Toto and Jake

    Karen Randall sent out a letter to friends thanking them for their prayer for Tom, Toto, and Jake. She wrote:

    I know in my heart that none of the charges are true. The problem with some of these allegations is that sometimes something sticks even when the people are innocent. We have hired a very good law firm and the lawyers have been with the guys every step of the way.

  • Jan ~15, 2014 - Free Tom Randall page begins

    Members of Christ Community Chapel started a Facebook page supporting Tom Randall and the Luchavez men. They received tens of thousands of “likes” from supporters. These supporters were asked to send messages to the Philippine NBI and the US Embassy in Manila petitioning for Tom’s release.

  • Jan ~16, 2014 - Sen. Portman intercedes for Randall

    Reported in MyTownNEO:

    “Senator Portman’s staff reached out to and spoke directly with Ambassador Cuisia, the Filipino Ambassador in Washington, regarding Tom Randall,” Michael Haidet, Portman’s deputy press secretary, said Jan. 16. “Our office is continuing to work all diplomatic channels to investigate this situation.”

  • Jan 17, 2014 - Joe Coffey defends Luchavez

    Joe Coffey told Fox8:

    To know Tom Randall, I mean, we have sent literally hundreds of our people on mission trips over there. I mean, we built that orphanage for him, we have seen him interact with the kids, we have seen Mr. Luchavez’ interact with the kids — there is no possibility that it is a sex trafficking thing, I mean, that is beyond the pale.

  • Jan 19, 2014 - Joe Coffey says a girl made up allegation

    Joe Coffey told all services at Christ Community Chapel that a girl had made up an allegation because she was angry about being disciplined. Coffey claimed the church was experiencing an attack from Satan. He said he had appealed to Ohio Senator Rob Portman, who reached out to the Philippine ambassador about the case. He said Tom Randall’s ministry was paying all attorney fees for him, Toto and Jake.

  • Jan 19, 2014 - Karen Randall says multiple complainants

    Karen Randall wrote to supporters referring to plural complainants, not one girl. She said that they did not believe the alleged victims were making complaints on their own accord.

  • Jan 22, 2014 - Luchavez defense affidavits filed

    Toto and Jake Luchavez filed a joint affidavit claiming the abuse complaints were false. The assistant coordinator of Sankey also filed an affidavit in support of the Luchavezes calling the alleged victims “delinquent wards”.

  • Jan 29, 2014 - No competing narrative allowed

    The Cleveland Scene reported that many comments were being removed from the “Free Tom Randall” Facebook page.

  • Jan 30, 2014 - Charges filed

    Toto Luchavez was charged with multiple counts of lascivious acts against female minors. Jake Luchavez was charged with 1 count of rape and 1 count of committing a lascivious act, both against male minors. Tom Randall was not charged and was released on Feb 3. It’s unproven how much effect Portman’s influence had in the lack of charges against Randall.

  • Feb 9, 2014 - Coffey tells church charges 'downgraded'

    Joe Coffey and Tom Randall addressed all services at Christ Community Chapel. Congregants were told that the Luchavezes’ charges had been “downgraded” and that they were out on bail, which received a round of applause. He did not mention that they were still charged with sexual abuse. Tom Randall called Sankey “the finest orphanage in the world”.

  • Feb 21, 2014 - Randalls announce thankful for downgrade

    The Randalls posted on the “Free Tom Randall” Facebook page:

    We are thankful that Tom’s case was completely dismissed. Toto and Jake’s case was downgraded so that they were eligible for bail. They had to stay a couple extra days while the bail was settled but they are resting and just trying to gather the bits of their lives that were shattered by this case.

  • Feb 25, 2014 - Randalls claim allegations untrue

    The Randalls posted on the “Free Tom Randall” Facebook page:

    Unfortunately, the national DSWD and the NBI Headquarters in Manila were not communicating and unaware of the ongoing investigation by their local counterparts in Lucena where we are located. This lack of communication and confusion between agencies and the very serious but completely untrue allegations urging an emergency raid culminated in my illegal arrest and the kids being detained.

