G3: Baucham; Washer; Lawson; a Gathering of Calvin’s Spiritual Despots
You have heard of T4G (Together for Gospel Sanctification), and The Gospel Coalition. Now we have G3: Gospel, Grace, Glory. The conference will be held near Atlanta in January of 2013. The conference will feature avowed Calvinists Voddie Baucham, Paul Washer, and Steve Lawson. Baucham has been increasingly more visible among the New Calvinist club. He was all the rage at this year’s, uh, well, what they call the “Shepherds” Conference at John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church. Baucham’s association, along with The Counsel on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood makes the strong connection between the New Calvinists and the Patriarchy movement apparent. More and more, all of the players in the spiritual despot tsunami are networking together to bring the American church under the bondage of Reformed spiritual despotism spawned by their adulated father, John Calvin.
Studying New Calvinism for five years now, my secondary curiosity concerning various abusive groups that I suspected were somehow connected with New Calvinism are coming more into focus. Their gospel/philosophy is basically the same, with spiritual abuse following. For several months, many have been encouraging me to focus more on the tyranny than dissecting the theology, and I am listening. Doctrine aside, New Calvinism is old Calvinism, and G3 is Geneva 3.
All three of these men proudly proclaim themselves to be Calvinists, and well they should. American jurisprudence is the only thing that limits their persecution of dissenters to bogus church discipline, character assassination, and misogynism. Jesus himself said that the student is like the teacher. As the despotic spirit of Calvin continues to manifest more and more as these groups consolidate resources, the fact that they would utilize the sword of government to control the masses is evident. They barely stop short of it now, using the government courts to sue bloggers, and holding members hostage under threat of being declared damned if they walk away from hybrid systems that combine counseling and church discipline.
In at least one case that I know of, a pastor who left Paul Washer’s ministry for doctrinal reasons was literally stalked for months, including elders who harassed the man’s wife at her workplace. Baucham’s “accountability” system at his church is a copy of the system that Calvin’s doctrine police used in Geneva—complete with yearly in-home inspections by elders. Many New Calvinist mega-churches now have their own in-house security teams that are practically full blown police stations. MacArthur’s church would be one good example of this. Accounts of MacArthur’s use of this security team to escort unwelcome dissenters off GCC property, and in some cases to their cars, is lengthy. There are even claims that this security team has apprehended people, and taken them into the church where they were confronted by GCC elders. As a former rabid respecter of John MacArthur, I have found reports of his heavy handed leadership style hard to accept; nevertheless, this is part of the Calvin motif.
They claim to be Calvinists while excusing Calvin’s murderous behavior because he supposedly lived in times when going Old Testament on people was socially acceptable, while on the other hand, claiming that he was an exegetical genius. Really? While continually beating the drum of doctrine = behavior, somehow, that doesn’t apply to their daddy, and “A tree is known by its fruit” must be read in its “gospel context” lest we think that it might apply to the enlightened Calvin as well.
Rather than replaying much of the sordid details of Calvin’s atrocities against those who disagreed with him, Martin Luther summed it up best:
Martin Luther said of Calvin’s actions in Geneva, “With a death sentence they solve all argumentation” (Juergan L. Neve, A History of Christian Thought, vol. I, p. 285).
In fact, Calvin had a word for anybody who dared to object to him having “heretics” put to death:
Whoever shall now contend that it is unjust to put heretics and blasphemers to death will knowingly and willingly incur their very guilt. This is not laid down on human authority; it is God who speaks and prescribes a perpetual rule for his Church. It is not in vain that he banishes all those human affections which soften our hearts; that he commands paternal love and all the benevolent feelings between brothers, relations, and friends to cease; in a word, that he almost deprives men of their nature in order that nothing may hinder their holy zeal. Why is so implacable a severity exacted but that we may know that God is defrauded of his honour, unless the piety that is due to him be preferred to all human duties, and that when his glory is to be asserted, humanity must be almost obliterated from our memories? Many people have accused me of such ferocious cruelty that I would like to kill again the man I have destroyed. Not only am I indifferent to their comments, but I rejoice in the fact that they spit in my face.
Ya, I want to be a Calvinist, how about you?
Observing the minutes of the Geneva counsel between 1541- 1549 also endears one to Calvin as well:
During the ravages of the pestilence in 1545 more than twenty men and women were burnt alive for witchcraft.
From 1542 to 1546 fifty-eight judgements of death and seventy-six decrees of banishment were passed.
Another, tired out on a hot summer day, went to sleep during a sermon: prison.
Another praised Castellio’s translation of the Bible: expelled from Geneva.
A couple of peasants talked about business matters on coming out of church: prison.
Two bargees had a brawl: executed.
A man who publicly protested against the reformer’s doctrine of predestination was flogged at all the crossways of the city and then expelled.
A book printer who in his cups [columns] had railed at Calvin, was sentenced to have his tongue perforated with a red-hot iron before being expelled from the city.
Jacques Gruent was racked and then executed for calling Calvin a hypocrite.
