Facility profile Missouri

Agape Baptist Academy

Also known as Agape Boys Ranch, Agape Boarding School

Closed Stockton, Missouri

Agape Baptist Academy was a program in Stockton, Missouri. It operated from 1990 to 2023.

About Agape Baptist Academy

Spring training camp held at a campground in Oklahoma City.source The minimum stay was 12 months.source It featured on "Atlanta Live", Channel 56, Atlanta, GA.source It sat on 200-acre ranch in Stockton, Missouri.source It cost $3,250 per month, $39,000 a year, plus $2,900 enrollment fee.source Stopped serving boys effective Jan. 20, 2023 (Wikipedia, Agape Baptist Academy); a 2003 tornado damaged the school but it kept operating.source

It was a member of MACCCA.source It was accredited by School of Tomorrow.source It claims a religious exemption; not required to be licensed in Missouri.source

Survivor testimony

What people who lived or worked here say happened. Survivors' own words are published with their permission; forum accounts are what was posted publicly and are reported as claims, not findings.

Reported on survivor forums

Timeline

From the records: who ran it and the deals that moved it, its names, and the deaths, incidents, inspection findings, lawsuits and news stories on file. Point at an event, or tap "More about this", for the details.

  1. 1990

    1. Opened

      Opened in Stockton, Missouri

  2. 1994

    1. Incident

      Criminal charge

      Clemensen was charged in federal court with removing asbestos insulation from steam pipes in 1993-1994 and burying it on school property.

      Criminal charge

      source

  3. 1995

    1. Incident

      License action

      The Washington campus was shut down in 1995 after being cited for permitting and code violations.

      License action

      source

  4. 2005

    1. Incident

      Sexual abuse

      An 18-year-old Agape student and junior staff member was charged in 2004 and convicted in 2005 of three counts of first-degree statutory sodomy involving a 13-year-old student.

      Sexual abuse

      source

  5. 2015

    1. Incident

      Lawsuit

      A 2015 personal injury suit against Agape Boarding School, Agape Baptist Church and James Clemensen was settled out of court.

      Lawsuit

      source

  6. 2017

    1. IncidentDecember 2017

      Criminal charge

      Court reports list Jareth Clemensen of Stockton charged with two counts of first-degree and two counts of second-degree child molestation, hearing Dec.

      Criminal charge December 2017

      Court reports list Jareth Clemensen of Stockton charged with two counts of first-degree and two counts of second-degree child molestation, hearing Dec. 19, 2017.

      source

  7. 2020

    1. Incident

      Sexual abuse

      Missouri DSS confirmed one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse at Agape since 2010.

      Sexual abuse

      source

    2. Incident

      Abuse

      The Kansas City Star interviewed 16 former students over nearly 20 years who described beatings, manual labor, and food and water withheld as punishment.

      Abuse

      source

  8. 2021

    1. IncidentFebruary 2021

      Legislation

      A Missouri House committee advanced bipartisan legislation in February 2021 requiring religious boarding schools to register with the state.

      Legislation February 2021

      source

    2. IncidentFebruary 2021

      Investigation

      Missouri opened a criminal investigation into abuse and neglect allegations at Agape, confirmed by the Highway Patrol in February 2021.

      Investigation February 2021

      source

  9. 2023

    1. In the newsJanuary 11, 2023

      Agape Boarding School will close its doors this month after years of abuse allegations

      Covered by 3 outlets: The Missouri Independent, KOLR - OzarksFirst.com and Springfield News-Leader.

      Agape Boarding School will close its doors this month after years of abuse allegations January 11, 2023

      Agape Boarding School in Missouri announced its voluntary closure following years of investigations and lawsuits regarding allegations of physical, mental, and sexual abuse. State officials and advocates had previously pursued legal action to shutter the faith-based facility due to immediate health and safety concerns.

    2. Closed

      Closed

Lawsuits

  • The Estate of Jason Britt and Kathleen Britt v. Agape Baptist Church, Inc. d/b/a Agape Boarding School 2023 | In progress | United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Southern Division | 6:23-cv-03316-MDH

    Outcome: Summary judgment granted in part and denied in part Apr 30, 2026. On July 30, 2026, plaintiffs filed a motion for a hearing setting a trial date and late stage mediation. On August 31, 2026, the court entered a trial order, rules of trial, and an order on the motion for hearing.

    The estate of Jason Britt and his mother Kathleen Britt sued Agape Baptist Church, Inc., which ran Agape Boarding School in Stockton, Missouri, in federal court on October 11, 2023. The complaint alleges that in 2009-2010, when he was 16, Jason Britt was taken to the unlicensed facility in the middle of the night and was strip-searched, confined in a dark padded room, beaten, forced to exercise to exhaustion, and gang-raped in a basement. It alleges Agape knew of earlier abuse at the school and failed to protect residents or report abuse. It alleges the abuse led to mental health problems and his suicide on February 4, 2022, and seeks damages under federal trafficking and forced labor law and Missouri wrongful death law. The document shows only the filing of the complaint.