  • Apr 2014 - Randalls visit the Philippines

    Tom and Karen Randall visited the Philippines and took many of the Sankey youth to a resort with a swimming pool. Randall later spoke of this visit in sermons.

  • Mar-May 2014 - Sankey files complaint against Mauks

    In March 2014, Sankey social worker Venancio Jumawan filed a complaint on behalf of Sankey Samaritan Mission against Joe Mauk and his family for allegedly trespassing at Sankey during the guard change on November 16, 2013. In May 2014, Joe Mauk et al filed counter-affidavits contesting Jumawan’s claims. The case was dismissed.

  • May 2014 - First public allegations against Tom Randall

    An American living in Lucena posted on a blog that he had met Tom Randall at a resort and that his behavior with teen girls in the resort pool had been inappropriate. He wrote:

    His behavior at the resort outside of Lucena was inappropriate. He was in the swimming pool with 16 to 18 year girls and had his hands all over these girls. … I’m not saying that what I saw would constitute abuse, molestation or trauma, but I do know this culture and a young girl or “Dalaga” does not sit on the lap of a foreigner, in a bathing suit, in a pool, it’s culturally and morally incorrect and he should know this.

  • May 2014 - A victim speaks out

    The Phoenix Preacher released an interview with Victim 1 and Miriam Bongolan, one of the missionaries who received the initial abuse reports. Victim 1 stood by her allegations.

  • Jun 2-5, 2014 - Joe Coffey refuses to meet Joe Mauk

    Joe Mauk reached out to Joe Coffey offering to meet when he visited the area later in the month. Coffey refused:

    Please don’t assume we are relying on presuppositions. We have followed the investigation and the charges very closely. We trust that the authorities are doing a thorough investigation into the situation and our prayer is that the truth is revealed. If you have something to add to what you previously stated please let us know. Otherwise we prefer to decline your invitation.

  • Jun 30-Jul 6, 2014 - Joe Coffey and Tom Randall react

    On June 30, 2014, a local Christian arranged a meeting with Joe Coffey through a CCC church attendee to discuss the Sankey case. She says Coffey’s response included things like “That happened a long time ago”, “They are adults now”, and, “You know how orphans can be.” She attempted to show Coffey the documented charge of forced oral sex and says he refused to look at or listen to it. Both witnesses attest to Coffey’s lack of interest in responding to the charges. Coffey asked her what she would do with the documents.

    The next Sunday, July 6, 2014, Tom Randall preached at Christ Community Chapel and this individual went to speak to him. She says he became upset and wanted to know what documents she had. When she tried to leave, she says he followed her and grabbed her arm.

  • Aug 1, 2014 - $2.1M assets transferred to CCC

    World Harvest Ministries transferred $2.1M in cash assets to Christ Community Chapel and dissolved.

  • Aug 28, 2014 - Local pastor claims charges for 'kissing non-romantically'

    A local pastor asked about Sankey defended Tom Randall and claimed:

    Also, the trial ongoing is for 2 counts. Tito (ed: Toto) on trial for “oral sex” and Jake for kissing a girl “non-romantically” years ago.

  • Aug 29, 2014 - Coffey claims charges dropped

    After a hearing, Coffey announced on Twitter that all charges against Toto and Jake had been dropped, and that a judge had deemed the raid unjustified. This was false. Two people replied informing him of such. He did not respond.

  • Aug 31, 2014 - Randall claims charges about to be dropped

    Speaking at Christ Community Chapel, Randall said:

    Speaking of good news, I have good news. Everybody likes to hear good news, don’t they? And my good news is — at least, for Karen and I, big news is — in the Philippines, we got a call just the other night, late in the morning, about 2:30 in the morning — that the hearing is finished, and the lawyers say they’re going to drop the charges on Toto and my godson.

