This is getting stranger.
Again, my thanks to readers who are keeping this story up to date.
You may want to watch The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star for upcoming articles on Gordon Driver/Axcess Funds and Crossroads Christian Communications.
Here is a new statement from Crossroads Christian Communications on their corporate site.
They have taken the June 4/5th statement off their main 100 Huntley Street program page regarding the removal of Ron and Reynold Mainse as hosts of the TV show, the original is now posted under this message and as far as I’m concerned, buried.
It appears from the latest statement there is an active Canadian investigation going on. I was talking to someone familiar with how the Ontario Security and Exchange Commission works. There is no way regulators and investigators pick a name from thin air to put on an order.
I’ve mentioned as this story broke that the responsibility of the board of Crossroads Communications was to keep the place running, and given we, the public do not know how this civil case is going to turn out or whether or not there will be a criminal case, board members of the charity have specific responsibilities we all can appreciate.
In this latest message management states Ron and Reynold Mainse entanglement with Gordon Driver/Axcess is personal and does not involve Crossroads funds.
As much as the few bloggers posting have been giving the Mainse brothers the benefit of the doubt, it is going to take more than cryptic board statements to convince 100 Huntley Street viewers and donors.
The civil case is going to take time in the US. A criminal case is not beyond the realm of possibility.
I have to concede I’ve been disappointed in how information been handled by Crossroads Christian Communications.
Who is management communicating with? Donors? What about viewers?
100 Huntley Street communication to the public has been badly handled. Not answering queries. Spelling the name of a long time faithful employee incorrectly, and celebrating his “re-Tirement.”
As mentioned today on a radio show, the reactionary response of Crossroads Christian Communications has not been relational, it’s fear based.
A Message from Crossroads CEO Doug McKenzie and the Board of Directors – June 12, 2009
Greetings friends,Recently there have been some questions about various changes at Crossroads Christian Communications. I am writing this message in the interests of providing as much pertinent information as I can at the present time.
As many of you know, I have been at Crossroads since January 14th, 2008, when I was hired to replace a retiring executive vice-president. At that time, the Board of Directors began the process of transforming its role from that of a hands-on, managing board to that of a governing board that provides oversight rather than management of the ministry. The Board of Directors believes that these changes are healthy and necessary to sustain and build on the wonderful legacy of Crossroads. In conjunction with the transition to a new governance model, the Board of Directors has worked closely with management on a re-alignment of staff and departments.
As part of this structural reorganization, the Board of Directors began to transition the duties of Chief Executive Officer to me in early 2009. That decision flowed from the board plan and was unrelated to questions that have subsequently arisen regarding the business dealings of Ron and Reynold Mainse with respect to funds managed by Gordon Driver. In fact, an important goal behind this change was to enable Ron Mainse to focus solely on the spiritual development aspects of the ministry.
We understand that there are many rumours and much speculation about the Gordon Driver investment situation. However please be assured that this is a personal matter involving Ron and Reynold Mainse outside of their ministry with Crossroads. As has been announced on air and on this web site, the Crossroads Board has asked Ron and Reynold to step down from their duties until such time as the Board has a complete understanding of all the issues. The Board is currently reviewing the serious allegations levelled by Canadian and American regulators at Mr. Driver and the nature of Ron’s and Reynold’s business dealings with him.
The Board is monitoring this situation very carefully. However the regulatory investigations are outside of its domain. Any next steps will be determined as more information becomes available through the official processes of the regulators. It would be improper and irresponsible of us to comment further especially as these matters are subjects of ongoing investigations by official bodies in Canada and the U.S.
We are thankful to God and to our faithful supporters to be able to report that Crossroads is fully viable and debt-free. Thank you for your continued support, especially in difficult economic times when the need for the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is greater than ever.
As Chief Executive Officer of Crossroads, with the full support of the Board of Directors, I can tell you that the singular focus of our Board and our entire leadership team is to maintain the integrity and fruitfulness of the ministry across Canada and around the world.
