Demanding Justice for Eastminster Presbyterian Church Survivors

Eastminster Presbyterian Church investigated abuse allegations against youth pastor Bodie Weiss in 2000 and 2005, dismissing them as "not credible." At least 23 children were abused while church leadership protected their youth pastor. They concealed this knowledge for 16 years.

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What Happened at Eastminster Presbyterian Church

The church's own words prove they chose protecting a predator over protecting children for 6 years, then hid this knowledge from the public for another 16 years.

3

Abuse Reports Dismissed

2000, 2005, 2008

6

Years They Knew

While abuse continued

23+

Confirmed Victims

After dismissing first report

The Pattern of Institutional Protection

Building Success While Harboring Danger

Bodie Weiss built one of the most successful youth programs in the country at Eastminster. The church was so proud they constructed a separate student center, disconnected from the main building. This isolation enabled abuse while the church celebrated growth.

December 2000: First Known Warning

A survivor reported inappropriate physical contact and sexual harassment. The church investigated internally, deemed the allegations "not credible," and allowed Weiss to continue. No authorities were notified. The success of the program apparently mattered more than child safety.

May 2005: Second Warning Ignored

Two Pennsylvania men reported abuse from 1980. Again, the church investigated internally. Again, they claimed allegations "could not be substantiated." Again, no authorities were notified. The pattern was now established: investigate, dismiss, continue.

2006: The Unexplained Departure

At the height of the program's success, Weiss suddenly announced his departure for "another area church." Why leave such a successful ministry? The church provided positive recommendations despite knowing about multiple allegations.

2009: Choosing Silence Through an NDA

When faced with a third report and potential lawsuit, the church had a choice: pursue deeper investigation and transparency, or sign an NDA and bury the truth. They chose silence. The church claims the survivor's family requested it, but the survivor says "that's complete bullshit." For 12 years while Weiss lived, they kept their secret.

Demand Accountability Now

The pattern of protection continues. Join survivors in demanding full transparency.

The Human Cost of "Not Credible"

When Eastminster dismissed that first report in 2000 as "not credible," they set in motion six more years of preventable abuse. At least 23 children paid the price for the church's choice to protect its youth pastor and successful program.

Kansas law doesn't require clergy to report suspected abuse, so the church felt free to handle it internally. No trained investigators. No child advocates. No accountability. Just an institution investigating itself and finding itself innocent - twice.

Today, Eastminster continues the pattern of institutional protection. They restrict access to investigation findings, force survivors to travel to Wichita, and refuse to release documents from their 2000 and 2005 investigations. The same choice - institutional protection over transparency - continues.

Every survivor who has come forward has shown extraordinary courage.
Their voices deserve to be heard, and their demands for full transparency must be met.

Survivor Voices from Eastminster Presbyterian Church Wichita

"I woke up that morning and my first thought was, I cannot imagine asking a 17-year-old to do what he asked me to do... That's where the burden of accountability lies. When did they know? What did they know? When could it have stopped? Why did it have to get as bad as it did?"

— Tyson Stuart, abused 1994-1998 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church Wichita, age 17 during assault

"The fact that the church is asking the victims to go to the place where they were victimized to understand what actually happened to the other victims is disgusting... The whole thing is disgusting."

— Andy Warren, abused 1993-1994 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church Wichita, age 14 during incident

"I don't understand how that happens once, and I don't understand how it happens 23 times... What about the people that live in Michigan and Washington and Boston and all the other places around the country that were probably impacted by this?"

— Andy Warren on Eastminster Presbyterian Church Wichita's geographic barriers

"I'm fortunate enough to be in a place where I can talk about this publicly, freely, and I plan on continuing to do so until meaningful change happens."

— Tyson Stuart on his commitment to accountability

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Kansas Law Fails Survivors Twice:
Time Limits and Reporting Gaps

Double Injustice: Kansas's restrictive statute of limitations bars all 23+ Eastminster survivors from civil justice. Meanwhile, Kansas law does NOT require clergy to report suspected abuse - allowing churches to conduct internal "investigations" instead of protecting children.

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Documents We Need

Emails

Internal communications about Bodie Weiss

Meeting Minutes

Board meetings from 2005-2006

Financial Records

Settlements or legal fees

Personnel Files

Background checks, HR records

Insurance Claims

Correspondence about abuse

Church Letters

Recommendations for Weiss

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Timeline: 6 Years of Knowing, 16 Years of Hiding

#1

December 2000

First Report Dismissed

Church investigates abuse report, deems it 'not credible.' Weiss continues with children.

#2

May 2005

Second Report Dismissed

Two men report abuse. Church claims 'cannot substantiate.' Pattern continues.

January 2006

Mysterious Departure

Weiss leaves at peak success. Why? Church gives positive recommendations.

#3

September 2009

Church Signs NDA

Church chooses NDA over transparency. Claims family requested it. Survivor: 'Complete bullshit.'

2009-2024

16 Years of Silence

Complete institutional concealment while survivors suffer alone.

July 2024

Survivors Break Silence

Tyson Stuart's courage inspires others. Truth emerges after 16 years.

Eastminster's Inadequate Response

1

Restricted Access

Only victims and current members can view 6-page summary. Full report remains hidden.

2

Geographic Barriers

Out-of-state survivors must travel to Wichita. No remote access provided.

3

Investigator Conflict

Used current member Randy Coffman to conduct "independent" investigation.

Our Four Core Demands

1

Release Investigation Documents

From 2000, 2005, and 2008 reports

2

Name Decision Makers

Who dismissed abuse reports

3

Explain 2006 Departure

Why Weiss left at peak success

4

Full Public Disclosure

Stop hiding behind NDAs and restrictions

Media Coverage & Documentation

KAKE News Investigation

Comprehensive report featuring interviews with Tyson Stuart and Andy Warren about abuse at Eastminster Presbyterian Church Wichita

Resources for Survivors

Crisis Support

RAINN National Hotline

1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

24/7 confidential support for sexual abuse survivors

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741

24/7 text-based crisis support

National Suicide Prevention

988

24/7 mental health crisis support

Legal & Advocacy Resources

SNAP (Survivors Network)

snapnetwork.org - Support and advocacy for survivors

Child USA

childusa.org - Leading statute of limitations reform advocacy

Kansas Coalition Against Sexual Violence

kcsdv.org - Local Kansas resources and advocacy

GRACE

netgrace.org - Independent investigations of religious abuse

Healing & Support

Male Survivor

1weekago.org - Resources specifically for male survivors

The Wartburg Watch

thewartburgwatch.com - Advocacy blog documenting church abuse

Trauma Therapy

Specialized counseling services for abuse survivors

Support Groups

Connect with other survivors in safe, moderated environments

Take Action for Eastminster Presbyterian Church Wichita Accountability

Justice requires action. Here's how you can help demand accountability from Eastminster Presbyterian Church Wichita and support survivors in their fight for transparency and reform.

Contact Officials

Contact Kansas legislators to support statute of limitations reform and demand accountability from church leaders