Every case in the lawsuit directory

Incidents on record

  1. 1994 Criminal charge

    Clemensen was charged in federal court with removing asbestos insulation from steam pipes in 1993-1994 and burying it on school property.source

  2. 1995 License action

    The Washington campus was shut down in 1995 after being cited for permitting and code violations.source

  3. 2005 Sexual abuse

    An 18-year-old Agape student and junior staff member was charged in 2004 and convicted in 2005 of three counts of first-degree statutory sodomy involving a 13-year-old student.source

  4. 2015 Lawsuit

    A 2015 personal injury suit against Agape Boarding School, Agape Baptist Church and James Clemensen was settled out of court.source

  5. December 2017 Criminal charge

    Court reports list Jareth Clemensen of Stockton charged with two counts of first-degree and two counts of second-degree child molestation, hearing Dec. 19, 2017.source

  6. 2020 Sexual abuse

    Missouri DSS confirmed one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse at Agape since 2010.source

  7. 2020 Abuse

    The Kansas City Star interviewed 16 former students over nearly 20 years who described beatings, manual labor, and food and water withheld as punishment.source

  8. February 2021 Legislation

    A Missouri House committee advanced bipartisan legislation in February 2021 requiring religious boarding schools to register with the state.source

  9. February 2021 Investigation

    Missouri opened a criminal investigation into abuse and neglect allegations at Agape, confirmed by the Highway Patrol in February 2021.source

  10. Abuse

    Police call records include allegations of youth being kicked and punched by staff, resulting in bruises over the youth's body.source

  11. Restraint

    Some former students said Bryan Clemensen used a blow called the "Jurassic elbow" to the back of the head or between the shoulders.source

News coverage

  • Perryville Republic Monitor Sep 2, 2026 Lawsuit

    Abuse lawsuits target Christian home whose director backed Missouri foster care bill

    Former residents of Show-Me Christian Youth Home have filed federal lawsuits alleging forced labor, physical punishment, and sexual abuse while they were placed at the unlicensed facility. The lawsuits contend that the home and its staff failed to protect the survivors and that disciplinary measures intensified after reports of abuse were made.

  • OzarksFirst.com May 9, 2026 Event

    Former Agape Boarding School near Stockton resurfaces in federal kidnapping-related case

    A California mother was sentenced to three years in federal prison for arranging the transportation of her 16-year-old son to Agape Boarding School in Missouri, despite a protection order. The son was taken from California and held at the facility. Agape Boarding School has since closed down amid reports of abuse and concerns about employee background checks.

  • Missouri Independent Apr 8, 2026 Lawsuit

    Lawsuit accuses operators of Missouri boarding school of trafficking, abuse

    A lawsuit has been filed against the operators of a now-shuttered Missouri boarding school, alleging trafficking, abuse, and coerced labor of a former student. The lawsuit claims the operators isolated the student from her family, moved her across state lines and into Mexico, and used coercion and punishment to obtain her labor. The allegations are part of a larger pattern of abuse and neglect at the facility.

  • Missouri Independent Mar 17, 2026 General

    Missouri bill would allow foster kids in unlicensed Christian facilities

    A Missouri bill proposes to allow unlicensed Christian facilities to receive state placements of foster children, sparking concerns about lack of oversight and potential for abuse. The bill would create a new 'Child Protection Board' to oversee facilities registered with the Missouri Association of Christian Child Care Facilities. Critics argue that this could lead to inadequate protection for children in these facilities.

  • Springfield News-Leader Dec 23, 2025 Lawsuit

    Former Agape school student, Cedar County reach settlement in abuse case

    A former student of Agape Boarding School reached a settlement with Cedar County and its law enforcement regarding allegations of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the school. The settlement is not an admission of liability. The former student, Joshua Bradney, hopes the settlement will encourage other former students to come forward.

  • The Kansas City Star Jul 8, 2025 Lawsuit

    Julio Sandoval of Agape Boarding School can’t afford travel to CA trial. So US Marshals will pay

    Julio Sandoval, former dean of students at Agape Boarding School and later director of Lighthouse Christian Academy, will have his travel to a federal criminal trial in California paid by the U.S. Marshals due to financial hardship. Sandoval is charged with illegally transporting a restrained minor from Fresno to Agape in 2021, violating a protective order. He also faces a civil lawsuit from the teen and has other pending legal issues, including a substantiated abuse finding under appeal.

  • MinistryWatch Apr 4, 2024 Closure

    Another Missouri Boarding School Closes Following Abuse Claims

    ABM Ministries Lighthouse Christian Academy in Piedmont, Missouri, officially closed following the arrest of its owners and an ongoing state investigation into allegations of child abuse and neglect. The facility is one of several unregistered Christian boarding schools in Missouri to cease operations amid pending lawsuits and criminal charges against staff members for various forms of abuse.

