Jack Schaap's domino effect, and a note of support for survivors

Last night at Jack Schaap’s former church they had a special church service to inform their members about what is going on.  No doubt some are downright heartbroken, and other’s quite shell shocked.  I doubt Jack Schaap stopped long enough to realize the domino effect this would have on people.

Let’s start with one aspect of the fighting that has already started. 
Move on to Prayers for all involved.
Questions and Issues with David Gibb’s Request to Victims
End with some encouragement and resources.

The fighting has already started!

The fighting over the age of the girl has already started.  The age of this young adult should only matter to the justice system, and should not have any bearing to those lifes Jack Schaap’s touched.   I’m sure some will use the excuse of her legal age presently to downplay the fact even at age 18?  You are still messing with a child.  They would still call her a child after all if this had not happened.  Its no different now.

Some news stories thus far have stated that this act of adultery and/or sexual abuse started when she was 16 or 17 years of age.  The FBI has stepped into it due to the fact he may have crossed state lines with her.  Some IBF boards are stating that Jack Schaap’s secretary drove her there.   It seems that doesn’t make a hill of beans difference at this point.  They fired the secretary as well.  We may never really know what happened completely.

Personally, from my viewpoint?  The real sicko’s are the ones that have already started to blame the girl in question.  When you are that young you don’t know much about the world yet, and especially within the faith bubble.  You have not figured out how to handle the contradicting messages of how men are the authorities, and how you can escape with a ‘no’ while keeping face within your faith community.  Its hard for adults after all even in less serious circumstances! 

Most young adults – experienced in the world or not – have a hard time grappling with circumstances such as these.    Its sad that some would rather live in denial of this known fact when they were dealing with this type of sin, and they feel its time to circle the wagons against the world.  It shows the foundation is not very solid.  Adults are to guide young people for a reason, and when they ignore those reasons when it gets too tough?  When its easier to blame the youth?  Its sad that they choose childish ways, and not be the mature adults they say they are.

In a way…  Their maturity level isn’t much different from the child’s is it?  Their age is the only difference when it comes to being able to throw that blame somewhere else so they don’t have to deal with it.  Its called blame shifting.  I think they are just scared, and obviously unfit.

I’m sure Jack Schaap’s wife and family are reeling about now.  This ton of bricks just came down on their world, and I’m sure they felt they were immune from it.  They had Jack preaching against this type of evil, and placed himself in the position of the ‘go to man’ if you have any questions, issues, or struggle with it.  His wife already had plenty of hurt from the past when her own father had his own scandal, and how she has another one up closer and more personal. 

Personal feelings aside for Jack Schaap?  I have prayed for all of them.  I will admit at first it was only his family, and his church family.  God kept nudging me all day yesterday, and I finally just agreed with him!  (giggles) Funny how that happens?!  I finally prayed for everyone as I know God would wish me too.

Huge Concern about David Gibbs Request

I have a huge concern over the meeting last night at their church.  David Gibbs is the lawyer the church asked to come and speak.  He basically is asking if other victims are present he wants them to come to him at this time.  Some have mentioned they are getting phone calls from the church reminding them of this request.  He is the church’s lawyer and not their counselor.  Red Flags started to fly when I read his quotes from the newspapers.

The police are the first ones that need to be notified, and not David Gibbs.  His first loyalty due to his profession would be to his client – the church.  He was brought there to protect the church.  He isn’t there to protect the victims.  That is not his first priority.  I have a link at the end of the post that explains more of why he isn’t a good ‘go to’ person, and its from the viewpoint of a legal eagle not associated with this scandal.

Mr. Gibbs is the same lawyer that stood by Chuck Phelps during the Tina Anderson trial.  He was there to protect the church then as well.  He wasn’t there to protect Ernie Willis or Tina Anderson.  He wanted to be there in case of trouble for Pastor Phelps, or for Trinity Baptist.

No doubt the church has some legal concerns.  That is why he is there.  I would not recommend victims go to him, because he is legally obligated to be representing his client first and foremost.  That is how the profession works.

