MK forum

Really good to hear you feel that they heard you. I hope you're all getting some much needed rest.

Please NTM this time be transparent and open.

Panama MKs I support you and admire you for your courage. May your requests be answered.

NTM. Not kidding about this . . .hundreds are watching and waiting.

Email from NTM to the Panama MK Representatives:

"Dear Panama MK Representatives,
On behalf of the Board, we want to thank you for the time and effort you took to visit us and share your perspectives and those of other MKs. We understand that abuse issues are a point of sorrow in your own lives, and doubly appreciate your thinking through some of this process and sharing your thoughts. We feel that all of us learned a great deal as we listened to you. Although we may not be able to follow through on all of your suggestions, we hope that this dialogue will help us better serve the NTM MK community.
Again, thank you so much, and please know that we care deeply about each of you and the course of your lives. We know that many others supported you in your time here and we are grateful for their involvement too. Thank you for your prayers as we consider the next steps in this process.
Respectfully,
For the NTM USA Executive Board,
Dan Kreider, Dan Falls and Steve Sanford"

We want to express how grateful we are for the opportunity to present to NTM the thoughts and feelings that were expressed to us by many of you. All along the way it weighed heavily on us the importance of accurately communicating your thoughts and feelings when the time came. We want to assure you that we believe we were able to do just that at our meetings this past weekend.

We know that as we all look back at the pain of the abuse that was suffered and NTM’s response to it, we agree that their response was lacking. They appeared to lack the volition to do what was right, the public empathy we needed and wanted, and the willingness to pursue transparency with the end goal of a healthier organization. These are some of the concerns that we addressed with NTM during our meetings.

We, as a representative group, are hopeful. The five of us who sat across the table from three members of the NTM-USA Executive Board, an attorney, and the Director of Personnel, believe that they realize we are not on a witch hunt and our purpose in confronting them with our concerns is NOT an effort to destroy NTM. We are also acutely aware of the fact that the Panama MK’s as a whole are extremely diverse in outlook, experiences, beliefs and desires. We believe that we effectively communicated this to NTM this weekend as well. We do not take lightly that what will arise from this investigation may be painful for many of us and our families.

What we DO want is for NTM, as a whole, to deal in truth. We recognize the difficulty in looking back 30-plus years to decipher what truth is. But we know that IS possible in spite of the difficulties. Most importantly it is essential that NTM address not only the abusers, but also the abusive environment from which these things grew, as well as the leadership who may have known of abuse and failed to act.

We believe that there is a way forward. Through greater openness in the investigative process and a willingness to advocate for those who have been wronged, NTM can achieve a successful result which will justify the significant expense of this process.

We ask for your patience as you wait with us for the statement of actions from NTM to which they will commit. We want to again express our heartfelt thanks to all of you who prayed, responded and gave generously.

Sincerely Panama MK Representatives

Dear Panama MKs.

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!!

Those words just aren't enough.

My eyes fill with tears as I think of you all ... all that you have invested ... your insight, your wisdom, your tenacity.

You are true game changers, and I can't find enough words to express my admiration, respect and gratitude.

So ... onward we go ....

Onward we go
Waiting and Watching-----
With hope that this time
It will be different.
You will be heard
And some significant change will take place……..

Such courage, Panama MKs!

November 6, 2014

To NTM MKs:

IHART Change:

As IHART has progressed with its first field reviews, it has become clear that the task is extremely complicated and time-consuming. Nevertheless, NTM USA remains committed to facilitating the investigation of these historical allegations.

Our original goals for this process have not changed. These are: to remove any abusers who may be serving with NTM USA; to give victims an avenue to tell their story; to offer a means for counseling for any victims who desire that; and to learn from the past to make our organization as safe as possible for all children. However, original plans have evolved and improved with new information and increased understanding, necessitating change in some areas.

Ms. Hendrix has enabled us to progress through the initial three and one half years of this process. Much has been accomplished and many goals reached during this time. While NTM USA appreciates her work and contributions to this effort, at this time Ms. Hendrix is stepping out of her role as IHART coordinator.

Theresa Lynn Sidebotham of Telios Law PLLC has now been appointed to the role of IHART coordinator. Ms. Sidebotham has a strong background in missions. She grew up on the mission field herself, in a Muslim urban environment in Indonesia. She has experienced home school, international school, mission boarding school, U.S. private Christian school and public school. As she and her husband spent time in the military and on the mission field, two of their four children were born overseas. She understands abuse issues and protecting children, as she both personally experienced an environment where child sexual abuse was endemic, and had to protect her own children in a similar environment.

Ms. Sidebotham currently represents children and families in special education cases and cases of governmental misconduct, as well as doing extensive child safety work with religious organizations.

We believe that having Ms. Sidebotham coordinate the IHART process is the best path forward. She will be able to provide new avenues of communication, implement current best practices standards and will further ensure the privacy of those who have entrusted their stories to IHART.

The teams currently doing investigations will be continuing their work during this transition time.

Well, well, well, that is an interesting development.

What can I say, "Shalom"?