Betraying Well (April-May 2013)

Silence, Passivity, and Neutrality

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies,

 but the silence of our friends.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
.

We must learn that passively to accept an unjust system

 is to cooperate with that system, and thereby to become
a participant in its evil.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

*****

.

The Shine the Light-Together petition was launched one year ago. It’s 100+ signatories are calling for the many individuals and organizations affected by the NCI fraud, “to transparently and verifiably disclose how they have been affected. Members of these organizations, donors, and the public are asked to help by respectfully and resolutely calling for the assistance of those affected by NCI. Millions of euros and dollars are still missing…. We urge organizations affected by NCI to emulate the organizations in the “United Response” to the New Era Scandal: be transparent, accountable and cooperate to return money.”
 .

We believe the day is coming when people and members/donors of affected organisations will come forward (as Peter did--foretold in Luke 22:31,32), with courage and truth and in spite of risks, in order to:

--share important information about the NCI fraud and  exhort others to do the same;

--resolutely and publically require their organisations to disclose and conduct independent reviews;

--help heal the shame and wounds that have seriously damaged the reputation and witness of the international church-mission community (CMC). 

.

Updates: Requests for Assistance

In addition to the many entries on this weblog,

refer to the PETRA Statement 2012: A Call for Integrity and Action
for specific requests, information, and links to documents
(part of the Shine the Light—Together petition). 

,

1. Mercy Ships International

CBS’ 60 Minutes program did an inspirational report on the Africa Mercy hospital ship (17 February 2013). The online comments express much appreciation for the dedicated staff yet also raise serious concerns about the possibility of NCI-related money flows (click here). Also see the PETRA Statement 2012 for more information. Will members and donors as well as Mercy Ships leaders/Board members—past and present—help to clarify?

.

2. Youth With A Mission

In addition to the PETRA Statement 2012, see the extensive entry on this weblog from 1 August 2012 (Global Shame or a Good Name?). See also the online comments for the Christianity Today article, Fleecing the Faithful—Again: Former YWAM Leader Defrauds Many (June 2011)—especially noting the important questions/documentary evidence that are unanswered and avoided as well as blaming/discrediting people calling for transparency/accountability (click here). Note that Kristian Westergard (the former YWAM leader referred to in this article) is currently serving a 3 ½ year prison term. Also note that almost none of the missing NCI money has been recovered, including money being voluntarily returned by those people and organisations that benefitted. Will the members and donors as well as YWAM leaders—past and present—(including the top international leaders, those in the Global Leadership Forum, and the IFMLT) help? 

.

3. Mercy Ministries Associations

See the PETRA Statement 2012 for more information. Will the current and past Board members of the four associations related to Le Rucher Centre/Ministries (France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and International) help? Le Rucher Centre and Mercy Ministries International for example have received a substantial amount of NCI-related money according to Swedish Court documents and the testimony of the Director.

.

4. Various Mission Organisations, Charities, and Churches

See the PETRA Statement 2012 for more information. Will members, donors, board members, and leaders—past and present—help?

.

 5. NCI Investors/Victims and Charity/Mission Projects

See the PETRA Statement 2012 as well as the substantial albeit partial list of investors from the Swedish court documents (click here). This list also includes the New Generation Foundation, set up with a Lichtenstein bank, which according to the Swedish court documents, received a substantial amount of NCI-related money. WiIl people help by sharing information, and if they are net positive do their utmost to return money?

*****

.

It is not justice or equal treatment that you grant to men when you
abstain equally from praising men's virtues and from condemning men's vices.
When your impartial attitude declares, in effect,
that neither the good nor the evil may expect anything from you--
whom do you betray and whom do you encourage?
Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness