Image sources: Mugshot of the accused, former pastor Glenn Thomas Rosenbaum, courtesy of Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Search. Exterior of Grace Lutheran Church and School, St. Joseph, Michigan, © Google, via Google Maps.
A former pastor at Grace Lutheran Church and School in St. Joseph, Michigan is facing four felony charges involving three minor victims.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office arrested 59-year-old Glenn Thomas Rosenbaum on November 7, 2025, following an investigation that began when allegations were first reported in March 2024. According to WNDU 16 News Now, he is being held in the Berrien County Jail on a $100,000 bond and is expected to appear in court on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Rosenbaum has been charged with two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child under 13, and two counts of criminal sexual conduct—relationship, which involves a minor between 13 and 16.
The Allegations Against Rosenbaum
Three victims reported being inappropriately touched by Rosenbaum as minors, according to the complaint. One of the victims said the abuse began when she was 11 years old and lasted until she left for college. All three survivors are currently in their twenties.
WSBT reported, “According to the complaint documents, Rosenbaum admitted his actions to a counselor, his wife, and some staff at his former employer.”
Law enforcement began an investigation after allegations were reported in March 2024, ultimately building the case that led to Rosenbaum’s arrest.
Grace Lutheran Church Responds
Grace Lutheran Church’s pastor told WSBT, in part, “‘It is heartbreaking to learn of these allegations. Grace Lutheran is committed to providing a safe, Christ-centered environment in our church and school and to being a beacon of God’s love within the community.’”
Church officials also told families they do not believe the alleged abuse occurred in the church or school building. They said that Rosenbaum was removed from his position immediately after the March 2024 allegations.
Rosenbaum’s Role Gave Him Frequent Access to Children
According to WNDU 16 News Now, “News tips indicate that Rosenbaum worked with kids at Grace Lutheran often.”
Grace Lutheran Church and School posted a photo on Facebook in 2019 showing Rosenbaum standing alone before a large group of young children during what appeared to be a school or church program.
The scene reflects how he was placed in close proximity to children and highlights the level of trust he was given within the community. Considering the charges now filed against him, this is deeply disturbing and raises serious questions about supervision, oversight, and child safety within the church and school.
The Importance of Listening When a Child Speaks Up
It is incredibly common for children not to report abuse right away. Many stay silent because they are scared, unsure adults will believe them, afraid of upsetting their families, or still trying to understand that what happened to them was abuse.
Child sexual abuse advocates emphasize that how adults respond to a disclosure can shape the entire trajectory of a child’s healing. When a child senses shame or minimization from an adult, they may shut down and never disclose again. But when adults listen, offer support, and report concerns immediately, children are far more likely to stay connected to support systems and access the help they need.
Believing children at the moment they speak up about abuse is critical to their safety, and it can prevent additional harm to other children who may still be at risk.
Civil Accountability
Even though Grace Lutheran Church and School removed Rosenbaum after the allegations surfaced, that does not mean the institution is free from responsibility.
Civil law evaluates whether the institution breached its duty to protect children by giving the offender access and authority.
If Rosenbaum is ultimately convicted, it will confirm that a dangerous individual was placed in a trusted role with ongoing contact with minors. That possibility raises serious concerns about whether he was supervised at all, whether warning signs were ignored, and whether the church took the steps necessary to protect the children in its care.
In civil cases, survivors can seek justice and accountability from institutions that failed to prevent abuse.
Removing an abuser after a disclosure does not erase the years of access that came before. When a church or any other institution places someone in a position that enables them to harm children, that institution must be held accountable.
Our Commitment to Survivors
It is both heartbreaking and deeply disturbing how often abuse occurs within churches and other faith communities. People turn to these spaces for support, guidance, and safety. For many families, a church is one of the places they trust the most.
Across the country, survivors continue to come forward with accounts of harm by pastors, youth leaders, and others who used the trust placed in them to access children. Abuse in religious settings is far more common than many realize, and its impact is devastating.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of sexual abuse nationwide, including those harmed by pastors and others in positions of authority within religious organizations.
Our team uses a trauma-informed, survivor-centered approach in every case, ensuring that those who reach out feel heard, supported, and empowered as they explore their options.
If you or someone you love was harmed by Glenn Thomas Rosenbaum or another church leader, you are not alone.
We are here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal rights.
All consultations are free and completely confidential.
Contact us today.
