It continues the call to confront the international NCI KB fraud.
Detail from Christ Cleansing the Temple, 1875 by
Carl Bloch
“Is it not written: ‘My
house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’?
But you have made it a den of robbers.” (Mark 11:17, NASB)
Corruption is moral rottenness—the distortion, perversion, and deterioration of moral goodness."
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Don't be deceived--sow to the Spirit!
PART ONE
New and Ongoing Resources
“Corruption is criminal, immoral and the ultimate betrayal of public trust.….We must hold leaders to account….A vibrant civic space and open access to information are essential. And we must protect the rights and recognize the courage of whistle-blowers who expose wrongdoing….As an age-old plague takes on new forms, let us combat it with new heights of resolve.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Statement on corruption in the context of COVID-19 (15 October 2020)
What's New
In the latest PPNet Update and weblog entry (October 2022--Issue 72) we continue to share several new and ongoing resources to support integrity and anti-corruption in your life, organizations, and spheres of influence. The theme for us all to consider, and the message especially for "Christian" leaders affected by the NCI KB fraud, is that God can't be mocked: deceiving oneself and others does not deceive God; and corruption's exploitative complicity, cover-ups, and cowardice leads to one's own further corruption.
Don't be deceived--you can't rob God--sow to the Spirit! Acknowledge mistakes and wrongdoing, apologize, make amends, go public courageously with the truth, make things right in your own souls, and align with God and people in integrity to help heal the broken Body of Christ. It is not too late!
Three Sets of Audio-Visual Resources--and More!
1. Unveiling Our Stories--Four Films
We recently received the August update from the UNCAC-Civil Society Coalition (this coalition of civil society organizations focuses on the implementation of the 2003 UNCAC—the United Nations Convention Against Corruption). We have found its news and resources to be very helpful and encourage you to look it over carefully. You might feel a bit overwhelmed like us by all the resources and terms (and things you are not aware of!) etc. but that is ok--it is worth it to broaden your understanding of the global fight against corruption.
One suggestion is to start with this resource: the short film from Spain (eight minutes), Corruption Files: The Whistleblower: Ana Garrido. It focuses on the courageous testimony-interview with a “career civil servant-turned-whistleblower in Spain [who] found herself battling a nationwide political machine, facing death threats and hiding in a foreign country for years.” It is part of the new Short Film Series by UNCAC-Civil Society, Unveiling our Stories: Victims of Corruption.
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2. Journey to the Truth--Five Podcasts
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“How do journalists reporting on corruption overcome threats, setbacks and challenges? Follow five journalists on their Journey to the Truth. Relive the most incredible stories from the perspective of investigative journalists in this new podcast series. Journalists for Transparency (J4T) explores issues of transparency and corruption around the globe and is an initiative of the International Anti-Corruption Conference” More resources are on the website.
“The first episode of The Journey to the Truth podcast series [focuses] on the book: My Fourth Time We Drowned, written by the award-winning journalist Sally Hayden. A book where Sally tells of her three-year investigation into the thousands of refugees who are kept indefinitely in appalling conditions in Libyan detention centres. At the mercy of the EU-backed Libyan coastguard – and the smugglers, traffickers and swindlers associated with it – desperate refugees depend on the goodwill of international agencies, and an international community that turns a blind eye.”
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3. Global Integrity Network--Five Video Interviews
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A Psychologist's Journey into Global Integrity is an interview with Dr Kelly O’Donnell and includes a written summary of his reflections and resources. It is one of five interviews with advocates from around the world featured by the Lausanne-WEA Global Integrity Network during its conference on “Integrity and Anti-Corruption on the Frontlines” (30 April 2002). Each interview is about 20 minutes and available to view HERE. Here is an excerpt from Kelly's written summary:
“Note that the mechanisms of moral disengagement can be countered by the positive factors of ‘moral engagement.’ Three key counterparts--overlapping positive factors----for staying on course morally are the humanization of others, the sense of common humanity, and the development of empathy and compassion for others. In addition, specific accountability to others and an acknowledgement of one's capacity for self-deception and to harm others--endeavoring to understand moral disengagement in one's life--are also key in our view for staying morally engaged and for living in integrity. 'Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting' (Psalm 139:23-24).”
We are resolute in continuing the collaborative efforts (since 2007) in calling specific people and organizations for assistance and disclosures in confronting the international Nordic Capital Investments KB et al. fraud (NCI) and the related dismissals. Three ongoing efforts are the Professional Review, the Integrity Petition, and the NCI Summary and Summons (Part Two below). Here is a summary.
1. The Professional Review (2008) by Rand Guebert. "This review [investigates] several overlapping matters that have affected the mission, member care, and church community...[and] aspires to promote transparency, accountability, good practice, and healthy relationships." (p. 112). [It]has been organized to draw together the various events that have led to the dismissal of Drs. Kelly and Michele O’Donnell from YWAM [and other organizations/networks] and to the potential loss of millions of dollars by investors in Nordic Capital Investments (NCI) and Stichting Dutch Investments (SDI). Many of these events are related and overlap, and this review attempts to place them in context." (p.1)
The Professional Review is featured on the weblog, Loving Truth and Peace. This weblog's purpose, like that of the Professional Review, is to "review and learn, support good practice, and restore relationships. Click HERE to access this weblog and Professional Review. For a quick overview of the latter, see the Integrated Executive Summary. "One question arises over and over in this review--where is the ethical and accountable corporate governance?" (Integrated Executive Summary, page 1).
2. The Integrity Petition Shine the Light--Together! An ongoing, international petition calling for integrity and action to confront corruption in the Church-Mission Community and in particular the international NCI et al. fraud. More information via the link above and in Part Two below.
3. The NCI Summary and Summons. See Part Two below. This entry also includes verbatim the major section in the last several entries (Healing the Body: Living in Integrity--Loving Truth and Peace). They summarize many of the efforts by the People Network (PP Net) and summon the assistance of the people and the organizations affected by the Nordic Capital Investment KB fraud (NCI).
Those “affected” refers to the specific investors-victims, organizations-ministries, staff-leaders, and any others who received/lost money in this scheme or were somehow impacted. It also refers to the thousands of people who are or were part of these organizations-ministries (including Board members and supporters) and who have a moral responsibility to call leaders and others to account: to disclose, conduct independent reviews, and where there are “net positive” gains, to return money to victims.
How you can help--Being a person of inegrity!
The informed, resolute responses to NCI by those in the church-mission community (CMC) can help bring healing to many people and the reputation of the CMC. The NCI fraud, like all corruption, will not simply go away on its own, over time, by ignoring it, or by keeping silent. Remember, the only thing necessary for corruption to flourish is to do nothing about it--or to do some non-resolute "thing" and move on, feeling self-justified, with our consciences placated and our livelihoods protected. What can you do?
1. Get accurately informed. Read the materials, court documents, and exchanges with specific CMC leaders calling for disclosures and good practice. Take the time to carefully review the Summary and Summons below.
2. Join with others and hold your organizations and leaders accountable to good practice standards (see the list of organizations and leaders in the Summary and Summons below).
3. Read, sign, and share the Integrity Petition. There is an ongoing call for signatures. See below and in Part Two.
4. Beware of the deceptive tendency to rationalize wrong behaviors and to distort our true and mixed motives. Hypocrisy. The heart is more deceitful above all else, and desperately sick; who can understand it (Jeremiah 17:9). Living in integrity and staying morally engaged involve scrupulously considering how we might be hurting people and the planet--unintentionally or even intentionally--and changing our ways.
#CMCtoo -- #HealUsToo -- #MyOrganizationToo
--Some mixed and hidden motives: "I don't want to take risks. I/we might have my reputation and revenue negatively impacted. This would inconvenience me." And many more.
--Going further: Listen to our podcasts, done to advocate for truth, repentance, and healing in the past and ongoing NCI et al. corruption and related dismissals (Into Integrity podcasts, June and December 2019). For example, "Principles for Confronting Corruption in our Midst" (2019) "begins by exploring some reasons and rationalizations for NOT dealing with corruption in our midst. Sadly, it can be all too easy to excuse the complacency and complicity and indeed the cover ups and cowardice that prop up not just corrupt acts, but a whole culture of corruption. We then share some principles for fighting corruption based primarily on Rachel Denhollander’s recent interviews with MinistryWatch and Christianity Today as well as our own experiences confronting corruption." Two additional examples of the 14 podcasts are "Awaken the Good--A Personal Exhortation to Specific Leaders" and "Principles for Confronting Corruption in our Midst."
Integrity is always in season.
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PART TWO
Summary and Summons
to understand what happened and what needs to be done.
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
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calling for integrity and action to confront corruption
in the church-mission community and in the international NCI et al. fraud.
Read, sign, and share this petition.
In light of the Swedish court documents, we are publicly calling for the following organizations to provide assistance by reviewing and disclosing how NCI has affected them. We are also asking them to review how they have responded to the NCI matter thus far. Authorizing independent and internal reviews is strongly encouraged. It is not helpful to simply try to “move on” and leaders and members are urged now to hold their organizations accountable. There is much to learn and many ways to help. 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.
Individuals and organisations committed to integrity
should welcome the opportunity to help via open investigations and verifiable disclosures.
