From Crossroads Christian Communications Corporate page, September 14, 2009
Dear 100 Huntley Street viewers and supporters of the Crossroads Family of Ministries,
I’m grateful for this opportunity to share with you some details as to why I have not been part of our daily programming over the last few months. First of all, I want to thank so many of you who through cards, letters, emails, and phone calls have shared with Ann and I your love and concern letting us know your praying for us. This has meant so much to us, and we want you to know that your encouragement and prayers have made a significant difference.
A couple of years ago, I was presented with an investment opportunity by someone I considered to be a close friend. He described how he was managing an investment fund that was experiencing very high returns for his investors, and he wanted to extend the opportunity to me, as well as to any of my family and friends. He said that his goal in operating this investment was especially to bless those who are followers of Jesus, who would in turn provide funds for Gods Kingdom Purposes. We decided to invest, and we also relayed the opportunity to some family and friends. In addition, this man said that he would like to further bless us by giving us a small percentage of the profit that he was making through his role as a trader, specifically for any funds invested by our group of family, friends or others, I naively accepted his offer, not realizing one must be properly licensed to receive any sort of investment commission. On May 15th of this year, we were shocked to see an official report that stated the conclusion of an investigation, which alleged that this man, in whom we had placed our trust, was actually running an illegal investment scheme. It became painfully obvious that we used poor judgment in simply trusting this man’s word and encouraging others to invest, without seeking the advice of those who are knowledgeable about the investment world. It’s very difficult to convey to you how greatly grieved I am about my role in this whole situation, as a number of people for who I care deeply were seriously hurt, in my involvement likely gave them a level of confidence that this was, as I thought, a legitimate investment opportunity.
As a result, back in May, our Crossroads Board of Directors decided that I should step down from public ministry until the various issues are sufficiently understood and dealt with. Our Board Members seek Gods wisdom and heart on every matter and only want what’s best to fulfill Gods purposes at Crossroads. I have asked Gods forgiveness and I pray that those who have been hurt because of my participation will find it in their hearts to forgive me as well. I am also taking steps to make full restitution of all of the funds I received, so that there’s absolutely no personal benefit to me resulting from any of this. Further, Ann and I and 2 of our children have lost everything that we had personally invested.
I continue to search my heart and pray, as David did, for God himself to search me and know my heart, my thoughts and my motives. I have spent many hours in prayer about how I could have made such a poor choice in placing blind trust in this individual. God has truly brought me to a place of brokenness and in this place I’m sensing a new depth and refinement in my spirit and a greater discernment of Gods voice regarding life- decisions. Through all of this, I’m comforted in knowing that we serve a God of redemption, who can take a dire situation and redeem it for His ultimate purpose. The promise of Romans 8:28 has taken on a fresh meaning for Ann and I. “All things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.â€
Well my love for God is stronger than ever, and I am still “called according to his purposeâ€â€¦ So I know the “good†is on its way. For over the last few months, I have been seeking His purpose and preparing my heart and mind for however God wants to use me in the future. I concluded long before taking on the role as President that Crossroads is His ministry… certainly not mine… and I welcome His work of refinement in me so that when we look to the future, He receives all the glory.
Your continued prayer and support mean more than words can say. Thank You so much, and God Bless You.
You’ll see strong similarities in the professionally coached wording of his brother Reynold’s statement. In
not naming the person (nor naming the other person in the OSC ruling), in not saying how many investors Ron drew in, and how much he made in finders fees, I wonder if the brothers had the same lawyer and advisers help them write these statements. The ChristianWeek interview with Reynold Mainse give some insight into where he is at and wants to be.
Reynold and Ron Mainse statements do not square with what their father David Mainse said on air this summer about media gossip. They have admitted they were finders in the alleged ponzi scheme. Canadian Christianity has a statement that both brothers took a financial responsibility course for leadership prior to being involved with this alleged affinity fraud.
If Ron Mainse is going to pay back those he drew into the alleged scheme, where is he going to get the money? Why have neither brother been forthcoming about how much they made as finders and how much they lost in investments? ( Added. See points of clarification in the comment section, is the restitution payment of the finders fees and where will that money be going to? – BD)
I think Reynold and Ron’s statements are a start, the board statement in the post above really doesn’t say much of anything. Again.
Have he his wife and his brother and his wife remained on the Crossroads payroll since being yanked off the air? Who is going to administer these returned funds to harmed investors?
Time is running out for Gordon Driver. While the judge in the California civil case against Driver/Axcess Automation/Funds didn’t set a date after denying his motion for release of seized funds for his defense, sources close to the case say he has about 45 days to get a lawyer. There is an active US criminal investigation and as the clock ticks, charges may have to be laid.
And we do not know what is occurring  on this side of the border. Is the OSC still actively investing as Crossroads board and CEO have hinted at? We do not have full knowledge of legal impropriety in Canada, or choices available by the SEC and California criminal investigators.
 Moral judgement remains an elephant in the Crossroad building.
