We, the undersigned alumni, students, alumni family, and concerned citizens of Brownwood, respectfully submit this petition to express our collective concerns regarding the presence of the organization known as Crosslines College Ministries. Also known as Crosslines Coffee House and Crosslines College House. Angelia (Angie) Ruth Schum is the Founder and Leader of Crosslines College House along with Stephanie Lykins, Patrick McLaughlin, and John Williams. Angie Schum founded Better Living Ministries also owns the radio station 99.3 KPSM, Peggy-Jorce Ruth Ministries, Crosslines College House (established at the edge of the HPU campus) and Beacon of Light Ministries, located at the Church of the Nazzarene.   

Crosslines Coffee House hosts a weekly Bible study on Tuesday evenings, Sunday mornings, and Sunday evenings specifically targeting HPU students. Although HPU does not endorse or encourage students to attend Crosslines, the group promotes itself as a 'college ministry' for college-aged students, mainly due to its strategic location on the edge of HPU college campus. Crossline leaders and devoted attendees often walk the HPU campus to connect with and recruit college students into the Bible study. 

The activities conducted by these entities over a span of 21 years have generated significant distress and harm to numerous HPU students, alumni, and faculty. We believe that the actions propagated by Crosslines directly contradict the established policies and standards upheld by HPU, which prioritize the creation of an inclusive, respectful, and safe academic environment for alumni and community leaders. Harmful psychological effects of the actions and ideologies taught by Crosslines have been experienced by attendees spanning over a decade.  

Please see our concerns listed below:

1. Impact on Student Well-being
Alumni and former members continue to report similar experiences of systematic, psychological, emotional, and religious abuse These reports of abuse include but are not limited to:  

Mental Health due to Religious Abuse

• Many reports and testimonials have surfaced describing alarming reports of abuse by Angie and other Crossline leaders. Several of these reports contain accounts of extensive deliverance sessions (casting out demons). Where students are pulled into a room and demons are “exercised” from them. 
• Posturing as a licensed therapist, or psychiatrist, by diagnosing mental illness’ and then casting them out as demons. Such as; ADHD, homosexuality, depression, schizophrenia, and more. 
• Many former members have come forward with reports of being physically restrained against their will to have demons cast out of them. Many of these people are now seeking counseling for those traumatic experiences.
• Reports of isolation from family and friends, prioritizing participation in Crosslines over HPU community events, work, other religious events, and being told HPU’s religious beliefs are not in line with the Bible. The impact this has on the students who attended Crosslines have led to years of therapy as well as the deconstruction of their faith.
• The religious safety and security of faith should remain filtered through the accredited staff of HPU rather than an organization curated for sexual predators to seek help, refuge, and protection. 

Protection Offered to Sexual Predators 

• There are testimonies of sexual abuse reported to the Brownwood Police that have gone un-investigated for unknown reasons.
• Many outcries of sexual abuse continue to surface. Reports have been made about known sexual predators in Crosslines whose status is concealed and protected by Angie and other leaders.
• The public is not informed about the presence of sexual predators, creating distrust and an unsafe environment.

Alleged Criminal Activity 

• Angie is the person of interest in the criminal and civil investigation of elderly abuse of a former HPU professor, against Power of Attorney privileges.
• BLM ministries is also under investigation for tax evasion and money laundering

2. Violation of HPU Policies and Standards:

Crosslines has engaged in activities undermining HPU's commitment to diversity, equality,, and inclusion. Their presence has raised serious concerns among the student body and the broader community regarding the potential discrimination and the fostering of an unsafe environment on campus.

