The Legacy of Abuse Podcast

Not everything that glitters is gold. People often wonder: How does someone end up at Christian Centre anyway? In this episode, we sit down with a former parent and congregant, Jackie, who once brought her family into the church and enrolled her children in the school. She shares her firsthand experience as an adult navigating the community, what initially attracted her, and what she learned after...

In this episode, we speak with Jude and Mike, a couple whose journey through three high‑control Christian communities began with the charismatic Light of the World movement and led them into the covenant‑based structure of People of Praise . They describe communal living, financial surrender, strict headship hierarchies, and the pressure to shape every major life decision - dating, housing, work -...

This week we're diving into the wild story of Donald Howard, the man behind Accelerated Christian Education, also known as the curriculum that tried to teach generations of kids that dinosaurs and humans hung out together like it was a prehistoric group project. We break down the doctrine, the beliefs, and the very creative version of science and history baked into the program that spread through...

Alumni packed their cars and headed to Regina for their day in court as our stayed civil action was argued before the Court of Appeal. Our legal team: Grant Scharfstein, Samuel Edmondson, Michael Scharfstein, and Christine Libner, faced counsel for the church and the government.  During the hearing, the Chief Justices of the Court of Appeal characterized the rationale for staying the civil suit du...

After decades of referring politely to what was called the volleyball incident , justice finally set the record straight. It was not an "incident." It was an assault on the volleyball team. For years, euphemisms softened the story. Language blurred responsibility. Memory did the careful tiptoe that institutions often prefer. In this episode, we unpack how the truth was buried in plain sight, and w...

This week's episode is unhinged in the most revealing way. We're talking to an alum who was pregnant in high school at the school, because apparently "Christian education" meant shame with a side of silence. And in a plot twist absolutely no one should be surprised by, the woman the church advised her parents to send her to, you know, as a "solution" for a problematic child, was just convicted in...

Today's episode is a little different than usual, because instead of a guest, we're featuring our very own cease-and-desist letter. Yes, we were legally threatened by a former leader at our old church who quietly moved away, rebranded themselves, and started their own church. We read you parts of the letter, break it down, and discuss: so tune in if you want a good laugh. Apparently accountability...

This week on the podcast, we dive into the long-overdue sentencing of John Olubobokun: the former private Christian school director who racked up nine counts of assault with a weapon while insisting he "operates by God's law, not man's law." Spoiler alert: man's law absolutely had its turn, and it came with a sentencing decision he couldn't pray his way out of. This is also the same guy who told t...

Join us for a special holiday episode as we rewind to 1980s Saskatchewan, when the hair was big, accountability was apparently optional, and one parent decided to challenge truancy laws because their child was attending an illegal school. Festive. We unpack what the court actually said about compulsory attendance, because "we tried our best," personal beliefs, and creative loopholes don't override...

Join us this week as we try to unravel whatever the hell just happened in civil court. Apparently, our class action lawsuit has been stayed for "abuse of process", which, fun fact: is a reason no judge in Saskatchewan has ever used before. So basically we're out here setting legal precedents we never asked for, while the justice system free-styles like it's had three glasses of wine at brunch.   J...

This week, join us as we attend the sentencing hearing in R v. Olubobokun. Victims shared powerful impact statements, and while Olubobokun's lawyer did his best to defend the indefensible, the truth spoke louder. Hear firsthand accounts from those inside the courtroom, and follow us as we continue down this long road toward justice.   Join the Class Action: https://scharfsteinlaw.com/class-action/...

A Saskatchewan Provincial Court Judge has delivered a thunderous verdict: guilty on all nine counts against former private school director John Olubobokun. Olubobokun was the longtime Director of Christian Centre Academy, a school that later rebranded to Legacy Christian Academy, and most recently to Valour Christian Academy.  After leaving, he founded yet another institution, Grace Christian Acad...