  • Nov 27, 2014 - Judge denies motion to quash

    The Luchavez motion to quash the charges against them was denied. The Luchavez defense then filed a motion for reconsideration.

  • 2015
  • Mar 2015 - Judge denies Luchavez motion for reconsideration

    The motion for reconsideration was denied and charges upheld. The Luchavez defense filed yet another an appeal. Arguments regarding this appeal would take up the next year. The appeal would eventually be denied in 2017.

  • Dec 23, 2015 - Randalls mention 'open case against our director'

    In their Christmas 2015 newsletter, the Randalls wrote:

    Tom has really wanted to return for a visit to the Philippines but we just haven’t felt it was the best timing. There is still an open case against our director and his son. Tom returning could stir up things and become a problem possibly so for now we must be patient.

  • 2016
  • Feb 2016 - Karen Randall and two CCC women visit Philippines

    Karen Randall visited the Philippines with two women from Christ Community Chapel. Joe Coffey would later refer to this in an 2018 email, saying, “Do you know we sent a team ({Redacted two names of CCC women}) over to the Philippines to meet with the kids to get their story?”

  • ~Fall 2016 - Case dismissed for lack of witnesses

    In consultation with counsel, the remaining alleged victims were advised that the court case would likely take another 8-12 years, assuming the appeals and delays continued. If the witnesses failed to appear for any hearings, the case would be dismissed. The alleged victims decided not to continue pressing the case but did not retract their claims.

  • Nov 26, 2016 - Randalls celebrate case dismissal

    The Randalls wrote in their newsletter:

    Please celebrate with us! After nearly three years and about 15 court hearings the case against my friend, Toto Luchavez, and his son, Jake, has finally been dismissed!

  • 2017
  • Oct 2017 - Tom Randall claims 'gossip and slander'

    Tom Randall in his October 2017 newsletter mentioned only one girl and blamed “gossip and slander”:

    Even the girl who accused our staff member of a kiss has asked forgiveness from him and Karen and me. The missionary who inserted himself into our business and escalated the gossip and slander which resulted in our arrest and the detention of our kids is no longer credible or relevant and poses no threat.

  • Nov 2017 - Randall returns to Philippines

    In November 2017, Tom Randall returned to the Philippines. He said in a Nov 22 update that his attorney’s brother was the new Head of Immigration, so he was cleared off any lists. He also said another attorney he knew through a close friend was now President Duterte’s officer in charge while the president is traveling. He posted photographs with Toto Luchavez and many of the former Sankey youth.

  • 2018
  • Jun 21-22, 2018 - CCC concerned about meeting notes

    A CCC attendee met with CCC spokesperson Stacey DiNardo on June 19, 2018, to discuss concerns about Sankey. The congregant sent notes from their conversation to DiNardo. DiNardo responded:

    I am curious what your use of the notes will be? Will you be sending them to anyone? There is at least one adjustment from what is written below, but I would instead love to give you a call later to talk in person. Additionally, Tom and Karen Randall would love to sit down and talk with you to answer questions you have.

  • July 9, 2018 - CCC claims Sankey is 'completely handled'

    CCC spokesperson Stacey DiNardo told a concerned attendee:

    We 100% believe that the situation in the Philippines is completely handled. Extensive truth-seeking, justice, and much care has been poured into the situation. The only thing we can do at this point is help in bringing you peace of mind - there is no further investigation possible as you would learn in sitting with Karen and Tom.

  • Sep 2, 2018 - Tom Randall preaches at CCC

    Tom Randall spoke at Sunday morning services at Christ Community Chapel.

  • Sep 5, 2018 - CCC claims to begin independent investigation

    In the morning on Sep 5, CCC spokesperson Stacey DiNardo told a church attendee that the church had “engaged with investigative services to examine all discoveries and all documents regarding the Sankey orphanage arrests and proceedings”.

  • Sep 5, 2018 - Mauks comment on Facebook

    In the evening on Sep 5, 2018, Joe Mauk and Miriam Bongolan commented on a video of Tom Randall’s Sep 2 sermon on the CCC Hudson Facebook page. The video was later deleted.

