This Announcement Regarding Leadership from Board Chairman Ron Berrus to the ABWE family was forwarded to the blog moderators on June 8, 2011.
It states:
Dear ABWE Family,
We are writing to you today to let you know that Dr. Michael Loftis has concluded his role as president of ABWE as of June 7, 2011.
The Board of ABWE Ministries, Inc. wishes to express our appreciation to Dr. Loftis and his wife, Jo Beth, for their 13 years as missionaries in Eastern Europe and 10 years in leading our mission, for their unquestioned moral and financial integrity, giftedness, and great passion for the cause of Christ worldwide.
In view of the present needs of the mission and after lengthy prayer and deliberation by the board and interviews with ABWE leadership, the board unanimously decided it would be best to seek a new president. We want to assure you that these decisions were not spontaneous or rushed. They were made after much prayer, deep discussion, careful analysis and a unanimous conclusion that was affirmed by Dr. Loftis, with full support and confidence in the board. These decisions have been some of the most difficult we have faced as a board. The response of Dr. Loftis has been Christ-like, humble, and affirming. We are all confident that God has led us in this decision.
Dr. Al Cockrell has stepped down from the ABWE board and has been appointed the Interim Executive Administrator of ABWE. The board is presently assembling a Strategic Transition Team to assess the needs of the administration, formulate a presidential profile, and initiate a search process for a new president. We anticipate that the process to find our next president could take 18 months, or longer.
We would request your continued, fervent prayers for Michael and Jo Beth, the extended Loftis family, the worldwide ABWE family, the board and the administration as we seek God’s leading and guidance in the days ahead. With deepest gratitude for you and your continual investment in the life and work of Christ through ABWE.
Your servant in Christ,
Ron Berrus
Chair, ABWE Ministries, Inc.
board@abwe.org
(717) 614-5118
This is a very good first step but I think Russ Ebersole should be concluded as well as any connection with the organization that is connected with Russ Lloyd. After reading all the material I am astonished that Russ Ebersole would have a title that has the word “care” in it.
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My shock stems from the letter that stated that Loftis resignation didn’t have anything to do with the G.R.A.C.E. investigation. It seems like covering up again. Then again that is conjecture on my part, but too often ABWE has been caught in the say one thing and then backpedal when confronted with direct statements to the contrary. Let the records sort out this, what bothers me is that heart attitude does not seem to have changed. Maybe though, just maybe a small change will start a domino affect. (meaning change in attitudes not that I mean a destruction of ABWE- but a taking away of wrong and a reconstruction by God of that which is right)
Seems as though they have started with a “tweezers” scenario, and a whole lot of platitudes, excuse me, if I am a little skeptical with the PR letter, blah, blah, blah. I am totally seeing this as am offense to the “little ones” that have suffered enough, even as adults I am not impressed!
I have witnessed how this once great mission agency has dealt with “unpleasant” situations before, PR memos, letters from the board, sacrificial lambs, baby steps, PR, etc. etc. I guess if there is REAL remorse and desire to do what is righteous, I expected to see a turn around, more of a Jesus taking care of the moneymakers in the temple, yes I meant to use that comparison with the emphasis on MONEYMAKERS! Funny how even with so called religious organizations, keeping the money flowing into the vault tops every decision.
As I have read the stories, the YEARS, and YEARS, and YEARS of pain these dear families and their children have experienced and still are experiencing, I guess I expected much more, like a power saw not a tweezers and each and every board member that had ANY knowledge in the past few years and beyond to also submit their resignations, and any administrative staff on any level, surely there a still a few “righteous ones” that could lead this organization. If not, then there is the answer!
I guess what I am saying is enough with the PR info/ euphemisms already, and the sacrificial lamb, I am not impressed! if ABWE has any true “justice” in their ranks, if they really desire to clean up this mess, get down to business, you have wasted so many years already!!!!!!
As a member of a church that still supports ABWE missionaries out on the field just doing the work God called them to do, they deserve better as well, are you hearing what others are saying? Your actions or in-actions speak more loudly than those run of the mill, we have seen them before, baby steps, and then the infamous PR letters!
Let me make this clear: ABWE you are hemorrhaging, a band aid is NOT going to stop this, it is time to call “flight for life” get serious and fix this problem, a “tweezers” to remove a little sliver is NOT going to do the job!
As of June 15, ABWE now has Al Cockrell’s bio on their website. He seems to be a man of good experience. We hope and pray that he will lead ABWE into a better era: http://www.abwe.org/about/our-leadership/
– Tamara