This letter was faxed (and sent by mail) to the Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention (% Interim MBC Executive Director David Tolliver) on Monday, June 30.
A copy of this correspondence was also faxed (and sent by mail) on June 30, 2008 to the current MBC Executive Board officers:
Gerald Davidson, Missouri Baptist Convention president;
Bruce McCoy, MBC first vice president,
John Marshall, MBC second vice president
and Chadd Pendergraft, MBC recording secretary
% Pastor John Marshall Second Baptist Church
3111 East Battlefield Rd.
Springfield, MO 65894
Fax: (417)-887-2131
A copy of this correspondence was also faxed on June 30, 2008 to the staff of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri:
Pastor Billy Russell,
Former Pastor Ray Leininger
and the Staff, Trustees and Deacon Board
of First Baptist Church of Bolivar
316 North Main Street
Bolivar, MO 65613
Fax: (417)-326-4706
A printed copy of this correspondence -- with a private, accompanying letter -- will also sent by mail to the staff and congregation of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar.
_________________________________________________
Monday, June 30, 2008
From the Desk of Marie O’Hara
Mailing Address
Bolivar, MO 65613
Mailing Address
Bolivar, MO 65613
The Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention
% David Tolliver (Interim MBC Executive Director)
Baptist Building
400 High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Fax: (573)-635-0904
Dear Dr. David Tolliver:
This is to inform you that over the next two weeks you will be receiving – through your Jefferson City office – both a faxed copy and a printed copy of four letters directed to the Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention and the current elected officers of the Missouri Baptist Convention.
These letters will address four issues:
1. The investigation and possible disciplinary action and/or dismissal of Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board members (current and former) for antiscriptural, unethical, immoral and potentially criminal conduct.
2. The investigation and possible disciplinary action and/or dismissal of Southwest Baptist University Trustee Board members, administration, faculty, legal and medical personnel and other employees for antiscriptural, unethical, immoral and possibly criminal conduct – a portion of which has been publicly confessed.
3. The investigation and possible disciplinary action and/or censure against the First Baptist Church of Bolivar for antiscriptural, unethical, immoral and potentially criminal conduct in collaboration with Southwest Baptist University.
4. A brief letter accompanying a copy of my formal complaint to The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools against both Southwest Baptist University and the Missouri Baptist Convention for numerous violations of the Higher Learning Commission's Criteria for Accreditation.
I request that you make a copy (either electronic or printed) of each of these four letters available to each member of the current MBC Executive Board and each of the officers in advance of the July 14-15 meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board.
Over the next two months, I will be attempting to mediate these situations by means of a Restorative Justice process involving the First Baptist Church of Bolivar.
Nonetheless, it is imperative that the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board members and officers shoulder their share of the burden and responsibility in dealing with Southwest Baptist University, an agency for which the Missouri Baptist Convention claims ownership.
Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.
The Lord grant you wisdom, peace and integrity.
Sincerely in Christ,
Marie O’Hara
