You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International (YCRBYCHI) was a United States Christian youth ministry that held assemblies (including music concerts and discussions with students) in public schools. YCRBYCHI's mission statement stated its goal was to "reshape America by re-directing the current and future generations both morally and spiritually through education, media, and the Judeo-Christian values found in our U.S. Constitution."
The ministry received testimonials from school officials and students "that praise the positive impact the assemblies had by stressing the importance of good choices and using a band to grab attention." However, the ministry also attracted controversy for using public school assemblies for religious purposes. Detractors claim the ministry mislead school administrators about the nature of the program and proselytized its views on abortion and homosexuality. The Southern Poverty Law Center designated the organization as an anti-gay hate group in March 2012.
History
Founded by Brad Lee Dean in 2008, the organization was based in Annandale, Minnesota.
In September 2013, the You Can Run headquarters building in Annandale was put up for rent. At the same time, there were reports of departures of the ministry's staff and the disbanding of its street teams.
Ministry activities
Junkyard Prophet
YCRBYCHI was centered on their in-house Christian rapcore-nu metal band Junkyard Prophet, with founder Brad Lee Dean on drums, Rene Benton on guitar and vocals, Massey Campos on vocals and bass; and Wayne Ruark on lead vocals. Dean, a survivor of multiple drug overdoses and jail incarcerations, broke into music in the 1980s. He directed Junkyard Prophet's music toward aiding youths overcoming "trials and tribulations, persecutions, and afflictions...." Dean's wife, Stephanie Dean, a former commercial actress, joined the band for sexual abstinence-themed songs.
High school assemblies
The organization held high school assemblies, which began with a one-hour set from Junkyard Prophet, which incorporated a fog machine that frequently set off school fire alarms. The noise-level of the music led one high school staffer to warn students of permanent hearing loss at a 2005 assembly.
After their musical performance, Dean typically gave a lecture where he put forth his views on teen pregnancy, the Constitution, abstinence, abortion, and his belief that the media has a liberal slant while reporting. During his interactive speech with the assembled students, Dean frequently waded into controversial issues such as gun control, abortion, environmentalism, and education reform.
Dean claimed that "99.5 percent of everything we do in the assembly is accepted by the kids in an awesome way," though he maintained that teachers were more resistant to the organization's message.
Reported fees for school programs ranged from $1200 to $5000. The organization sometimes reduced or waived this fee if schools were unable to pay. A writer traveling with the group detailed instances in which the band's expenses exceeded its income or it has been forced to spend the night sleeping in cars.
The Sons of Liberty
YCRBYCHI paid to air the radio show The Sons of Liberty, hosted by Dean and Jake McMillan, on WWTC Radio in Minneapolis and on the Genesis Communication Network. While still streaming on the GCN website, WWTC canceled the program in May 2011 after the duo aired a lengthy song mocking African Americans. WWTC's manager, protesting that staff members at his station were neither bigots nor racists, reported that "the divisive tone" of the show was objectionable to the "right spirit" of conservatism the station sought. Dean later claimed that the show would reappear on KTLK-FM, a conservative talk station. Though admitting some talks had taken place, KTLK's station manager denied that the show had been signed. The Sons of Liberty was reinstated on WWTC after a three-month break.