The reThink Group, Inc

reThink Board Statement Regarding the Investigation into Leadership Sexual Misconduct 

In April 2024, just before the annual Orange Conference, we learned of allegations about sexual misconduct involving reThink founder Reggie Joiner and then-CEO Kristen Ivy. Both admitted to a past sexual relationship and resigned. After being confronted, Joiner admitted to other past sexual relationships.

With the information we had, we were transparent with conference attendees, employees, partners, and the public. We committed to a full investigation to understand what happened.

The reThink Group’s external human resources firm, Wagenmaker and Oberly, promptly launched an internal investigation and interviewed both Joiner and Ivy. During Ivy’s initial interview and in her resignation letter, Ivy stated that the relationship was consensual. Within days, however, Ivy changed her account to one of abuse by Joiner. Around the same time, another individual came forward, reporting that she had a relationship with Joiner that began when she was 19 - prior to him joining reThink.

With this new information, the Board consulted with abuse advocacy experts and dozens of pastors and church leaders to ascertain the appropriate next steps. We determined we needed an investigative firm with trauma training and forensics capabilities.

After interviewing several firms, the Board engaged Castañeda + Heidelman LLP (C+H), a firm with extensive experience conducting impartial investigations for mainstream and faith-based institutions. The C+H team was comprised of both women and men, including two former federal prosecutors. Former and current reThink employees, contractors, church leaders, ministry partners and others were asked to directly and confidentially contact the C+H team if they had relevant information.  

The scope of the C+H investigation focused on sexual misconduct by Joiner at reThink/Orange involving any employee, volunteer, contractor, or customer during his time with the organization. C+H’s role was to establish factual findings based on its investigation. 

Over the course of 14 months, the investigation team reviewed thousands of documents spanning several decades and conducted interviews with more than 40 individuals. A C+H digital forensics team extracted records, including emails, text messages, personal files stored on company-owned computers, as well as calendar entries, travel histories, and other available documentation. 

Joiner participated in multiple days of interviews with the investigative team. Others, including Ivy, declined interviews but submitted written statements. Roughly four dozen individuals who were not part of the alleged misconduct contributed evidence or context to provide perspective. Although C+H kept the Board updated on the progress of the investigation, board members deliberately avoided learning specific details to prevent influencing the outcome. 

The final C+H report is, in short, heartbreaking. The investigative findings have left us grieving for those who experienced pain, stress and confusion during their time with reThink. We recognize that there was a betrayal of trust placed in the organization, and most importantly, in its leaders. Protecting the confidentiality of participants was central to the investigation, and even a redacted version of the full report would reveal details that could clearly identify individuals who do not wish their stories to be public. For this reason, releasing the full report is not appropriate. 

We are deeply sorry for the pain reflected in the stories shared, including how this has affected family members, former reThink staff, and our partners. While words cannot undo what they experienced, this can serve as an opportunity for accountability, growth, and change. 

What We Learned 

 The investigation made it clear that Joiner engaged in serious personal misconduct, starting before reThink’s inception. Joiner acknowledged six extramarital sexual relationships with adult women over a span of decades, including two that began while he was a pastor before joining reThink. In interviews, Joiner said he did not view these relationships as nonconsensual or abusive. However, with respect to the relationship with a 19-year-old woman which began while Joiner was a pastor, Joiner admitted to investigators that this relationship was “obviously an abuse of [his] role” and the investigation noted the extreme improprieties created by the age, power, and spiritual dynamics.

Joiner actively concealed all his sexual relationships, including the one with Ivy. We believed Ivy when she initially told the Board the relationship was consensual. We acknowledge Ivy revised her account after she resigned and claimed she was abused by Joiner and that he sexually groomed her. The investigation was unable to ascertain which account is accurate, in part, because Ivy declined to be interviewed, and her personal writings stored on company computers provided conflicting accounts. Ivy provided investigators with an extensive written statement but later withdrew it. Ivy’s personal writings made it clear she was aware of Joiner’s other sexual relationships, including two prior to him joining reThink. Joiner and Ivy also deleted or did not provide pertinent electronic data and hard drives in their possession that might have given investigators more insight.  