Yours in Christ,
Doug McKenzie, CEO
Kerry Carmichael, Chair, Board of Directors
Hiding this away in the corporate news section is a great way to say that you have gone public and are being completely open, while concealing as much as possible. This smacks of political positioning. Also, asserting that this is unrelated to their work with Crossroads is undoubtedly a violation of a Code of Ethical Behaviour which most religious organizations insist that their employees and Board members sign (and which inevitably involved unethical behaviour outside of work hours). Again, they are trying to distance themselves from this but, I suspect, will be unable to in the long run. Even the scent of financial impropriety will hurt the Mainse’s reputation and trustworthiness (and probably should). Getting involved in schemes like this shows a lack of wisdom and financial greed that does not coincide with the message that they have preached for so long on air. I suspect the old man took his boys out behind the shed and gace them a good whuppping for getting involved in such a scheme. They really should have known better.
Hi Glenn:
That’s an excellent point about the message I hadn’t considered. Thank you.
The logic of (now two) statements on the corporate pages makes the message public and fulfils minimum requirements.
I hate that reputable ministries and charities will suffer fallout from lack of due diligence from a media operation.
I believe there are sincere and honest people working for Crossroads (individuals) but I’m a lot less convinced the corporate climate is healthy and ethical than I was a week ago.
I see entrenchment reaction and I’m not seeing Crossroad response being in the best interest of viewers and donors. This isn’t 40 years ago.
I’m seeing more than one story occuring.
1) The Driver alleged ponzi sheme charges have been picked up a bit by financial media in the US. The Hamilton Spectator has not been unkind to Crossroads and stuck to facts as known.
They did their job. Blaming the messengers so far won’t weigh up against reality.
2) The hosts of a formerly Canadian major religious flagship show disappear, the public is given a patriarchal react about their personal involvement only, some time after the Driver/Axcess civil case is filed in the US.
3) Investors – the heart of this sorry story and the people we cannot lose sight of through any pr spin or smoke and mirrors coming out of religious media corporate fear.
4) The classic story of an entreprenurial charismatic visionary who builds his ministry and legacy and leaves it to people who aren’t him, nor are meant to be him. The sub-culture surrounding what he leaves behind will hang on because that is all they know.
How many Canadian investors would have been scammed if they hadn’t been around, involved or approached by 100 Huntley/Crossroads personnel?
If a lowly blogger can find out Gordon Driver has a bumpy past, using teh google – what did managers at Crossroads know?
If donors ask Revenue Canada Charities to check breach of regulations, would Revenue Canada find anything now there has been enough time to juggle?
Is the code of conduct for Crossroad employees available?
As you succiently point out events and behavior are not matching the message.
I can’t stop wondering how many people have been hurt.
The Financial Officer for Jim Cantelon’s charity VisionLedd is listed in the latest CRA return as Doug McKenzie, CEO of the Crossroads Board. Has this been declared in the Crossroads Register of Director’s Interests one wonders?
Thanks Tim. Nice catch.
In 2007 – Kerry Carmichael was listed at Crossroads this way:
Vice President – City Buick Pontiac Cadillac
He is currently the chair of the Crossroads Board of Directors
David Rutledge (Director of Ministry Relations) left Crossroads over a year ago and went to work for Gordon Driver/Axcess Funds.
The next question is how many other staff at 100 Huntley are sitting on outside ministries of other staff?
G. Jestley – Crossroads Board Member – is he with the Middlefield Group, Active Energy Income Fund?
Can’t find info on the other board members in a quick search.
VisionLedd Doug McKenzie Director listing RevCan:
Last Name: McKenzie
First Name: Douglas
Initial:
Position in Charity: Finance Committee Chairman
Director/Trustee at year end? Yes
Arm’s Length Indicator: Yes
Good question, has Mr. McKenzie declared in the Crossroads Board statements?
Is Jim Cantelon still President of Crossroads USA?
Has the name Melnichuk come up at all?
Robert Melnichuk is listed as Director of Crossroads@Work – he’s related to the Melnichuks of the Prayer Palace – see:
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/187986
Might it be possible that the Melnichuks invested in this scam too – from their diverse financial interests?
Somewhere in the mix it would perhaps not be surprising to find a Melnichuk/ Mainse family connection.
Bene,
I listened to the talk show on AM 1250 about this as well. One of the many points they discussed was that Crossroads was between “a rock and a hard place” on this.