Each offence, even the most paltry, was carefully entered in the record of the Consistory, so that the private life of every citizen could unfailingly be held up against him in evidence.” (See Pike, pp. 61-63).
Sources quoted in Philip Schaff’s History of the Christian Church, vol. 8:
The death penalty against heresy, idolatry and blasphemy and barbarous customs of torture were retained. Attendance at public worship was commanded on penalty of three sols. Watchmen were appointed to see that people went to church. The members of the Consistory visited every house once a year to examine the faith and morals of the family. Every unseemly word and act on the street was reported, and the offenders were cited before the Consistory to be either censured or warned, or to be handed over to the Council for severer punishment.
Three men who laughed during a sermon were imprisoned for three days.
A girl was beheaded for striking her parents.
A banker was executed for repeated adultery.
If anybody wants details on the difference between New Calvinism and old Calvinism from a doctrinal perspective, and the supposed life application thereof—it’s a little complicated, but behavior isn’t complicated. New Calvinist hacks like Lawson, Washer, and Baucham want to separate Calvin’s tyranny from his doctrine
…lest you would think they would ever do the same thing.
paul
New Calvinist Ray Ortlund: Abuse in the Church is Irrelevant, and Elders = Absolute Truth, and Will I Stop Seeing Immelism Long Enough to Write the Review?
Today’s Christians have so lost their will to discern that New Calvinists don’t even have to be careful how they state ideas any longer. Jim Jones would be in cult heaven if he were alive today, and Koolaid will soon dwarf oil in value on the open market. If you have any discernment at all, this recent post by Ray Ortlund boggles the mind: http://goo.gl/b1jeu .
Ortlund, unbelievably, begins the post by citing texts from proverbs that refer to abusers (specifically), and then applies the verses to those who have been abused and protest the abuse. In biblical context, all of these verses cited in Ortlund’s introduction refer to unregenerate people who cause division with deceptive speech, but Ortlund applies the texts to people who supposedly cause division by demanding reconciliation—a “problem” that Scripture never addresses. To the contrary, the Scriptures indict those who keep silence regarding error or injustice.
Ortlund then concludes his introduction with Titus 3;10,11, which speaks to people who belong to groups that divide with erroneous teachings. The word used in this passage is “heretic,” and the idea is the aforementioned—not someone who divides by complaining that they cannot be reconciled to abusers and a subsequent insistence for a biblical resolution. The biblical word “heretic” is also interpreted as “sectarian” because it carries with it the idea of groups that hold to certain doctrines, not individuals.
After butchering these passages, Ortlund states the following:
Not every opinion deserves a place at the table. It is the responsibility of a church’s elders to monitor the conversation going on in their church and encourage the positive and confront the negative.
And that they do, usually in the small midweek meetings in member’s homes. The sermon and teachings from the prior Sunday are discussed by elders who oversee the small groups. The group is also encouraged to discuss any ‘issues” that they know of, etc. The elder of each group is responsible for being on top of how each member is thinking about any given issue. If the THINKING is “negative,” i.e., something the elders don’t like, the problem/parishioner is neutralized. “negative” = unacceptable.
Ortlund continues with Neo-Calvinist despot protocol: those who question = closed minded people who can’t be reasoned with:
Sadly, some people just don’t listen. They are too self-assured. Reasonable discourse leaves them unsatisfied, because they are unsatisfiable. They do not feel that you understand them until you agree with them. The only acceptable outcome is their outcome, which they will pursue relentlessly.
Ortlund then warns concerning those who think they have a right to raise issues because they have been abused by the people who Ortlund accuses them of being. The abusers aren’t the abusers, the victims are:
Sometimes people overreach in this way because they claim they have been hurt. But no one, however wounded, has the right to disrupt the blood-bought peace of a church. The sacred wounds of Christ overrule all others. Moreover, in today’s climate of victimization, hurt can, in fact, be hate. Elders are responsible to discern this and confront it, even if the person offending is a long-standing member and a personal friend.
Since peace is “blood-bought,” it is to be kept at all cost. Notice the reasoning here from the Neo-Calvinist everything gospel interpretive prism: Since suffering purchased peace, suffering must not interrupt the peace that the ultimate suffering purchased. If you haven’t suffered more than Jesus did, your suffering is irrelevant, and an illegitimate reason to disturb the “blood-bought” peace. There are no words to describe the degree of discrepancy between this idea and the truth of Scripture.
Ortlund then spells out in no uncertain terms that there is only one standard for dialogue in the church: POSITIVE Jesus-speak. If anyone throws a rock in the smooth pond and makes waves, show them the front door. Then Ortlund arrogantly pre-speaks for all Koolaid guzzling Neo-Calvinist lambs by saying that this will always meet their approval:
It is the privilege of elders to keep the conversation going on 24/7 in their church positive — about Jesus, his gospel and his mission. Those elders who accept this clear teaching of the Bible and courageously follow through will, in the long run, “have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.” To preserve their church in those green pastures and beside those still waters, the elders might have to ask the trouble-maker to leave. They will do so reluctantly and carefully, and they will try not to embarrass the offender, but faithful elders will obey the Bible. And everyone in their church will breathe a sigh of relief.