1. Mercy Ministry Associations (MM). MM International, with related associations in France, Holland, and Switzerland (set up in 1994, 1995) are related directly to Le Rucher in France. They received hundreds of thousands of NCI-related euros/dollars over nearly 10 years. Where is this money? How will past and current board members and staff help? Docs: Money Flows Confirmed by EBM * Examples of NCI Money Flows * Suggestions (see point six in this link)
2. New Generation Foundation (NGF, GF). A foundation/account was set up in 1997 at a Liechtenstein bank by a major YWAM and Le Rucher leader. Over time it received hundreds of thousands of NCI euros/dollars. Where is this money? Doc: Examples of NCI Money Flows
3. Youth With A Mission International (YWAM). NCI is an affinity-based fraud and YWAM is the main organization affected. It is seriously affected. In July 1995 Mr. Westergard presented NCI at YWAM Le Rucher during an international YWAM conference. Major YWAM leaders invested since at least 1996 and YWAM projects received NCI-related money. Senior leaders have consistently stated that senior/international leaders were not aware of NCI and that one of the major YWAM leaders actively involved in NCI (administering contracts, receiving NCI funds, etc) and YWAM Le Rucher in France were not properly part of YWAM. Hence, it is argued, YWAM has no responsibility. These assertions are hard to understand in view of the court and other documents. YWAM leaders (e.g., IFMLT, GLF, MMI), YWAM members, and YWAM donors internationally are urged to get informed and together call for an internal and an independent review of how YWAM has been affected and how it has responded, and to persevere until such reviews are done. Will they do this? Docs: Request to YWAM Leaders for Assistance 5 June 2011, with links to investors, projects, previous requests; see also this partial list of YWAM-related investors, based on EBM documents.
4. Mercy Ships International (based in Texas USA and including Mercy Ships in the UK, Switzerland, and France). An Austrian court document from 2001 and other Swedish documents indicate that Mercy Ships (part of YWAM until 2003) was to benefit from NCI funds related to a three million US dollar transaction that was frozen by the Austrian government in November 2001. How does this transaction and other NCI-related money flows relate to this respected organization and especially the refitting of the African Mercy hospital ship, including a $10 million USD matching grant (matched between 2002-2004)? Docs: See the “NCI Documents” section on the PETRA People web site, and then open up the “Austria case” folder in the attachments.
5. Youth For Christ (YFC) in Coppet, Switzerland. The name “YFC” and its physical address in Switzerland were used for a substantial amount of NCI-related correspondence (by a person actively involved in NCI but not part of YFC). Why? YFC is a respected organization yet it has not fully investigated and verifiably disclosed what their relationship was with NCI and any possible benefits. Will they do this? Docs: Two Swiss addresses used for correspondence (Note that there was overlap between Board members of YFC Coppet Switzerland, Board members of Mercy Ministries related to Le Rucher, and the Elders Board of Crossroads Church in Ferney-Voltaire, France by Geneva).
[YFC update June 2019: There have been exchanges with one leader in YFC over the past few months about the concerns above and the concerns shared in the paper trail August 2014-current. Although not willing to request an independent review, this leader nonetheless pulled together previous YFC responses and his current responses to the concerns. We see it as a helpful step in the right direction. We also believe it would be helpful for YFC to summarize and publicly share these responses in one document. Other organizations would do well to follow the example of YFC.]
6. Churches in Holland and France. One example of a church that can really help is Crossroads church in Ferney-Voltaire, France. Members of and people attending Crossroads church were aware of NCI and many of them have invested over the years. The former pastor for example helped by sharing how he was approached to invest in 1995. Will this church do a review, inform their past and current members/attendees about NCI, and seek information from them to help? Several church leaders in the Geneva/Lausanne area were updated in 2010, 2011. Docs: Letters to church leaders
--Youth With A Mission: Loren Cunningham, Darlene Cunningham, Lynn Green, Jim Stier, Tom Hallas, Iain Muir, and YWAM leaders/staff around the world. “We would be grateful if you (YWAM leaders/staff around the world) would carefully review the petition and Statement with links to core documents.” Click here to view the list of international offices from the organization’s website, many which link to specific leaders.
--Mercy Ships: Donovan and Mae Palmer. “We would be grateful if you could please review the petition and its links to core documents and share it with members of the international Mercy Ships Executive Committee and others Board members (e.g., Don Stephens as President, Myron Ullman as Chair, Rosa Whitaker, Francoise Andre, Ian McColl, and Peter Schulze as Vice-Chairs, etc.). Click here to view the list of International Board Members and the Executive Committee from the organization’s website.
(PP Net Update Aug-Sept 2012, excerpts-introduction)
(a link to excerpts and quotes for good practice, to support YWAM leaders) What can all those associated with YWAM do? Here are four suggestions to keep in mind as you review and respond to these materials:
