Steven Ostrander, a former associate pastor, appears to have returned to ministry after his 2022 firing. Recent Lighthouse Church posts place Ostrander in Walworth, Wisconsin. The images show him at the piano on April 19 and singing on April 12. The church sits about 25 miles from The Chapel, the Chicago-area megachurch where he once served. This reported return has reignited concerns about clerical sexual abuse and church accountability.
Why The Chapel Fired Him
The Chapel dismissed Ostrander after a young adult reported emotional manipulation and unwanted touching. Yet the church did not inform every campus until March 2024. That delay lasted 18 months and drew scrutiny as reporting intensified. Later, a third-party investigation summary released in February 2025 described broader allegations. The document said Ostrander sexually, emotionally, or spiritually abused multiple congregants. It also said some contact began when the victims were in a youth ministry.
What the Investigation Alleged
The 2025 summary detailed patterns of grooming-like behavior and escalating misconduct. One man said Ostrander gave gifts, sent excessive texts, and tried to isolate him socially. The report also described severe accusations in the young adult ministry. It cited under-the-clothes touching and alleged voyeurism. Three others reported inappropriate physical conduct, including thigh contact during prayer. Another account described contact with a female student’s bare back. The summary also said Ostrander used spiritual authority to initiate explicit sexual conversations.
Questions for Lighthouse Church
Neither Ostrander nor Lighthouse Church responded to requests for comment. Ostrander does not appear on the church website, and his role remains unclear. Former Chapel elder Kevin Woodside questioned whether Lighthouse leaders performed due diligence. Lighthouse Church is tied to Bethel Leaders Network, and that wider network has faced its own abuse controversies. Woodside’s wife, Cathy, fears Ostrander has “found a place to hide,” but she worries he could move again if exposed.
Accountability and Ongoing Concerns
The investigation also criticized The Chapel’s internal systems. It cited weak whistleblower processes and unclear roles, which led leaders to act too slowly. The elder board promised stronger reporting pathways and policy updates. Supporters of these reforms want faster transparency and better safeguards. Detractors argue the steps came late, and they fear churches still enable repeat harm because offenders can reappear elsewhere.
Former pastor accused of sexual misconduct appears to resume ministry at Wisconsin church
Photo by Ethan Walsweer on Unsplash
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