Author: The Diaspora Editors

October 17, 2014 * JD sends 12 more testimonies to board

JD offers Gayle more information, including additional testimonies, to help in the investigation. [Note: Our group was not asked any questions by the board investigation before or after this email.]

“A big thank you for taking on this investigation. Please know that we are praying for you, and we are available to answer any questions.”

Re: INVESTIGATION
JD  <xxxxxxxxxx> Fri, Oct 17, 2014 at 12:02 PM
To: Gayle
Cc: [GFA Board]
Hi Gayle,

A big thank you for taking on this investigation. Please know that we are praying for you, and we are available to answer any questions. Feel free to share these testimonies with GFA leadership as you see fit; I did not copy them here.
We felt that it would be important for you to know the rest of the former staff testimonies that were written, so I’m attaching here a dozen more for your reference.
I’m copying the board on this communication as well, so that they know what we have sent you and can also look into the testimonies.
In Him,
JD
xxx-xxx-xxxx
On Sat, Oct 11, 2014 at 2:16 PM, Gayle wrote:
Hello, J.D.,

As you know, I have been appointed to examine your claims in behalf of GFA. I have made a lot of progress, but there are still loose ends to tie up. As soon as my work is done, I am sure KP will let you know. I am at a conference in Indiana at the moment, so it MAY be another week.
Blessings,
Gayle
From the highways and hedges handing out invitations

 

October 11, 2014 – Gayle emails JD about his investigation, says findings will be done in a week

Gayle says he is examining our claims on behalf of GFA.

“As soon as my work is done, I am sure KP will let you know.”

Gmail JD 
INVESTIGATION
Gayle  Sat, Oct 11, 2014 at 2:16 PM
To: [JD ]
Hello, J.D.,

As you know, I have been appointed to examine your claims in behalf of GFA. I have made a lot of progress, but there are still loose ends to tie up. As soon as my work is done, I am sure KP will let you know. I am at a conference in Indiana at the moment, so it MAY be another week.
Blessings,
Gayle
From the highways and hedges handing out invitations

October 10, 2014 – KP emails JD: staff being informed, awaiting Gayle’s report

KP reveals he has had the first of a series of staff meetings to assure the staff that we are good people with real hurts that need to be resolved and that Gayle visited for a couple days to research things on his own.

“He is currently generating his official findings for the board and those should be ready in the next few days.”

JD <xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Meeting to include Canada and US
K.P. Yohannan <kp@gfa.org> Fri, Oct 10, 2014 at 7:41 PM
To: JD  <xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: [GFA Board]
My dear Brother JD,Thank you for your email. For the sake of clarification, I wanted you to know that I held a staff meeting last Thursday as I told Larry. I did share with our staff this was the first of a series of staff meetings and affirmed with them again that all those who signed the letter are good people who have real hurts and disappointments that each one has suffered through in their own way and that we are seeking to learn whatever we can and are seeking reconciliation. I affirmed to the staff that they are welcome and free to have fellowship with anyone they want. Just so you know, we have not disclosed to the staff the list of names of those who sent the letter.I wanted to make sure you knew that Gayle was here last week for a couple of days, doing his own research into the items at hand. There has been no determination from him yet, official or unofficial. He is currently generating his official findings for the board and those should be ready in the next few days. I put this situation in his hand to look into these matters and am waiting to hear back from him for his direction. 

Thank you and God bless you, brother.

 

Yours and His in His grace,

 

KP Yohannan

 

October 10, 2014 – JD emails KP & Board about meeting and broken promises

JD asks for the courtesy of being contacted directly by Gayle regarding the investigation and to be given adequate notice of the planned upcoming October 13th meeting. JD asks KP to explain why he has not followed through on his promises to talk to the staff about us and our concerns.

“Our group is losing faith in your word.”

Gmail JD  <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Meeting to include Canada and US
JD <xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Fri, Oct 10, 2014 at 1:52 PM
To: “K. P. Yohannan” <kp@gfa.org>
Cc: [GFA Board]

Dear Brother KP and US and Canada Board Members,

As we understand from your last conversation with Larry, Gayle has been given responsibility to look into the claims we made in the letter, and based on his visit and initial fact-finding last week, he found that indeed abuse has occurred, that the claims of the letter are true, and that a root cause is the false teaching on spiritual authority that you and other GFA leaders have been operating by. He was also to contact me. I am looking forward to hearing from him.

Larry informed me that that you told him you would share with the staff in a series of meetings last week that 75 people had signed a letter, that these people were not enemies but dear brothers, that many of them were deeply hurt by GFA, and that the root of the problem was your teachings about spiritual authority. We have been told by our friends on staff that no such statements were made, nor was there any indication of a change in the staff’s or senior leadership’s perspective about us. Please explain your intentions and why you did not keep your word on this yet again. Our group is losing faith in your word.

We originally scheduled the 13th, next Monday, for a meeting, but time is running out to make that happen and I have yet to hear any confirmation about the date from you or any board members. If we do not hear confirmation within 24 hours, we will not be able to keep that date. We understand if the board needs additional time to process their findings, but we expect the courtesy of adequate notice so we can plan accordingly.

Please confirm today whether you and the board and leaders intend to keep the meeting for next Monday the 13th, and why you did not yet tell the staff what you said you’d tell them.

