Ep. 417: Texas Churches Help Ukranian Refugees, Gateway Church Developments, and Tony Campolo
On today’s program, a former member of Village Church of Bartlett in Illinois is suing the church for defamation after the pastor allegedly accused her of an affair. Another family who supported the victim was also excommunicated. We’ll have details.
And, last year, Texas Christians provided Thanksgiving dinner to a group of Ukrainian refugees. This year, those same refugees thanked the Texas church with a festive feast of their own. We’ll take a look.
Plus, Tony Campolo, sociologist and famed ‘Red Letter Christian,’ has died at 89.
But first, donations to Gateway Church has taken a nosedive following scandals there, signaling tough decisions ahead. Gateway Church outside of Dallas is facing more issues after the church was shaken by allegations of sexual abuse by founding pastor Robert Morris. According to a video leaked on social media, elder Kenneth Fambro said the church’s offering receipts are down 35-40%.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Neva Rae Fox, Bobby Ross Jr., Bob Smietana, Tessa Sanchez, Christina Darnell—and you, Warren.
A special thanks to The Living Christian, The Christian Chronicle, and Baptist Press for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
Until next time, may God bless you.
MANUSCRIPT
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you this week from West Palm Beach, Florida,
Natasha:
And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, a former member of Village Church of Bartlett in Illinois is suing the church for defamation after the pastor allegedly accused her of an affair. Another family who supported the victim was also excommunicated. We’ll have details.
And, last year, Texas Christians provided Thanksgiving dinner to a group of Ukrainian refugees. This year, those same refugees thanked the Texas church with a festive feast of their own. We’ll take a look.
Plus, Tony Campolo, sociologist and famed ‘Red Letter Christian,’ has died at 89.
Natasha:
But first, donations to Gateway Church has taken a nosedive following scandals there, signaling tough decisions ahead.
Warren:
Gateway Church outside of Dallas is facing more issues after the church was shaken by allegations of sexual abuse by founding pastor Robert Morris. According to a video leaked on social media, elder Kenneth Fambro said the church’s tithe receipts are down 35-40%.
In June, allegations of Morris’s sexual abuse of Cindy Clemishire, 54, in the 1980s starting when she was only 12 years old led to his resignation.
Natasha:
Since then, Gateway has faced other challenges and resignations.
Warren:
That’s right.
The church canceled its annual Gateway Conference as the “congregation and staff are in the midst of navigating Robert Morris’ resignation and the emotions surrounding it.”
In August, a lawsuit was filed in Tarrant County, Texas, alleging a member of the Gateway Church youth group sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl also attending the church youth group.
Gateway recently settled another lawsuit that accused church leadership of covering up the alleged sexual abuse of a child by a member of the congregation in March 2018.
And Executive Pastor Kemtal Glasgow was removed in August from his position for a “moral issue.”
Natasha:
There have also been questions about money, but Gateway is working hard to make positive changes
Warren:
In an effort to increase transparency and accountability, Gateway is conducting a comprehensive financial audit and is “making significant changes to its bylaws” so it can become a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
Some of the changes include eliminating the office of “apostolic elder” and not allowing staff members to serve as voting elders in the governance of the church.
By the way, MinistryWatch affirms these developments. We have long advocated for voting elders, deacons, or board members to be non-staff members of a church.
Natasha:
Gateway isn’t the only church experiencing lawsuits, Village Church of Bartlett was sued by a former member.
Warren:
A lawsuit alleging that Pastor Michael Fuelling and the Village Church of Bartlett, Illinois, (VCOB) defamed and intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon a former member has been filed in Cook County. Another family supportive of the alleged victim was excommunicated.
Tricia Chandler, a former congregant and member, claims Fuelling defamed her by telling others she had engaged in an emotional affair with a man to whom she was not married.
According to the lawsuit, Chandler was a regular attendee of VCOB, a congregation of about 900, from 2007 to 2023.
Natasha:
What happened?
Warren:
Starting in 2009, Chandler says she sought support and guidance from Fuelling and his professional counselor wife Breanne for navigating “manipulation and emotional abuse” inflicted by her husband, who also was a member of the church.
However, she asserts the Fuellings “favored” her husband and dismissed her concerns as going down a “victim route” and being a “bitterness addict.” Chandler says she later learned Fuelling had mocked her and her personality in front of other church members.
Natasha:
What happened next?
Warren:
In 2020, Chandler admits she began a friendship with a male from her local gym. However, Chandler maintains the relationship was strictly platonic.
