In February 2010, I wrote about Evangelist Jack Patterson and allegations of abuse at Reclamation Ranch Ministries. What follow is the original text of the 2010 post. An update follows this.
According to their website,(no longer active) Reclamation Ranch Ministries is:
We are a Christian organization that specializes in a boarding school for girls ages 12-17 and young men and women ages 18-35. Our homes have 24 hour watch care and professional staff that have given their lives to help young people obtain a “second” chance at life. Our young people come from all walks of life, from pastor and missionary families to homes that are broken and filled with drugs and alcohol. No one is exempt from a broken heart and we teach our young people to use their hurts to heal someone else. Our staff give their lives to the young people in our programs to bring honor to the Lord Jesus Christ.
What is Dr Jack’s ministry. According to his personal website (site no longer active):
Bro. Jack is the Founder of Reclamation Ranch Ministries and is an Evangelist traveling across America to help other churches desiring to working with the troubled youth of America. We aid in counseling as well as teaching others how to work with people addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling and the lifestyles that come with such addiction. We know the God of second chances and want to remind others that “whatever their past might have been, their future is spotless” by the Redeeming Blood of Calvary!
It seems Dr. Jack got himself into a good bit of trouble.
In a March 4, 2009 story the Birmingham News reported:
The director of a ministry that established a home for troubled boys in western Blount County has been charged with aggravated child abuse and will be arraigned on March 17.
Pastor Jack Patterson of Empire, the founder-director of Reclamation Ranch Ministries, was indicted in early February and posted $25,000 bond, according to the Blount County circuit clerk’s office.
Patterson has declined to discuss the case. The Reclamation Ranch Web site has a statement that says, “Any of you who know Bro. Jack know that there is no way for him to allow any type of harm against anyone.”
Reclamation Ranch also is trying to raise $40,000 to cover attorney’s fees, according to its Web site. Patterson’s defense attorney is former Blount County Circuit Judge Bob Austin.
Also charged with aggravated child abuse is Michael Parkinson, whose listed address is Byron, N.Y. Parkinson was served with his indictment Feb. 13 and posted a $25,000 cash bond. He also has a March 17 arraignment.
Another person indicted in the case has not yet been served.
The case began in late November, when authorities received a complaint of “severe abuse, beating and torture” from a 17-year-old who was living at Reclamation Ranch’s Lighthouse Academy. The Reclamation Ranch Web site at the time described the academy as “a minimum one-year program that incorporates Bible teaching, character training and respect for family.” The Lighthouse Academy is not currently listed on the site.
Eleven boys younger than 18, as well as some 18-year-olds living at the academy, were subsequently placed by the Department of Human Resources in other residential settings and later returned to their parents, relatives or other adults. Some of the boys came from California, Kentucky and an Amish community in Ohio. (the boys were later returned to the home)
Reclamation Ranch also operates a boarding home for troubled girls and young women in Walker County and a men’s ranch in Empire.
On Monday, March 1st Jack Patterson will be back in court.
According to his website (no longer active):
I agreed to a very low plea bargain, of “verbal harassement” and a $500 fine.. This is a class “C” misameanor and involves no child endangerment or any nature of child abuse. While we really do not believe we should even agree to this we are more interested in getting on with the work the Lord has called us to do in working with those who are down and out and while there is still time to reach those who need to be reached for the Lord Jesus Christ. We will apprear before Judge Stephen King on March 1, 2010. Please pray all goes well. (spelling errors are in the original)
I wish I had a dollar for every time I have read one of these types of statements from a preacher.
Patterson plans to plead out on March 1st. He will plead guilty to verbal harassment and pay a 500.00 fine. I have no idea about the merits of the legal case against him. I do know that time after time, preachers like Patterson seem to skirt criminal prosecution. Rarely do they have to answer for their crimes.
Patterson does not believe he did anything wrong. He agreed to the plea bargain so he could “get on with the work the Lord has called us to do in working with those who are down and out.”
After all they need to be reached “while there is still time.”
Patterson used to work for Lester Roloff. Firedog Lake has a feature article on Patterson. I hope you will take time to read it.
UPDATE
Jack Patterson is still busy “serving” Jesus. The picture at the top of this post was taken in July 12, 2012 at Amazing Grace Baptist Church (tent meeting) in Columbus, Ohio. Jimmy Hood is the pastor of the church. Years ago, Hood and I were friends and I regularly helped out at Charity Rescue Mission, a mission started by Hood.
According to a recent newsletter posted to Jack Patterson’s website, Patterson is still very much involved in “helping” boys and men:
January – March 2014
Greetings Pastors and Supporters:
2013 was a very busy year! Along with lots of traveling, we were able to place over 100 people in homes that we work with across the nation. As of January we have placed ten people, some pastor’s children and missionary’s children from Europe. As many of you know, Karen and I have been planting homes across America. We have planted four homes: men’s, women’s and boy’s homes.
We are currently helping open a home in Villa Rica, GA with Pastor Eddie Wyatt. They have been given a youth camp that is seven miles from their church. We will take our RV and spend time helping train staff and bring in young men.
We have asked one of our Reclamation Ranch alumni who is currently serving the Lord at Dr. Jack Trieber’s church, to come re-open the Alabama project. We want to open this home for men and boys and relocate it to Dearborn Heights, Michigan. The Amish will build another building in this area but we first need to sell one of our properties in Alabama. The Amish want to see a home close to them so they are willing to help us build. Bro. Patterson and his staff will operate this home! We will bring in men and boys from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. We are looking to have a first class home with a Bible institute and a great home church to work with. Our home church is Silvery Lane Baptist Church. This is a soul winning, Bible believing, Baptist work; pastored by Pastor Chris Staub. He loves our men that we have brought here. Many alumni have attended the Winter Meeting here in December. This is one of the greatest meetings in the country!
After 3,000,000 miles on the road, placing 2,500 young people in homes, and preaching in 48 states since the age of 32; we still love the work! There is still much work to do but our main focus is to help the men. We have had the privilege of sending 75 of these men to Bible College. Our next newsletter will tell more about where these men are today.
On the Front Line,
Jack and Karen Patterson
As you can see, Patterson is quite busy opening new group homes. He also wants to reopen the group homes in Alabama and move them to Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Patterson’s home church is Silvery Lane Baptist Church pastored by Chris Staub.
Let this updated post be a reminder to all of us who care about what goes on in IFB group homes…we can not stop being vigilant. Patterson is a perfect example of how IFB preachers accused of misconduct and/or abuse have an uncanny ability to wiggle out of abuse allegations. We must continue to pay attention to what these abusers for Jesus are up to. If we don’t pay attention, who will?
Notes
Superb article by Andy Kopasa about Pack Patterson and abusive IFB group homes
Salon article on Jack Patterson
Reclamation Ranch Update (old website)
Jack Patterson’s Facebook page
Churches that support Jack Patterson
Charity Baptist Church, Kettering, Ohio
Lebanon Baptist temple, Lebanon, Ohio
If you know of other churches that financially support Patterson, please send me a link and I will post it here.
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