This is the inside of First Baptist Church, Modesto California. This is where I learned about loving my fellow man, always putting God first in my life, doing the right thing, tithing, and verses like 1st Corinthians 6:1-8, "If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?" This is the church's flagstone verse on handling lawsuits between Christians. The church teaches that if you have an issue with another Christian, that you take it to the church leaders and let them declare judgement in the case. The church will tell you to pray about it and to forgive the person, to turn the other cheek and to walk the extra mile. This verse has been, and will be thrown at me time and time again during this journey, and I am prepared to bear that cross. I will do it with my head held high and with questions for my accusers:
What recourse does one have when after going to the church leaders, they do nothing?
What do you do when they celebrate the predator, and send him off to another church to abuse other children?
What do you say to a victim who was abused by a pastor and the best reply the church can give is, "Any harm (the victim) has experienced is (his/her) own fault."
What do you say to a young, scared victim when the leaders of the church exert control by trapping them in rooms without parents present and telling them that the church will take care of it, and that he or she should shut their mouths lest they make the church or God look bad?
What do you say when your lack of action and your habitual protection of sexual predators spins out of control and what could have been 1 shattered life has turned into 50?
Why would you allow a person known for child sexual assault to remain working directly with and around other children?
What do you say when you stand by the predator and you shun the child who spent three years being raped over and over again?
Within each of these questions is the answer to why I am suing CrossPoint Community Church, formerly First Baptist Church of Modesto. They were not only negligent, but voluntarily failed time and time again in their duties to protect children against sexual abuse by staff members. There were none of the, "Lord's people," to turn to seek judgement.
I learned another verse while I was at First Baptist. Matthew 18:2-6, "He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.'"
I, and those who were abused by staff at First Baptist, were not just made to stumble, we were pushed down time and time again. After many years of being silenced and pushed aside, we finally have a voice and will not accept the status quo. We will not stand by and allow this mentality to continue among church leaders. We have appealed for them to act, and they have not. For this reason, I, and others are sending a message to all that drastic changes must be made. “Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” Ezra 10:4
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