I find some of this conversation very helpful but some of it is hurtful as well. There are a number of hurt victims out there who do not need more mis-information.
I am not sure what you want 100 Huntley to do? You make a lot of comments about what you do not like, but that just sounds like being coach from the comfort of your couch.
I am guessing that saying a lot while there are on going investigations would not be good legally for Ron Mainse or Reynold Mainse. Are you suggesting you want these two to be legally compromised for the sake of your knowledge?
Tim:
Yes.
I wrote Robert Melnichuck at Crossroads about a discrepency in a title and web page re-directs.
I asked him about the title, re-directs and if he is related to The Prayer Palace Melnichucks.
He got back to me promptly and politely. The name change happened a year ago, the web pages redirected to him because the responsibilities fell under his responsibilities. I haven’t checked the webpage updates today to see if that’s been cleaned up.
David Rutledge is married to a Melnichuck.
She has distanced herself from the behavior in her family, we all have branches of our family we aren’t proud of. We don’t chose who we’re born to.
In thanking David Melnichuk for responding, I inadvertently cut and pasted a question in my email about David Rutledge and the OSEC. About 10 minutes later I realized I’ve made that error, wrote him and apologized. He got back to me right away with “no problem’.
Are Melnichuks involved in this scam?
Have some Melnichuks been scammed?
I don’t know.
Garnett:
Yes, this is a hurtful situation.
“There are a number of hurt victims out there who do not need more mis-information.”
I agree. 100+ investors, I won’t hazard a guess the number of confused and concerned viewers and donors.
Would you help me out?
Point out what mis-information is on this blog in any of the posts, I’ll correct it, openly, and with apology.
“I am not sure what you want 100 Huntley to do? You make a lot of comments about what you do not like, but that just sounds like being coach from the comfort of your couch.”
Point well taken.
I’d like Crossroads Christian Communications to communicate clearly. It’s a media company in the communication business.
I’d like them to continue cleaning up their webpages, and I’d like them to answer their emails. There was no excuse for information over a year old being presented as current.
It took a ponzi scheme to update a website of a working communications ministry.
I’d like to see a resource page for scammed investors.
I would like to know beyond the shadow of a doubt they are being treated with respect.
If I’d been involved in the Driver scheme the last place I’d go is Crossroads. However, this is a group of family for the most part, they have fewer choices than you or I would.
I’d like be assured no donor money is being used for salaries until there is a legal all clear.
I’d like Ron and Reynold Mainse to have the opportunity (with lawyers on set if necessary) to explain why they were taken off the show, how it has affected their family and their working relationship with staff and what steps they are taking around their own losses, whether they have been approached by investigators, and how they and management plan to walk through the coming months.
I want financial documentation available upon request or better yet public, that Driver money did not go back into the charity.
I want to know RevCan, Canadian Council of Christian Charities and Crossroads ethical standards were and are being met.
“I am guessing that saying a lot while there are on going investigations would not be good legally for Ron Mainse or Reynold Mainse. Are you suggesting you want these two to be legally compromised for the sake of your knowledge?”
Again fair point.
Ron and Reynold lost a lot of money. They’ve harmed their reputations, they’ve jeopardized their future, they are hurting.
As for legal compromise, would you take a minute and point out where I’m suggesting that please.
How would you approach this?
What would you say to investors, donors and viewers of 100 Huntley Street and Crossroad Christian Communications?
I can see you are seriously concerned Garnett, good on you. If there is any misinformation in any of these posts, please let me know immediately.
“As much as the few bloggers posting have been giving the Mainse brothers the benefit of the doubt, it is going to take more than cryptic board statements to convince 100 Huntley Street viewers and donors.”
Then WHY ARE THEY HIDING??????? Seems to be the age old response to guilt. Genesis 4:9
Casey:
Write Crossroads and ask them.;^)
Why should viewers and donors freely give trust?
Trust is earned, and broken.
What is Crossroads Christian Communications hiding?
I don’t know, as a media organization they control their message.
The question is how much of this silence is, or remains, legally necessary?
The Crossroads response to crisis has not been relational.
People are seeing reaction instead of pro-active decisions.
Skepticism is a healthy response.
Think of other companies: McDonald’s McCains, Irvings, Menu Foods.
