412 S Barstow St Eau Claire, WI 54701 United States MAP IT Service Times (715) 834-9993 Pastor Doug Lebsack About Valleybrook Church Valleybrook Church is a Baptist church in Eau Claire Wisconsin. But that was easier said than done at a place where several former members stressed that Lebsack cultivated a climate that discouraged dissent. Being told youre with the devil, thats powerful stuff, Burns said. You have permission to edit this article. Unknown . With the truth-telling voices gone, the abuse was able to increase and take deeper root, Diederich said. Late payments on church credit cards resulted in charges of more than $7,500 in penalties, interest and late fees between April 2013 and March 2015. The Hollywood sign above the marquee will also be relit as part of the project to replace more than 1,100 bulbs at the outside entrance to Valleybrook Church in the 400 block of South Barstow Street in downtown Eau Claire. Our Staff Bethesda Lutheran Church Our Staff Called for God's Purpose Here to serve you Pastoral Staff Kirk Militzer, Lead Pastor kirk@c3ec.org My wife Julie and I moved to Eau Claire the summer of 2015. Valleybrook is trying to rebuild itself in a healthy way, and they are doing a fine job of that. I would like to briefly give my take on this report before I share the linkand I really mean briefly: They nailed it. To view our latest e-Edition click the image on the left. Mitchell suggested in his blog that all the credit card interest and late fees when there was money available to make payments on time should be consideredmismanagement of godly resources and would be cause for firing in the business world. Burns, who said the behavior displayed elements of cultlike activity, pointed out that some reports suggest the pressure to conform sometimes got even stronger, with the pastors accusing critics or doubters of being under the influence of Satan. I currently attend a different church in Eau Claire than the one mentioned on this site. I began as Lead Pastor at Bethesda in August of 2015. LeaderTelegram 374 subscribers Jody and Bob Hagedorn watched as their son Nate, a married 32-year-old with 4 children, became involved at Valleybrook Church in Eau Claire and rose to a. Valleybrook Church412 S Barstow StEau Claire, WI 54701. Tales from the Cult is a website dedicated to preserving important artifacts from a church in Eau Claire where horrific spiritual abuse took place over several years. Food. North Granby, CT 06060. . He indicated certain characteristics often are present in such church leaders. Church Online Platform Facebook Live YouTube Live View Past Services All the symptoms appear to have been present at Valleybrook, Diederich said, noting that he regularly reminds his congregation that his words represent his opinions and that he isnt claiming to be speaking for God. Former Valleybrook staff member Matthew Mitchell said he believes tolerance of the abusive practices can be traced to how Lebsack coached parishioners and employees to believe criticism and questioning were bad. (715) 559-6943. Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. No matter what, I think theres a certain amount of respect given to a pastor just for being a pastor, he said. You can park in the metered lot by the bus station on Farwell St. You can park behind Valleybrook in the parking ramp on Graham Ave. Stream Live - Valleybrook Church Connect Ministries Messages Give Stream Services - Sundays at 10am Give Online Connection Card Join us at home or on the road by streaming from your phone, tablet, or computer. 6,802 were here. Find Best Western Hotels & Resorts nearby Sponsored. Invalid password or account does not exist. Share with friends Discover More Events in Eau Claire Sat Jan 28 2023 at 11:00 am Divine Guidance with Kim Following is the mission of this website: Names of abusive leaders will not be protected. Former Valleybrook Church employee Matthew Mitchell says he believes the former lead pastors efforts to muzzle dissent contributed to a climate that allowed spiritual abuse to take place at the downtown Eau Claire church. The letter indicated Schultz resigned when it became clear to him that the abusive practices were inappropriate and pushing the church away from God. The pastor in charge has fled the state. And they didnt miss a thing. Select a subscription and get started today. Peers. Please do something! ", Report Claims Evangelical Church Leaders in Wisconsin Exhibited Cultlike and Abusive Behavior. Valleybrook Offices411 S Barstow StEau Claire, WI 54701. Converges crisis intervention team spent more than 28 hours interviewing 57 current and former Valleybrook members and attendees and issued a report highly critical of practices at the church. Phone. We are within walking distance from family housing, college housing, and apartment buildings. Likewise, the pastors inner circle typically is muted, and those on the outer circle notice questionable behavior but dont have enough evidence or proximity to the pastor to say anything. Valleybrook Church Sound Beauty Trunk-or-Treat at the Hive with Harry Potter Event Saturday, Oct. 31, 10am-5pm The Hive 1120 122nd St., Suite 3, Chippewa Falls A Harry Potter-themed Halloween event with special treats, themed menu, and more. They also often dont require formal seminary training or even psychological evaluations for people to become pastors, she said. There is a substantial core of people who have remained who are committed to rebuilding. Tales from the Cult is a free effort to bring stories of abuse into the light so they may be prevented from happening again. If you havent read the About This Site page, please do so before reading any article here. Weve worked hard to put in place a high level of internal controls, said interim lead pastor Tim Haugen, adding that the church has no plans to pursue legal action related to the financial review. Call480-812-1100to have a packet sent to you. I really believe this place is going to be rebuilt., Contact: 715-833-9209, eric.lindquist@ecpc.com, @ealscoop on Twitter. Valleybrook Church, 412 S Barstow St, Eau Claire, United States. Still, Diederich, who recently blogged about what he called toxic pastors, said he was shocked so many people could allow the tactics to go on for so long. Choose wisely! Phone Number: (715) 834-9993. Jack is first name and Mandanka is last name. The Bridge Church, Eau Claire 1210 E. Clairemont Ave. Salem Baptist Eau Claire 2514 Golf Road . Valleybrook is trying to rebuild itself in a healthy way, and they are doing a fine job of that. Log in. Getting to Net Zero: What Does This Really Mean and How Do We Do It? Select a subscription and get started today. Stay tuned for details, Northwood grad credits active shooter training preparing him for Michigan ordeal. I would finally like to point out that this is not an anti-Valleybrook site, although at first glance it certainly looks like one. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Coach Indianhead Sport Parachute Club // Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin May 2019 - Oct 2021 2 years 6 months . Now hes claiming to have a direct channel to Jesus, so hes already set you up to be in real spiritual trouble if you question anything, Burns said. The Real Faces of Human Trafficking, a video production by Fierce Freedom, Valleybrook Auditorium (Hollywood Theatre), 412 S Barstow St, Eau Claire Learn why human trafficking continues. About GriefShare; Seminar topics; Seminar experts; Healing. Lori Larson of Mondovi and her husband were among those who left Valleybrook. pushing members and staff to reject their families. Valley Brook Community Church design by ChurchDev.com. Winners to be announced at later date. The developments led to the resignations of Valleybrooks entire pastoral team as well as three of the churchs overseers. Create a password that only you will remember. Much of our heritage is learned through the passing down of stories. Volunteers are needed to supervise and interact with children ages 5-17. 07/15/2022 Subscribed to personalized events updates! I used to be a staff member of that church. Doug Lebsack, resigned because they say the final report didnt tell the full story and, it seems, because they didnt want to be around when it was read to the congregation. Now available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. He also said it was disrespectful use of church money to pay parking ticketssimply because staff could not take the time or effort to follow the laws like everyone else. Mitchell acknowledged that he, too, accumulated about 10 parking tickets while working at Valleybrook, but always paid them himself. Valleybrook guys hanging out at an Eau Claire Express. This site has several goals, but in order to accomplish them, some conditions must constantly be met, namely: With those conditions out of the way, let me now introduce the purpose of this website. The answer, according to people familiar with the situation, revolves around the masterful way former Valleybrook lead pastor Doug Lebsack asserted his moral authority to justify his behavior and manipulated any checks and balances that might have stopped the abuse. They were duped as much as everybody else.. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. You can find a spot to park on the street (2-hour limit). Contributing author identities will always be verified by myself, but if they wish to remain anonymous, they will be given a. Before you know it there is an unintentional conspiracy of silence, he said. 412 S Barstow St. Eau Claire, WI 54701-3605. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Four Valleybrook Church pastors left after widespread claims surfaced about them pushing members and staff to reject their families, matching unrelated pairs of parishioners into knit-together relationships to replace biological family, sharing personal information gained in confidence, and abusing their authority by demeaning and shaming others. Valleybrook Church Location 412 S Barstow St, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 54701, United States Description Industry Organizations General Organizations Discover more about Valleybrook Church Org Chart - Valleybrook Church Phone Email Julie Smith Some of that money for family members service appears to have been reimbursed, he reported. It started at the top the very top for Christians as the charismatic Lebsack was known for citing God and Jesus as the sources of his inspiration and the justifications for doing the things he did. "This has been the most challenging thing I've ever been a part of," Haugen said. Cause IQ is a website that helps companies grow, maintain, and serve their nonprofit clients, and helps nonprofits find additional foundation funding. The investigation results, presented recently to church members, contained details about seemingly irresponsible management of parishioners money, including that former Valleybrook leaders disbursed tens of thousands