Join Quentin and Mark for some brief updates.   Join the Class Action: https://scharfsteinlaw.com/class-action/ Links and Socials: https://linktr.ee/legacyofabusepodcast Contact Us:  legacyofabusepodcast@gmail.com

Join us as we break down the closing arguments in the first criminal trial of John Olubobokun, a former staff member at Legacy Christian Academy and Mile Two Church. We recount the bizarre and contradictory tactics used by defense lawyer Ron Piché, including shifting blame to deceased staff, and wild claims about khaki pants and iPhones. We also preview the upcoming trial of Duff Friesen, share wh...

In this episode of latest developments, we unpack newly released affidavits and expert witness reports from the class-action lawsuit against Legacy Christian Academy and Mile Two Church. They highlight findings from experts in education, psychology, and child abuse that expose how the Saskatchewan government failed in its duty to oversee independent schools. The episode also shares triggering test...

In this episode, Cate and Quentin are joined by Robynne and Coy for a heartfelt conversation about the recent John Olubobokun trial. Together, they reflect on the emotional weight of the proceedings and share their personal reactions to its unexpected new delay, exploring the broader impact the trial has had on their lives and community.   Join the Class Action: https://scharfsteinlaw.com/class-ac...

Join us this week as we welcome Randal Rauser, Director of Faith-Based Organization Investigations at Veritas Solutions and co-author of Disabuse: How to Prevent, Detect, Investigate, and Eliminate Abuse in Churches and Faith-Based Organizations. We gain insights into how investigations are handled by churches, and why some might prefer to sweep it all under the rug. Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Di...

Join us this week as we welcome Beth Granger, one of the lead plaintiffs in a high-profile lawsuit in Canada, who is also a former student of the now-defunct Grenville Christian College in Ontario. Beth will share her personal experiences and discuss her newly released book, Born and Razed: Surviving the Cult Was Only Half the Battle. Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Born-Razed-Surviving-Cult-Battle/dp...

In today's episode, we sit down with an inspiring alumna of Christian Centre Academy, all the way from New Zealand! Christi shares her experiences at Christian Centre Academy, reflecting on her formative years at the church and school, and how those experiences have profoundly influenced her career as a trauma counsellor.   Join the Class Action: https://scharfsteinlaw.com/class-action/ Links and...

In the second installment of our series, we connect with Dana and Dan, longtime volunteers from Evangelist Mark Barclay's church, which shares a history with our former home church. Recently, three former leaders from Barclay's church have faced criminal charges—one has been convicted, while the other two are still navigating the legal system. When the allegations surfaced, Dana and Dan courageous...

In this episode, we dive deeper into the stories surrounding Mark Barclay, Jeremy Pfeil, and their connection to former pastor Keith Johnson. Get ready to hear from Jamie, a courageous congregant from Amarillo, TX, who took a stand for what's right and continues to fight for justice. We'll also discuss some shocking new developments regarding an arrest at Jeremy Pfeil's church.   Join the Class Ac...

This week's episode features alumni Greg, who attended the school and later became involved in the children's ministry at his church. Greg shares his experiences and insights. We also hear how keeping a low profile and being the "good kid" during his school years was a way to cope in that environment.   Join the Class Action: https://scharfsteinlaw.com/class-action/ Links and Socials: https://link...

Dive into the murky waters of Saskatchewan in the 1980s, where the seeds for four decades of abuse were sown. This podcast episode explores how a corrupt Premier, a dash of political nepotism, and the strategic positioning of Christian Centre members within the government set the stage for the long-lasting impact we feel today. Join us as we unravel the intricate web woven by key figures like Gran...

In this powerful episode, we head to Allan, Saskatchewan, where David Swan courageously recounts his painful past at Christian Centre Academy. Living with the rare genetic condition Lawrence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, David discusses how his disability made him an easy target for mistreatment and abuse. He reflects on the lasting trauma, life after the school and church, and his experiences with...

Join the class action lawsuit: https://scharfsteinlaw.com/class-action/ Statement of Claim: https://shorturl.at/bpxY9   Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LoAPod Donate to our Legal Fund: https://gofund.me/8a7995cc   Instagram: https://shorturl.at/ejOY5 Twitter:  https://shorturl.at/mtIW3 Contact Us: legacyofabusepodcast@gmail.com