A Manitoba minister/counsellor has been found guilty of sexual assault.
60 year old Terrance Lewis, was apparently a friend of the family of the victim.
The victim was sent by his parents for counselling to Lewis after they found him viewing gay pr0n on the family computer.
The counselling sessions began in 2000 according to the victim to ’assist me to be straight and to live a straight life.’ The victim was a student at Providence. He’d had no prior sexual experience when counselling began and was told by Lewis the therapy sessions would keep him straight.
That’s evangelical speak for reparative therapy.
Some evangelicals believe sexual orientation has to be changed.
“I was raised in a religious home and taught that if you were gay you went to hell, so that wasn’t an option,”
…Lewis made the man promise he would masturbate no more than twice a week, he said. If he failed, he was to spit on Lewis’ face or beat him with a belt.
He said masturbation was like spitting in God’s face,” the man said. “He was taking the place of Jesus.”
…”He said I was to tell no one about it because no one would understand,” the man testified.
“The scenario was that he would be my wife on our honeymoon night. He would say ‘When you are kissing me, you are not kissing me, you are kissing your girlfriend,’ trying to make me comfortable kissing a girlfriend,” he said.
Lewis instigated sexual activity, which is a criminal offense when obtained through fraud or an imbalance of power. Reparative therapy is discredited within professional circles, unfortunately the extreme aspects the victim described in court are promoted by some ex-gay biblical counselling ministries. The physical contact began a year after the counselling began. Lewis admitted to having sexual identity issues.
Lewis was an adjunct professor at a small independent Pentecostal/Holiness (?) Baptist/Mennonite college near Steinbach Manitoba which has about 850 students.
The school issued a news release when the trial began this week.
Providence does have two accredited counsellors on site who accept off campus clientele as well as shared biblical counselling courses with (CM&A/Nazarene) Ambrose College in Calgary Alberta.
Some months ago, Providence College and Seminary administration became aware of alleged acts of abuse committed by Terry Lewis, former adjunct instructor at Providence, when pending criminal charges against Lewis were brought to our attention.
Lewis, acting as part-time adjunct faculty, taught on occasion in the area of Christian Education and never represented Providence as a professional counsellor.
…The current conduct and accusations were not known to Providence administration until criminal charges were laid.
Lewis graduated from Providence College in 1975 and from Providence Theological Seminary in 1987. He last taught at Providence in September 2001.
The Winnipeg Sun article is standard court coverage.
It doesn’t say how much the family or the victim paid out in counselling fees, nor why Lewis left Providence the year his reparative counselling turned physical. Nor does it say what denomination Lewis ministered in.
Many ex-gay therapists have practiced what they call “touch therapy,” including Richard Cohen, who extends this from touching to hugging or even cuddling on the couch. Dr. Chris Austin carried touch too far and was convicted of sexual assault, as was Terrance Lewis in the story above. While certainly not all ex-gay therapists go to this extreme, starting with the premise that sexual orientation should, or even can, be changed has led to unorthodox and at times, illegal “therapy.”
Those who insist that professional, medical organizations must accept these as effective and therapeutic do so because they defend their “world view.” Everyone has the right to see the world as they like, but should an entire science be held responsible for maintaining that view? At what point is it the responsibility of the therapist to acknowledge that even a deeply held belief can lead one to seek help which is not — helpful.
Lewis could face up to 10 years in prison.
Published 9 months, 2 weeks ago
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I know you are just doing your job and reporting things but this article did not just ruin 2 lives (the victim and the student). Mr. Lewis has since gone on to council married couples and he has saved the lives of a few marriages. I would hope that we could consider that under all circumstances there is a reason. Although it may appear that he allegedly ruined this student’s life he perhaps saved it as well because the student is alive to sue him. In many “religious” families there is such a great pressure to be the “perfect Christan” and this can create suicidal thoughts. It is just unfortunate that this happened since he was doing so much good now.
I agree, far more than two people are hurt and it is important to understand.
The suicide rate is alarming in religious famlies who strive for perfect.
Mr. Lewis may well be a suicide risk himself.
You said the victim is alive to sue.
Is this now going to civil court?
There is no ‘allegedly’ ma’am.
…although, may, allegedly, perhaps…
Mr. Lewis was charged and has been found guilty of sexual assault under Section 271 of The Criminal Code of Canada.
No different if his victim had been a female family friend, client, student or parishoner.
It is important to understand sexual assault is a crime involving abuse of power and trust.
Lewis had the options to plead, appear before a judge, or judge and jury, he has the option to appeal.
The pre-sentencing report will look at several factors.
Mr. Lewis has been convicted, not sued.
very interesting blog and topic as well. I guess the gay and suicide issues are equally prevalent in Singapore as with Canada. Very interesting blog you have here. We will be continuing to read yr entries
God bless you =)
I have read with interest your blog regarding Terry. I am sadden by the whole situation as once again a well respected leader has brought shame to the name of Christ. I have known Terry during my time at Providence and my prayers go to both the victim and his family and Terry’s family who must be devistated.
One note on your entry - Providence is not ‘holiness/petecostal’ school by any means - although they work with many denominations - if anything the greater group is Mennonite and Baptist.
Knowing the school and the counselling program - no one would approve of what Terry did - nor would they ever advocate such counselling styles regardless of their stand on the homosexual issue.
As Prov’s first openly gay student all I can say is, I thank God for the fact that this wasn’t me. I’m also hopeful that the School will take seriously the fact that their current stance against gays only serves teach their servants how to fear, hide, and weep, instead of think, live and serve like they advertise.
I spent many nights and days bawling my eyes out because Of things involving coming out. The school and the evangelical Church really need to learn that we’re fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, even if they don’t like who we fall in love with.
Fromer Prov Man - Thanks, fixed.
I know ACTS is helping smaller seminiaries join up with like denominations and work together. It’s hard to know what these colleges adhere too.
David, that had to be very difficult. Evangelicals are cruel in their fear and rejection and as you say teach people too hide. That is far removed from what Christ requires of us, we have a great deal to learn. Go under the mercy.