Rev. James Parkhurst is currently on administrative leave from the Oregon Conference of The UMC.

LANSING MI…On Wednesday, August 3, the Oregon Conference of The United Methodist Church announced that they have placed Rev. James Parkhurst, Executive Director of Camp and Retreat Ministry program on immediate administrative leave.  Prior to serving in Oregon, Parkhurst served as the Director of Outdoor and Retreat Ministries in the Detroit Annual Conference from 2010 to 2015. The administrative leave in Oregon is the result of his arrest by federal officials for alleged criminal conduct.  According to media reports, he has been transported to Colorado to face federal charges.  According to officials in Oregon, the charges are not related to his duties in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference or the Camp and Retreat Ministries program.  

Safety of campers is the highest priority of Michigan Camp and Retreat Ministry program. Polices and guidelines are in place to assure that camp experiences are places of physical and emotional safety for all involved. All Camp Directors, Staff and volunteers routinely undergo background checks.  We are not aware of any incident involving Rev. Parkhurst during his time with the Detroit Conference Camping and Retreat Ministries Program and the Detroit Conference has not been contacted by investigators. 

Please hold Rev. James Parkhurst, his family, and all those impacted by these allegations in prayer.

 

Last Updated on August 6, 2016