Ep. 405: BGEA Sues, Turmoil in the EPC & Kanakuk Sex Abuse Lawsuit

On today’s program, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association threatens to sue after the group Evangelicals for Harris uses video of Billy Graham to make an anti-Trump ad. We’ll have details. Plus, a storm is brewing within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church—some are asking if the denomination will stay true to its mission. And, the leaders of Kanakuk Kamps are the defendants in a sexual abuse-related lawsuit. They tried to get parts of that lawsuit dismissed—and the court has handed down its decision. We’ll take a look. But first, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Gateway Church and its former pastor Robert Morris. Gateway Church, headquartered in the Dallas suburb of Southlake, has been facing a multitude of allegations and controversies after Cindy Clemishire’s sexual abuse allegations against founding pastor Robert Morris led to his resignation. Now, a class action lawsuit has been filed against the church in federal court by members who are concerned about the stewardship of the money they contributed. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Kathryn Post, Marci Seither, Mallory Challis, Brittany Smith and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to Generous Giving and Baptist News Global for contributing material for this week’s podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.   MANUSCRIPT   FIRST SEGMENT Warren: Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina. Natasha: And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today’s program, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association threatens to sue after the group Evangelicals for Harris uses video of Billy Graham to make an anti-Trump ad. We’ll have details. Plus, a storm is brewing within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church—some are asking if the denomination will stay true to its mission. And, the leaders of Kanakuk Kamps are the defendants in a sexual abuse-related lawsuit. They tried to get parts of that lawsuit dismissed—and the court has handed down its decision. We’ll take a look. Natasha: But first, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Gateway Church and its former pastor Robert Morris. Warren: Gateway Church, headquartered in the Dallas suburb of Southlake, has been facing a multitude of allegations and controversies after Cindy Clemishire’s sexual abuse allegations against founding pastor Robert Morris led to his resignation. Natasha: Now, a class action lawsuit has been filed against the church in federal court by members who are concerned about the stewardship of the money they contributed. Warren: The lawsuit alleges that Morris and Gateway’s leadership represented that “15% of all tithe dollars would be distributed to global missions and Jewish ministry partners, encouraging church members to generously give toward these ends.” The lawsuit states, Morris claimed in 2023 that Gateway had sent more than $25 million overseas. The plaintiffs believe that was a misrepresentation, and they are seeking transparency about how the money was used. In 2021, MinistryWatch reported about the network of ministries associated with Gateway Church—there was little financial and organizational transparency made available to the public. A former executive pastor never witnessed more than $3 million annually in global missions contributions. Natasha: The plaintiffs claim that “Gateway refused to be transparent when trying to answer even simple questions about the use of tithing dollars.” Warren: Lead plaintiff Katherine Leach “has publicly and directly delivered a demand letter to Gateway for the return of her tithes pursuant to Gateway’s ‘money back guarantee.’ Gateway has not responded.” The lawsuit asserts claims for misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of contract. Natasha: While we’re on the subject of Gateway, there has been a development in the story a different lawsuit. Warren: Clemishire testified before the Texas House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence on October 2 about declining a settlement offer by Morris’s lawyers in exchange for signing a nondisclosure agreement (NDA). The committee was hearing testimony about civil NDAs in child sexual abuse settlements. Clemishire’s story was made public on June 14. Clemishire says Morris sexually abused her from 1982 through 1987, starting when she was 12 years old. Clemishire told the committee she wasn’t just at the hearing to advocate for herself, but for the estimated 42 million adult survivors of child sexual abuse living in the United States. Natasha: Next, BGEA Threatens Lawsuit Over Political Ad, First, Warren, can you tell us what the ad is about? Warren: The ad begins with a clip of renowned evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham, declaring “But you must realize that in the last days, the times will be full of danger. Men will become utterly self-centered and greedy for money.” Suddenly, a clip of former President Donald Trump is spliced in where he says: “My whole life I’ve been greedy, greedy, greedy. I’ve grabbed all the money I could get. I’m so greedy.” For the next few seconds, the ad, which has racked up over 30 million views, flips between Graham’s 1988 sermon, contrasting his points with shots of Trump using violent language, claiming to be “the chosen one” and talking about kissing women without their consent. Natasha: That ad, the result of a $1 million ad campaign by Evangelicals for Harris, is now the subject of a potential lawsuit from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based nonprofit that supports the ministries of Billy Graham’s son and grandson. Warren: An Oct. 2 letter, sent from outside counsel and obtained by RNS, threatened to sue Evangelicals for Harris on the basis of copyright infringement. In a statement to RNS, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said they do not generally comment on potential disputes, but they acknowledged having communicated with Evangelicals for Harris regarding their concerns about the “unauthorized, political use of BGEA’s copyrighted video,” and said they would continue to address the matter. Natasha: How did Evangelicals for Harris respond? Warren: Evangelicals for Harris released a statement saying “Franklin is scared of our ads because we do not tell people what to do or think. We merely hold Trump’s own words up to the light of Scripture, the necessity of repentance, and Biblical warnings against leaders exactly like Trump,” they wrote in a post on X. The lawyers representing Evangelicals for Harris also released their formal legal response to the threatened lawsuit. Originally sent on Sept. 28, the letter asserts that the ad does not constitute copyright infringement or violate the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s right. They write that the public discussion of Trump’s moral failings is “essential First Amendment expression” and that the use of Billy Graham’s sermon is protected under the Copyright Act. Natasha: Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, a story about radical giving—one couple cashes in their children’s college funds to invest in a greater future. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.   BREAK   SECOND SEGMENT Natasha: Welcome back.  I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Next, the story we promised before the break, a story about radical generosity. Warren: This story is one in a series we’ve done here at MinistryWatch over the years that highlight examples of, as you say, radical generosity. This story is about the journey of Leslie and Jason White, who chose to cash in their children’s college funds to invest in their church’s expansion efforts. After graduating Stanford the couple found a church home that met in a local hotel. By 2010, the church had grown from one service to three with an additional service on Sunday evenings. One thing was obvious—they were outgrowing their space and needed expansion plans. Instead of thinking of the building they viewed the project as “making space for lives to change.” Jason said. “They asked us to come with a number of what you could contribute over the next few years.” The Whites took the radical step to drain their children’s college fund, and put that money toward the church expansion instead. Natasha: Wow, that’s amazing. Warren: The church now has over 10,000 members across five different campuses. But that’s not the only growth the Whites have seen. Natasha: How so? Warren: “We're seeing growth in our own marriage,” said Jason. “We're seeing our kids get poured into, and we see all the things happening to the people around us.” And Leslie added. “When you plant the seed, you don’t know who will reap the benefit.” Natasha: In our next story, turmoil in an evangelical denomination. Warren: A storm is brewing in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) and a “meaningful group of churches” are considering other options, according to Pastor Nate Atwood, the pastor of St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C. Atwood has been involved in the EPC since 1988 and held several leadership roles, including serving as moderator of the General Assembly. He says there is a “crisis of confidence in the current stated clerk, moderator, and leadership team” after an overture concerning same-sex-attracted pastors never made it to the floor of the General Assembly this summer. Natasha: Warren,...