Thread by @TomBuck

In this lengthy but important thread, I demonstrate ONE example of how @kevezell operates when a concerned pastor contacts him privately and respectfully to get answers to serious questions.

In this thread, you'll see all the emails.

But first, let me set the context.
1/22

On 2/13/22, David Uth defended FBC Orlando baptizing openly practicing homosexuals and allowing them to serve in his church.

He said they need to "belong to believe" and that "every truly healthy church has two things: heretics and people who are sexually immoral."
2/22

In that same sermon, having just said FBC Orlando allows practicing homosexuals to serve in the church and be baptized, Uth announced that they would be partnering with @NAMB_SBC to plant churches on the college campus of UCF.
3/22

This concerned me as an SBC pastor whose church was funding @NAMB_SBC at the time.

I emailed @kevezell on 2/14/22, sent the two clips above, and shared my concerns in a respectful manner. You can read it below.
4/22

.@kevezell responded on 2/15/22, but didn't answer any of my questions. He argued that everything would be okay because the vetting process of @NAMB_SBC would make sure of it.

In my opinion, it was a political word salad with ZERO substance offered for what I asked.
5/22

I responded on 2/17/22 to @kevezell. I said this wasn't about FBC Orlando's autonomy but @NAMB_SBC's practices.

I asked, "Is NAMB willing to support a church whose ministry philosophy allows a practicing LGBT unbeliever or cohabitating unbeliever to serve in the church?"
6/22

.@kevezell responds on 2/17/22 and again doesn't answer my question.

Instead, he says I just hear stuff on the internet and get concerned... even though I sent him the video clips!

He again says everything will be okay because the Church Planting Catalyst will be watching.
7/22

I reply on 2/17/22 and asked another question in light of his email.

"As President of NAMB, what are your expectations for a Church Planting Catalyst or City Missionary if they discover a NAMB-endorsed church plant was allowing LGBT people to serve in the church?'
8/22

.@kevezell didn't respond but passed me off to @mebert who finally responded on 2/21/22.

Ebert said Kevin was traveling and that Kevin's first response should have answered all my concerns. Therefore, it was best for me to reach out to FBC Orlando w/ my specific concerns.
9/22

It didn't seem like @mebert actually read what I wrote to @kevezell. So, I wrote back on 2/22/22 and said I was still waiting for an answer to what @NAMB_SBC would do if they discovered a church plant was allowing LGBT people to serve in the church.
10/22

ON 2/22/22, I sent a clarifying email to @mebert asking for a direct answer.

Do you believe a "belong before you believe" philosophy that allows LGBT people to serve in a @NAMB_SBC church plant is a violation of BFM2000 or would that be an acceptable practice?
11/22

On 2/28/22, @mebert responded and also refused to answer my direct question.

He said I was "asking about an item that's not explicitly mentioned in BFM2000," and @NAMB_SBC couldn't start listing things it would affirm or oppose that aren't explicitly mentioned in BFM2000.
12/22

I respond to @mebert on 3/1/22 and gave opportunity to clarify that the BFM2000 doesn't oppose LGBT people to serve in the church.

I shift to see if I can get a direct answer on anything.

I asked, "Is @NAMB_SBC partnering with FBC Orlando to plant a church as Uth said?"
13/22

On 3/3/22, @mebert responds. He says @NAMB_SBC church plants "are expected to uphold BFM2000." He goes on to give the same run around I got from @kevezell.

He refuses to address my "hypothetical situation."
14/22

I was out of town, and didn't respond to @mebert until 3/16/22. I assume he didn't see my question, so I seek again to get a straight answer.

"Is @NAMB_SBC partnering with FBC Orlando to plant a church?"
15/22

I received an email from @mebert on 3/18/22 saying he would get back to me the next week.
16/22

That next week, @cuatronelson reached out to me about a @NAMB_SBC trustee who wanted to talk to us. We spoke with the NAMB Trustee. He finally admitted that NAMB was partnering with FBC Orlando. He also shared how the real problem with @kevezell was he was a "pragmatist."
17/22

The @NAMB_SBC Trustee told @mebert he had spoken to me. So, Ebert emailed back on 3/25/22 and didn't feel any more need to engage.
18/22

I wrote @mebert back on 3/25/22 and said I did have that phone call with a @NAMB_SBC Trustee, but would appreciate a direct answer from him as a NAMB employee.

"Is NAMB partnering with FBC Orlando to plant a church?"
19/22

On 3/25/22, @mebert responded and again wouldn't answer my question.

He said FBC Orlando was an "independent and autonomous" church and "in keeping with that, we reject you back to First Baptist Orlando."
20/22

These exchanges began on 2/14/22 and after 39 days, I never got a direct answer to even one of question.

This is the SBC!

But remember the Trustee told @cuatronelson and me that @NAMB_SBC was partnering with FBC Orlando.

And you wonder why we don't trust these people?

21/22

It was on 3/26/22 that @kevezell and others got involved in trying to take me down over going privately to Willy Rice.

On 3/31/22, we received the blackmail call that if I don't shut up about SBC stuff, @JenniferBuck65's rough draft would be released to the media.

22/22

For clarification, we didn't know that those involved had already sent her rough draft to the media. But they were having a hard time authenticating it. On 3/30/22 is when @kswhitfield received the "anonymous text" asking him to get @KSPrior to authenticate it. Dark stuff, folks!