Mission Trips

• The mission trips organized by Crosslines are against HPU values and policies.
• Multiple students report they were instructed to lie to their parents about going on mission trips regarding where they were going and what they were doing.
• Students are told to prioritize Crosslines trips over HPU-organized mission trips.
• Students are instructed to hand over their fundraising money in the form of cash for payment.
• Crosslines does not enforce the proper immunizations required by each country.
• Students are required to bring religious propaganda written by Angie Schum and Peggy-Joyce Ruth into the country by hiding it in their clothes and personal luggage.
• Crosslines strongly discourages international health and medical insurance by attendees stating that it represents a lack of faith.
• Multiple students are denied medical treatment or intervention while on mission trips for various illnesses and injuries, such as: Dengue Fever, Toxic Shock Syndrome, infected insect bites, food poisoning, and an array of other medical conditions.
• Some of these illnesses or injuries have had a long standing negative impact on the student’s health and well-being.

Discrimination and Non-Inclusivity 

• Students affiliated with the LGBTQA+ community are discriminated against in Crosslines by being told they have sexual demons. Many reports continue to surface about people being physically restrained and taken through deliverance against their will to cast out homosexual demons.
• Angie forcibly pushes the belief that Christians should vote republican and requires students to only vote republican. 

3. Crosslines Posing as an Extension of HPU:
We have serious concerns about Crosslines misrepresenting itself as a legitimate and safe organization associated with HPU. This kind of deception can lead students into environments that are not only unsafe but potentially harmful. 

Misrepresentation

• Crosslines' claim to be affiliated with HPU can mislead students into believing they are engaging in a safe and supported environment, which is fundamentally untrue.

Financial Exploitation 

• The organization continually exploits this false affiliation to solicit donations under the guise of supporting HPU students, raising ethical questions about their practices.

Conflict of Values

• If Crosslines’ practices contradict HPU’s core values, it raises concerns about how they continue to attract students and operate without accountability.

Psychological and Spiritual Harm

• Reports of religious and psychological abuse can have long-lasting impacts on individuals, making it critical to address these issues for student safety.

University Response:
Raising awareness within the student body and the broader community about these practices is vital. Encouraging students to verify affiliations and seek safe environments is essential. In light of the above concerns, we formally request the following actions from the administration:

Immediate Removal of Crosslines from Campus

• We urge the administration to disband Crosslines and revoke its recognition as a campus organization.

Inclusion in Risk Assessment

• We propose that Crosslines be included in the Risk Assessment section of the HPU Student Handbook and that a formal warning be administered to the campus students.

Enhanced Monitoring and Support

• We recommend monitoring Angie Schum and Crosslines leaders attending HPU events designated for students and alums where they regularly pose as an extension of HPU to draw more students in.
• We strongly advise restricting access to the Crosslines building for the safety of HPU students and the community, given the alarming testimonies of abuse from former members of this organization.
• In light of these pressing issues, we respectfully request the administration to prevent Angie Schum and her organization from exerting further influence on the campus and students.

Awareness and Advocacy

• Raising awareness within the student body and the broader community about these practices is vital. Encouraging students to verify affiliations and seek safe environments is essential.
• It may be beneficial for HPU to issue a statement or take action to clarify its stance on Crosslines, ensuring students are informed about what organizations they can trust.

Support Systems

• Provide resources and support for HPU students who may feel trapped or harmed by the organization so they can receive help and find a path to recovery and safety.

Conduct Formal Investigation

• Conduct a thorough investigation into the organization’s practices, collecting evidence of any harmful behavior or misrepresentation of HPU’s policies and core values. 

Conclusion
As members and concerned citizens of the HPU community, we have a mutual responsibility to uphold and protect the values that define the university as a beacon of excellence and inclusivity. Removing Crosslines College Ministries and KPSM 99.3 Radio Station is a vital step toward maintaining the integrity of our academic community. We trust that the administration will take our concerns seriously and act decisively to safeguard the well-being of all students and faculty.

For additional inquiries or to provide further information, please see the contact listed below:

Liza Meynig - Lovett: 972-832-7731

Thank you for your prompt attention to this critical matter.

Sincerely,

[Names and Signatures of Alumni, Students, and Concerned Citizens below]