They responded various ways to the stages of crisis and chose different ways to corporately communicate.
Hi Ben,
You have asked a few questions and I have been a slow to answer. I will answer your questions but before I do I want to be sure I understand your ideas for what should be happening.
I am gleaning the following from your postings so please correct the entries I have wrong:
1) You feel that Crossroads should have responded faster
2) You feel that Crossroads should given more information. I am not clear on what this information would be. I am guessing this would have been more details on Ron and Reynolds involvement?
3) You appear to disagree with Ron Mainse and Reynold Mainse being paid by donor money until there is a legal “all clearâ€. Since Crossroad’s only source of income is donor money I translate this to mean that they should not be being paid at all. Does this mean you feel they should be fired or put on unpaid leave?
4) Also, since the legal “all clear†in maters that relate to security fraud typically take years to conclude, then this is really tantamount to saying you want to see Ron Mainse and Reynold Mainse fired. One note on this, Canada has a very bad track record of resolving security fraud in the G20. When I referenced years to resolve I was referring to the SEC. Canada’s track record is far worse.
5) You want an indication that money from Driver did not go back into the charity. I am assuming you want something stronger than a simple management statement. Something like an audit from an accounting firm.
6) You want to know that CRA (formerly Rev Can) , CCCC and Crossroads ethical standards are being met. As above I assume this would take the form of an audited statement and not just a simple management statement.
7) You want to see a resource page for investors of this failed scheme.
Please let me know if I have left any significant point out.
No rush Garnet, as you say this is going to take a long time.
I really liked your question, you helped me focus on what I think and feel. Thanks for that, this is one of the things I like about blogging.
It’s less about should and more about what I would have liked to have seen happen.
1) Yes.
2) No and yes. Ron and Reynold are public faces of a deeper issue which regulators went public with in April/ May.
3) Are Ron and Reynold on salary while on leave?
Yes or no.
Their pictures aren’t offline, if you’ll permit some sarcasm…
“sarcasm on/”: keep themsidelined until a holiday when viewing goes up, promo heavily, then welcome them back with many tears and victimhood and ask for donations “/sarcasm off”
4) Your point is a good one.
I’ve been trying to gather as much information as I can from people who work in finances.
As one person in the financial industry said, the OSC are wimps.
Trading information with regulators on investors between the US and Canada may take a long time.
But I don’t believe Crossroads board is totally in the dark, they must have some idea of who the 100 people are and how they tied into Crossroads.
There will be no justice, and justice will look different for different people. I am not optimistic there will be accountability or steps will be taken to ensure the charity is safe from a repeat.
5) Yes
6) Yes
7) Yes
and yes.
Your turn.
Hi Ben,
So here is the challenge, and that is, we don’t really know what is going on. What I can share is experience I have gained being in a position of leadership for several orgranizations.
1) Crossroads should have responded faster.
This always make me want to say, compared to what. So let’s see — the news from the L.A. court came out on Friday and Ron Mainse was not on the air Monday – that is pretty fast in my books.
Remember that the OSC and the SEC and organizations like them are NOT open and transparent. There is no way that they would phone up employers and tell them that some employees were taken advantage of in the ponzi scheme. In fact, they wouldn’t even phone up the investors and tell them about the ponzi scheme. Everyone (except Gordon Driver) found out on the same sad day.
Note also that the OSC action in April was NOT about a ponzi scheme, it was about unlicensed trading. Again, not something they would contact former employers about. The ponzi scheme didn’t come to public attention until Friday May 15th (the day after the CFTC action). It is a safe bet that Crossroads didn’t find out about the ponzi scheme until it became public in L.A.on Friday May 15th.
Also remember that the leadership at Crossroads must have known how public a statement taking Ron Mainse off the air was. By Monday they had already made their opening move. Then I believe they made a public on air statement on Wednesday. This doesn’t really sound slow to me.
This means that Crossroads immediately took steps that they knew would hold them publically accountable for what was taking place. These are not the actions of an organization that is trying to hide.
I think a lot of people assumed that Crossroads somehow had an inside track on this – I doubt very much that they did.
2) Crossroads should have given more information.
In a more recent posting you indicated yourself that a lawyer is going to tell you to say nothing publically. Don’t forget, this is not a corporate problem, this is a personal problem for Ron Mainse and Reynold Mainse.
