Introduction

Shockwaves continue to move through the Coeur d’Alene faith community as new public statements emerged this morning from Danielle Van Noy, daughter of Candlelight Christian Fellowship pastor Paul Van Noy, and her husband Gordon Waltho. What began with Danielle’s November statement on X (Twitter) revealing deeply painful allegations of childhood sexual abuse and years of mishandling by her father has now escalated into a broader public call for transparency, accountability, and answers.

The latest release includes direct email exchanges between Gordon and Pastor Van Noy, making the situation impossible for local leadership, congregants, and the broader community to ignore. These releases follow Pastor Van Noy’s own public statement, issued yesterday, in which he called the allegations “egregious false accusations,” emphasized his love for his daughter, and suggested that leadership attracts “mischaracterizations.”

Today’s developments raise pressing questions about pastoral responsibility, mandatory reporting law, and long-standing cultural issues within certain North Idaho church environments.

Danielle Van Noy’s Original Allegations

On November 21, Danielle published a detailed and deeply personal statement outlining her reasons for separating from her father and Candlelight Christian Fellowship. She accused her father of:

• Failing to protect her as a child from sexual abuse

• Choosing to support offenders over victims

• Contributing to further abuse of another young church member years later

• Maintaining relationships with known or accused abusers

• Working with pastors who have documented histories of mishandling abuse reports

• Using his public platform for control rather than accountability

She clarified that she had not abandoned her Christian faith, but rejected the religious culture her father promotes—one she describes as “control for personal and financial gain.”

Her statement resonated throughout the community, in part because her descriptions closely align with patterns of behavior already documented on Liberty Without Compromise over the past year—patterns of emotional manipulation, spiritual authority used for political power, and prioritized image management over transparency.

Pastor Paul Van Noy’s Response

On November 22, Pastor Van Noy posted a public response on Facebook. He declined to address specifics, stating:

• He will “not offer a detailed response” to what he considers “false accusations.”

• His private text to Danielle was not “an admission of guilt,” but an attempt at ministry.

• Most allegations involve ministries “not under [his] authority.”

• His home is “safe” and his “life is in order.”

• Candlelight conducts background checks for those working with children.

• He will “not be bullied,” “not be silent,” and “not bow.”

He also invoked a familiar theme: that strong leaders come under spiritual attack, and mischaracterizations are common when “standing for truth.”

Gordon Waltho’s New Statement: A Public Call for Accountability

This morning, Danielle’s husband Gordon Waltho released a public message addressed to Pastor Van Noy, accompanied by previously private correspondence between the two men.

Gordon emphasized several major points:

1. The family has already resolved the matter privately.

Both Gordon and Danielle state they have forgiven Paul and those involved. However, private forgiveness does not erase the need for public accountability—especially when church safety and community trust are at stake.

2. Gordon poses 14 critical questions that require public clarification.

These include:

• Whether Van Noy knew of sexually inappropriate behavior committed by Jacob Saldana around the year 2000.

• Whether Van Noy failed to report suspected abuse under Idaho Code § 16-1605, which requires all persons to report abuse within 24 hours.

• Whether he allowed Saldana continued access to his home, family, or ministry for nearly two decades afterward.

• Whether his wife operated a daycare at the same home while Saldana lived next door.

• Whether Van Noy knew of Saldana’s 2019 felony charge for lewd conduct with a minor.

• Whether he communicated with Danielle about these events between May 11–21, 2019—and if he would release those communications in full.

• Whether other individuals referenced in Van Noy’s July 7 birthday text were also known abusers.

3. Gordon rejects Van Noy’s characterization of Danielle’s statements as “crazy.”

He notes that:

• Survivors’ bodies hold them accountable to tell the truth.

• Speaking publicly is often the only way to initiate change within church cultures that historically dismiss or silence victims.

• They are not trying to take down the church or damage the Van Noy family; they are trying to protect future victims.

• Danielle’s lived experience is not a mischaracterization—it is a firsthand account.

4. Public accountability is necessary when a public spiritual leader responds publicly.

Gordon explains that the decision to go public was made to protect others, encourage transparency, and confront a longstanding culture of silence around abuse in certain religious environments.

What Comes Next?

The release of these emails—combined with Danielle’s initial allegations and Pastor Van Noy’s public response—places significant pressure on Candlelight Christian Fellowship and its leadership. The community is watching.

The central questions now:

• Will Pastor Van Noy publicly answer the 14 questions?

• Were mandatory reporting laws followed?

• How deeply are accused individuals intertwined with church leadership over the past 20 years?

• What responsibility does Candlelight bear in addressing systemic issues?

• How many other stories remain untold?

As Danielle noted:

“What is done in darkness should be brought to light.”

This unfolding situation marks one of the most significant church-accountability moments in recent Coeur d’Alene history.

Resource Links

• Danielle Van Noy – Original X Post (Nov. 2025)
  Read Danielle’s full public statement regarding her experiences and the text message from her father, Pastor Paul Van Noy.
  Link: Danielle’s X post

• Gordon Waltho – Public Facebook Statement (Nov. 22, 2025)
  Read the full list of questions and clarifications requested by Danielle’s husband, Gordon Waltho, addressed publicly to Pastor Paul Van Noy.
  Link: [Gordon’s Facebook post]

• Pastor Paul Van Noy – Official Response (Nov. 21, 2025)
  Read Paul Van Noy’s public statement responding to allegations and referencing the text message released by Danielle.
  Link: [Paul’s Facebook post]