Eastview Christian Church on Sunday said it had hired an outside law firm to investigate allegations of misconduct among church leaders, and that the review should take around three months.
Eastview has hired Kellye Fabian Story with Chicago-based Wagenmaker & Oberly to lead the investigation. Wagenmaker & Oberly is a law firm that represents nonprofits. Story also “helps develop restorative justice and reconciliation plans for churches and nonprofits that have experienced trauma or significant conflict, to aid in rebuilding trust and caring for victims,” Eastview elder Jim Karch told church members Sunday.
That investigation will take about three months, he said.
Victims can now contact the investigative team directly at info@wagenmakerlaw.com. That’s intended to “provide a clear and safe path for victims to communicate directly and without the involvement of Eastview’s leadership or Elders.” Elders said they would share all email communication regarding allegations with the investigative team.
"We are not aware of any allegations that would require law enforcement involvement," elder Adam Ghrist told WGLT on March 4. Normal Police Chief Stephen Petrilli previously told WGLT he wasn't aware of any police reports related to Eastview employees dating back to 2016.
Eastview’s leaders are next working to hire a “Victim Advocate and solidify a pathway for outside counseling services for victims related to the investigation,” he said.
“Our heart as elders is to enter this investigation process transparently, and we also want to provide a safe way for victims to be able to be heard,” Karch said. “We know that as an elder team, we’re still learning. We’re trying to increase our own ability to be trauma-informed.”
Eastview’s senior pastor, Mike Baker, resigned last month in the wake of allegations against his adult son while he worked at the church. Church elders have described the allegations as “serious” and involving inappropriate sexual behavior, misconduct, and abuse, and that church leaders (including Mike Baker and the elders) were accused of covering it up. Mike Baker has said “that’s a complete misrepresentation of what was going on," pointing only to infidelity. “It’s libelous and slanderous,” he added.
Eastview is one of the largest churches in Bloomington-Normal. Eastview is an independent, non-denominational church. Its largest location is on Airport Road in northeast Normal, with a second campus in Bloomington.