There would be a limit to what Crossroads can say regarding a personal matter of an employee.
I expect if you exercise a bit of patience, as things start to fall into place, it will be possible for Crossroads of Ron Mainse or Reynold Mainse to say more.
3) I had assumed that the phrase “stepped down from their duties” implied that they were still being payed. This would be the compassionate thing for Crossroads to do. In Canada (except in blogs) you are still innocent until proven guilty.
4) Length of time for the investigation.
As with point #2, I think we need to have some patience on this to see how this is going to play out. Crossroads is a long standing organization with a great track record. I am sure they know how to weather the storm and do the right thing. It may just not be at the pace you would like to see it.
5) An indication that money did not go into the charity.
Once again I find myself using the word patience. It is unlikely that you (or many) would believe Crossroads if they immediately came out and said something to the effect “no money from our ministry was used in this fund.
This means they need to have an audit done. You don’t just go down to the corner store, order a coke, a bag of chips, and an audit on the side. The point is that not only will it take time to select who will do the audit, it will actually take time to perform the audit.
6) Meeting CRA and CCCC and Crossroads ethical standards.
Same as #5, some patience is likely needed. This would likely be the target of an audit.
7) Resource page for the investors
So how would this work? Why would Crossroads even know who these people are? Do you tell your employer about your personal investments – I expect not.
There seems to be a false assumption running through much of this blog that Crossroads somehow knew in advance and has some inside track on knowledge. I highly doubt they have much (if any) additional knowledge than what has been made public by the courts.
=======
What I think is needed is time for the investors, the OSC, the SEC, Crossroads, and everyone else involved to get things sorted out.
In my opinion Crossroads did the gracious thing by allowing Ron Mainse and Reynold Mainse to step down and work on putting things in order.
There is no conspiracy, there is no secret team of Christian leaders, there is no covert scrubbing of web pages. It is simply a bunch of people who have been badly hurt by a con artist living the U.S.
What these people need most is our prayers.
======
p.s. I couldn’t resist this last question. You said in one of your early blogs on this topic that “As a tax payer they do answer to me”. What country do you live in? I live in Canada, and in Canada there is no such Provincial, Federal, of CRA law pertaining to charties or private corporations.
Well said Garnet.
Yes, well said, and some good advice.
Patience is needed, investors can contact the OSC and think about joining a class action.
“Also remember that the leadership at Crossroads must have known how public a statement taking Ron Mainse off the air was. By Monday they had already made their opening move. Then I believe they made a public on air statement on Wednesday. This doesn’t really sound slow to me.”
Are you sure? I listened to the May 20th show and didn’t hear a statment. I’m not saying you are incorrect, I could have missed it. Who said it and approximately where in the show? I’d like to add it to the timeline if it’s there.
“1) Crossroads should have responded faster”
Crossroads could have, but they didn’t.
“There seems to be a false assumption running through much of this blog that Crossroads somehow knew in advance and has some inside track on knowledge. I highly doubt they have much (if any) additional knowledge than what has been made public by the courts.”
How many employees at Crossroads in Burlington? How many Rutledge’s Mainse and other family and friends talk back and forth?
We don’t know what was known, the timeline of response is a wider than that you point out.
“What I think is needed is time for the investors, the OSC, the SEC, Crossroads, and everyone else involved to get things sorted out.”
Yep. And given other affinity fraud in Canada, it is going to take a long time.
“I expect if you exercise a bit of patience, as things start to fall into place, it will be possible for Crossroads of Ron Mainse or Reynold Mainse to say more.”
Patience will be needed for people harmed, I don’t see Crossroads saying more, I hope you are correct and I’m not.
Why can’t Crossroads put up a page for investors?
Axcess targeted the community around Crossroads, they can provide information and resources.
Empathy. They cover all kinds of topics on the prayer line, why not information on affinity fraud?
‘These people’ need more than prayer. Prayer is good, but it’s not enough.
Financial scheme fraud is on the rise, affinity fraud is in the top five. Religious community are key targets.
http://www.christianweek.org/stories.php?id=331
http://www.canadianchristianity.com/bc/bccn/0807/i01beware.html
BC Securities Commission God Fraud Squad http://tiny.cc/8JibF
Canadian Securities Administrators found 900,000 Canadians have been victims of financial fraud, 2006. Affinity fraud was the third most common fraud in Canada.