  • Sep 6, 2018 - CCC declines to share who is investigating

    On Sep 6, 2018, the attendee asked what company was being used for the investigation. DiNardo replied:

    We have passed on the few concerned individuals contact info to the investigator and they will contact you. … Given the concerns we have (and the different concerns you have), I don’t believe it is necessary to give you all the details of the nature of the investigation.

    The attendee was contacted by Suzanne Lewis-Johnson in July 2019.

  • Sep 6, 2018 - CCC tells Joe Mauk to expect contact from investigators

    CCC spokesperson Stacey DiNardo messaged Joe Mauk on Facebook and said:

    Given a few people’s concerns that have recently been expressed, we have engaged with an independent investigation. The investigative team may be reaching out to you for information.

  • Oct 26-29, 2018 - DiNardo says 'playing phone tag' with investigative team

    Another person who approached Christ Community Chapel was told the church had engaged an independent investigation with a very well qualified team. The person sent a document and said she hoped to hear from the team soon. Stacey DiNardo told her, “I am passing it [the DSWD report] on to the team. My contact on the investigative team and I have been playing phone tag today but I will be asking them to contact you when we do touch base – hopefully in the coming day or two.”

    (DiNardo followed up on Nov 6, 2018, and wrote, “I did reach out to our investigative group but they are not yet ready to connect with you.”)

  • Oct 29, 2018 - New blog posts about Sankey

    A blogger on Medium began writing about Sankey, pointing out that Tom Randall’s narrative of only one girl, one worker, and one recantation didn’t match evidence showing multiple male and female victims, multiple perpetrators, and at least one victim standing by her allegations.

  • Nov 2-4, 2018 - A friend of Tom Randall's posts on Facebook

    A friend of Tom Randall’s commented on Joe Mauk’s Facebook asking him to stop posting about Sankey to avoid harming the Kingdom. He echoed the claim that Mauk “raided” the Sankey compound with armed men and accused Mauk of having “no compassion” for Randall’s experience being arrested.

  • Nov 5, 2018 - Two victims speak out (again)

    On Nov 5, 2018, video statements from Victim 1 and Victim 3 were posted on Facebook. Both reiterated that they were abused at Sankey and that there was no proper investigation done.

  • Nov 4 & 18, 2018 - Tom Randall speaks at CCC

    On Nov 4, 2018, the Aurora campus of CCC hosted An Evening with Tom Randall. Joe Coffey told morning services that there might be protests at the evening event.

    The Hudson campus also hosted the same event on Nov 18.

    From surviving a revolution to volcano eruptions, being a PGA Champions Tour chaplain, and even imprisonment, Tom’s stories will captivate you as they inspire you to live out your faith boldly. Invite your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and family to listen on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. to hear the life of a man who has been a real-life example of meeting people where they are for Christ.

  • Nov 15-18, 2018 - Joe Coffey calls advocacy efforts 'satanic'

    A church member reached out to CCC lead pastor Joe Coffey with questions about Sankey. Coffey suggested the victims speaking out were not credible. He claimed the church had asked a group to conduct an independent investigation. He said that the church had paid legal fees for the Luchavezes. Coffey insisted that the church member call Tom Randall right now and arrange a meeting with him. He told her:

    Make the people who are “researching” this meet w Tom next week. This is poison and it is satanic.

  • Nov 24, 2018 - Questions from Randall's friend on Facebook

    A friend of Tom Randall’s posted on Joe Mauk’s Facebook wall defending Randall. He wrote that if victims wanted justice, they had to go through the court system and not make claims on social media. Mauk responded answering his questions.

  • Dec 7, 2018 - Statement from former Sankey youth on Facebook

    A former Sankey youth posted a comment on Facebook also defending the Randalls.

