Randall Freed, Charges Remain Against Associates
The “Free Tom Randall” Facebook page now carries the exultant headlines “ALL CHARGES DROPPED ,TOM RANDALL IS FREE”.
The almost 58,000 people who have “liked” the page are rejoicing in the perceived victory of justice and God…and many are implying that those who brought this matter to the attention of the authorities were on the side of neither.
The celebration may be premature…sources in the Philippines tell me that while Randall was cleared there, what may have taken place in reality was a handoff to American authorities for further investigation.
Randall was not accused of the physical abuse of the children, but of negligence in oversight of the orphanage where the alleged abuse took place.
The persons in charge of the home, Toto Luchavez and his son Jake, are accused of sex crimes and there may be other arrests pending further investigation.
Those two remain in custody with further explanation of the charges against them expected today.
They are not being held because of the accusations of a “rival missionary”, but because of the sworn statements of children who claim systemic abuse since 2005.
So far, few of Randalls legion of supporters want to acknowledge that fact while they beseech God to fix the injustices done in this matter.
Randalls defense was familiar according to this article;
“I have not trafficked the children of Sankey nor did I ignore their complaints,” Randall stated in the affidavit, which also claimed authorities had no probable cause to arrest him without a warrant and that he was entitled to be released immediately based on a lack of evidence.
Randall explained in the affidavit that even though he founded Sankey to “help orphans and give them a better chance at life,” he does not own, lease or sublease any of Sankey’s property or facilities nor is he an incorporator, director or officer of the orphanage.
The local pastor, who is former chaplain for the PGA Champions Tour, stated that he is based in the United States and spends about one month annually, during December and January, in the Philippines.
“However, I remained in constant touch with Sankey as an adviser, and always helped out in securing funds for the operations of Sankey. I would always make myself available should Sankey need my guidance. In fact, since the formation of Sankey, I would ensure that I come to the Philippines during the months of December or January to spend Christmas and New Year with the children and to assist in managing its affairs,” Randall stated.
Articles of incorporation attached to Randall’s affidavit indicate that the orphanage is run by a board of trustees. Documentation of the orphanage’s pending renewal of its license through the Department of Social Welfare and Development indicates Sankey provides “residential care services for orphaned, abandoned, neglected and surrender children.”
The orphanage is part of the Randalls’ mission organization, called World Harvest Ministries. Randall is listed as the director of the ministry, which was established in 1990.”
In other words, he claims no legal liability for what may have happened in that facility.
World Harvest Ministries may not have legal liability, but it does have a lot of cash according to it’s 2012 990 form.
According to this article, the board is the usual friends and family…with the voting majority held by family.
Randall is coming home to what will be a hero’s welcome…while in the Philippines children who claim to have been violated are in fear that their abusers may be allowed bail.
There is no Facebook page beseeching God on their behalf.
More information as it becomes available…
Scrww all these Pigs who violate children whether they be Catholic Preists or Pastors, Millstones for them dudes. And Screw all those Religous denimonations and organizations that participate in cover ups to protect their Brand. That’s why I have absolutely no respect for the wicked Catholic Religion, it was the leadsership that protected the wicked sodomite Preists. As long as People keep elevating Man because he has a theological degree and celebrity type status then these Monsters who are FAKE Christians will run rampant.
I know both Tom Randall and Joe Mauk (the man who reported to the authorities about the rapes of children) and I know that both men have had wonderful ministries that have helped many. Both men have worked together for many years on different ministry outreaches. I have the utmost respect for what Joe Mauk did in reporting to the authorities when he was informed of children who claimed to have been repeatedly raped. I just don’t understand all these Christians (53,000 +) that have forgotten the children and only care about the superstars. Of course no one wants an innocent man to be condemned of a crime he did not commit…but in reading the comments on the Free Tom Randall page, I don’t see any care or compassion for the orphans…..only for than the 3 accused men.
I continue to pray for the truth to come forth.
Nonnie,
It has been a challenge to my faith to read that page.
Not only has there been little compassion for the possible victims, there has been less concern to find real truth.
The way the name and purpose of God has been invoked against those who seek truth and justice has me as rattled as anything I’ve ever read.
No one wants to see the innocent wrongly accused, yet alone punished…but we must listen when children are brave enough to speak.
Amen, Michael! That is exactly how I feel and how I have felt such grief over the comments there. I’m ALL for innocent man/men to be set free, but when so many children/young people have come forward….something is amiss. I know and trust Joe Mauk and his family enough to know they would have not taken any stories lightly and they would have done their “homework” before bringing accusations to authorities. This had to have broken his heart to do that. I am praying for Joe and his family also.
Nonnie,
God bless Joe indeed.
The other thing that troubles me is the narrative that this is all about charges that Joe brought…when in reality it is the interviews and sworn statements of victims that have made this case.
It’s far easier to blame someone and impute evil motives to them…
This is one of those PhxP stories where I cannot comment because I do not know the entire story.
“This is one of those PhxP stories where I cannot comment because I do not know the entire story.”
Yep. Praying for the children.