The Defense Attorney, (Gibbs) will want to conduct his own investigation.  Gibbs, or an individual called a defense investigator.  A defense investigator works for the defense attorney on the behalf of the accused.
My prosecutor friend warned, “The defense, like the police, may electronically record conversations without the victims knowledge or consent. Defense attorney’s or defense investigators, like police investigators, may legally use deception to obtain information. A victim of a sexual offense who wants no contact with a defense investigator may simply notify the defense investigator orally or in writing. If you are a victim of a sexual  offense, after this notification the defense attorney or the defense investigator may not attempt further contact with [the victim]  unless the victim initiates the contact. – Quote from Chuckles Travels

If victims don’t wish to speak to the police?  They need to find other sources of help OUTSIDE their church family to help them with this.  The church family is shell shocked, and may not be the best place to help.  Its not a cut down – it is what it is.  We are all human.


Godly Response To Abuse within The Christian Environment – Or G.R.A.C.E.   GRACE is a private, non-profit organization that provides training, technical assistance and publications to assist the Christian community in responding to the sin of child abuse.  They are also a good source of help for families and victims in need of help – even just an ear to listen.  Organizations like this are distanced enough to be a blessing to others.

When Love Sees You (love = Jesus)

But I remember distinctly being told by Jack Hyles, while being counseled in his office (and he was always a perfect gentleman to me, and I considered him my friend) as a college student, that I was a “second line girl.”
In identifying and categorizing me thus, he was making the point that I, a child of a broken home who had been abandoned by her father and whose mother had been married three times, and who wasn’t on the “cradle roll” at a Baptist church from the day I was born, was not as good as, for example, Linda Hyles or Cindy Hyles or the Lewis sisters or any other of the endless supply of “first line girls” who filled the rank and file of born-and-bred First Baptist kids. – quote from survivor

Some Places of Worship deal with Sexual Sins better than others

The above quote breaks my heart.  When people look at others as such?  It leaves them vulnerable for others to take advantage of them.   It should not be so within the church, and sadly at times it is.  I’m so thankful that our Lord Jesus Christ does not agree with such sentiments.  For the person this could be another domino in their domino effect of their life.  Jesus can help you!

(Lyric from the above video – Jesus speaking….)

Hand me the Pieces

Broken and Bruised

And I’ll show you what Love sees

When love sees you!

In the human realm people that are not on the ‘first line’ or on the ‘cradle roll’?  Others may easily look at them as suspect.  When they bring forth a hurt, an abuse, or any ugly sin?  They can’t see others as the child of God in the way that he would wish.  It’s sad that they have jaded their hearts in that fashion.

I give you the above video as a reminder of God’s love for all of his body.  There is no first line or cradle roll for him.

I know many people may say all sins are the same, don’t cast the first stone, don’t allow anger because it is bitterness….

God does get upset and anger when injustices, maltreatment, etc. do happen.  When I see people using one sentence of scripture when something awful happens?  I honestly don’t think they know how to deal with it.  Afterwards?  They don’t want others too either.  They would rather you just hush.

Anger is going to happen, but you can’t allow yourself to marinate in it.   When people are to broken at times anger is the only thing that allows them to speak up and ask for help.  It is at that point when they have had enough, and they finally reach out.    Anger may come and go, and we can’t forget that anger at times motivates and brings change.

If you go to far?  You will be forgiven if you ask forgiveness from him.   He knows we are human, and he also knows how hard we try.  He will give us that credit when due even when humans will not allow it.  His opinion is the only one that is important, and he will walk with you when no one else will.

God allows his people to fuss and remain faithful. Such is the case when King David furrows his brow and huffs:

God, I wish you would kill the wicked!
Get away from me, you murderers!
They say evil things about you.
Your enemies use your name thoughtlessly.
Lord, I hate those who hate you;
I hate those who rise up against you.
I feel only hate for them;
they are my enemies (Psalm 139:19–22, NCV).

Please if you have been hurt?  God wishes you to find healing.  It doesn’t matter if it is Jack Schaap’s domino effect presently, or something completely unrelated.  He allows us fellowship with others to help, and he will always be our backbone!

My prayers are with your all.

The legacy of Jack Hyles

SNAP – Sexual Abuse Organization  (You don’t have to be Catholic)

National Association Against Child Sexual Abuse

We Love You, those that are Victim(s) of Jack Schaap – Facebook page with other referrals for help or support

WARNING ALL POTENTIAL SCHAAP VICTIMS: David Gibbs Is the Defense Attorney for Jack Schaap - A current sex crimes prosecutor was consulted with the writing of this post

Lake County Sheriff Department
   2293 North Main Street,
   Crown Point, Indiana 46307
   Phone:  (219) 775-3300
   Federal Bureau of Investigation – Chicago
   2111 W. Roosevelt Road
   Chicago, IL 60608
   Phone: (312) 421-6700

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