As a taxpayer I cannot ask a charity for their financial information?
I can’t monitor them, ask about a regulatory discreprency, file a complaint with Rev Can Charities or for media companies, CRTC?
I didn’t say there is Provincial Federal or CRA rights pertaining to private corporations.
Garnet, you have years of experience, you know a media company manages it’s message. It’s niave to believe Crossroads will release information when lawyers give the green light.
Ron and Ann Mainse were not on the show prior to May 15th.
Do you know where they were?
Do you know when Reynolds was pulled off air?
The May 20th statement you mention needs to be confirmed.
I think you raise a few good points, all that can be done is ask readers to each take a show.
Look for when hosts went off air, whether they came back and find that mention May 20th you believe occurred.
If you want to write a post outlining our experience, your outlining your experience, your disappointment and criticism with blogs, your desire to see patience, facts as you know them, do it.
Email it in to BDBO, I’ll post it.
“Ron and Ann Mainse were not on the show prior to May 15th.
Do you know where they were?
Do you know when Reynolds was pulled off air?”
Obviously, they weren’t at the CTS-co-sponsored Michael W Smith Concert at Copps Colesium in Hamilton over the long weekend (May 17); the audience was forced to hear former Frank Magazine contibutor Michael Coren, attempt to insult Bollywood Actress nad Brampton MP Ruby Dhalia….figured “Ken and Barbie” as Drew Marshall referes to them, would have been better emcees……
I think the time line does matter, and I’m grateful readers are helping put it together. Thanks smitty.
I appreciate investors stepping up, along with readers who understand regulations and law, readers providing history, caution added about getting exercise jumping to conclusions.
It’s all good.
A Michael W. Smith Concert with Michael Coren onstage…
Wow.
That’s embarrassing, cringed just reading that.
Coren’s a pundit, not an entertainment emcee.
My mistake, I made an error in my timeline. It is easy to get confused. Ron Mainse had announced for weeks in advance (maybe longer) that he and his family would be taking a vacation. So they had already been off air for a week or so. I believe their planned return date was Monday June 1st. My guess is that the leadership had already made the decision to have them step down long before he was back from vacation.
A few other comments …
“How many employees at Crossroads in Burlington? How many Rutledge’s Mainse and other family and friends talk back and forth?”
I am an employer and you don’t take corporate action on what you may or may not hear in the hallways of your company about your employees private lives. Crossroads has no special connection to information about the private matters of their employees.
“Axcess targeted the community around Crossroads, they can provide information and resources.”
Actually Axcess targeted many other groups besides the community around Crossroads. There were pools of investors in different citys in Canada that had nothing to do with Crossroads. Most of the information I have is through an associate who was part of an investment group with Gordon Driver. The investment group invested directly with Gordon Driver and had nothing to do with Ron or Reynold Mainse. I know of two other such independant investor groups and I am certain there are several more.
“As a taxpayer I cannot ask a charity for their financial information?”
Actually you cannot. You have no basis for looking at private information. You can of course lodge a complaint about anything – and you don’t even need to pay taxes – this is after all Canada. Your complaint would probably carry more weight if you were a donor and not a tax payer.
“Patience will be needed for people harmed, I don’t see Crossroads saying more, I hope you are correct and I’m not.”
I do not place bets, but if I were a betting person I would put money on the fact that Crossroads will be saying more and that they are and will do the right thing. This organization has acted with integrity for many many years. Just because there is a bump in the road doesn’t mean they will forget how to do the right thing.
Garnet:
I believe you when you say as an employer you would or would not engage in certain practises…you have approached this subject carefully and thoughtfully.
“Crossroads has no special connection to information about the private matters of their employees.”
How do you know that?
We don’t know how many employees are currently employed at Crossroads (my figures are from the last Charities filing).
We don’t know how many Mainse, Melnichuck, Rutledges or in-laws invested. (I may be missing other perceived dynastic families who circle or centre around Crossroads)
Other than Rutledge, Mainse and Mainse, we don’t know who other point people were.