However, in June 2023, Chandler received a letter that her church membership was paused, and she was told to repent of her sinful behavior, including “slanderous statements to individuals within the congregation about Michael Fuelling.”
Her husband’s membership was also paused, but the letter did not include any call for his repentance, according to Chandler’s lawsuit.
In January 2024, Chandler was “released from membership” at the VCOB, but was told her children were still welcome to participate in the church activities.
On March 8, 2024, her husband filed for divorce.
Neither Village Church of Bartlett nor Fuelling’s attorney responded to requests for a statement before time of publication.
Natasha:
Next, A Texas pastor has been charged with fraud.
Warren:
The Rev. Canon Edward R. Monk, SSC, former chairman of the board of directors of Nashotah House Theological Seminary, has been charged with six Title IV counts of fraud and mismanagement of the financial accounts of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Corsicana, Texas, which he has served as rector for 21 years. A hearing panel (or trial) for the case is planned for February 2025.
Monk, who denies the allegations, resigned from his leadership position at the Anglo-Catholic seminary on August 13, eight days after he was placed on administrative leave from his position at St. John’s. Former Dallas bishop James Stanton is serving as the interim at St. John’s.
Natasha:
How was fraud found out?
Warren:
A September 20 complaint said that St. John’s junior warden came to the diocesan intake officer after Monk had written a large number of checks from the church’s ministry fund without proper documentation. The Rev. Tim Cherry, the diocesan investigator, interviewed Monk, and found his explanations for the checks unconvincing.
Cherry also uncovered other possible financial malfeasance. Monk, he said, opened “unauthorized or fraudulent bank accounts and routed money to other unknown bank accounts.
Monk also took advantage of an elderly volunteer church treasurer to gain a credit card under the man’s SSN and the parish name,” and used the credit card for a “multi-year spending spree” on items like personal trips. This, Cherry said, caused “extreme harm to the treasurer’s personal credit record, resulting in debt collection.”
Natasha:
How has Monk responded to these allegations?
Warren:
Monk’s response to Jolayne La Cour, president of the hearing panel, via email on November 4, is forceful. “With respect to the Hearing Panel Notice dated October 3, 2024, I deny all allegations brought against me in these proceedings.”
Monk did not reply to a request for comment by TLC.
A current working timeline for Monk’s case posted November 11 indicated that a scheduling conference for the Hearing Panel would be held January 17, 2025, and that the earliest possible date for it to convene would be February 3.
Natasha:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, Grand Canyon University wins a court case over its nonprofit status.
I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break.
Warren:
Grand Canyon University, the largest Christian university in the country, has won its case pertaining to its nonprofit status at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
The court ruled on November 8 that the U.S. Department of Education had used the wrong standard when it denied the university’s application for nonprofit status in 2019.
Natasha:
The university has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service and by the State of Arizona as a nonprofit, but was rejected by the Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
Warren:
In a lengthy letter explaining its decision, the department focused on GCU’s close relationship to the publicly traded for-profit company, Grand Canyon Education, that used to own it. For example, GCU’s president, Brian Mueller, is also the for-profit company’s chief executive officer.
A three-judge appellate panel ruled unanimously that the Department of Education had used the incorrect legal standard and remanded the case to the department.
Natasha:
Next, a story for Thanksgiving.
Warren:
A year ago, Memorial Church of Christ volunteers served Ukrainian refugee families a traditional Thanksgiving meal from Pappas Bar-B-Q, a popular Houston restaurant chain.
But this November, the newcomers to Texas — still struggling to adapt and learn a new language after fleeing Russia’s 1,000-day war on their homeland — rejected the offer of turkey, dressing and all the fixings.
Instead, the refugees would prepare a special feast to show their extreme gratitude to their English-speaking brothers and sisters.
Natasha:
How did the church connect with the refugees in the first place?
Warren:
The outreach began with a simple goal: to help meet refugees’ physical needs — from food to furniture — while offering the possibility of a new spiritual life.
In less than two years, the effort has grown into a full-fledged ministry.
Memorial members distribute welcome boxes to a handful of new refugees each week. Each box contains household items, a Ukrainian Bible and an invitation to church.
Every other week, Memorial — in partnership with the Impact Houston Church of Christ — provides groceries to 30 Ukrainian families.
More than a dozen refugees have accepted Jesus in baptism.
Natasha:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch Podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
What’s up first?
Warren:
Tony Campolo, an American Baptist minister and sociologist who spent decades trying to convince evangelicals and other Christians that their faith should motivate them to address social ills like poverty and racism, has died.
