Author: The Diaspora Editors

July 9, 2014 – JD emails a copy of first letter to Board Member Gayle

JD sends Gayle an electronic copy of the letter after hearing Gayle has been out of town.

“I only just now heard you’re out of town for a while, so I thought I’d email you a copy so that you are informed about it.”
GFA Letter
1 message
JD Smith <xxxxxx> Wed, Jul 9, 2014 at 4:41 PM
To: [Gayle]

Hi Gayle,

Three weeks ago, we mailed you a hard copy of this letter, but I only just now heard you’re out of town for a while, so I thought I’d email you a copy so that you are informed about it.

My wife and I were on staff for 6 years, and after finding out how systemic the issues are, we felt compelled to write you as the only hope of bringing restoration to GFA. We pray that God is glorified in this effort, and that His will is done.

Please find the letter, attached.

Please feel free to communicate with me if you have any questions. Unlike what you may be hearing from inside, we are not bitter or trying to destroy the ministry or spreading untruths, and even if we were, it would be pretty hard to gather 37 signatures in support of such an effort from people who worked there and love the ministry. That is about 1/3 of all staff who worked at GFA and left within the past decade, and there are actually about twice as many people in support of this letter than actually signed it; many had various reasons for remaining anonymous.

Please also discuss with your fellow board members to see what they think. You guys are the only ones who can bring real accountability to KP and GFA and please know many people are praying for you.

In Him, 
JD

 

GFA-Letter-2014-06-17.pdf
447K

July 5, 2014 – JD responds to GFA’s Initial Response Letter

JD suggests setting up a meeting to address the 5 issues.

“Are you open to setting up a meeting in the near future, between you and those who signed the letter, and mediated by a mutually agreed-upon pastor or elder?”
Response to your letter-corrected
JD Smith <xxxxxx> Sat, Jul 5, 2014 at 10:14 PM
To: [Leader David], kp@gfa.org

Dear Brothers,

Thank you for contacting me to ask how we can move forward to resolve this.
Are you open to setting up a meeting in the near future, between you and those who signed the letter, and mediated by a mutually agreed-upon pastor or elder? That would be, in our opinion, the appropriate setting in which to discuss the issues at hand.
We feel it’s important and appropriate that the group of us talk all together, not separately, as our concerns are mutual and were brought forth as a group. We definitely would need to have Brother K.P. there, as well as any other GFA leaders or board members you deem appropriate. We could even bring some parties in by phone if needed.
Also, please let me know if the response letter you sent is your final response to the letter, or if we should expect another one. Either way, despite the significant differences we have in viewpoint, we all greatly appreciate your willingness to respond and to try to reconcile these things. We love you and pray for you as brothers in the Lord, and we pray that God is honored by our actions and the outcome of this.
In His Love,
JD

June 17, 2014 * Diaspora’s Letter to GFA and Board

This Letter to GFA and Board was the first communication from our group to GFA.

It is the single most important document for staff to read. It fully outlines our concerns, and explains why we and our advisory pastors believe they are valid.

This letter was sent as hard-copy via express mail on June 17, 2014, to every US and Canada senior leader, corporate officer and board member, as well as to the known leaders of every GFA international office, except field leaders or offices as we did not wish to involve the field. In the following weeks it was also emailed to a few board members who did not receive the hard copy.

We received advisory input from four pastors on the letter, and each one said that if the things the letter says are true, then they are indeed very serious and need to be dealt with. They also said that the way in which we were approaching this was biblical. Each pastor agreed to keep the matter confidential by our request.

“we are deeply concerned about five key issues at GFA”

Letter to GFA and Board

April 25, 2012 – JD tries a fifth and last time to speak with KP

JD offers convenient dates to meet to discuss his concerns and says he looks forward to speaking with him.

“I’m not sure of your schedule but from April 30 – May 11 I’ll be home during the day and even more available than usual, in case you wanted to meet up for lunch or tea.”