I suppose if I am ever going to write the review for John Immel’s Blight In The Vineyard, I am going to have to stay off the internet for a while. Immel’s book exposes this kind of spiritual totalitarianism, its origin, development, and contemporary examples of how it plays out in real life. The quotes in the book that satirize this kind of tyranny are worth it alone:
It is a vague truism that all churches have their problems. But that doesn’t mean they should have problems or that all problems are morally equivalent. Just because some churches fuss over the color of the sanctuary carpet does not absolve the Catholic leadership of molesting little boys. And it most certainly doesn’t mean the little boys can’t complain of the mistreatment.
But to New Calvinists like Ray Ortlund, all problems are morally equivalent because the suffering that results is less than what Jesus suffered, and making any problems an issue disturbs the “blood-bought” peace that should always entail positive Jesus-speak “24/7.”
Yes, to Ortlund, “God’s Glory” = being served up for dinner. Hence, I close with my favorite sound bite from Blight In The Vineyard:
When the sheep figure out that the shepherd only defends against the wolf because he wants the same wool and mutton. When it dawns on his herd animal mind that he will be eaten either way, he finally stands up like a man and argues against the definition of “God’s Glory” equaling being served up for dinner. In that moment, the howl from the wolves and the shepherds is the same.
paul
Martha Peace’s Favorite Dish: Mutton
By their fruits we will know them. Christ did not say we would know them by their excellent teachings or their education; He said we would know them by what they do. Many of the highly touted leaders of our day are showing their true hearts, and it isn’t a heart for the sheep, it’s for their share of the mutton.
When it comes down to associations on the speaking/book/counseling/conference circuit, what pads one’s career and wallet/purse is the bottom line, not the welfare of the sheep. The idea that nationally visible teachers are in it for the welfare of the sheep is naïve, if not outright laughable.
Whether John MacArthur, Stuart Scott, Martha peace, Lou Priolo or anyone else you would like to name, they gleefully and eagerly network with serial sheep abusers and spiritual despots. Why? Because it’s not about the sheep, it’s about the mutton.
Lending credibility to spiritual tyrants and fellowshipping with them has become socially acceptable in the church. Somehow, these leaders are seen as several cuts above those who actually repented of their sins, like Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker. Sexual perversion is not yet completely acceptable for the spiritually enlightened (not yet), unless it’s an under the table perk as in the ABWE situation. But using church discipline as a weapon, holding people hostage at churches, and blatant character assassination is.
Martha Peace continues to network with Clearcreek Chapel in Springboro, Ohio. The leadership of that church is unreconciled with a slew of God’s people, and at least in my case, their outrageous abuse of my family is well documented. And the abuse continues behind the scenes as Martha Peace is completely indifferent to the suffering inflicted on people by this leadership. Not only that, she endorses it with her participation in their “counseling” program. Sure, she has probably bought into the whole gospel contemplation thing as a way to supposedly help people—that’s bad enough, but aiding and abetting abuse of the ones she is supposedly ministering to?
What’s that all about? It’s about the real Martha Peace. Vying for her share of the mutton, her favorite dish.
paul
With Permission: The David C. Bennett ABWE Expos’e
ABWE’S MUSICAL CHAIRS
MICHAEL LOFTIS
AND
THE GOOD OLE BOY’S CLUB
By
David C. Bennett, D. Min.
1Timothy 1:20 “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
2Timothy 2:17 “And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus”.
2Timothy 4:10 “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…”
3John 1:9 “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.” 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth…”
God’s men named names as the Scriptures above declare. However, it is surprising to this editor how people defend organizations and men even when it is shown how corrupt they have been. Don’t name names; just get on with the job of preaching the Gospel is the cry of today. That may tickle the ears of some but it isn’t Biblical. So if you do not desire to know what scandalous cover-ups have taken place under the guise of “all for the sake of the Gospel” then you are advised not to read any further for the names of the offenders will be mentioned.
The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) is an organization composed of men who have done wrong! Two of these men, Russ Ebersole and Don Davis, are still living and still serving on staff with ABWE[1]. Russ Ebersole is promoted as a speaker for ABWE[2] and the other, Don Davis, has been given another position from what he had when the Donn Ketcham affair occurred[3]. The other man is Donn Ketcham who was with ABWE as a missionary doctor until he was dismissed in 1989. Ketcham just recently turned in his medical license in Michigan. The fourth man involved in the Donn Ketcham cover-up was Wendell Kempton, then president of ABWE but now deceased. The last is Russ Lloyd, who is a “Biblical” counselor[4][5] but was not on the ABWE staff. All of these men are guilty of covering up Donn Ketcham’s pedophilia!
Now, this paper and all the above has been said because some months ago this editor wrote an article concerning “THE ONGOING SAGA OF ABWE”. Some weeks after that article was posted on the internet the following email was received. It said “I personally do not know nor have I ever been in a church that supported Don K. I have read all the articles where ABWE has apologized to everybody but Satan. I fall to see what your treatise does to honor God or further the Gospel of Christ. You have not shown any new light on any of this so I think you should stay out of it (emphasis added by the editor). I am just a layman committed to the furtherance of the gospel.”