As does communication decisions as a charity to the public. Viewers have every right to ask questions. I don’t have hope they’ll get answers any more than I have hope investors will see justice and any financial recovery. There is no encouragement from Crossroads to investors to speak to regulators, which would not only empower those who trusted, but also Crossroads maintain the accountability they keep saying they are seeking.
Is something coming down? Is this a pro-active statement to lessen possible ramifications, or get the Mainse back into their management positions and back on air?
What do you think?
I’ve put the brothers statements below to show the similarities in writing etc.
Reynold:
My mistake was in trusting someone I believed to be a friend. I believed the words of this person that I have known for years and this apparent deception has led me down a path that has brought pain to many, as well as my family. What appeared to be a wonderful investment opportunity that would help my family and strengthen the Lord’s work is turning out to be quite the opposite. What a shock to read my name in the SEC report and the newspapers in the same paragraph where the word ponzi scheme is written. I suppose being somewhat high profile; the newspaper reporter felt it necessary to name my brother and me as some of the investors and as people that were used by this trader to introduce some people to alleged scam.
[snip]
This investor person said he wanted to help my family as well as strengthen the ministry that God has led Kathy and me into by giving us a percentage out of the profit that he was making for his role as the trader. As I did not have much money to invest in the first place, I thought this offer was a further blessing. However, I came to find out over a year later that one apparently needs a license to get any compensation when it comes to the stock market.
Ron:
A couple of years ago, I was presented with an investment opportunity by someone I considered to be a close friend. He described how he was managing an investment fund that was experiencing very high returns for his investors, and he wanted to extend the opportunity to me, as well as to any of my family and friends. He said that his goal in operating this investment was especially to bless those who are followers of Jesus, who would in turn provide funds for Gods Kingdom Purposes. We decided to invest, and we also relayed the opportunity to some family and friends. In addition, this man said that he would like to further bless us by giving us a small percentage of the profit that he was making through his role as a trader, specifically for any funds invested by our group of family, friends or others, I naively accepted his offer, not realizing one must be properly licensed to receive any sort of investment commission. On May 15th of this year, we were shocked to see an official report that stated the conclusion of an investigation, which alleged that this man, in whom we had placed our trust, was actually running an illegal investment scheme. It became painfully obvious that we used poor judgment in simply trusting this man’s word and encouraging others to invest, without seeking the advice of those who are knowledgeable about the investment world. It’s very difficult to convey to you how greatly grieved I am about my role in this whole situation, as a number of people for who I care deeply were seriously hurt, in my involvement likely gave them a level of confidence that this was, as I thought, a legitimate investment opportunity.
One is left wondering, among other things, whether the investors knew if finders’ fees were being paid out from their investments? If investors did not know finders’ fees were being paid out then would such prior knowledge have materially influenced the investors to think twice?
On the other hand if investors knew finders’ fees were being paid out of their investments then it might be a good idea to include such information in communiqués that seek to bring clarity.
Shouldn’t we expect that more light would be shed on the situation as time goes on, instead of just more carefully orchestrated non-information? These newest statements made me feel manipulated and ill-used – quite frankly they left me feeling ‘icky’ and depressed.
Some observations on Ron Mainse’s letter:
“…this man said that he would like to further bless us by giving us a small percentage of the profit…”
Very coy, I thought. Isn’t that like saying his employer wants to ‘bless’ him by giving him his due wages?
“…my involvement likely gave them a level of confidence that this was…a legitimate investment opportunity…”
His involvement ‘LIKELY’ gave them a level of confidence?? This is completely avoiding acknowledgement or accountability for the conflict of interest here.
“…taking steps to make full restitution of all the funds I received so that there is absolutely no personal benefit to me resulting from any of this…”
Are we being treated to smoke and mirrors here? The use of the term ‘full restitution’ seems calculated to subtly suggest that he means to make restitution for the losses of those he drew into this scam, but in fact he is only going to nobly return his finder’s fees so that HE is not seen to benefit.
“I continue to search my heart and pray, as David did, for God himself to search me and know my heart…”
Likening himself to ‘David’ was unnecessary and particularly manipulative – it seems like a deliberate attempt to remind the viewers of a segment Huntley St. did recently discussing the fact that even though King David sinned badly , the Lord allowed him to continue on as King of Israel.
“God has truly brought me to a place of brokenness…”
Maybe he has, God knows, but if so I don’t get that from this letter, which I also don’t believe he wrote himself, and which saddens and disappoints me, since it reeks of worldly ‘cleverness’ rather than simple, open acknowledgement and heartfelt contrition.
It continues to seem strange and surreal, the way this is being handled – I don’t see why a similar statement couldn’t have been made on air by Ron Mainse in person as soon as the problem surfaced, if the people of Crossroads were simply acting in good faith, instead of calculating every move every step of the way. It doesn’t seem very fair to Jim Cantelon either, who is constantly the one having to deliver all these unpleasant second-hand messages, and running interference for others on national television.