C+H investigators attempted to interview all the women known to have been in sexual relationships with Joiner. Four chose not to participate. One person, who shared her story with the Board earlier, requested we not share details, then published her story anonymously on a blog. C+H requested an interview with her, which she declined.

No evidence was found that any ReThink/Orange management team member or board member knew about any of Joiner’s sexual relationships, apart from Joiner and Ivy.

The Board recognizes not everyone will find closure in this report. What can be shared publicly is necessarily limited to protect the confidentiality of those who participated in the investigation. We also recognize that individuals with painful experiences have every right to share - or not share - their own stories. That choice belongs to them, not to the Board.

Key Lessons 

After reading and reflecting on the C+H investigation report, we have some thoughts on what could have been done better and hope these painful lessons can help others.  

-   Every organization, ministry-related or not, should provide HR oversight that can hold even the highest levels of leadership accountable. Churches and ministries often bypass the expertise of professional human resources leaders in favor of elder boards or volunteer committees.

·- Written policies should specify clear non-fraternization, sexual harassment, and reporting requirements.

-   Procedures to report misconduct should be in place, whether an anonymous hotline, third-party email box or independent web site that allows employees to safely flag their concerns.

·-     Organizations should provide ongoing training at every staff level regarding sexual harassment, power dynamics, and abuse of authority.

 -       Leaders, employees, partners, members and associates should heed warning signs. Use training to recognize unhealthy or imbalanced relationships and raise questions accordingly. Relationships where authority and age gaps exist must be viewed skeptically through the lens of power imbalance. 

 -    Seek objective, trauma-informed resources that could be helpful for church and ministry leaders facing similar situations.  

What’s Next 

reThink/Orange was a beautiful collection of human beings who offered their talents, gifts and lives to serve a deeply compelling mission. Orange reminded us that the next generation is always on its way and taught us that the local church, when partnering with families, can help shape the hearts of children and teenagers, as well as the future of the communities in which they serve. Orange inspired us to reimagine how we share the timeless gospel message that we believe still resonates. 

 We have felt with this community the disappointment, discouragement, shock, deep sorrow, anger and confusion around how the focus of our core mission was overshadowed by the exposure of sin and brokenness woven into the fabric of our organization.  

 We steadfastly believe God redeems what is brought into the light. Our prayer is that the truth revealed here will be a step toward healing for those who have suffered, and a reminder to all of us that leadership is a sacred trust, never to be taken lightly. The calling to walk humbly, act justly, and love mercifully remains with each of us - and it is one we must carry forward with renewed resolve. 
 
In Christ, 

The reThink Board 

Previous Update on the Ongoing Investigation

We deeply respect the courage it takes for people to publicly share their experiences, as some have done. We do not take these stories lightly.  At  no point has the ReThink Board minimized or dismissed anyone’s experience. Any perception that we have is deeply concerning to us and contrary to our intent. 

 The ReThink Board remains committed to transparency, to listening, and ensuring that anyone who wants to share their story has a chance to be heard. The third-party investigation is ongoing and we are committed to releasing its findings. We recognize that the pace of the investigation can be frustrating for many, but thoroughness is essential. If you have information which would be helpful to the investigation, we continue to ask you to email the lead investigator directly at juan@ch-llp.com.  

Statement From ReThink Group Board of Directors
About Orange and the Amazing Life Foundation

The Board of Directors of ReThink Group Inc. announced on January 7 that the Orange curriculum had found a home under new leadership with the Amazing Life Foundation.

"After months of prayerful consideration and thorough evaluation of various opportunities for Orange's future, the board chose Amazing Life as the ideal partner to elevate Orange to new levels of impact.

“Amazing Life’s resources and technological expertise, combined with Orange’s long history of working with families and churches, will grow their shared mission of raising the next generation of Christian leaders.

About ReThink:

ReThink is passionately dedicated to the teachings of Jesus.

For more information about the Orange curriculum, please go to www.ThinkOrange.com.

Any inquiries regarding previous leadership issues should be directed to media@rethinkgroup.org