Pastor Aaron Smith of Tomah Baptist Church in WI
Can a pastor like Aaron Smith really be trusted to keep Vision Baptist leadership accountable when he is best friends and bosom buddies with one of the 5 Executive Directors and chosen specifically by VBM leadership precisely because of his loyalty?
Extended list:
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Aaron Smith staunchly opposed the idea that VBM did anything wrong during the initial investigation even though it was obviously compromised and tampered with as can be seen by videos of Vision Baptist leaders admitting so here
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You can see more screenshots below of how he views many of the so-called victims of abuse or witnesses of wrongdoing who try to blow the whistle to warn others or call for accountability:
- He views them as "critics" who "sow discord" and are "cruel" and full of "bitterness"
- He believes that those who try to point out the danger or the wrong in someone else's actions are usually the real ones with "wickedness" and "judgementalness" of their own.
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Aaron Smith is extremely good friends with executive director Mark Coffey, Africa Field Director.
- Mark Coffey is one of the 5 VBM Executive Directors and has been a staunch Austin Gardner supporter. Prior to the investigations starting and in the context of not wanting people to look into the abuse allegations, he is recorded as saying, “If people found out, Jefe [Austin Gardner] would be sunk and disqualified from the ministry.”
- Mark has invited Austin Gardner to visit and preach at his ministry even AFTER Austin was disqualified from public ministry and ran from the church discipline process with Mark's church, Vision Baptist Church.
- Mark was also a part of and aware of the coverups and tampering with the "external independent investigation" of former president and mentor Austin Gardner.
- Mark Coffey also states in his email regarding abuser Austin "Jefe" Gardner:
"Please know, Bro. Gardner is like a father to me. I was raised by a single mom with very little contact with my father growing up. I went on a 5 month mission trip to Peru in 1995 and lived with the Gardner family when I was 19 years old. God used that trip to change my life. I also lived with the Gardners for a year in 1997/1998. They are like family to me. I have been working with Brother Gardner for the last 22 years. I probably know him better than anyone outside his wife. I also know the Earnhart’s very well, up until 2004 anyway. Becky and I had joyful conversations about being part of the adopted gang of the Gardners.
Here are some screenshots of Aaron Smith referenced above:
