> NAMB sex abuse statement
NAMB leaders share plans to identify, prevent incidents of sex abuse
May 25, 2022
By NAMB Board of Trustees Chairman Eric Thomas and President Kevin Ezell
Download Full Statement (PDF)
Dear SBC Family,
We are deeply grieved at the findings of the independent investigation of the SBC Executive Committee commissioned by Guidepost Solutions, and especially at the credible allegation of abuse involving one of our former employees. We must acknowledge, with grief, that we believe the report is well-documented and verified with a high level of professionalism and due process. We are heartbroken, especially for the survivor, her husband and the others mentioned in the report. We are deeply grateful for their courage and sacrifice in speaking up.
We recognize that, with this reality, comes a cascade of facts we must consider, including the possibility of other victims or allegations of which we are unaware, and the need to ensure we have done everything possible to prevent abuse. To that end, we have consulted with outside experts, including Rachael Denhollander, and we are announcing today that the North American Mission Board (NAMB) Board of Trustees is immediately beginning the processes outlined below and on the newly created NAMB Abuse Prevention and Response section of our website.
During times like this, it is easy to be tempted to look the other way, to minimize what has taken place, or to find reasons why the situation we are facing is “different” than other abuse crises. Grievously, as we have seen again just this week, far too often these responses are even cloaked in Scriptural sounding ideas — protecting our mission, our base, our resources.
We want to encourage our SBC community to stand against this temptation. Our God is sovereign and powerful, and He does not need our protection — He requires our obedience. He has commanded us to bring light into darkness, to speak for the oppressed, and to act with justice. We are to grieve at sin and brokenness, to weep with those who weep. Surely this includes survivors of sexual abuse, recognizing the incredible damage that is created when such deep betrayal and violation is experienced.
We understand that the steps we have outlined will require time and resources, and we encourage our SBC community to remember that caring for the vulnerable is not a distraction from our mission — it is an integral part of it.