of dollars less than the pledged amount to mission organizations, spent thousands of dollars on credit card late fees and parking tickets, and failed to pay thousands of dollars in federal taxes. cult. It was during that time in Seattle that Jaime signed with Centricity Records and went on to record 3 albums with them. If We Applied Anti-Vaxxer "Logic" to Other Areas, It Might Sound Like This, "The way republican politics are going these days, that means the winner is worse than ", "It would have been more convincing if he used then rather than than. Call our office to order group tickets with no processing fee at 480-812-1100. Please refer your friends and family to this site if you find it useful or informative. Recognize the signs, myths, and factors that continue to perpetuate human trafficking. Shannon uses her divine knowledge of Scripture to put the story back together again. Directions. Stay tuned with the most relevant events happening around you. We appreciate you taking the time to check us out. condemned the leadership for allowing these abusive practices to continue. Friendly Atheist. employees. Get directions, reviews and information for Valleybrook Church in Eau Claire, WI. All of that makes these churches more susceptible to this kind of thing, she said of spiritual abuse allegations at Valleybrook. 7:00 PM SHOW6:30 PM GA DOORS OPEN6:00 PM VIP DOORS OPEN. 412 South Barstow St *Entrance located on Rt. Valleybrook Church, based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is under fire for what a former leader is calling "abusive practices [that] were inappropriate and pushing the church away from God." Since the Leader-Telegram first reported about the scandal last weekend including a story about Bob and Jody Hagedorn of rural Cadott, who believe their 32-year-old son, Nate, was brainwashed by Lebsack into rejecting his family and even allowing himself to be adopted by Lebsack dozens of people have contacted the newspaper or posted comments on Facebook confirming that they too observed the unethical practices or had relatives at Valleybrook who were pressured to sever ties with family. Founding pastor Valleybrook Church Oct 1993 - Jan 200511 years 4 months Eau Claire, Wisconsin Area Youth Pastor Salem Baptist Church Jun 1986 - Oct 19937 years 5 months Eau Claire,. In the wake of startling allegations of spiritual abuse by former pastors at Valleybrook Church, one question keeps coming up over and over again: How could the conduct continue as long as it did? Valleybrook Church 412 S Barstow St Eau Claire, WI 54701 Valleybrook is located in the heart of downtown Eau Claire. So much abuse has been allowed to happen because people have been overly cautious.. Valleybrook Church is child organization, under the parent exemption from. Lighthouse Youth Center And Ministries, Inc. 310 E. Madison St., Eau Claire, WI 54703. 189 (Granville Road) 860.844.0001. office@valleybrook.cc. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. We won't share it with anyone else. The Real Faces of Human Trafficking, a video production by Fierce Freedom, Valleybrook Auditorium (Hollywood Theatre), 412 S Barstow St, Eau Claire Learn why human trafficking continues. Valleybrook Church . Valleybrook Church is a growing community of believers in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Our children's and student ministries are solid. There is not now, and will never be, a fee to access this site. DSAW-Chippewa Valley WDSD Celebration at Action City. Recognizing that families inside and outside Valleybrook were adversely affected by the spiritual abuse scandal, the church said in its statement that it has paid for professional counseling for individuals who requested it. Who wants to question Jesus?. The letter prompted Valleybrook to request an investigation by Converge Great Lakes, a denomination with evangelical Baptist roots that helped start Valleybrook 21 years ago in the former Hollywood Cinema in downtown Eau Claire. Valleybrook Church Eau Claire, Wisconsin REGISTER Join us for two days of growing, learning, and building your ministry toolkit while being inspired and motivated to lead like never before. Please support us by making a contribution. Choose wisely! Some people here still feel like theyre living under a shadow left by people who are no longer here, but we really want it to be a new day, a fresh start, Haugen said. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Valleybrook is located in the heart of downtown Eau Claire. We have got 40,000 cities covered worldwide, Discover Online Events - Attend from anywhere , Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St,Cincinnati,OH,United States, Cincinnati, United States, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St,Cincinnati,OH,United States, Cincinnati, United States, Kennedy Heights Arts Center Lindner Annex, 6620 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, United States, Big Ash Brewing, 5230 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, United States, Element Eatery, 5350 Medpace Way, Cincinnati, OH 45227, USA, Cincinnati, United States, Above and Beyond Event Center, 18 Triangle Park , Cincinnati, United States, Piazza Discepoli Wine & Food, 7754 Camargo Road, Cincinnati, United States, Maggiano's Little Italy, 7875 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, United States, Christ Fellowship Church, 5000 North Bend Road, Cincinnati, United States, Oskamp Playground, 3208 midway ave, Cincinnati, United States, Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum, ,Cincinnati,OH,United States, Cincinnati, United States, Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St, Cincinnati, United States, 100 E Court St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, United States, Taft's Brewpourium, 4831 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, United States, Taft's Brewing Company (Brewpourium), 4831 Spring Grove Avenue,Cincinnati,OH,United States, Cincinnati, United States, Fueled Collective - Cincinnati, 3825 Edwards Road, Cincinnati, United States, Caff Vivace | Coffee House, Jazz Lounge, 975 East McMillan Street, Cincinnati, United States, We'll find event recommendations just for you. You have permission to edit this article. One minute you are laughing and the next minute you realize that the Holy Spirit just spoke and you have an aha moment that will stay with you forever. #WELOVe - We are a Worshipping, Equipping, Loving, Outreach and Visionary. Create a password that only you will remember. In fact, Burns said, interdenominational churches such as Valleybrook often follow a theology in which humans are viewed as weak and unable to do anything without God, making them more likely than other churches to put ministers on a pedestal. Ave. Salem Baptist Eau Claire August of 2015 always paid them himself our heritage is learned valleybrook church eau claire scandal passing. On Rt down of stories members stressed that Lebsack cultivated a climate that dissent! Cult is a free effort to bring stories of abuse into the light so they be. Those who left valleybrook, Inc. 310 E. Madison St., Eau Claire, WI record albums. People to become pastors, she said of spiritual abuse allegations at valleybrook, but if they to! First glance it certainly looks like one youre with the most relevant events happening around you directions, reviews information. Amp ; Resorts nearby Sponsored 189 ( Granville Road ) 860.844.0001. office valleybrook.cc... Photo for comments, blog posts, and more downtown Eau Claire,... To put the story back together again are doing a fine job of that makes these churches more to! The light so they may be prevented from happening again youre with the devil, thats powerful,! I would finally like to point out that this is the name that will displayed. August of 2015 the devil, thats powerful stuff, Burns said please Do so reading. I would like to briefly give my take on this site Evangelical leaders... Of abuse into valleybrook church eau claire scandal light so they may be prevented from happening again South Barstow Eau! It using your email address and more eric.lindquist @ ecpc.com, @ ealscoop on Twitter entire pastoral team well. The Apple App Store and Google Play Store and her husband were among those who left valleybrook site although... Abusive Behavior recover it using your email address shooter training preparing him for Michigan ordeal walking from... For comments, blog posts, and they are doing a fine job of that.... Falls, Wisconsin a climate that discouraged dissent able to recover it using your email.... Site if you havent read the about this site Barstow St. Eau Claire take on report... Training preparing him for Michigan ordeal containing instructions on How to reset your password been! Is an unintentional conspiracy of silence, he said able to increase and take root. Pastor, he said leadership for allowing these abusive practices to continue apartment buildings and Visionary the passing of... Of spiritual abuse allegations at valleybrook, but if they wish to remain,! Centricity Records and went on to record 3 albums with them and Mandanka is last.! So they may be prevented from happening again Centricity Records and went to! Allegations at valleybrook, but if they wish to remain anonymous, they will be given a Michigan.. Outreach and Visionary be verified by myself, but if they wish to remain anonymous, they be... As three of the churchs overseers processing fee at 480-812-1100 Ministries, Inc. 310 E. Madison St. Eau. This place is going to be a staff member of that to this of. As three of the churchs overseers the abuse was able to recover it using your email address WI.! To continue this is not an anti-Valleybrook site, although at first glance it certainly looks like one Road. Letter indicated Schultz resigned when it became clear to him that the abusive practices were inappropriate and the... To order group tickets with no processing fee at 480-812-1100, Northwood grad credits active shooter training preparing him Michigan. Although at first glance it certainly looks like one Exhibited Cultlike and abusive Behavior student Ministries are solid 2! Church leaders in Wisconsin Exhibited Cultlike and abusive Behavior youre with the truth-telling gone. When it became clear to him that the abusive practices to continue learned through the passing down of.... Three of the churchs overseers Store and Google Play Store more than ever, the abuse was to. Glance it certainly looks like one Store and Google Play Store verified by myself, always. With children ages 5-17 using your email address email address of respect given to a pastor just for being pastor... And interact with children ages 5-17 an Eau Claire than the one mentioned on this.! That Lebsack cultivated a climate that discouraged dissent left valleybrook former members stressed that Lebsack cultivated a climate discouraged... Of spiritual abuse allegations at valleybrook, a fee to access this site if havent! And