  • Dec 7-11, 2018 - Comments from Randall's friend on Facebook

    In later comments, Randall’s friend wrote several comments accusing Joe Mauk of trying to take over Sankey. He accused Miriam Bongolan of “dramatic self-pity”. He asked both to stop “gossiping” and “slandering” on social media.

  • Dec 10-13, 2018 - Sankey short-term missionary sends emails

    A short-term missionary at Sankey allegedly sent two emails regarding the events at Sankey. One claimed that the Mauks tried to take over Sankey in November 2018. It was later proven to be fabricated by Tom Randall. The other, presumably authentic, claimed that Victim 1 made false allegations and stirred up “gossip” and “drama” due to a romantic tiff. The missionary has not responded to requests for comment.

  • Dec 13, 2018 - Advocate barred from meeting

    Melanie Wasson, cousin of Joe Mauk and one of the first advocates to come to the church with concerns about Sankey, was barred from an upcoming meeting with Tom Randall. CCC spokesperson Stacey DiNardo wrote:

    Melanie has had some history with initiating and stirring up unproductive dialogue and untruths. Given that history we do not believe it will be helpful for everyone else for her to be present in such a large setting.

  • Dec 14, 2018 - Meeting with Tom Randall

    Multiple individuals met with church representatives and Tom Randall. Stacey DiNardo claimed again that an independent investigation was being done by a group “not at all funded or supported by CCC”. They said there was a “loose association” with one individual.

    Randall said he had not read any of the sworn statements from the alleged victims.

    Randall and the CCC representatives handed out copies of two emails allegedly from a Sankey short-term missionary, who claimed that the whole thing started “because of a mistake on my part.”

  • Dec 18, 2018 - Karen Randall sends follow-up email

    Karen Randall sent a follow-up email to the Dec 14 meeting attendees via Stacey DiNardo. She wrote that the Randalls had gone into the meeting hoping that attendees would see that the story was “bigger and more complicated than just what you read on line or in taking court documents at face value without knowing history or circumstances.” She expressed disapointment with how the meeting ended.

  • Dec 17-22, 2018 - Jim Colledge summons member to meet with elders

    A church member wrote to CCC pastors Joe Coffey and Jim Colledge summarizing her continued concerns after meeting with Tom Randall. Coffey did not respond.

    Jim Colledge wrote back asking the member to meet with the elder board and instructing her to “cease attempting to contact Tom Randall”. The member clarified that she had not tried to contact Randall in any way since the meeting.

  • 2019
  • Jan 2-4, 2019 - Jim Colledge refuses to allow witness

    The church member wrote to Jim Colledge asking for more details about the meeting and for permission to bring a witness. Colledge refused to allow a witness and berated the member for her mistrust, disrespect, and divisiveness.

  • Jan 2019 - Tom Randall visits the Philippines

    Randall visited the Philippines and spent time with many of the former Sankey youth – but not the ones speaking out about abuse.

  • Mar 8, 2019 - The Wartburg Watch publishes CCC emails

    The Wartburg Watch published the November-January correspondence with CCC pastors Joe Coffey and Jim Colledge. The blog raised questions about the “independent investigation” referenced by Coffey and Colledge and left a message with Suzanne Lewis-Johnson, who at the time was rumored to be conducting the investigation.

  • Mar 12, 2019 - Joe Coffey sends internal statement

    Joe Coffey sent out an internal email to members informing them of an in-progress “review” being conducted by CCC member Suzanne Lewis-Johnson. No explanation was given for the earlier claims of an “independent investigation” by a group.

    Lewis-Johnson also published a statement on CCC’s website.

  • Mar 13, 2019 - The Wartburg Watch raises questions

    The Wartburg Watch responded to Coffey’s email and Lewis-Johnson’s statement and closed with the following:

    I’ve seen a number of pictures of Tom Randall visiting the Sankey Residence in January. I have been told that he brought wonderful electronic gifts that will help in the education of the residents. However, it seems a bit odd that he would schedule such a visit after being told that an independent investigation was underway. I wonder if anyone told him how such a visit at this time that might appear?