Well, I am NOT going to stay out of it. Here are four points answering this email regarding ABWE and the Donn Ketcham cover up.
- How does an organization apologize for an individual’s sin? Donn Ketcham sinned against the poor fourteen year old girl and her family. Wendell Kempton, Russ Ebersole, Russ Lloyd and Don Davis also sinned against the abused girl and her family. Three of these four men are still living and breathing and should be brought to account!
- Are any of the men involved in the Donn Kethcam mishandling still living today? As stated in number one the answer is yes there are men still living who were involved in this tragic affair and they should publically apologize? Instead ABWE plays musical chairs with Russ Ebersole and Don Davis. There doesn’t seem to be any attempt by the ABWE leadership to hold Russ Ebersole and Don Davis accountable for their unconscionable actions taken in protecting Donn Ketcham!!!!
- Does covering the sins of Donn Ketchm for twenty years honour God and further the Gospel? Again consider John the Apostle’s words in 3John 1:9 – 11 “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”
Should John have not mentioned Diotrephes simply for the sake of the Gospel? Also consider Paul who rebuked those who had sinned. According to the Bible there is to be no cover up other than the covering and cleansing that comes from confession, 1John 1: 9.
- Hopefully this “treatise” will shed some further light on the sordid cover-up and mishandling of the Donn Ketcham situation plus other aspects of the Good Ole Boy’s Club mentality that is so often promoted within fundamentalism and “new” evangelicalism. It is hard to imagine that if it was not a Good Ole Boy’s Club mentality that ABWE and these four men had at the time it must have then been either a cover-up (1) to protect the name of ABWE or perhaps (note the word perhaps) (2) to protect others involved in the same sort of sins. Harsh language BUT there are a lot of questions yet to be answered by ABWE and these men.
Many who are reading this already know most of the heartrending story behind ABWE’s lack of Biblical management in the Donn Ketcham saga so allow this editor to piece together a chronological diary of the unbelievable sequence of events. A much more detailed outline of events is given elsewhere.[6]
Let us begin with Russ Ebersole’s letter to Donn Ketcham’s supporting churches. Emphasis is added by this editor.
SEPTEMBER 18, 1989
This letter was written by Ebersole who had years earlier served in Bangladesh as a church planter. As a friend of Wendell Kempton’s, Ebersole was appointed as the ABWE Far East Administrator. So in that position he was responsible for the missionaries in Bangladesh.
“September 18, 1989
Dear Supporting Friends of Dr. & Mrs. Donn Ketcham:
Greetings from our office here in Cherry Hill.
Recently you have received word from Dr. Keteham and the pastor of his sending church, Rev. Michael Eleveld. I know that the information contained in those letters was grievous for you to read. Our hearts have been deeply saddened and burdened through this whole experience. Because of an immoral conduct which has disqualified him, the ABWE Board, with deep regret, is terminating the ministry of Dr. Donn Ketcham.
We cannot forget, and are grateful for, the many years of faithful service rendered by Dr. and Mrs. Ketcham at the Memorial Christian Hospital in Bangladesh. And, we thank you for your important part in this ministry through prayer and financial support.
Our hearts and minds have been reminded of the pertinency of God’s Word in Galatians 6:1,2: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
A beloved brother has fallen! May God help us to biblically restore him and to help bear the deep burdens that he and his dear wife, Kitty, carry at this time. In consideration for Mrs. Ketcham, and at your discretion, we suggest that support be continued through November to allow this couple to become settled, find employment and begin counseling.”
Note:
- Not once did Ebersole mention pedophilia. In fact this was not the first immoral incident in the life of Donn Ketcham as a missionary!
- Note the words “immoral conduct” and “beloved brother has fallen”. Reading all the information on the MK’s web site[7] one begins to believe there was a conspiracy in the covering-up of this whole ungodly sordid affair.
- There is also the suggestion to the churches “that support be continued through November”. Information from other ABWE missionaries who have desired to leave ABWE on their own were not allowed such privileges. Are only the favoured given such consideration!
- Ebersole has compassion on the pedophile and his family in requesting church support to continue so Ketcham and family might settle in, find employment “and begin counseling”. As will be seen later this is not the first time Ketcham had to have counseling for immorality.[8] Also there have been others who have left ABWE over doctrinal concerns but they were not given such consideration as continued support. So MUST one be an adulterer/pedophile to receive such favours from the ABWE hierarchy, otherwise known as the Good Ole Boy’s Club.
- It is also worth noting that Russ Ebersole has not been dismissed over the handling or mishandling of this Donn Ketcham pedophile situation BUT he has been simply moved to another position! Musical chairs as one blogger put it!
Next in line is this email sent to the then ABWE lawyer, Don Davis. Not surprisingly Davis has been moved to another position within the ABWE hierarchy or better known as the Good Ole Boy’s Club. Again musical chairs! The emphasis in the email has been added by this editor.