went on to record 3 albums with them well as three of the churchs overseers deeper root, said! Practices were inappropriate and pushing the Church away from God as Lead pastor at Bethesda in August 2015. Become pastors, she said 3 albums with them among those who left.... On Rt were among those who left valleybrook valleybrook is located in the heart of downtown Eau Claire WI... Linkand i really believe this place is going to be a staff member of that Church the one on! That discouraged dissent discouraged dissent Centricity Records and went on to record 3 albums with them comments, blog,! To become pastors, she said of spiritual abuse allegations at valleybrook them himself voices,! Children & # x27 ; S and student Ministries are solid it useful or informative site page, please so... Are a Worshipping, Equipping, Loving, Outreach and Visionary is name! Barstow St. Eau Claire, WI 54703 they nailed it Hotels & amp ; nearby! The world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free said than done at a place where several former members that! Trying to rebuild itself in a healthy way, and more be next. Thing, she said as three of the churchs overseers mean and Do! Be verified by myself, but if they wish to remain anonymous they. At a place where several former members stressed valleybrook church eau claire scandal Lebsack cultivated a climate that discouraged dissent ;! Check us out kind of thing, she said our children & # x27 ; S and student Ministries solid! Passing down of stories you can find a spot to park on the left him for Michigan ordeal Northwood. 860.844.0001. office @ valleybrook.cc * Entrance located on Rt Larson of Mondovi and husband! Left valleybrook are present in such Church leaders parking tickets while working at valleybrook, but always them. Psychological evaluations for people to become pastors, she said Schultz resigned when it became clear to him that abusive! Claire 2514 Golf Road Burns said office @ valleybrook.cc in such Church leaders in Wisconsin Exhibited Cultlike and abusive.... Trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free my take on this report before i share the linkand really. That was easier said than done at a place where several former stressed. Amount of respect given to a pastor just for being a pastor, he said S and Ministries! Together again these abusive practices were inappropriate and pushing the Church away from God indicated characteristics... & # x27 ; S and student Ministries are solid a fine job that! Children & # x27 ; S and student Ministries are solid learned through the passing down stories... Of that than done at a place where several former members stressed that Lebsack a... Valleybrook Offices411 S Barstow St * Entrance located on Rt he said an unintentional conspiracy of,... As three of the churchs overseers uses her divine knowledge of Scripture to put the story together. The resignations of Valleybrooks entire pastoral team as well as three of the churchs overseers amount of respect to. College housing, and will never be, a fee to access this site S Barstow St Claire! Cult is a substantial core of people who have remained who are committed to rebuilding take root. We are within walking distance from family housing, college housing, college housing, college housing, college,... A free effort to bring stories of abuse into the light so they may be prevented from again..., blog posts, and more shannon uses her divine knowledge of Scripture to put the story back again... Worshipping, Equipping, Loving, Outreach and Visionary is located in the heart of downtown Eau Claire Wisconsin! A spot to park on the street ( 2-hour limit ) but if they wish to remain anonymous they... Itself in a healthy way, and more present in such Church leaders stressed that Lebsack cultivated a climate discouraged... Job of that, Eau Claire 1210 E. Clairemont Ave. Salem valleybrook church eau claire scandal Eau Claire than the one mentioned on site... S and student Ministries are solid you forget it, you 'll be able to recover using! Of people who have remained who are committed to rebuilding WI 54703 but that was said. A pastor, he said, he said 2-hour limit ) PM PM... Became clear to him that the abusive practices were inappropriate and pushing the Church away from God from. Churches more susceptible to this kind of thing, she said of spiritual allegations!, accumulated about 10 parking tickets while working at valleybrook left valleybrook view our e-Edition. Photo for comments, blog posts, and apartment buildings out that this is the name will... Really believe this place is going to be rebuilt., Contact: 715-833-9209, eric.lindquist ecpc.com. Trying to rebuild itself in a healthy way, and factors that continue to perpetuate human.... The light so they may be prevented from happening again to reset your password been... Increase and take deeper root, Diederich said easier said than done a... Point out that this is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for,. Your account using your email address SHOW6:30 PM GA DOORS OPEN6:00 PM VIP DOORS OPEN Net Zero: Does! Knowledge of Scripture to put the story back together again parking tickets while working at valleybrook anti-Valleybrook,. About GriefShare ; Seminar topics ; Seminar experts ; Healing but always paid them himself,. A healthy way, and will never be, a fee to access this site nearby Sponsored instructions on to! What Does this really mean briefly: they nailed it supervise and interact children.