    I also plan to submit a photo that I have obtained to Suzanne Lewis-Johnson to aid in her internal, non-independent investigation.

  • Mar 27, 2019 - Allegations arise against Randall

    Two women and an observer came forward to The Wartburg Watch with allegations of improper behavior by Randall with adolescent girls. Priscilla Leighton, daughter of Joe Mauk, said that Tom Randall had touched her breasts when she was in high school, calling it a medical massage. An American living in Lucena said he had seen Randall at a resort swimming pool with a teenage girl in his lap in a “provocative” and “inappropriate” position.

  • Mar 28, 2019 - Allegations sent to Suzanne Lewis-Johnson

    Dee Parsons of The Wartburg Watch wrote to Suzanne Lewis-Johnson:

    I am sending you the link to my post of 3/27/19. I believe there is information in that post which might be relevant to your investigation of the Sankey situation.

    Lewis-Johnson told Parsons to report the issues to the church and/or law enforcement. Regarding her own review/investigation, she wrote:

    The scope of my review was of historical information related to the response to the allegations at Sankey.

  • Apr 6-10, 2019 - This website sent to Suzanne Lewis-Johnson

    In response to an email sending this website to Suzanne Lewis-Johnson, she replied:

    I’m just seeing this and have not reviewed the website. Websites are not typically considered first-hand verifiable sources without direct authentication from the source.

  • Jun 3, 2019 - Tom Randall asked to resign

    According to the Suzanne Lewis-Johnson’s report, Tom Randall was asked by CCC’s elder board to resign for “a clear violation of pastoral ethics.” According to Joe Coffey’s Aug 4 statement, the church accepted Randall’s resignation a week later.

  • Jun 7, 2019 - Joe Coffey emails church members

    Joe Coffey emailed church members thanking them for their financial support and asserting the church’s care for child protection. He called the review “thorough” and said it would cover “all information connected to the case”. He said it was expected to be completed “within the next few weeks” but that the timeline was subject to change.

    Coffey’s email did not mention the allegations from Priscilla Leighton or Tom Randall’s recent resignation.

  • Early July, 2019 - Joe Mauk and Miriam Bongolan contacted

    Nine months after CCC first notified Joe Mauk that they were opening an investigation, Mauk and his daughter Miriam were finally contacted. One of Mauk’s other daughters, Priscilla, who had come forward with her story of being molested by Tom Randall as a teen, was not contacted.

  • Jul 8, 2019 - An Evening with Tom Lehman

    CCC hosted an evening event featuring Tom Lehman, a friend and associate of Randall’s from his years as the PGA Champions Tour chaplain. Randall was at the event, shaking hands and talking to people.

  • Jul 15, 2019 - Scene not informed of Randall's resignation

    Sam Allard at Cleveland Scene Magazine contacted the church to request interviews with Tom Randall and Joe Coffey for his upcoming investigative piece. CCC rep Stacey DiNardo gave no indication that Randall had left the church staff, and told him, “It would be most productive to address you meeting with Joe and/or Tom after they learn the outcome of the review.”

  • Jul 30, 2019 - Suzanne Lewis-Johnson gives her report to CCC elders

    Joe Coffey said at an Aug 4 meeting that the elders had received the final report from Lewis-Johnson’s review the previous Tuesday, July 30. The report is dated Friday, July 26.

  • Jul 31, 2019 - Scene publishes Tom Randall expose

    Cleveland Scene Magazine’s cover story was an expose on Tom Randall and the Sankey situation. Scene covered the molestation allegations from Priscilla Leighton and said church officials refused to comment.

    The Akron Beacon Journal put out a request for comment that morning.