THURSDAY, 27 AUSGUST, 2009
It is important to note that this is TWENTY years after Ketcham’s service was concluded.
“Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 8:21 AM
> To: Davis, Don
> Cc: JEWALSH2@cs.com
> Subject: Re: MK Abuse
>
> Aug 22, 2009”
Dr. Donn Ketcham’s “…misconduct was serious enough early on that he was required to undergo some kind of treatment or counseling for it before he returned to the field. Immediately before he molested , he had an affair for which he was not removed from the field. And the mission claims to have been betrayed? Who was betrayed? The mission or the family? would not have been molested if the mission had removed him from the field after his affair, as it did the woman involved, and would have removed any other missionary. If that wasn’t protecting him and his reputation, I don’t know what is! From what I know and have heard, the pattern of protecting him continued even after he was finally dismissed.”
How do others outside ABWE with a clear conscience just sweep this under the carpet? How many chances does a man get? How many opportunities do a missionary, a preacher get when caught in adultery? It does seem that if you are a medical doctor, a friend or a son of a well-known personality then you receive several chances.
MARCH, 2011
Now move forward to March, 2011and read what the then president, Michael Loftis, of ABWE and the ABWE Board did.
“On March 29, 2011, ABWE President Dr. Michael Loftis requested that the Board authorize an independent investigation of the sexual abuse of missionary children by Donn Ketcham, as well as the administration’s handling of the matter.
On Monday, April 4, the Board of ABWE Ministries, Inc. unanimously decided to appoint an independent, third-party investigator to fully investigate the sexual abuse of missionary children by Donn Ketcham as well as the response to that abuse by the ABWE administration.”[9]
What prompted Loftis to request the Board to have an independent investigation of sexual abuse by Donn Ketcham twenty years after the fact! That brings us to:
APRIL 29, 2011
Perhaps Loftis initiated the investigation due to a blog begun by some ABWE MKs! April 29, 2011 Jesse Eaton sent an email out for Michael Loftis.[10] Only a few paragraphs will be quoted. Again emphasis is added by the editor.
“Perhaps you are aware of reports about past incidents related to a former ABWE missionary, which I would like to address. On March 15, I was informed by our staff of a blog authored by an ABWE adult MK telling of her abuse by a former ABWE missionary doctor in Bangladesh, Dr. Donn Ketcham. Other MKs have joined the blog to share their own stories of abuse or suspected abuse by the same individual. The pain of these young women and their families is heart wrenching.”
HOWEVER, from his own admission Loftis knew about this sexual abuse by Donn Ketcham in 2002 from the lips of MK’s. He wrote “In 2002, at an MK retreat, Jo Beth and I were approached by several young women who shared their suspicions of abuse by Donn Ketcham. ABWE immediately offered to help these women, including providing financial assistance for counseling and other personal needs. I also made a request for an investigation into the matter. While nothing can wipe away what happened to these women, some women from the 2002 retreat have recently shared that they appreciated the counseling they received, funded by ABWE, and as a result have experienced healing in their lives.”
In the April 29, 2011 email Loftis continued by stating that on the plus side “The sins of one man and their shameful consequences are horrendous. Yet, they do not negate the decades of sacrifice and faithful gospel ministry of thousands of missionaries, churches, and local partners serving Christ around the world (Emphasis added).”
This is the new evangelical cry of the hour, “For the sake of the Gospel”! For the sake of the Gospel?! With this in mind should John have overlooked Diotrephes? For the sake of the Gospel should Paul have not mentioned Hymenaeus and Philetus?
WHAT WAS LOFTIS DOING BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE, 2011?
What was Loftis considering from April 29, 2011 to June, 2011! Was his mind on the MK’s or his career? The question is only being asked for this editor certainly doesn’t know BUT it is interesting that in June of 2011 Loftis’ tenure as ABWE’s president comes to a close.
JUNE 22, 2011 – ABWE MUSICAL CHAIRS
In June, not quite one month after Loftis’ 29th of April email ABWE announces some leadership changes. The line that the ABWE leadership put out said “…we want to make you aware that Dr. Michael Loftis concluded his faithful service as president of The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism as of June 7, 2011. The Board of ABWE Ministries, Inc., has expressed their appreciation to Dr. Loftis and his wife, Jo Beth, for their 13 years as missionaries in Eastern Europe and 10 years in leading our mission with unquestioned moral and financial integrity (emphasis added).”
“During those 10 years, Dr. Loftis brought great passion and giftedness to the cause of Christ worldwide. However, in view of the present needs of the mission and the board’s concern that a change of leadership was necessary, there was a unanimous decision that it would be best to seek a new president. These decisions have been some of the most difficult we have faced as a board. We want to assure you that these decisions were not rushed or due to any outside pressure. They were made after much prayer, deep discussion, careful analysis, and interviews with ABWE leadership. Our unanimous conclusion was affirmed by Dr. Loftis; all are in agreement that God has led us in this decision. The response of Dr. Loftis has been Christ-like, humble, and affirming (emphasis added).”[11]
WHAT TRANSPIRED IN ABWE LAND THAT ITS NEEDS CHANGED?
