October 26, 2007
Windermere Baptist Conference Center Response to Inaccurate Pathway Story
The recent issue of The Pathway included a story with inaccurate claims
about Windermere Baptist Conference Center. As with previous inaccurate
stories about Windermere, The Pathway did not contact Windermere for more
information or to verify the facts. Had The Pathway contacted Windermere
before running the story, they could have avoided the errors.
"We are greatly disappointed that a Christian publication would act this way,"
states Dan Bench, President/CEO of Windermere Baptist Conference Center. "One
would expect that they would work harder to get their facts correct and would
have actually talked to us to avoid printing erroneous information. I would
have talked with them, and I will be happy to answer any questions from anyone
at any time."
The first problem with the story occurred with the headline, which declared,
"Bank foreclosing on Windermere." The story is actually about Windermere
Development Company, LLC and not Windermere Baptist Conference Center.
However, most Missouri Baptists probably thought of Windermere Baptist
Conference Center when they read "Windermere." In fact, because of this
headline false rumors have already spread that Windermere Baptist Conference
Center is being foreclosed. As a result, The Pathway should have offered more
clarity in their headline. Windermere Baptist Conference Center is not being
foreclosed and is having its busiest and best year ever.
Windermere Development Company, LLC is a separate entity from Windermere
Baptist Conference Center. However, Windermere Baptist Conference Center
leadership has been informed by the development company that the land in
question will not be sold as reported by The Pathway. If The Pathway had
contacted the development company they would have learned this information.
Windermere Baptist Conference Center looks forward to the work that the
development company will accomplish (for more information, read Windermere
Baptist Conference Center's March 10, 2006 press release).
A second problem with The Pathway's article is that it suggests that the
alleged upcoming sale of Windermere Development Company, LLC means there are
legal or financial problems with Windermere Baptist Conference Center.
However, the development company is a separate entity and The Pathway's
alleged report does not hurt Windermere Baptist Conference Center's legal
standing. Rather than "sinking," Windermere is strong financially and is
ministering to more people than ever before. God is doing mighty works through
the life-changing ministry of Windermere.
Although The Pathway's story mentions past financial difficulties that
Windermere Baptist Conference Center faced, the story fails to report why
these difficulties occurred. As has been thoroughly documented, the MBC has
repeatedly interfered with the work of Windermere Baptist Conference Center.
They have worked to dissuade speakers and groups from attending, interfered
with banking and construction work, and spread false rumors about the
life-changing ministry of Windermere (for more information, read Windermere
Baptist Conference Center's January 5, 2006
press release). The latest story
from The Pathway continues these un-Christlike and unethical efforts.
The final problem with The Pathway's recent story comes in a quotation from
MBC attorney Michael Whitehead. In the story, Whitehead stated, "The good news
seems to be that Mr. Jester is not going to be cutting down more trees …" This
remark refers to previous inaccurate attacks from Whitehead and The Pathway
about some trees that were cut down. Whitehead inaccurately suggests it was
bad that the trees were cut, even though such action was recommended by
Missouri Department of Conservation in order to keep the forest healthy. Thus,
the cutting down of trees actually proves that Windermere leaders have been
good stewards of the land God entrusted with them.
Windermere Baptist Conference Center is disappointed that a Christian
publication would offer such inaccuracies in an un-Christlike attempt to harm
the life-changing ministry efforts of another Christian organization. It is
hoped that The Pathway will offer a correction and apology, as well as stop
its inaccurate and unethical attacks.
