Newton Crenshaw is the President and CEO of Young Life Ministries, a ministry with nearly a half billion in receipts and over a third of a billion in assets. It has been sued by people alleging they were sexually abused or harassed by Young Life employees and the response has been to cover up rather than root out the problem. Incidentally, House Speaker Mike Johnson worked with Young Life Ministries where he met the 14-year-old boy he adopted.
In Arellano v. Young Life, Laureana Ledezma alleges she participated in Young Life activities in high school and eventually was employed by them. She claims that one of her coworkers, Cory Lange, assaulted her, shoving his hands down her apron and groping her. She reported the ongoing harassment and management did nothing, say it was “God’s plan.” When she reported a male camper grope a female camper’s breast, they did nothing. She eventually left the organization.
In 2021, Business Insider did an extensive report, talking to ten women who alleged sexual assault or harassment by Young Life employees or volunteers. Alarmingly, when reporting sexual misconduct, the women were ignored or punished. One was fired, two were suspended. Others were ostracized, cast out of their friend group.
One employee remained in his position in Minnesota despite being on trial for rape. Five youth claimed to have been abused in Michigan and their abuser pleaded guilty. In California, one Young Life leader got a 15-year-old girl pregnant.
Young Life has a policy of asking people who report sexual misconduct of stepping down from their position. Their policies demand that no one report sexual misconduct to the police without executive approval, a policy that sounds outright illegal.
- Business Insider: Young Life projects an image of cool Christianity. But former members say they experienced sexual misconduct during their time at the mega-ministry.
- The Gazette: More Young Life victims allege sexual misconduct involving Colorado Springs-based Christian ministry
- Court Listener: Arellano v. Young Life
- Instagram: MeToo Young Life