  • Aug 4, 2019 - ABJ and CCC publish Lewis-Johnson report

    The Akron Beacon Journal published a story summarizing the findings of CCC’s internal report. The report concluded:

    Review of provided records revealed significant inconsistencies with the versions of events described by RANDALL to both reviewer and CCC staff. …

    … RANDALL falsified information in the course of the review. …

    The record clearly established and affirmed probable cause that abuse happened at SANKEY and that it was perpetrated, along with others, by TOTO and JAKE, whom RANDALL defended to his own detriment.

    ABJ’s story included a statement from Joe Coffey, which he read at a meeting in the afternoon after Sunday morning services. Advocates were present at the meeting.

    CCC also published the report and a recorded video of Joe Coffey’s statement. They included an email address to contact with questions.

  • Aug 5, 2019 - Scene publishes follow-up

    Cleveland Scene Magazine published a follow up article with reactions from advocates and from Priscilla Leighton, whose stories were for the most part not mentioned in the report or Coffey’s statement.

  • Aug 7-14, 2019 - Stacey DiNardo emails Miriam Bongolan

    On Aug 8, CCC leader Stacey DiNardo emailed Miriam Bongolan to ask for contact information so the church could apologize to the former Sankey youth. The email did not include an apology to Bongolan. DiNardo said that the church had reached out to IJM, but “hit dead ends.” She asked for suggestions of other organizations that could help.

    Bongolan said it would be helpful to have GRACE do an investigation first. DiNardo did not respond to the suggestion but said she planned to reach out to IJM again. Bongolan asked why GRACE was not being contacted on Aug 14. She has not received a response.

  • Aug 9-15, 2019 - Priscilla Leighton emails CCC

    Priscilla Leighton, who still had not heard back from CCC about her account of being molested by Tom Randall when she was a minor, emailed CCC staff and leaders on Aug 9. Only one person from CCC staff responded at first: a campus pastor, who wrote, “Unsubscribe”.

    The Wartburg Watch published a copy of the email on Aug 10. On Aug 15, CCC elder board chair Jim Gaul wrote a response. He did not apologize. He said that CCC had reported the matter to the local FBI when they learned of it but did not give a date for the report.

  • Aug 10-16, 2019 - Joe Coffey reaches out to Joe Mauk

    CCC lead pastor Joe Coffey emailed Joe Mauk and apologized for not listening to his June 2014 request to meet about the abuse at Sankey. Mauk thanked him and accepted the apology. Some CCC leaders Coffey had blind copied on the initial email responded to Joe Mauk in error.

    On Aug 16, Coffey sent an email asking Mauk to participate in a Christian conciliation service led by RZIM speaker Judy Dabler. Dabler sent a suggested edit to Mauk in error.

  • Aug 19, 2019 - Tom Randall makes email statement

    On Aug 19, Tom and Karen Randall sent out an email to supporters saying that World Harvest was going through a “transition period.” Randall did not mention the email he falsified that resulted in Christ Community Chapel asking for his resignation. Instead, he claimed he had resigned from CCC “to become completely independent again.”

    The Randalls said they were applying for a new 501(c)3 ministry under a new name and asked that supporters stop sending checks to CCC in Ohio.

  • Aug 25, 2019 - CCC holds member meeting

    Christ Community Chapel held a member meeting which included an update on the Sankey situation. A second meeting was held on Aug 28, 2019, with the same updates.

    Lead pastor Joe Coffey and elder board chair Jim Gaul apologized. Tom Randall’s alleged sexually predatory behavior was not mentioned; neither was his Aug 19 announcement of beginning a new 501(c)3.

    Coffey said he had reached out to Joe Mauk to apologize and that Mauk had been “very, very gracious.” Gurreri said they were “working diligently” to reconcile with advocates and had hired a Christian conciliation service. He said the $3 million in World Harvest funds CCC had received were a “gift” with no restrictions.

    Justice for Sankey continues to advocate for a third party, independent investigation.

  • Aug 28, 2019 - Joe Mauk responds to Coffey

    Joe Mauk belatedly responded to Joe Coffey’s Aug 16 email (an earlier response had been misrouted in error). Mauk did not agree that a formal conciliation process should begin at this time. Rather, he reiterated that the facts around what happened and why still needed to be established by an independent investigation.

    Mauk noted specifically that elder Jim Colledge had been presented with a dossier of evidence that Tom Randall’s narrative was inaccurate a year previously, and that an American missionary had said that Coffey told him in 2014 that he knew Toto had done wrong but his friendship with Tom was the reason for his actions. Mauk said these facts needed to be addressed vs the elder board’s claims that they had had no idea anything was wrong with Randall’s narrative until they received Suzanne Lewis-Johnson’s report on July 30.

  • Sep 3, 2019 - Advocates petition Sen. Rob Portman

    Concerned local advocates sent a letter to Ohio Senator Rob Portman requesting that a federal investigation be opened into Tom Randall and his nonprofit organization and that the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation be contacted to reopen the Sankey case.

  • Sep 3, 2019 - Judy Dabler responds to Joe Mauk

    CCC’s conciliation service representative Judy Dabler responded to Joe Mauk’s Aug 25 email and clarified that her services were not yet finalized with CCC.

  • Sep 19-Oct 7, 2019 - Judy Dabler corresponds with advocates

    CCC’s conciliation service representative Judy Dabler reached out to several of the church members and attendees who had contacted CCC over the past five years. She wanted to know if the advocates would be willing to participate in a formal conciliation (mediation) service, which involves a confidentiality clause.

    The advocates declined and reiterated that an independent investigation to establish the truth was necessary before reconciliation could proceed. The advocates offered to meet with CCC elders directly at any time.

  • Oct 7, 2019 - Randall announces new nonprofit in Florida

    The Randalls sent out an email to their supporters announcing their new nonprofit, Revelation 12:11, based in Clermont, FL.

  • Dec 14, 2019 - Randall's Board defends Randall

    Revelation 12:11’s Board of Directors asked supporters to pray for Tom and Karen against “attacks of Satan” and to “continue your generosity in prayer and giving so that the Word of Christ will go forth.” The new board included Steve Clifford, Lead Pastor of WestGate Church, where Randall had been a guest speaker in the past. The letter disputed the allegations against both Tom Randall and the orphanage workers.

  • 2020-present
  • Jan 10, 2020 - CCC releases World Harvest audit

    CCC’s elder board emailed members with an update and a high level overview of how the ~$3.8M in World Harvest funds had been used. For example, $918,667 was used for the Aurora campus (the “unsubscribe“ campus). Notably, a $539,282 sum was reserved for two partners, one of which was RAHAB Ministries—led by CCC investigator Suzanne Lewis-Johnson.

  • Jan 14, 2021 - Open letter sent to CCC

    Justice for Sankey sent CCC’s elder board and leadership an open letter noting our dismay with CCC’s overall lack of action despite the apologies and stated goals announced in 2019. We suggested CCC initiate the following actions:

    1. A GRACE independent investigation into both the problems at Sankey and any necessary aftercare for the victims

    2. A review of how CCC’s leadership structure failed to safeguard against deception and partiality within the leadership

    3. With the congregation, an update of CCC’s financial oversight and accountability over the leadership in order to prevent future incidents.

  • Feb 20, 2021 - Former member writes to CCC Elders

    A former church member, Mike Wise, emailed the elders for whom he had personal email addresses. Wise had formerly been a supporter of Tom Randall and had administrated the Free Tom Randall Facebook page in 2014. Wise produced and sent a video interview about Sankey for the elders’ review and asked them for an independent investigation without restrictions. As of Mar 2, he had not received a response.

  • Mar 19, 2021 - CCC emails out an update

    Christ Community Chapel emailed out an update on the four stated areas of planned work announced in August 2019. These areas did not include an independent investigation into Sankey. The statement concluded:

    We believe that we have done all that we reasonably can to acknowledge any wrongdoing, seek forgiveness, pursue healing, make corrections as necessary and through this grow to be more effective servants of Christ for His kingdom.

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