PART 1 of "NTCC lies and broken promises (NTCC policy in their own written words)"...

For the work of the Lord.

February 5, 1997

Letter of Dispatch

Letter of Support

Re: G.T. Shunk

508-1 Sang Yon Dong

P.O. Box 19

Tongduchun

Republic Of Korea

To Whom concerned,

This is to certify that Rev. G.T. Shunk is an ordained minister in good standing with the New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc. This is to further certify that Rev. G.T. Shunk has been granted an appointment to Korea that he may serve as a Pastor and spiritual director of U.S. servicemen. His role as a servicemen’s director consists of providing a place of spiritual fellowship and relaxation, etc. for US servicemen. Also, New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc. will be responsible for the financial support of Rev. and Mrs. G.T. Shunk during their stay in Korea to include all expenses that relate to their meals and lodging.

Thanking you for your help and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

//Signed//

J.R. Ashmore (Secretary)

Here’s the link to the original.

COMMENTS: I did not become an ordained minister until 2006 (the Cult says I was ordained by 1997...Lie # 1). We never receive the promised financial support (yes, we asked...Lie # 2).

We had to pay for all the mandatory conferences, and make up all the difference in the church bills. Again…Yes, I did ask for money from HQ (one time), citing this letter as authorization. We were told (by Rev. Olson) if the bills weren’t paid we would be replaced (or in his words...if you can’t pay the bills, your replacement will be bringing the check); that this letter was just a formality to get us into the country (along with our visa, which was tourist). We had only been in Korea 6 months by this time.

Previous to this, Deborah and I were pastoring a self supporting work, did not have to work secular jobs, liked where we were at, had brothers living in the home, and had only been there (Leesville, LA) about 9 months. Before we arrived in Korea this first time, we were told by Pastor Davis the work in Korea was self supporting, we wouldn’t have to work a secular job, and that the Korean church had a sizable congregation; with brothers living in the home.

When we arrived, I was told by Rev. Stevens I had to get a secular job; that this was approved and encouraged by Rev. Olson. When I called Rev. Olson about this, he confirmed.

Rev. Stevens was in a hurry to do changeover/sign the books over to me (the day after we got there). I didn't understand why since they weren't scheduled to leave for weeks. But, after we started changeover, some things didn’t add up. What didn't add up is none of the bills had been paid that month, a few of them hadn't been paid for multiple months, and most all of them were overdue. 

This is why they had many multiple thousands of dollars in the General Fund. I told Rev. Stevens I wouldn't assume the Pastorate until all the bill were paid, heating oil was bought, the maintenance on the Home's car was caught up, and the pantry was full of food (since this was a Servicemen's Home after all). Rev. Stevens excuse for not paying the Church bills was so he could show me how to pay bills after changeover. I told him I already knew how to pay bills, and since I was here now he could show me how to pay the bills before signing the Church over to me. He was not a happy camper.

At changeover about a week later the general fund had about $23 in it, with no escrow fund. So, I assumed the Pastorate with nothing in the General Fund. The work was not self supporting, had a small congregation (less than 10), and no one was living in the Servicemen’s Home. The budget for this work, during this time (1997-2001), averaged about $5,000 per month year round.

I also did not get my pastor salary the entire time we were there; while Rev. Stevens did during his tenure.

How was Rev. Stevens able to take his salary out of the General Fund, while I was not? According to him it was because:

• He had the faithful brothers pay a home offering (on top of their tithe and offerings) even though no one was living in the home. One reason no one was living in the home is because he had all the bunks in the basement; which was cold, moldy, and damp. The only heating down there were smokey kerosene heaters (one of them burned pretty clean though).

• He didn't provide any meals (except for a cold cereal breakfast on Saturday).

• He barely heated and cooled the Home and Church year round.

• He received special budget offerings without HQ permission (NTCC policy is\was the Pastor had to get permission from HQ Graham for this).

• He (Rev. Stevens) kept the church location where it was when he got there, because the rent was so cheap. The Church location was in a basement that had a severe mold and moisture problem, and was located in the bar district in TDC. Deborah, me, and the faithful brothers all developed chronic bad coughs and respiratory problems (Try singing in a mold rich environment). We moved the church to a much better location after we were flooded out a few months after we got there.

How do I know all this? Some of it Rev. Stevens told me (I guess to impress me with his frugality), some I later found out from the congregation, and some of it I knew by just being there (the mold, et cetera).

Once we corrected all the above (and then some), the church bills about doubled to about $5,000 per month. But, more people started coming out, brothers started moving into the home (including a married couple who were both in the military), and the work became self supporting. About our third year there, the Church could have afforded to pay us our salary, but we had gone so long without (and wanted to build up the General Fund for the next guy) that we said forget-about-it. 

Before this time all of our personal pay from our jobs (in Korea) went for our church bills and ministerial requirements (conferences, et cetera). So, we now started saving money for our next move (as we were all taught in NTCC's Bible College). This came about a year later.

Continuing...Rev. Steven’s also told us it would be a good idea (in oh-so-many words...he's a talker) for Deborah to get a job (like his wife had), so we would have the additional money that was needed, and that HQ approved of this. I called Rev. Olson; he confirmed, and told me, "Sometimes certain things were necessary in the work of the Lord." Though things may be necessary, are they of God?

I resisted having Deborah work for as long as I could, but after our request to NTCC for money was denied, and with the approval of Graham HQ, she got the job.

Please note: Rev. Olson assured me Pastor Davis knew and approved of all this. Rev. Stevens assured me Rev. Olson knew and approved of all this. Also, Rev. and Sis. MacDonald encouraged my wife and I in Deborah getting a job with the same company Sis. MacDonald (and Sis. Stevens) worked for each time they have been in Korea.  

Remember, we were told by Pastor Davis the work in Korea was self supporting, we wouldn’t have to work a secular job, and that the Korean church had a sizable congregation; with brothers living in the home. 

Someone is lying, and it's not me....Just ask me and I'll tell ya. 

There are more details to this account, but this will do for now (I added more details above on 12/14/2012).

In His Service,

Gregory