River Valley Church in the Twin Cities appears to tolerate and defend sexual sin.
In early 2019, I briefly worked at an after-school tutoring center in the Twin Cities. A co-worker stuck her tongue out towards me in an overtly sexual manner on three separate occasions, the third time, making sure to time it perfectly so I'd notice it immediately I turned my head to say goodbye. I had enough, so confronted her the third time. She denied all wrongdoing and instantly reported me to our supervisor, the center director. A meeting was arranged with this supervisor and her supervisor, who was a few minutes late, and I had just sent the first supervisor a corroborating email to show how such harassing behavior had occurred to me previously. To my shock and horror, while we waited for the more senior supervisor, she extended her tongue sexually in a manner that was even worse than the co-worker.
This former boss is a married woman who attended River Valley Church at the time. I confronted her via email, but got no response. I then reported to River Valley pastors, with the case eventually being escalated to executive pastor Chris Book. In an email, Mr. Book told me "As Pastor D. ... let you know in a previous email, you are to stop contacting him or any other staff at River Valley Church. The only staff member you are allowed to speak with is me. So, if you wish, you may set up an appointment to come in and meet with me in person at which time I will ask you to stop pursuing this matter as we are satisfied that nothing inappropriate happened.
Please heed the warning of the law firm that sent you the cease and desist. I politely ask you to do the same with us and all parties involved." I responded "Thanks for your response. I moved out of state, so I won't be able to come in to see you ... I do, however, contest your statement that nothing inappropriate happened. Since only [my former supervisor] and I were present, no one else can be certain as to what transpired between us. She did in fact extend her tongue towards me in a highly sexual manner. This was overt and lasted more than a few seconds.
I'm disappointed that the leadership of River Valley have taken her word against mine in a matter about which only God and the eyewitnesses may be certain." I also asked "Regarding this case involving [my former boss], I stated that she sexually harassed me, but you said nothing inappropriate happened.
How did you decide on whom to believe?" to which he responded "You can make an appointment and come see me in person. Until then, I will no longer respond to your emails.
Thank you"
He sent this despite knowing I had moved out of state as mentioned.
If you're ever sexually harassed and seek an understanding pastor who's considerate and is courageous enough to listen to all sides of the story, according to my experiences, Chris Book is not that pastor.
Chris Book is not fit to be a pastor, let alone an executive pastor. I couldn't suggest staying away from River Valley Church strongly enough.
Of course, per my M.O., Chris Book knows I've already told at least one loved one about him.
This isn't the first time I've had a problem with sexual immorality involving Assemblies of God-affiliated people. During a March 2010 ministry roadtrip in a different part of the United States, some sexually inappropriate acts I witnessed include an AG-church attending unmarried female worship leader making very uncalled-for sexually explicit hand gestures to an unmarried man, and another man mooning an SUV filled with his supposed sisters in Christ.
I think it's time the Assemblies of God reevaluated their sexual ethics to ensure alignment with God's word.
River Valley Church Reviews
River Valley Church in the Twin Cities appears to tolerate and defend sexual sin.
In early 2019, I briefly worked at an after-school tutoring center in the Twin Cities. A co-worker stuck her tongue out towards me in an overtly sexual manner on three separate occasions, the third time, making sure to time it perfectly so I'd notice it immediately I turned my head to say goodbye. I had enough, so confronted her the third time. She denied all wrongdoing and instantly reported me to our supervisor, the center director. A meeting was arranged with this supervisor and her supervisor, who was a few minutes late, and I had just sent the first supervisor a corroborating email to show how such harassing behavior had occurred to me previously. To my shock and horror, while we waited for the more senior supervisor, she extended her tongue sexually in a manner that was even worse than the co-worker.
This former boss is a married woman who attended River Valley Church at the time. I confronted her via email, but got no response. I then reported to River Valley pastors, with the case eventually being escalated to executive pastor Chris Book. In an email, Mr. Book told me "As Pastor D. ... let you know in a previous email, you are to stop contacting him or any other staff at River Valley Church. The only staff member you are allowed to speak with is me. So, if you wish, you may set up an appointment to come in and meet with me in person at which time I will ask you to stop pursuing this matter as we are satisfied that nothing inappropriate happened.
Please heed the warning of the law firm that sent you the cease and desist. I politely ask you to do the same with us and all parties involved." I responded "Thanks for your response. I moved out of state, so I won't be able to come in to see you ... I do, however, contest your statement that nothing inappropriate happened. Since only [my former supervisor] and I were present, no one else can be certain as to what transpired between us. She did in fact extend her tongue towards me in a highly sexual manner. This was overt and lasted more than a few seconds.
I'm disappointed that the leadership of River Valley have taken her word against mine in a matter about which only God and the eyewitnesses may be certain." I also asked "Regarding this case involving [my former boss], I stated that she sexually harassed me, but you said nothing inappropriate happened.
How did you decide on whom to believe?" to which he responded "You can make an appointment and come see me in person. Until then, I will no longer respond to your emails.
Thank you"
He sent this despite knowing I had moved out of state as mentioned.
If you're ever sexually harassed and seek an understanding pastor who's considerate and is courageous enough to listen to all sides of the story, according to my experiences, Chris Book is not that pastor.
Chris Book is not fit to be a pastor, let alone an executive pastor. I couldn't suggest staying away from River Valley Church strongly enough.
Of course, per my M.O., Chris Book knows I've already told at least one loved one about him.
This isn't the first time I've had a problem with sexual immorality involving Assemblies of God-affiliated people. During a March 2010 ministry roadtrip in a different part of the United States, some sexually inappropriate acts I witnessed include an AG-church attending unmarried female worship leader making very uncalled-for sexually explicit hand gestures to an unmarried man, and another man mooning an SUV filled with his supposed sisters in Christ.
I think it's time the Assemblies of God reevaluated their sexual ethics to ensure alignment with God's word.
P.S.: I reported Mr. Book to his superiors in the Minnesota AG district and showed them the report above, but they did all they could to have my exposé deleted from other review sites to which I posted it.