I write again because the burden on my heart is too great to keep silent- nor would I wish to not speak out when now is the time to do so. There will also be a blog coming soon that includes my personal experiences with GCC youth bike trips. Some write that there aren’t any specific experiences in the report. If the whole report was read, the experiences are there in black and white- not coated or vague. You may not have been aware of these specific events and experiences, but others, including GCC leadership, are aware. The whole reason for writing a blog is to share that what we have experienced is real, true and factual- not made up. The events that have happened at GCC are not fabricated, but fact. The response from GCC leadership is to condemn these events as a lie and berate the ones who dare challenge their authority, teachings or practices. Where else have you seen such power being wielded over unsuspecting people? How are they allowed to invade every aspect of your life? Why aren’t they being held accountable? We do not compile such experiences, nor share in these blogs, out of anger. Far from it, we write for those hurting, for those who are scared, for those who feel broken. What we’ve endured is not a lie, not a fabrication, not a threat- it is simply the truth. We will not be shamed. We will not be ignored. We will not be silenced. We share because we feel called to speak out about events that have happened to us that have caused physical, emotional and spiritual pain. Where does this pain find its source? The dismissive, callous, deaf, belittling and sometimes biblically unfounded responses from leadership. What we do ask is for accountability from the leadership. How can they stand what has happened to more than 200 of their own congregation, and the many more that are afraid to come forward? Why is fear such a repetitive word used? Why does leadership want to promote an environment of fear? How can they allow their own to endure such heartache, so much that for me personally, I’ve been working through it for more than 7 years? How can they stand there and say “This is a lie” when I know it to be truth? My experiences aren’t vague or without foundation- they hurt and I’ve had to work through many events and teachings that happened while attending GCC. I’ve had to look at what I was taught to believe was true and biblical- studying Scripture as the Bereans did, examining what God’s Word says and deciding for myself what I believe. The truth found in the report is not vague, though response to it is. Why not refute specific examples found in the report, instead of passing a generalized dismissal of each section? Because that would mean that Chris Riser and the remaining leadership would have to face the truth about how they have treated more than 200 individuals. The truth that has left us wondering how they can live with what each one both individually and corporately as leadership has done. Two witnesses, on multiple accounts, approached the elders regarding a variety of valid concerns with documentation, only to be sent away. When other caring congregants questioned what was going on, they were all dismissed with a repeated statement of having been given a satisfactory explanation by Chris or the other elders. Unfortunately, the biblically concerned witnesses that were brave enough to voice these valid concerns had their character defamed with leadership claiming the witnesses didn’t have all the facts, the facts were not verifiable or some other answer- trying to invalidate the witnesses and their concerns. This scenario happened over and over again- through our years at GCC- with multiple groups of witnesses bringing their valid concerns to the elders, with prompt dismissal. This scenario became more apparent when Chris in one service brought all the elders up on the platform and spoke to the congregation stating that any accusation brought to the elders against another elder, leadership would believe the elder under accusation over two or more witnesses. Who then are the elders accountable to? Hence, the scenario repeats. You don’t have a voice. What you read is the simple truth of personal experience and how the eldership dismissed the witnesses, and disregarded the safety and care of the individuals in the congregation. We are children of God Almighty and we know who we are in Him. Please take the time to consider all that is written, both in these blogs and in the report. We are speaking out and choosing to be vulnerable in a difficult time because we know it’s the right thing to do. Why would so many people choose to put their personal experiences out in the public if they wanted to perpetuate a lie? Asking questions of leadership is never anything that is wrong. Chris and the other elders should have considered and taken seriously the valid concerns that were brought to them in that moment. Jesus responded with love and with compassion to the hurting and broken-hearted. Will you?