Subject: Re: Spiritual Authority
From: JD Smith (xxxxxx)
To: kp@gfa.org;
Date: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 1:18 PM
Hi Brother K.P.,
I’m not sure of your schedule but from April 30 – May 11 I’ll be home during the day and even more available than usual, in case you wanted to meet up for lunch or tea.
After that, I’m always available by phone.
I hope you’re doing well, and I’m looking forward to speaking with you.
Blessings,
JD

From: K.P. Yohannan <kp@gfa.org>
To: JD Smith <xxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, March 5, 2012 2:46 PM
Subject: Re: Spiritual Authority

Thanks JD,sorry I did’t get to call you. Right now I am at the DFW airport to catch my flight to Germany.i will call you next couple of says. Kpy

Sent from my iPhone

April 13, 2012 – JD tries a fourth time to speak with KP

JD congratulates KP on the campus ground-breaking and says he hopes to talk soon.

“I know you’re busy but am still eager to speak with you or get your response on this.”

Subject: Re: Spiritual Authority
From: JD Smith (xxxxx)
To: kp@gfa.org;
Date: Friday, April 13, 2012 5:43 PM

Hey brother KP, I heard about the campus ground breaking, congratulations!

I know you’re busy but am still eager to speak with you or get your response on this.

Have a great weekend,

JD

On Mar 5, 2012, at 2:46 PM, “K.P. Yohannan” <kp@gfa.org> wrote:

> Thanks JD,sorry I did’t get to call you. Right now I am at the DFW airport to catch my flight to Germany.i will call you next couple of says. Kpy
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

March 21, 2012 – JD tries a third time to speak with KP

JD reaches out to follow up on KP’s thoughts about spiritual authority and the article JD sent KP.

“No big rush but I would certainly like to hear your thoughts on these things.”

Subject: Re: Spiritual Authority
From: JD Smith (xxxxxx)
To: kp@gfa.org;
Date: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:46 PM
Hi Brother K.P.,
No big rush but I would certainly like to hear your thoughts on these things. Whenever you get a chance it would be great to talk. If you can email back that’s great too.
Talk to you soon,
JD

From: K.P. Yohannan <kp@gfa.org>
To: JD Smith <xxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, March 5, 2012 2:46 PM
Subject: Re: Spiritual Authority

Thanks JD,sorry I did’t get to call you. Right now I am at the DFW airport to catch my flight to Germany.i will call you next couple of says. Kpy

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 4, 2012, at 8:29 PM, “JD Smith” <xxxxxxx<mailto:xxxxxx>> wrote:
….

March 5, 2012 – KP says he’ll call in next couple days

KP responds to JD and says he will call him soon from Germany.  This was the last time JD heard from K.P. until after our Letter in 2014.

“Right now I am at the DFW airport to catch my flight to Germany. I will call you next couple of [days].”

Subject: RE: Spiritual Authority
From: K.P. Yohannan (kp@gfa.org)
To: JD (xxxxxx)
Date: Monday, March 5, 2012 2:47 PM

Thanks JD,sorry I did’t get to call you. Right now I am at the DFW airport to catch my flight to Germany.i will call you next couple of says. Kpy

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 4, 2012, at 8:29 PM, “JD Smith” <xxxxxx> wrote:

….

March 4, 2012 – JD emails KP again seeking follow up

JD gives several times he is available to talk and sends an article about authority for KP’s consideration.

“Until we have opportunity to talk, the following article, “What is the role of an elder,” may be helpful…”

Subject: Re: Spiritual Authority
From: JD Smith (xxxxx)
To: kp@gfa.org;
Date: Sunday, March 4, 2012 8:29 PM
Hi Brother K.P.,
Usually between 8:00 and 8:30 am, and 5:00 and 5:30 pm I am driving to and from work, so that would be a good time to talk at XXX-XXX-XXXX. Also tomorrow evening I will be available. Otherwise I’d be happy to schedule something between the hours of 11am and 1pm on any weekday.
Until we have opportunity to talk, the following article, “What is the role of an elder,” may be helpful, regardless of whether or not you consider yourself an elder/overseer/pastor of your staff in addition to your role as employer. I’d be interested in your perspective on the statement, “Under Christ—his Word and his Spirit—the congregation, and not pastors or elders or deacons or bishops or popes, is the body that settles matters of faith and life… Congregational authority and strong leadership under that authority are not incompatible.”
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/who-are-the-elders
Talk to you soon,
JD

From: K.P. Yohannan <kp@gfa.org>
To: JD Smith <xxxxx>
Sent: Friday, March 2, 2012 1:01 PM
Subject: RE: Spiritual Authority

Dear JD, thank you for your email. It is enlightening, and I appreciate it. Give me a number where I can call you and let me know a good time to call. It’ll be much easier than replying by email. KP Yohannan