Convicted Pedophile a Church-Appointed “Team Leader” on Mission Trips to Costa Rica ?!
The church sponsorship of convicted pedophile Bruce Black (Macomb, Illinois) on some past – and possibly future – “Strong Missions’ trips is greatly troubling.
Adults making the decisions about missions presumably protect children as much as possible from known dangers. Would not allowing a convicted pedophile count  as a known danger? Wouldn’t common sense dictate that allowing a convicted pedophile to be in close proximity –  (school grounds, playgrounds, at celebrations, on ‘outings’, even allegedly in their homes) – qualify as unacceptable risk?
Why would a church grant a convicted felon pedophile ANY position in a group partnering with “Strong Missions” who, according to their website, conducts “Youth, College, Adult and Family Mission Trips to Costa Rica?” (source: Strong Missions Website.)
Here’s a pic of Bruce Black, standing right behind an underage boy, in his local paper.
Perhaps the leadership of the church which appointed him – time and time again – failed to perform an adequate background check? Or, if they were aware, then perhaps they simply choose to apparently ignore his record – and place him in a position of trust – despite it?
Why?
Perhaps this is just another  ’Penn State’ morality test. Or perhaps a predator has taken advantage of a lack of adequate protection…or something else.
About Bruce Black
Bruce Black is the pedophile in the case United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, Cross-appellant, v. Bruce R. Black. “Defendant Bruce R. Black was charged in a nine-count indictment with distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2) and (4). Black’s motion to dismiss was denied after an evidentiary hearing, and the parties thereafter entered into three stipulations described infra. Black entered a conditional guilty plea, reserving the right to appeal the denial of his motion to dismiss. Black was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment plus three years of supervised release.” (Source: http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/116/198/611293/)
“Strong Missions”
According to their website;
“Strong Missions is a turn-key Christian organization that brings you or your group safe, affordable and fully-organized mission/adventure trips to Costa Rica and helps the people therein, especially children and families…”
Read one of Bruce Black’s ‘Dispatches’ to the sponsoring church from one of his ‘missions.’
Another one of Bruce’s ‘Dispatches’
“Team members where inspired too, not only with the barely containable chaos, but with countless smiles, hugs, and goodbyes from the kids and mothers that came to play with us.
The only for sure at this point today is that we are headed to the teenage mothers home this morning after breakfast for a tour and short visit. ” (Source: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=176543105717113)
This other ‘Dispatch’ also gravely concerns me for the safety of this at-risk family -
“Josh, Jeremy, and I went with our interpertor Terri Yesterday afternoon to check on Oscar and his family. We were able to set up a visit at an ice cream parlor in Guadalupe for about two hours. Oscar and Jeanette are proud grandparents of new baby boy born December 24th. Jessica and baby Santiago are doing great. She is happy to be back at home with her parents, They have a couple of nieces staying with them Raquel age 13, and her sister age 6 whos name is escaping at this moment. Finally Alexia (12) is enjoying being an uncle and still wants to be a fireman, his English is coming along nicely too. We gave them some gifts, baby clothes from Blaine, A baby blanket from Wesley UMC, and other things that I had managed to put together. They feel very blessed to have a healthy baby in the house… And I too feel very blessed to know such a fine family who works very hard at keeping their family safe, strong, and growing through prayer and education.” (Source: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=175794729125284)
I have these questions….Do they assign someone to watch this pedophile 24/7? Do they warn the families not to allow him near children? Are all the people in the group aware of his conviction and imprisonment?
Will it take some tragedy for his church – and all who knowingly or unknowingly enable his participation – to stop allowing his participation on missions -or any other church-sponsored activities – with access to children?
December 20, 2011
· 
heather · 
4 Comments
Tags: Bruce Black, Church, Illinois, Macomb, Pedophile, PROTECT, Strong Missions, Wesley United Methodist Church, Youth Group · Posted in: Illinois, In the News
4 Responses
Charlie Strong - January 7, 2012
Strong Missions never appointed Bruce Black as team leader or anything else. He was a team leader chosen by his congregation. We are a Costa Rican organization, and our policy is to never allow an adult to be alone with a child. We have plenty of staff in place to assure that this does not happen. In the case of the relationship with the local family, they have also been instructed not to allow their children alone with anyone from the teams that choose to partner with us in our work, and all visits have been closely supervised. We understand that children are a target in this world and we will continue to work on their behalf, as well as take steps to assure their continued safety where they are connected to our work. We have over 8 years of service under our belts without one incident, thank God, but we will remain ever alert to danger. On Bruce’s behalf, he has attended numerous times without incident. In fact he has only acted in the spirit of Christian love and service. Regardless, we hear you and your points above, and we will remain vigilant. Blessings, Strong Missions
Charlie Strong - January 10, 2012
I wrote a full response but it appears to be too large for this forum, or you do not want to approve it. We will try again, as to stop some of the damage you folks have done by not checking your facts. I suggest that the author of this article or this website contact us to get the real facts for a retraction article or our lawyers will be in contact. This is slander.
Charlie Strong - January 11, 2012
Thank you for making the changes. One last thing… We have a child protective policy that will be uploaded to the website by the first of next week, for all to review, and we work in close regard to PANI, the child protective agency of Costa Rica. In the end know that we neither permit nor condone any type of abuse, and that if such an act does take place we will cooperate fully with the local officials. Child abusers who are seeking inappropriate relationships with children through organizations such as ours need to know that Costa Rica’s government is very strict regarding such matters, and the jails here are not nearly as nice as in the U.S. It would be a grave mistake to test our resolve, or the resolve of the Costa Rica government.
heather - January 12, 2012
THANK YOU for taking a firm stance and providing education on this topic. May your organization be blessed in your good work!
Leave a Reply