Thanks,
JD

October 3, 2014 – JD replies to KP confirming his email

JD promises to respond to KP’s email next week.

“I am away today but will respond in more detail next week.”

Gmail JD <xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Meeting to include Canada and US
JD <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Fri, Oct 3, 2014 at 4:03 PM
To: “K. P. Yohannan” <kp@gfa.org>

Thank you, Brother KP. I am away today but will respond in more detail next week. We love and pray for you likewise.

In Him,
JD

October 3, 2014 – KP says Board Member Gayle will investigate first, report in 10 days

KP says he is submitting the process to the board and promises he will share with the staff.

“I have submitted this process to the board for them to deal with it.”

JD <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Meeting to include Canada and US
K.P. Yohannan <kp@gfa.org> Fri, Oct 3, 2014 at 1:22 PM
To: “JD  (xxxxxxxxxxx)” <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
My dear Brother JD,Your communication to the GFA board titled “Final appeal to GFA board” was discussed among us. Since I am the one accused, I have submitted this process to the board for them to deal with it. I requested them to please look into all the allegations and do the needful. The decision was made to appoint Gayle, one of the senior board members, to carefully read through all the communications with all the allegations, do a thorough study on all matters and report to the board of his findings and recommendations. He is now engaged in doing his research and should have his report within ten days. Then the board will make their final decisions and at that time Gayle will let you know about meeting with you as you have requested.Meanwhile I am doing what I told you about sharing with our staff etc. Romans 8:28 is true. 

Thank you, JD, and please know I love you and pray for you daily for God to bless you.

 

KP Yohannan

 

From: JD [mailto:xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 12:13 AM
To: K.P. Yohannan
Cc: [GFA Board]
Subject: Re: Meeting to include Canada and US

…

October 1, 2014 – JD emails KP to confirm meeting date

JD confirms meeting on October 13th and invites Canadian board members. He asks why KP has not yet follow through with his promise to share with the staff.

“Brother KP, we were disappointed to hear that you did not share anything about us with the staff as you had promised us you would.”

Gmail JD Smith <xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Meeting to include Canada and US
JD Smith <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Wed, Oct 1, 2014 at 12:13 AM
To: “K.P. Yohannan” <kp@gfa.org>
Cc: [GFA Board]
Hi Brother KP,

You mentioned that the later date (12th or 13th) is better. Since Sunday is more likely to be a day when some of us have commitments, we will plan on meeting with you and any US and Canada board members who can make it on Monday evening, the 13th of October, at the _____ residence in Rowlett, TX.
I’ll send the physical address, as well as the webex video conference details for those attending remotely, once confirmed.
Canada board members, please know that we welcome you at this meeting. If you’re booking flights, it might be a good idea to stay through Wednesday at least, in case we decide to carry the meetings into Tuesday.
In Him,
JD
P.S. – Brother KP, we were disappointed to hear that you did not share anything about us with the staff at the meeting on the 19th, as you had promised us you would. Then you assured Larry that you would share it with the staff this week, and that has not happened yet, either.
By not doing something you emphatically told us you would, you have disappointed and confused us. Why did you decide to not share the agreed-on, critical information with the staff? When do you plan to communicate those facts to them?

September 25, 2014 – KP confirms that Oct 12 or 13 is better for meeting

KP confirms that later date option is better for a meeting.

“Later date is better. I will be in touch.”

Gmail JD Smith <xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Meeting to include Canada and US
K.P. Yohannan <kp@gfa.org> Thu, Sep 25, 2014 at 6:52 PM
To: JD Smith <xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Thank you dear brother JD. Later date is better. I will be in touch. Blessings.Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 23, 2014, at 1:08 PM, “JD Smith” <xxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:

[Quoted text hidden]

September 23, 2014 – JD replies to KP, offering several dates for meeting

JD gives KP several date options for a meeting.

“We’d like to proceed with the meeting even if not all can attend.”

Gmail JD Smith <xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Meeting to include Canada and US
JD Smith <xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Tue, Sep 23, 2014 at 1:08 PM
To: “K.P. Yohannan” <kp@gfa.org>
Cc: [GFA Board]

Dear Brother KP,

That is fine. I realize that October 2 is approaching quickly and not all board members may be available. We’d like to proceed with the meeting even if not all can attend. However, if October 12 or 13 work better, we are also available on those dates.

Please let me know how the staff meeting went.

Thanks,
JD

P.S. I hope you don’t mind me copying the board members on all of our communications going forward. Thanks for understanding.

September 22, 2014 – KP replies to JD, saying he’s working on our meeting

KP emails to say he is working on contacting board members for an October 2nd meeting with us.

“I did not have the opportunity yet to communicate with all of the board and leadership for their permission and decision about it. I am working on it.”
JD Smith <xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Meeting to include Canada and US
K.P. Yohannan <xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Mon, Sep 22, 2014 at 12:36 PM
To: JD Smith <xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Dear Brother JD, thank you for your email regarding the possible Oct 2 conference call meeting with our board members and our leadership. While I think this is a good idea, I did not have the opportunity yet to communicate with all of the board and leadership for their permission and decision about it. I am working on it. I will get back to you as soon as I get to hear from them. Blessings on you dear brother. KP