  • The Kansas City Star Mar 8, 2023 Lawsuit

    Sixteen Former Agape Boarding School Students Reach Settlements in Abuse Lawsuits

    Sixteen former students who filed lawsuits against the operators of the now-closed Agape Boarding School have reached settlements for undisclosed amounts. The plaintiffs had accused the facility of negligence, emotional distress, battery, and physical and sexual abuse by staff and peers. The school, which was one of several unlicenced Christian boarding schools in Cedar County, closed in January 2023.

  • The Missouri Independent Jan 11, 2023 Closure

    Agape Boarding School will close its doors this month after years of abuse allegations

    Agape Boarding School in Missouri announced its voluntary closure following years of investigations and lawsuits regarding allegations of physical, mental, and sexual abuse. State officials and advocates had previously pursued legal action to shutter the faith-based facility due to immediate health and safety concerns.

  • The Kansas City Star Jan 11, 2023 Closure

    ‘I can finally sleep at night.’ Former students, others react to boarding school closing

    Former residents of Agape Boarding School described physical restraints, forced labor, food and water restriction, and sexual misconduct by staff. The school announced a voluntary closure in January 2023 after legal actions and declining enrollment, and state officials indicated ongoing efforts to pursue accountability.

  • FOX 2 Jan 11, 2023 Closure

    Agape Boarding School Announces Voluntary Closure Following Abuse Allegations and Legal Scrutiny

    Agape Boarding School in rural Missouri has announced its voluntary closure effective January 20, 2023, citing a lack of financial resources. The decision follows multiple criminal cases against former staff members, civil lawsuits alleging child abuse, and pressure from state officials and former students.

  • KOLR - OzarksFirst.com Jan 11, 2023 Closure

    Agape Boarding School to close down

    Agape Boarding School announced it will close its doors on January 20, 2023, following pressure from state officials and former students, as well as ongoing criminal cases involving former staff and a treating physician. The facility stated the voluntary closure is due to a lack of financial resources, while administrators focus on transitioning remaining students to parents, foster care, or other programs.

34 more articles

Videos

Allen Knoll | Surviving Bethel Academy (IFB Reform School) (2020-11-27) Watch on YouTube
Talk Sessions - AGAPE BOYS RANCH (Sevilla, Jay, Mike, Colton) [1.22.2021] (Ep.1) - YouTube (2021-01-22) Watch on YouTube
Amanda Householder Update On Agape (2021-09-27) Watch on YouTube
The Right to Rights Rally at Agape Boarding School (2020-11-04) Watch on YouTube
The Great Escape from Agape Boys Ranch - ANTONIO [12.01.2020] (2020-12-01) Watch on YouTube
Agape Boarding School Robert Bucklin (2022-06-12) Watch on YouTube
Colton Schrag testifies MO HB557 & HB560 about abuse at Agape Boys Ranch & Boarding School 2/10/21 (2021-02-10) Watch on YouTube
Right to Rights Rally at Agape Boarding School, Missouri | Statement on Troubled Teen Industry (2020-11-14) Watch on YouTube
Mom says special needs son was tortured by school staff | Banfield (2022-06-23) Watch on YouTube
Exposing Circle of Hope Girls' Ranch, Agape Boarding School, and the Troubled Teen Industry (2020-06-10) Watch on YouTube
"It was like shell shock" | Colton Schrag describes life after Agape Boarding School (2021-01-20) Watch on YouTube
Religious Teen Homes Effects on Mental Health - AMANDA HOUSEHOLDER and JAMES GRIFFEY [9.27.2020] (2020-09-29) Watch on YouTube
Missouri Rep Keri Ingle’s Opening Statement on HB557 & 560 to Protect Children in Residential Homes (2021-02-11) Watch on YouTube
Exposing Agapé Boarding School for Boys ~ ROBERT BUCKLIN (2021-10-09) Watch on YouTube
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Staff

Administration

  • James Clemensen

    Former Pastor and Administrator (1990-2009)source

  • Rich Kaszak

    Former Program Director (2009)source

  • Leo Lenze

    Former School Principal and Dean of Students (2009)source

  • Julian Outar

    Former Principalsource

  • Jim Blake

    Former Asst. Principalsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Robert Graves

    Former Program Directorsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Cedar County Sheriff's Department Sheriff's Deputy
  • Allan Clemensen

    Former Principalsource

  • Jason Derkson

    Principal

    Elsewhere in the industry

Notable staff

Connections on the network map

The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.

Ownership

Other staff

  • Cedar County Sheriff's Department deputy transporters

Documents

From the Unsilenced archive

304 documents about Agape Baptist Academy that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Agape Boarding School.

Documents (304)

From SCIAD NET

9 documents about Agape Baptist Academy that Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. SCIAD NET keeps them on Google Drive, where they open.

Court records (1)
Program Documents (1)
Newsletters (3)
Other documents (4)

Materials and links

External links

A program's own website is linked as an archived snapshot, so the page reads as it did when it was captured.

Advertising and marketing listings

Reference and research

From SCIAD NET.

Other links

Record updated . Generated from the Kids Over Profits facility database. Suggest a correction