Category: Communications

All communications documented between Diaspora and GFA

July 14, 2014 – JD leaves voicemail for KP to confirm email

JD leaves a voicemail message to KP to confirm he received the email requesting a written response.

JD: “I look forward to your reply this week.”

Voicemail from J.D. Smith to K.P. Yohannan

July 14, 2014

J:  Hi brother KP, this is JD Smith calling. It’s Monday afternoon at 4:30. I just wanted to confirm that you received the email I sent you last Saturday. Please respond back by email if you have any questions. Otherwise I look forward to your reply this week.  Thank you so much.  Bye-bye.

July 13, 2014 – JD asks GFA for a written response to our concerns

JD explains that Diaspora wants a written response before meeting to give a foundation for any future meeting.

“[We] 37 signers unanimously agree that before any such meeting takes place we must receive a thorough, written response to the weighty concerns we outlined in the letter. We feel that any meeting would be unproductive if we have not heard your clear explanation on these matters in writing first.”

Gmail JD Smith <xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Response to your letter-corrected
JD Smith <xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sun, Jul 13, 2014 at 3:52 PM
To: kp@gfa.org, [David], [John]
Dear Brother KP, David, and John,
I am writing to follow up with my phone call with KP regarding scheduling a meeting. At this time, we 37 signers unanimously agree that before any such meeting takes place we must receive a thorough, written response to the weighty concerns we outlined in the letter. We feel that any meeting would be unproductive if we have not heard your clear explanation on these matters in writing first.
Again, they are as follows:
• GFA leadership practices and teaches a false view of spiritual authority.
• GFA leadership prioritize ministry over family, and teaches the same.
• GFA leaders lie or intentionally deceive people in order to protect the ministry.
• GFA practices unbiblical shunning.
• GFA prohibits or discourages staff involvement in bible studies, small groups, and local churches.
Please respond to these points as thoroughly as you would like. We have thirty-seven witnesses who all affirm the sins at Gospel for Asia are public in scope and grave in nature. If there is going to be any chance of remediation, it is vital that you outline strategies to root out these persistent sinful patterns, or clear up misunderstandings by clearly presenting your explanations. We firmly request you address only the five offenses above.
In a spirit of love, we earnestly desire restoration and accountability within Gospel for Asia. We are happy to follow up with a meeting once you have presented your side in a formal, written response.
We attached the one letter we have received from David. Unfortunately, such a reply was insufficient and unsatisfactory as it neglected to address our concerns. We trust you will give a suitable reply this time. Please do so within seven days; by July 20, 2014, and please reply to confirm your intention of doing so.
You may do so by email to this address, or by postal mail to xxxxx, Dallas, TX 75219.
Regards,
JD
xxx-xxx-xxxx
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: David
Date: Thu, Jul 3, 2014 at 3:10 PM
Subject: Response to your letter-corrected

[Quoted text hidden]

 

JD Response Letter.pdf
1376K

July 11, 2014 – JD calls KP, KP requests individual meeting

JD returns KP’s phone call. KP requests a meeting with just JD and Pastor Jerry from a local Church (who had offered to be a neutral witness but would not act as a mediator) together with John, David and himself. JD requests a meeting with a significant portion of the group represented but agrees to ask the group about a one-on-one meeting KP was requesting.

JD: “I do think that because so many people have approached you guys over the years on these same issues… it’s come to the point now where all of us have come together and approached you guys together so I feel like the right thing to do is to meet with us together or at least a representative portion of us…”

KP: “JD, why don’t we with all the information you have one meeting even an hour before we have the second meeting… after that if you feel I am more than happy to do it. “

Phone transcript

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 8, 2014 – Diaspora member responds by requesting a mediated meeting

Morgan (former GFA staff) responds to Leader David by requesting a mediated meeting.

“The first step, going individually with concerns, has already happened (and over the course of many, many years). Unfortunately, these concerns were dismissed or explained away.”

Morgan via Facebook

David,

I hope you are doing well. Thank you for reaching out to me. My prayer is that this letter will bring about repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and above all else, bring honor to the Lord. I love many, many people at GFA and I want nothing more than for the ministry and witness of Gospel for Asia to thrive and bring glory to Christ Jesus alone. Matthew 18 outlines the steps for solving issues Biblically. The first step, going individually with concerns, has already happened (and over the course of many, many years). Unfortunately, these concerns were dismissed or explained away. The next step is to go with several witnesses. That is what we have done with this letter and its contents, and the signers (or witnesses) are many. As outlined in the letter, I am requesting that all communication be through the contact information that was provided. We are all praying for a sit down meeting that would include both signers of the letter, as well as leadership from GFA, so that all can be discussed, with pastoral mediation. I am praying for you, others in leadership, and KP daily.

Your sister in Christ,

Morgan _______

July 8, 2014 – Leader David contacts individuals requesting a one-on-one phone call

GFA Leader David contacts Morgan (former GFA staff) requesting a one-on-one phone call (one of many individuals contacted privately by GFA leadership).

“I would like to talk with you about the letter … in hope of finding Biblical reconciliation.”

David via Facebook

Hi Morgan, I would like to talk with you about the letter that you and many others sent to the leadership at GFA in hope of finding Biblical reconciliation.

Would you please either contact me at xxx-xxx-xxxx, or let me know of a time that I can reach you to talk about the items you mentioned in the letter?

…

Thank you very much! David

July 7, 2014 – John B. contacts Lenny requesting an individual phone call

Hi Lenny,

It was nice to see you at the store the other day. I am glad that it is working out for you to get teaching position that you wanted.

Hey Lenny I am wondering if you would have a few minutes to talk sometime. I got a copy of the letter from JD that you and Tiffany signed, and would like to talk to you about if possible.

We both now that Matt 5 & 18 tell us that if we are offended or if we have offended another that we need to go to that brother in love and discuss t so that there is no division in the Body of Christ. By the fact that you signed the letter you indicate that I/we have offended you and so I feel compelled to reach out to you in love and ask if we can talk about it as brothers.

What I remember from the time GFA was forced to lay you off was just how godly you were in your response. I remember your saying how you felt the Lord was directing it and you and how you had struggled with the support trip and not having been able to raise any support. I remember feeling so badly for you and having you almost try to cheer me up. I was blessed by how you responded. However maybe now you feel differently. If so I would love to sit down with you over a cup of coffee or on the phone and talk about it as brothers.

I would like to invite you to give me a call (XXX) XXX-XXXX. I will be traveling some this week so if I miss your call I will call you back asap. I hope this can work out.

Thanks Lenny.

Blessings, John

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