Safe Church

We take seriously our responsibility to shield our children/youth from sexual abuse, to protect our adult leaders from accusations of sexual abuse, and to limit the exposure of the church to legal risk and liability. To accomplish this, our Safe Church Policy includes an application process that all paid staff, as well as those volunteers who will be working with any of our children/youth, must complete. We need you to carefully and prayerfully fill out the attached application and return it as quickly as possible.

So, you might be asking…

What's involved in the volunteer application process?
When you fill out the application (below), you authorize us to check personal references and to request a background check for criminal/sexual records. Please thoroughly and honestly complete all forms.

On what basis does the church approve someone to work with students?
We invite into ministry those applicants a) who have no previous conviction for sexual or physical abuse of children; b) for whom we receive positive responses from their personal and professional references; and c) who meet the qualifications of the position for which they are applying.

If background checks raise any questions, the individual will be asked to meet with the appropriate pastoral staff person to clarify the questionable issues prior to being placed in a position relating to children/youth.

Who will see this application?
The completed application and any subsequent information on you will be available only to the appropriate pastoral staff personnel. The Authorization for Background Checks will be available to the Director of Equip Ministries. Once the approval process has been completed, your application and references will be maintained in a secure file.

Will I be notified when the background check is complete?
Yes. Volunteer applicants will be notified when their report has been received.

Thanks for understanding that this paperwork is about protecting you and our children/youth. We appreciate your willingness to help us achieve our mission of being a Safe Church ! Please know our doors are open to answer any questions you may have regarding the application process.

If you have any concerns, please contact us.

Because of Him,

Jerry Ruff Senior Pastor

Phil Pelphrey Associate Pastor

Mike D'Aquilante Director of Student Ministries

Colleen Fitch Director of Children's Ministries

Kathy Harkisheimer Director of Equip Ministries