We don’t know if there were other point people in the Crossroads family or families.
We don’t know how many former, part time or full time employees invested.
We don’t know what circle of ministries which tap into Crossroads may or may not have been solicited.
We don’t know how many family/extended family work at Crossroads.
(I’m using the proverbial ‘we’, someone knows, I haven’t heard from anyone who does)
“Actually Axcess targeted many other groups besides the community around Crossroads. There were pools of investors in different citys in Canada that had nothing to do with Crossroads.”
Thank you for that, I’ve heard from at least one early investor, prior to Axcess Crossroad inroads.
Having said that, how many of these pools do you know about?
How many point people?
If you have facts about these investor pools (the 2007 Taylor interview I posted would have been pre-Crossroad early investors) and don’t wish to put the information in the BDBO comment section, email me.
That being said, I still do not have the date David Rutledge left Crossroads to work for Driver/Axcess. There remain gaps in the time line.
“I do not place bets, but if I were a betting person I would put money on the fact that Crossroads will be saying more and that they are and will do the right thing. This organization has acted with integrity for many many years. Just because there is a bump in the road doesn’t mean they will forget how to do the right thing.”
I don’t bet, can’t predict either, nor do I want to.
Having acted with integrity in the past may or may not be a behavioral predictor for the current crisis or the future for any organization or individual leaders and managers.
I have a question for you.
What do you believe is the ‘right thing?
Know from your leadership experience what the right thing could be?
You asked then listened to me define what I thought, I’d like to know what your expectations are.
Thanks for the clarification on the vacation.
As Homer Simpson would say….”"Booorrrrrinnggg”!
Hi,
You asked “How do you know that?”
I know that the OSC, CFTC, and SEC will not be saying anything to Crossroads as an employee or former employee. I know this because of experience with these organizations and because they don’t say anything to anyone except the courts.
Because of how the various employment and privacy acts works in Canada, employers have no knowledge or right to knowledge about what their employees do in their private lives. Crossroads therefore has no right to any knowledge about this. They of course could ask people, but would have no more access than you or I do. To the best of my knowledge the courts have not published a complete list of investors. I think the only person that knows that list if Gordon Driver.
“Having said that, how many of these pools do you know about?
How many point people?”
I know of two for sure and have heard reliable talk about a third. These groups don’t have point people. They appeared to be proper investment corporations that were setup by a group of investors. It was these groups that invested in the Gordon Driver scheme. My understanding is that the bulk of the 14 million came from these private investment pools and not from the people associated with Ron and Reynold Mainse. I say this because I have some idea of how much two of these groups invested.
“Having acted with integrity in the past may or may not be a behavioral predictor for the current crisis or the future for any organization or individual leaders and managers.”
I very much disagree. Companys and organizations have cultures – they have personalities. It is often a healthy culture with allows companys to succeed year after year, even in difficult times. You do not change a companys culture overnight nor does one storm cause a company to change.
Crossroads has stood the test of time and has demonstrated integrity. This corporate culture just isn’t going to change because of one crisis.
“What do you believe is the ‘right thing?”
I will assume you meant the right thing for Crossroads to do. That is a tough question. I believe they need to (a) protect a wonderful long standing ministry, (b) they need to conduct themselves with integrity in an honest way balancing peoples desire to know and privacy of people involved, (c) they need to take measured steps (read patience) in discerning what the next best step is based on the unfolding events.
I fully expect that Crossroads will be providing more information to it’s viewers in time to come that will help protect the ministry by re-assuring their audience.
So what I am really saying is that the book isn’t done being written. There are still a lot of unknowns and I am not just referring to what the OSC and SEC will do, I mean there are just a lot of facts that are not known and will probably not be known until Gordon Driver is in court and required to answer.
It is important to remember that Crossroads did not create this situation and is therefore not responsble to fix it. They are just the easy target.
Alas Ben – people may be getting tired of our postings. Perhaps it is time to move on to a new topic.
Oh C’MON the Mainse’s are Innocent?