No one knows the entire story. Yes, we should pray for the truth and for the children.
Xenia,
I’m trying to link to as much information as i can because the story isn’t going to be as familiar here as some others we write.
I feel like I have a responsibility to research and write on the this story simply because every “Christian” media outlet has been completely skewed toward the celebrity with little interest in the victims or actual facts of the case.
The Philippines is the Devil’s playground. A lot of very bizarre stories come out of that country. I see the hand of the Devil all over this story but exactly where his hand has done its evil work I cannot tell.
The perceived whistleblowers in this case have had to face a literal army of criticism…it blows me away and saddens me greatly.
Typical stuff, just like Calvary Chapel.
^^^^^^^^^^ How dare you even slight the Great and Mighty Calvary Chapel!!! Don’t you know that they revoluntionized the Church back in the 70’s as they were a little late to the party being Hippies and all but like their Yuppie successors they went Corporate in a hurry. Oh they still wear their brown sandals and flowered Hawaiin shirts but their just as likely to cough up some $$ and buy a Armani suit for Sunday Morning services.
Michael – Please address your statement at the end of your article – how do you know this?
“while in the Philippines children who claim to have been violated are in fear that their abusers may be allowed bail.”
Milei,
That is information I’ve gathered in the process of doing this story.
I never have and never will reveal sources…but unless I have multiple ones I don’t write anything.
Well done Michael, good piece of journalism.
Thanks, RB.
Michael – I think your reactions and the challenges to your faith reading the Randall supporters web page are very similiar to the visceral, cognitive dissonance I experienced while at CCCM during the Flores fiasco. All this kind of crap just further convinces me that the stories of God’s intervention in situations like Aniniras/Sapphira of Acts are really no more than ancient urban legends. And that was over mere mammon! God sends bears after youths who tease a bald prophet, yet hears not the cries, nor intervenes in lives of little children (many who believe the gospel, crying out to him) to prevent horrendous abuse nor strike down the abusers. Why should I believe promises of sweet bye and bye when He seems impotent to fulfill promises supposedly made to those who trust him now?
Yes – feeling a little angry.
Thank you, MIchael. I respect that.
GOD WILL NEVER COMPROMISE HIS GRACE AND TRUTH….. I am praying that Mr. Tom will be the defender of this entrusted children in HIs leadership more than the friendship of adult…. IF YOU CALLED YOURSELF A MISSIONARY AND HELPING ASIAN TO BE REDEEMED.. NOW IS THE TIME TO SHOW YOUR COMPASSION TO THE ORPHANS WHO ARE ABUSED……. WHEN YOU SMILE BECAUSE YOU ARE FREE.. CANNOT YOU IMAGIME THE FEAR,THE LONELINESS OF THIS CHILDREN WHO REPORTED THE ISSUE??????? …… then that is FREEDOM in deed!
Anne,
Thinking of you.
Now there are death threats towards two of the women who tried to help the abused young people. This is what “3rd world” corruption looks like.
Matthew 7:1-5
New King James Version (NKJV)
Do Not Judge
7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. I pray that people will search themselves. I sense a bitterness welling up in people.
Matthew 7:15-20
New King James Version (NKJV)
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I started following this story looking for the truth. I have been praying for God’s light to shine on the truth. I have also been praying for everyone involved (the kids, the accusers, the accused, the people investigating the guards and prisoners and everyone following the case. I have been amazed and encourged by watching God’s hand move in this situation. It is obvious that God’s light was shining through Tom during his time in detention by looking at the fruit produced through Tom. God’s word was shared, seeds were planted and souls were saved all to the glory of God. God’s light would not have been shining through Tom if Tom was full of the evil he has been accused of.
I pray that everyone will see this through our Father in Heaven eyes.
What you’ve seen are reports given by the people who support Randall.
You have no idea whether they were true or not.
I have family in the Philippines who know both Tom and Joe for years. I have independent verification of the facts. They went to the detention center and saw the lives that were changed.
To e. wright. Regardless if the Lord used Tom in the detention centre, the facts remain that children and young people in the Sankey children’s home in Lucena have said they were systematically abused and cried out for help. Do you NOT see that and do you not care about that?
To Nonnie, If you read my prior response, you would know that I care and pray for the kids. Are you not rejoicing over the lives saved while Tom was in detention? I know heaven is. Are you not aware of the Fruit of the spirti? Galatians 5:22-23
New International Version (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
No objective person can deny that Tom was acting this way while in detention.
Do you really believe that somebody filled with the evil Tom was accused of would of have been so filled with the Holy Spirit that Tom would of displayed such fruit and had such an impact on God’s kingdom?
We should seek the truth. There is a lot more to this story than we know and that has been covered in this blog. I know of some facts that have not been covered by this blog. Such as prior allegations that were investgated by the authorities and disproven. We need to be patient and let the facts come out. We need to let God work in hearts of the people involved on all sides of this situation. I pray for the time when the truth comes out. I also pray for God’s people to repent so they will be in God’s will and serve Him is spirit and truth.
Will you join me in this prayer?
