By Bob Allen
A North Carolina man charged with sex offenses at a Baptist youth camp got out of jail July 23 after a judge reduced his bond from $350,000 to $20,000.
Clyde Wesley Way, 68, was arrested July 10 at his home in Albemarle, N.C., on 16 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, four counts of employing or permitting a minor to assist in offenses and four counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. The allegations involve four boys ages 10-13 that Way accompanied as a chaperone to summer camp at the North Carolina Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell in June.
Chris Allen, a ministry colleague who worked alongside Way at events sponsored by Stanly Baptist Association, told Wilmington, N.C., ABC affiliate WWAY that Way has bought ads in the association’s newsletter promoting himself as a chaperone for male campers the last eight years.
“My fear is as long as Clyde has worked with teenage boys, I want him to come clean with God and come clean with the law, and if there is more than the boys that have come forward, I just encourage Clyde to tell his attorney,” said Allen, a student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary who works on staff as liaison to associational partnerships.
“I think I take it personal, because I’m a victim of a man in the church that I grew up in,” Allen said. “When I was 7, I was sexually abused. I think that’s why this story has hurt me so much.”
According to his online testimony, Allen grew up a preacher’s kid at a Baptist church in Pickens, S.C., and started experimenting with alcohol and drugs when he was 13. He lived in “bondage” for 25 years, including 10 years as a homeless addict on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, before returning to his family in December 2005. Allen now shares his testimony at youth events through Winning Youth for Christ Ministries, launched in 2007.
Allen said he visited his former friend in jail seeking answers. He was allowed 20 minutes, but the visit lasted only four, he said, because Way seemed “too proud.”
“I had no idea he was being released today, so maybe that’s why he’s laughing,” Allen said. “If he’s laughing, I’m not sure what will happen in a court of law, but his judgment day is coming, so he needs to come clean with God.”
Way worked several years as a volunteer student ministries team leader for Stanly Baptist Association, but was removed after the boys told their parents what happened and the parents reported it to their pastor and the association. The association contacted the police. A workshop is planned Aug. 12 to educate churches about preventing child abuse.
Way was planning to chaperone a group in late July from Richfield Baptist Church, affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, but according to the church Facebook page no longer has contact with the church’s youth. Pastor Brian Miller is leading the group at camp.
In the 1990s, Way was employed as a youth minister at Faith Baptist Church in Glen Burnie, Md. In addition to his church work in North Carolina, he reportedly was a substitute school teacher and a part-time employee at the Stanly County YMCA.
Way’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 31. He is allowed to return to his home but cannot have contact with any minors except his grandchildren.
A neighbor and close friend of his told WSOC-TV Eyewitness News that the allegations against Way are strong, but she doesn’t believe they are true.
“I have children, and I would feel safe with them around him,” said Stella Campelo, who has lived next door to the Ways for years and considers them more like family than neighbors. While she was unable to attend Way’s court hearing, Campelo said she wrote a letter on his behalf.
“I’d like to see him home, where he belongs,” she said.