Joe Campbell’s life, marked by a near-fatal car crash at 21, led him to make a pact with God, promising to follow Him in exchange for survival. After claiming miraculous gifts like prophecy and faith healing, he continued to lead the Versailles First Assembly after a dispute with church leaders. In 1988, he took in 14-year-old Phaedra Creed, whose mother struggled with addiction, believing she had divine potential.
However, their relationship took a dark turn when Campbell began abusing her. Over three months, he molested her multiple times, and Creed later reported the abuse, leading to an arrest. Despite evidence, Creed’s case was eventually dismissed due to concerns for her mental health. Campbell accused her of fabricating the charges, alleging she wanted revenge for a denied marriage request.
After being expelled from the Assemblies of God, Campbell founded a new church and children’s camp in Missouri, attracting many followers while the survivors of his abuse struggled silently. Women like Cheryl Almond and others who experienced similar abuse eventually found each other years later, realizing they were not alone. They bonded over shared trauma, empowering each other to seek justice.
Despite numerous attempts to alert authorities, they faced bureaucratic obstacles and lapses in law enforcement. Their efforts continued to be met with silence, as statutes of limitation hampered their pursuit of accountability. The story captures the struggle of survivors to confront their past and seek justice against a man who had evaded consequences for years while building a new life and community.
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