Exactly what brought on this new view of ABWE’s that their present NEEDS are now different than they were one or two months earlier! Was it the mishandling of the Donn Ketcham affair?! Was Loftis’ the scapegoat, for Ebersole, Kempton and Russ Lloyd’s incompetence or something worse? This editor is just wondering how all this came about so quickly for it does seem strange a man who was not directly involved in the situation resigns and the two staff members, Russ Ebersole and Don Davis, who were involved, only PLAY MUSICAL CHAIRS!
MAY 3, 2012
My words are in brackets in the following. On the 3rd of May, 2012; ABWE stated that as an organization their “…first step in repentance is to acknowledge one’s failure. We have acknowledged that people in leadership positions made decisions that were unwise and unacceptable (and those who held those leadership positions should now be held accountable). These include:
- the signing of a confession by the first known victim; (A confession was forced out of this 14 year old girl! This fourteen year old girl was kept from her parents during the time of signing this confession! What were Ebersole and Russ Lloyd thinking? Where are they being held accountable now by ABWE or the churches?)
- the insistence the victim ask forgiveness of the perpetrator; (A 14 year old girl was forced to seek the forgiveness of her abuser! How does ABWE continue and how do people still defend them? Some have even suggested this 14 year old girl was as guilty as the doctor!)
- the failure to investigate fully the first reported incident to determine if there were other victims; (Why would this not have occurred? Did Ebersole, Lloyd and Kempton have something to hide themselves? How did these men continue in leadership having made such terrible decisions in this Donn Ketcham affair?)
- the failure to fully inform the sending and supporting churches of the specific nature of Donn Ketcham’s sin; (Why was this not done? Was Ketcham continuing to receive special treatment from the hierarchy (Good Ole Boy’s Club) of ABWE?)
- the failure to fully investigate when MKs informed ABWE of additional victims; (Was this the real reason Loftis’ positon as President was concluded? Was Loftis the scapegoat? Was Loftis promised another position (ministry) elsewhere if he would just quietly leave? Was this just another Good Ole Boy’s Club Way of playing the game of Musical Chairs to keep the heat out of the kitchen and perhaps the heat would eventually die down?)
- lack of notification of all appropriate authorities; (Were the proper authorities not notified in Michigan so Ketcham could continue to practice medicine and support his family? Was this just another we will watch out for one of our own! All of this smacks of protecting the guilty.)
- by using the phrase moral failure, we failed to clearly identify the sin as child abuse (this lack of using appropriate words to describe the sin and crime that Donn Ketcham committed makes it look like there was a cover up for several reasons that only those in leadership know); and
- the inadequate response to those MKs who sought help from ABWE (Ah, is this the real reason for Loftis concluding his “faithful service as president”?).”[12]
Here again is ABWE, an organization, repenting of the sins of those who are still alive. However, to this editor the words of ABWE come across as HOLLOW! Where is the personal admission and repentance of Ebersole, Davis and Lloyd? Kempton is dead but Ebersole, Davis and Lloyd are not!
The MK’s who began all this are waiting on the report by G.R.A.C.E. It took these females to get the attention of ABWE that all was not right in ABWE land. Before going too far ahead it should be pointed out that Donn Ketcham relinquishing his medical license is not a POINT scored for ABWE! NOTE, Ketcham would still be practicing medicine if it had not been for the tenacity of these former MK females!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHERE HAS MICHAEL LOFTIS GONE?
Well, Michael Loftis has been gone from ABWE for some time now but where has he gone? Was his departure from ABWE really of his own free choice or was he perhaps asked to leave? Only those in the know; know. But again the question is asked where has Loftis gone?
Well, in the Good Ole Boy’s Club there is always a job (ministry) waiting! It always pays to know someone who knows someone, or so it seems. Well, Loftis knows a lot of people and these are people of influence in “new” evangelical circles. Being on the board of schools or mission agencies is always a help as Michael Loftis knows for he “…serves on the board of Cedarville University and is a trusted advisor to ministry leaders and organizations in the USA and around the world.”[13]
According to Paul Dixon, Chancellor of Cedarville University, Michael Loftis has been “a trustee at Cedarville University for the past 8 years.”[14] This editor doesn’t know what other boards Loftis is a part of but be assured Loftis didn’t stand in the unemployment line long. In October, 2011[15] he came on board as the Executive Director of the DNA Global Network in Lewisberry, PA.[16] Loftis’ relationship to the DNA Global Network also identifies him as a co-speaker with another who is a “…popular national speaker at men’s events such as…Promise Keepers.”[17] But there again this will not cause a stir in most churches today.
DNA Global Network is a new one to this editor but consider this, if a man is known by the company he keeps perhaps he is also known by the company that endorses him.