2 Chronicles 7:14
New International Version (NIV)
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
e Wright, I have never accused TR of doing anything personally to those children or young people. I know both Tom and Joe Mauk and I know them to both be men who love the Lord and have been used mightily of the Lord. However, as leaders in the church, it is ones duty to report to the authorities any incidents of reported abuse. Then we are to leave it to the proper authorities to follow up. However, this is NOT what happened when Joe Mauk went to Tom Randall with the reports. I am not accusing Tom of personally committing any kind of abuse, but I am praising Joe Mauk for speaking up for and defending these children and young people who claim to have been sexually abused. Surely you must be concerned for the 2 CHRISTIAN woman who reported the abuse and are now receiving death threats…or are you only concerned for Christian superstars?
I have a question. One of the Sankey girls who was just released from DSWD just posted a photo of herself on the Randalls’ facebook page and she seems to be on very warm terms with them. Her caption talks about how they’re joined together in faith hope and love, and how she misses everyone. It looks like she herself tagged the Randalls.
Why would that be?
Virgil, I have no idea. Ask her.
Two of the people who helped report the abuse have received death threats.
Why would that be?
I have an article coming later…
Someone posted on the Randalls’ page the other two men are free on bail.
Does the Philippines allow people accused of sexual abuse of children to be free on bail?
Virgil,
Rape of a child is considered child abuse and is a bailable offense in the Philippines.
And I wonder whose money paid for the bail? Could it have been people who gave donations to World Harvest Ministries? Just wondering .
Joe Coffey already said that WHM was paying for the defense…
I wonder if WHM supporters are happy about that.
Nonnie, “Christian superstars” wow. What does that really mean? Perhaps the following:
Luke 21:15-19
New King James Version (NKJV)
15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.
Jesus did warn us:
John 16:33
New International Version (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The Bible tells us that anyone who is serving God will face persecution. I support anyone who is serving the Lord.
Nobody should ever receive death threats. I pray God will protect those 2 young ladies both physically and spiritually. May God fill them with the Holy Spirit and drawn to the will of God.
None of us know what actually happened and I refuse to spread lies and gossip.
For those of us who are saved, let us keep everyone involved in our prayers. As Christian’s we should be objective and wait on the facts. We can also look at the fruit that is being produced by each of the individuals. See who is still serving the Lord and sharing the Gospel and who is spreading more lies about bribes paid to the Filipino authorties.
How do you know they are lies?
I have seen the letters and claims of the children…are they all liars?
How do you know they are telling the truth? We don’t know. We should not rush to judgement. Let God’s light shine on the truth. The ones telling the truth will bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The ones telling the lies will show the works of the flesh. Let God convict the sinners and bring them to repentance.
e. wright,
Are you saying that Christians are not answerable to civil authorities – just leave them alone and let God sort it out?
No, I am just more concerned with God’s view than the view of civil authorities which are comprised of inperfect people with some not even saved. there is a reason for the innocent project afterall.
my wife is one of the women receiving death threats because of lies told by Karen Randal that we were involved in the NBI raid at Sankey .. we have a house there that we built and paid for .. some of the girls came to us and asked for help .. they are now terrified because they gave statements .. Tom and Karen say they love these kids but are paying for the defense of the two accused of raping and abusing them .. people who support WHM with money should step back and have a good look .. my wife has left here at Sankey and gone into hiding .. I agree Tom did nothing wrong .. why is he so hell bent defending the other two over his children .. he said he was very worried about them and wanted to find them but left the Philippines within 2 days after being released
I am sorry to hear that your wife is receiving death threats. I pray for God’s protection. I am sure that neither Tom nor Karen made them. Tom is a pastor in Ohio. He will be giving the message this Sunday Feb. 9. I am sure he will answer some of your questions. I would suggest that anyone who is interested should listen to it once it is recorded on the church’s website http://ccchapel.com/Hudson/ I am looking forward to it.
I do believe that people are innocent until proven guilty. I also believe that everyone should be allowed an adequate defense. As christians, if one of our friends stumble, they need our support. We don’t have to condone what they did. We should try to restore them to God.
Virgil Lance .. All the children have no beef with Randalls .. it is the director and his son that is the problem .. the children love Tom and Karen ..this is why you see the kids with Tom posted on F/book .. I believe none named Tom in their statements .. no one accused Tom of abusing the children .. child trafficking is a big issue here in the Philippines at present .. the authorities had to be sure none of this was happening at Sankey .. this I suggest is the reason Tom was detained .. he was never arrested
and yes e.wright I will be watching Tom make a hero of himself .. of course we don’t have to condone their actions .. we should try to restore them to God after they have served their time
John, it is not about Tom making a “hero” of himself. It is all about giving God the glory.
I will pray that God heals you of your bitter spirit.
Thank you, John for sharing your story. I am praying for your wife and others who are in fear.
Hi, we’ve heard a lot about “the children who have spoken up” but do we have access to the content of the statements, who gave them, or the circumstances under which they were given? Seems like a lot of people calling for “the whole story” aren’t mentioning this.