Allegations Against John VanDenBerg
This page documents the specific allegations against John VanDenBerg that led to his removal from ministry in April 2023, as well as earlier incidents that were known to church leadership but not acted upon.
The Mexico Incident (Early 1990s)
What Happened
According to documentation from multiple sources, John VanDenBerg "openly kissed an underage girl" during a visit to Mexico in the early 1990s.
The Response
- The girl's mother reported the incident to two sister workers (referred to as SW1 and SW2)
- Rather than reporting to authorities, the workers advised using Matthew 18 principles — encouraging the victim to confront John directly
- The girl wrote a letter from Mexico to John in Northern California requesting a meeting with witnesses
- No report was made to law enforcement
The 2009/2010 Meeting
Nearly two decades later, Dale Schultz (then CA/AZ/HI Overseer) arranged a meeting:
- John was asked to travel to Yuma to meet with a brother worker (BW1)
- Both then traveled to Mexico to meet with the mother, the now-adult daughter, and the two sister workers
- John denied remembering the alleged kiss, which shocked attendees
- BW1 apologized on behalf of the ministry
- The meeting concluded with no further action documented
John's denial that he remembered the incident shocked those present at the meeting. — Account of the 2009/2010 meeting
The 14-Year-Old Victim (Early 2000s)
In January 2023, advocates learned of allegations involving sexual assault against a 14-year-old girl in Mexico in the early 2000s.
The Cover-Up
- At least 10 workers knew of this crime
- These workers participated in the cover-up
- Dale Schultz was allegedly "instrumental in preventing the reporting of John Vandenberg's crimes to law enforcement"
- The broader fellowship was never notified
- John continued in active ministry, traveling internationally and having access to children
"For 17 years, multiple workers have known that John Vandenberg committed sex crimes against a child. They did not report it. They did not notify you." — Advocates for The Truth, May 2023
European Trip Photo (August 2014)
On August 26, 2014, John sent an email to a large recipient list documenting his trip to Europe, including the conventions he attended and people he met.
The Concerning Photo
The email included a photograph showing John with "a young girl" that raised concerns about "the inappropriate position of his hands."
Response When Confronted
One woman "directly and firmly reprimanded John, stating he needs to keep his hands to himself."
John's response was dismissive:
"Sorry that you were offended by the picture." — John VanDenBerg's response to confrontation
This response was characterized as showing "complete obliviousness to his inappropriate touch."
How Others Reacted
Other documented reactions included denial and minimization:
- "He likes kids"
- "Just a really stupid move on his part"
The pattern of dismissing concerns because John was "a man held in high esteem" allowed the behavior to continue.
Additional Concerns
- A friend had previously sent John a letter expressing concern about "body language visible in pictures"
- Additional concerning photographs were reportedly taken during visits to the Philippines
- Some friends reportedly contacted Child Protective Services
Removal from Ministry (April 2023)
On April 25, 2023, Rob Newman (California Overseer) sent a letter to workers, elders, and friends announcing John VanDenBerg's removal.
Key Excerpts from Rob Newman's Letter
"We are saddened that it has become necessary for us to ask John VanDenBerg to step aside from the ministry. Recently we have received several credible allegations of unacceptable sexual behavior, including a complaint of inappropriate touching of a minor, which has been reported to the authorities."
"We want to make sure that all victims and their families feel free to come forward so we can support them in every way possible — they will not be blamed and their identities will be kept confidential."
"We also want to confirm again, that sexual abuse in the ministry and the betrayal of trust it represents, will not be tolerated."
What the Letter Reveals
- "Several credible allegations" — multiple complaints, not just one
- "Reported to the authorities" — finally, law enforcement was notified
- "Inappropriate touching of a minor" — the nature of at least one complaint
The "Cleared by FBI" Rumor — Debunked
After John's removal, rumors circulated that he had been "cleared by the FBI."
What Actually Happened
- John underwent a "recidivism risk assessment" by a forensic psychiatrist
- He was deemed "low-risk" for reoffending
- Critically: This assessment presumed his guilt — you don't assess recidivism risk for innocent people
- A worker named Jon W. later apologized for spreading the "cleared" misinformation
"The FBI does not 'Clear' anyone. Their job is to determine if there is sufficient information to prosecute." — WINGS for Truth, correcting the rumor
Pattern of Behavior
The documented incidents span decades:
| Time Period | Incident | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Early 1990s | Kissed underage girl in Mexico | Internal handling via Matthew 18; no authorities notified |
| Early 2000s | Sexual assault of 14-year-old in Mexico | Covered up by 10+ workers for 17 years |
| 2009/2010 | Meeting about 1990s incident | John denied remembering; no action taken |
| 2014 | Concerning photo from Europe | Dismissed as "he likes kids" |
| Various | Concerning photos from Philippines | Some friends contacted CPS |
| April 2023 | Multiple credible allegations surface | Finally removed from ministry; authorities notified |
Victim Impact
One commenter, Auriel Durston, shared the impact of learning about these allegations:
She expressed regret for inviting John to speak at her husband's funeral, stating she would have declined had she known about these allegations. — Comment on Mexico incident post, March 2024
The institutional secrecy denied people the information needed to make informed decisions about their families' safety.
Were You a Victim?
If you have information about John VanDenBerg or other abuse within the 2x2 church:
FBI Omaha Field Office
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