LOFTIS’ ENDORSEMENTS[18]
DR. JOSEPH STOWELL III, PRESIDENT OF CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY
Dr. Joseph M. Stowell III, is President of Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI. Joseph Stowell III comes from a General Association of Regular Baptists Churches (GARBC) pedigree. His deceased father was once the National Representative for the GARBC and a long time ABWE Board member. Therefore the Stowell name is a very familiar one in the GARBC circle.
Joe the III however didn’t follow in the steps of his father, for young Joe parted company with the GARBC some years ago. Joe’s bio says he “…serves on the Board of The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Wheaton College. He is a graduate of Cedarville University and Dallas Theological Seminary and was honored with a doctor of divinity degree from The Master’s College in 1987.”[19]
Oh, how times have changed; or rather is it the men have changed!? However, sometimes this editor wonders if all the talk about separation in days gone by was more personality rather than conviction drawn from the Word of God? Whatever, here is a once GARBC approved school (formerly known as Grand Rapids Baptist College) led by the son of a former GARBC National Representative serving on the Board of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the Board at Wheaton! Who has changed or really has anything changed?
THE MASTER’S COLLEGE
Then there is Joe the III’s honorary doctorate from the Master’s College. The Master’s College was once an approved school of the GARBC known as the Los Angeles Baptist College. When this change took place there was a mighty ruckus within the GARBC. Nevertheless, the dust has now settled and it seems like all is forgotten. What has changed?
THE MANHATTAN DECLARATION
Then there is the matter of Joseph Stowell III being a signatory to the Manhattan Declaration.[20] It seems to be a part of human nature, howbeit the fallen nature; that man desires to be a part of something no matter what that something may be.
For Joe Stowell III the Manhattan Declaration says a lot about him and the other signatories. This ecumenical Declaration says in part that “We, as Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Christians, have gathered…to make the following declaration, which we sign as individuals, not on behalf of our organizations, but speaking to and from our communities.”[21] Does signing this as an individual rather than for their organization make it alright?
SADLY SOME WILL NOT BE BOTHERED BY ANY OF THIS!
Oh, again we ask, have the times changed or have the men? Sadly it will not be troublesome to some who read this that the former president of ABWE, Michael Loftis, is now endorsed by a man who serves on the Board of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Wheaton College, and personally signed the Manhattan Declaration along with Roman Catholics!
Then there is:
Dr. Paul Dixon, Chancellor, Cedarville University
Dixon is a product of Tennessee Temple University and spent many years as an evangelist. However, “Dixon…began holding evangelistic meetings in Southern Baptist churches years before he became Cedarville’s president…”[22] Dixon “often says, ‘God is not honored by a narrow view of the Kingdom.’ He lived out that perspective as he sought to create and solidify relationships with conservative elements of many groups, including the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).”[23]
It is amazing that with all this getting together and the nothing really matters attitude, why do any of these groups; (SBC, GARBC, BBF, ABWE, etc.) still exist? Is there any difference? Not surprisingly, the Cedarville University Trustee Board now has both Southern Baptists and GARBC men on it. They are:
Dr. Jack Kwok
Executive Director and Treasurer State Convention of Baptists in Ohio
Dr. Dave Warren
State Representative for Ohio Association of Regular Baptist Churches
Cedarville, Ohio[24]
Is this editor missing something here? A school that was once an approved school of the GARBC now has a GARBC and SBC man on the Trustee Board! Is or has there ever been a difference doctrinally between these two groups? There must not be enough difference now or these two men could not work together on the same board. Or perhaps there are differences but those differences are set aside all for the sake of the Gospel!
After several years of viewing this cross-over it has been very hard for this editor to understand why any man would pastor a church in the GARBC when he could pastor a church in the much larger and more influential SBC, especially, if there is no real doctrinal distinction between the two!
Larry M. Brown, Chairman/CEO NTM USA – New Tribes Mission[25]
Just as ABWE has a lot to answer for in the appalling abuse of MK’s by Donn Ketcham it almost pales into significance to what has taken place at New Tribes Mission (NTM).[26] After reading about the abuse of New Tribes MKs one would think no one would seek the endorsement of anyone associated with New Tribes Mission! For instance “Investigators claim to have found more than 6,000 pictures and 250 video clips of child pornography on the computer of NTM Member Joel Price.”[27] But if you were the Chief of an organization like ABWE which also was composed of Indians that overlooked sin as NTM did, why not?
Yes, the Good Ole Boy’s Club has long arms for none other than the CEO of NTM, Larry M. Brown, gives a glowing endorsement for Michael Loftis. Believe it or not!!!! One wonders why the people in the pew are not speaking out against these organisations and the men responsible for the cover-up and protection of adulterers and child molesters over the years!
Reading the tragic stories of those abused by New Tribes Missionaries it comes down to this, the Chiefs and Indians simply overlook the abuse of MK’s all for the SAKE OF THE GOSPEL!!!! The Good Ole Boy’s Club is alive and well.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Psalm 55:14 “We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.”
These were men that others trusted. These were men that others believed would make right decisions for were they not ministers, men of God. Weren’t these men that we went to church with? Were these not men that spoke from our pulpits and proclaimed the Word of God? Did we not trust them as we met together? Their counsel was to be trusted, was it not?