A one time investment of $1000 earning 5% per week would be worth $12040.77 in one year! (That is 1204%!) And now some of these “investors” are potentially ruined and losing their homes? The investors are hurt? They hurt themselves!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Some put up their home!!! So, basically 100 investors lost 14.9 Million dollars. An average of $149,000 per investor, The Mainse’s want everyone to feel bad for the “innocent” boys (who were also earning a 5% finders fee!) Do the math! A $149,000 investment has an expected return of $1,794,074.70 per annum!
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?? Nobody, and I mean NOOOBOOOODY earns these kinds of returns! Period.
The Mainse’s DECEIVED Themselves, they rationalized what was right in their hearts to what was right in their back pockets! MONEY, the root of ALL evil.
THIS is NOBODY’S FAULT but their OWN! They were blinded by their own greed! They “reasoned” with themselves why this was a good thing. C’mon Ron was a CEO of a corporation, yet, he is portrayed as if he was an uneducated, young Alter-boy!
And as for the MAINSE’s, what a greedy bunch. Fleecing and guilting people to tithe what little they have “to do God’s work” while they go out and live the high life in exclusive neighbourhoods in million dollar homes!
It’s time this nepotistic ministry crashed to the ground, and the CRTC/FCC needs to start warning viewers for “fleecing” when a “Christian” program is aired! Much like the “L” and “V” used on some programs for violence and language! I have the perfect symbol! A dollar sign falling out an upside down purse of an elderly woman!
Isn’t it funny that Papa Mainse is back on the air? I think he’s afraid that the nepotistic ambilical cord could finally be cut, and he is desparately holding on to the Mainse Financial Empire! If the Mainse’s boys don’t kill CTS, David’s bizarre, and dated behaviour will.
David Mainse sent a newsletter out to his supporters.
Some won’t believe him, some will.
So another ministry, another alleged ponzi scheme.
A person is smart, people are stupid.
The verse is: I Timothy 6: 10
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
http://bible.cc/1_timothy/6-10.htm
The whole chapter is interesting.
My percieved understanding and interpretation of this blog is that we have a group of malcontents, hiding behind aliases, hell bent on discrediting good people and a Christ led reputable organization. What is a ‘Bene Diction’ ? Why can’t you use your real name, it may add credibilty to your rants. You obviously have unresolved issues, get some help. The irony here is that when things slow down at Huntley Street, the prayer partners – available 7/24- are doing the right thing and are probably praying for a double portion of compation for you.
Well RW, the question isn’t “what is”, the question is “Who is RW Murray?”
You are a person created in the image and likeness of God, who is most welcome to understand and interpret any way you wish.
Consider this:
Investors, shamed, frightened are more than welcome to express themselves here, and if they need to do so anonymously, they are welcome to. Former employees, donors, prayer partners, are welcome to say what they need to say without fear.
The use of a pen name has a rich history. This blog has as internet time goes and my reasons for doing so are valid. Your discontent isn’t going to change that.
Malcontent is a splendid word, and has a rich history in theatre, a malcontent is a character commenting on the social structure and characters in the play often with awareness they were in the play…
We all have unresolved issues RW,that knowledge keeps the cross central in my life and hopefully yours.
As for prayer partners, are you talking to the partners who have been let go?
It was a good idea for several years, and now many of those prayer partners are being replaced by something they understand as being hi-tech.
Connecting people to local help was one of the better things Crossroads did.
What do you know about volunteers being laid off?
People who cared, gave, prayed, served?
As for prayer, thank you, remember me in yours.
More baffletalk. My goodness some people are good at saying lots of nothing. Oh wait – that would be me too sometimes!
Seriously though – how not to say anythings in 1000 words or less…
either “!” or “?” may suffice…
“Because of how the various employment and privacy acts works in Canada, employers have no knowledge or right to knowledge about what their employees do in their private lives. Crossroads therefore has no right to any knowledge about this.”
That would be true for an employer, but what about a ministry? Good character and holy living are a requirement for work in a Christian ministry, or should be. But, sadly, I’m afraid Crossroads ceased to be a ministry a long time ago, I would say at whatever point they began trusting in mammon instead of Almighty God. This is the meaning of the “deceitfulness of wealth” – with it we have no need to depend on God, just as it says in the letter to the Laodicean church. What is it that characterizes the last days’ church? Wealth. No need of God.
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i.just.want to say i suport the mainse family and i am praying for them. god bless charles belanger
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