He was 89.
The author of 35 books, Campolo held degrees from Eastern University, Palmer Theological Seminary and Temple University. He taught sociology first at the University of Pennsylvania and then for decades at Eastern Christian College, where he was named professor emeritus. He also served as an associate pastor at Mount Carmel Baptist, a predominantly Black church in Philadelphia, and in 2019 was named a co-pastor of St. John’s Baptist.
Starting in the 1980s, with books such as “It’s Friday but Sunday’s Comin’,” “A Reasonable Faith,” “Who Switched the Price Tags” and “The Kingdom of God Is a Party,” Campolo showed a knack for reaching young people with the Christian gospel and then inspiring them to go out and work to change the world. In the process, he often challenged the religious right.
He eventually became a spiritual adviser to then-President Bill Clinton in the 1990s. Campolo also founded a nonprofit called the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, which worked in several countries, including Haiti, from the early 1970s to 2014.
Natasha:
Ryan Burge, a former American Baptist pastor and an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, said Campolo carried forward the legacy of the social gospel.
Warren:
“Tony Campolo was one of the most talented and sought-after preachers in the United States for several decades. He was able to speak to audiences from all corners of American Christianity — reminding them of the radical grace and forgiveness that is found in the Gospel,” Burge said.
Campolo suffered a stroke in 2020, which partially paralyzed his left side. He suffered a previous stroke in 2002.
Campolo is survived by his wife, Peggy; his son, Bart; and daughter, Lisa.
Natasha:
What’s next?
Warren:
Plane usage for Pastors and ministries. Here are a few highlights:
The Trinity Foundation currently tracks 64 planes owned by more than 40 ministries. During October, these planes made a total of 544 flights. This is a significant increase over recent months and is, in fact, the most flights in a single month we have recording.
Operating costs were approximately $2.5 million for the month. These costs do not include the cost of the plane itself.
Liberty University remains the biggest user of private aircraft. It typically holds that position month in and month out. Liberty University has an aviation program that uses aircraft for training purposes. We do not include these aircraft in this list.
Scott Lamb/Christian Fellowship Church/The Door Christian Fellowship Ministries was tied for #2 on the list, with 30 flights in its Piaggio P-180 aircraft, which costs about $2,100 per hour to operate.
Also clocking in at 30 flights was Mac Hammond, whose Living Word Christian Center owns a Falcon 50, which costs about $3,300 to operate.
MinistryWatch considers the use of private aircraft for the transportation of executives and staff to be excessive. It should be a significant red flag for donors.
Natasha:
And, of course, there are the Ministries Making A Difference.
Warren:
Nazarene Discipleship International is partnering with Wonderful Works Ministry to create a website with resources aimed at training churches and families to minister to children with disabilities, called the Adapted Discipleship Library. NDI Disability Ministry Coordinator Ryan Nelson is also lead pastor at Church Street Church of the Nazarene in Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he has started a Wednesday night service called Wonderfully Made aimed at engaging “families with all abilities” with God and each other. He has also started a small group program for families with disabilities, a group who often feels overlooked.
Foundations for Nations is ministering to Native Americans on the Wind River Indian Reservation in central Wyoming, where crime, unemployment, and drug and sexual abuse are rampant. Walking the “delicate line between honoring Native American heritage while at the same time pointing people away from spiritual darkness,” the ministry team runs a church, food pantry and youth programs with plans for a women’s shelter, according to WORLD Radio.
Ministries of Jesus medical volunteers trained a group of Light Shine staff in Chihuahua, Mexico, in its model of “whole person healing.” Attendees at the wellness conference earned certificates in MOJ’s model of ministering to a patient’s body, soul and spirit. MOJ runs a charitable medical clinic for underserved individuals in Oklahoma. The ministry has 5 stars, an “A” transparency grade, and a 100 donor confidence score in the MinistryWatch database—the highest scores in each category.
Widows Link, an Assemblies of God ministry started by Chaplain and pastor’s widow Marlene Craft, ministers to widows through small groups, banquets, retreats, and an annual cruise. It also provides training and resources to help churches across the nation start a small group widows ministry in their own congregations.
Natasha:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
Year end fundraising. Please be generous.
Next week we’ll take the week off. Happy Thanksgiving!
Natasha:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Neva Rae Fox, Bobby Ross Jr., Bob Smietana, Tessa Sanchez, Christina Darnell—and you, Warren.
A special thanks to The Living Christian, The Christian Chronicle, and Baptist Press for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
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