Psalm 55:12 “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him.”
These men (Russ Ebersole and Russ Lloyd) were not an enemy so thought the poor fourteen year old girl who had reported her abuse by Donn Ketcham to her pastor. Now at fourteen years old she found herself alone on a plane sitting between Russ Ebersole and Russ Lloyd, flying back to Bangladesh.
These men were not thought to be the enemy when the fourteen year old girl was coerced to sign a declaration of guilt for participation in Donn Ketcham’s sin. These men were not thought to be the enemy when they coerced the fourteen year old girl to seek forgiveness from her abuser! These men, Russ Ebersole and Russ Lloyd, were not believed to be the enemy but how wrong that belief was!
Psalm 55:21 “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.”
The enemy uses smooth words! Cream rises to the top so it is said and most of these men supposedly are the cream of the crop! They rose from the ranks to positions of leadership and trust. They knew how and when to use “smooth” words. They were not negative but positive.
Sadly, Ebersole continues to be an advertised speaker for ABWE[28]. Why? Is it because his words are smooth? But the Psalmist says there were not only smooth buttery words but WAR in the heart. What Ebersole says in the churches is opposite to what he did to that fourteen year old girl.
Ebersole declared WAR on her as he sought to protect his friend, Donn Ketcham. Ebersole declared WAR on the fourteen year old, her family and anyone who opposed his friend, Donn Ketcham. Harsh words but that seems to be the evidence revealed in this SAD SAGA!
Ah, there is so much that could be said but the GOOD OLE BOY’S CLUB whether in the fundamentalist or the new evangelical circle is alive and well! But here is a QUESTION to ponder, now that Loftis is gone what should happen to ABWE?
WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO ABWE NOW?
It is most certainly not going to happen, but and if ABWE really does desire to do right, as they say they do, ABWE should sell its assets and close its doors! That is what should happen.
However, ABWE will not do this so then what? Here are a few suggestions.
FIRSTLY, Russ Ebersole and Don Davis as ABWE staff should make a public confession of their sins of cover up and protection of this adulterer/paedophile, Donn Ketcham! Surely these two men realize by now that they did wrong to the fourteen year old girl, her family and others!
Secondly Russ Ebersole and Don Davis should be unceremoniously dismissed without any financial payout. Oh, by the way, how much do you think ABWE paid Loftis before his departure for his years of good and “faithful” service? Good luck if you can find out!
Thirdly the money that has been given by churches and individuals for the Wendell Kempton Hospital should be given back to the donors OR the name of the hospital be changed. This name change should be given over to the girls who were the impetus in getting ABWE to admit there was sin in the camp! The name for the hospital would be whatever these former MK girls decide upon.
Hear the outcry?
There are some who will read this and will be literally incensed at such a suggestion. Nevertheless, consider why the hospital in Africa should not be named after Wendell Kempton.
Firstly the hospital should not bear the name of THE man who was THE CHIEF and in charge of the mission INDIANS when this sordid Donn Ketcham sexual abuse of a fourteen year old girl was mishandled through cover up, lies and deceit.
It cannot be emphasized enough that Wendell Kempton as Chief of these Indians (Russ Ebersole, Don Davis) knew exactly what was going on and that Kempton MUST have approved the whole cover-up/protection of this adulterer/paedophile. Be assured; NOTHING in ABWE LAND happened without Wendell Kempton knowing it was happening! He was the Big Man at Cherry Hill during the time of Ketcham’s adultery/paedophilia cover up and therefore a multi-million dollar hospital should not bear his name.
Thirdly, some years before Donn Ketcham began abusing the 12 year old girl, Ketcham was committing adultery. Ketcham’s adultery would have certainly been known by Kempton! Instead of doing what was right and Biblical, the Chief (Kempton) and the Indian (Russ Ebersole) just relocated Ketcham and family for a time while the nurse he had the adulterous affair with was sent home![29] Figure that! If all this doesn’t get one’s blood boiling nothing will!!!!
WAIT AND SEE
Nevertheless the reality is; it is a wait and see situation as to what the final G.R.A.C.E. report says. For as G.R.A.C.E recently said “an investigation of this magnitude, spanning over 20 years and involving dozens of individuals, is not one that can be completed in as short a time as most would wish.”[30]
What a sad state of affairs that this cover-up/protection spanned OVER TWENTY YEARS! A BIG THANK YOU to those courageous girls for their resolve and steadfastness during this whole ordeal. THANK YOU!
It is with great anticipation that the final G.R.A.C.E. report will not go lightly on ABWE and those responsible for the cover-up/protection of Donn Ketcham. Hopefully, the G.R.A.C.E. investigation and final report will demand each one involved in this reprehensible deed be dealt with appropriately and there will be closure (if possible) to this sad saga for the girl, her family and those others who were affected.
[10] http://bangladeshmksspeak.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/dr-loftis-letter-to-abwe-missionaries.pdf
[23] Ibid.
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
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