Authorities in Iowa recently intervened at a church, leading to the removal of 88 children involved in a Bible Study Camp as part of an investigation into human trafficking. The children are now in the care of local agencies after being taken from the Shekina Glory Camp, which is managed by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation.
During the operation, deputies executed search warrants and relocated the children to a nearby Wapelo Methodist church where they met with child protection officials. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has placed the children in temporary foster care until they can be reunited with their families.
The Kingdom Ministry, established in 2018, operated summer camps from June 8 to 29. However, family members connected to the ministry denied any wrongdoing. Victor Bowy, whose parents lead the ministry, stated, “We’re focused on helping both adults and children who are dealing with issues like drugs and alcohol.” He emphasized the importance of care provided to the children, mentioning they were separated by gender and were given food and support.
Interestingly, one teenager from Texas allegedly informed authorities that he didn’t want to be at the camp. Bowy insisted that no harm came to any of the children, asserting they were treated well, even providing an example of spending money on shoes and clothing for them.
Bowy noted that the camps attract Christian youths from across the nation and include activities such as volleyball and soccer alongside Bible study sessions. The investigation, which is ongoing, involved multiple search warrants in Columbus Junction and nearby Fredonia, where the church also aids people with housing.
The operation was a collaboration among several agencies, including the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation and the local police department. The church is overseen by two Burmese pastors, part of a community that has faced significant challenges, seeking refuge from conflict in Myanmar.
Columbus Junction has a notable population of Burmese refugees, who often work for Tyson Foods, a major employer in the area. It’s worth mentioning that, just recently, Myanmar was added to a list of countries facing travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. State Department.