It became painfully obvious that we used poor judgment in simply trusting this man’s word and encouraging others to invest, without seeking the advice of those who are knowledgeable about the investment world. It’s very difficult to convey to you how greatly grieved I am about my role in this whole situation, as a number of people for who I care deeply were seriously hurt, in my involvement likely gave them a level of confidence that this was, as I thought, a legitimate investment opportunity.
and pray that those who have been hurt because of my participation will find it in their hearts to forgive me as well. I am also taking steps to make full restitution of all of the funds I received, so that there’s absolutely no personal benefit to me resulting from any of this
http://crossroadstv.ca/about/who-we-are/corporate-news2
Why doesn’t Ron Mainse just come out and say
I was blind and stupid in this whole situation?
I really don’t care about making restitution from my own pocket to any of the victims who trusted me because it’s my money?
So forgive me and let me go on being the big shot and talking which is what I do best?
And as for Ron or Reynolds innocence, in this whole matter it seems to me that Adam tried, in manner of speaking, to tell God that he had been victimized by Eve and that snake. Strange thing: God would have none of it and imposed penalties (Gen. 3: 17 – 19). Repentance is a requirement.
Excellent points about the finders fees and investors knowledge Tim.
With Driver/Axcess civil case and criminal investigation in the US being made public in Canada, I would think most Axcess investors would know by now.
We expect a licenced financial advisor to be paid for bringing us into an investment, leaders of a charity/ministry are a different scenario.
And another good question. If investors drawn in their their Crossroad association were aware Ron and Reynold received finders fees, would they have invested?
Only investors can answer that. I wish they would.
I think the giving public need to know whether the investors were told finders fees were being paid before any return to charitable office is contemplated for those who received finders fees notwithstanding any other requirements/ undertakings of the requisite investigative authorities involved.
Therese, for the most part, I believe you are correct in your analysis and observations. One additional point that should be made, and really, it is a clarification on the blog host’s commentary at the start. Ron did not actually say that he would pay back the other investors whom he influenced. His statement says that he is taking steps to pay back what he made from his involvement. So his commissioned earnings is what he is taking responsibility for, not others’ losses.
Thanks Peter, I added a sentence to the post to look at what is being said in the comment section, you’re correct, the understanding of restitution was murky on my part.
Again readers have provided insight and it is appreciated.
Thinking Out Loud raises another interesting point in Ron’s use of ‘good friend’, Reynold used ‘friend’ in his statement.
“I think, at this point, the story is sufficiently ‘out there’ that there’s nothing left do at this point than wait for the outcome both involving Ronald and Reynold Mainse, and involving Gordon Driver. However, I want to look a little closer at the statement made by Ron Mainse, “A couple of years ago, I was presented with an investment opportunity by someone I considered to be a close friend.â€
An ‘acquaintance,’ obviously. A ‘neighbor,’ to be sure. A ‘recent friend,’ is allowable. A ‘person we knew years ago who reappeared,’ definitely. But ‘close friend,’ implies a long term connection which would, if entirely true, justify the deception.
Personally, I doubt if Driver had any contact with the Mainse brothers during those thirty-plus years he was in California. The original reports said they ‘discovered’ that each other was living in the same neighborhood, something a true friend would already know.”
http://tiny.cc/abT3u
Therese, thanks, I appreciate your observations.
I suspect since key internal investigations have been completed, statements made, the Mainse families will be back on the show soon.
I liked the suggestion a none involved third party interview key players – that would be helpful, but I don’t see it happening.
My guess is that David Mainse is too old or tired to continue taking responsibility for the daily broadcasts, they are still paying the sons their sallaries, and they want to keep the so called ministry in the family and will bring back the “Ponzi Mainse Brothers” very soon!
The real criminal phase of the Gordon Driver trial has not started and once things become official and more things are revealed, Rom and Reynolds will have to be yanked off the program because nothing is over till the “fat lady sings!” And she hasn’t sung yet!
David Mainse seems to be busy with a college and supposedly has a TV show for seniors, and speaks at places like South Eastern University in Florida. He is officially retired from Crossroads and lives on one of the 1000 islands outside the Kingston area.
The Canadian Bible Society:
He produces a seniors’ program in Florida, (where he and his wife Norma Jean spend their winters), called A Really Good Medicine. He is in the midst of assembling enough Christian books from Canadian and U.S. publishers to create libraries on 100 First Nations reserves across Canada, and he’s planning to visit Canadian political ridings in the months ahead for a series of pastors’ roundtables to discuss how the Church can more effectively act as “salt in society.”
This is one of the boards he is is part of in the US.
http://www.purepassion.us/aboutus.asp
@ Therese, If you picked apart the bible to extent you did in his response to the public, you would never draw a conclusion on what anything means. Anyone can pick apart “snippits” of information and determine what you wish. You must look at the context and everything in the whole, you are indeed too critical.
@ Bene Diction “If Ron Mainse is going to pay back those he drew into the alleged scheme, where is he going to get the money?”
I believe he will pay them back by working? that seems to be logical.
“Viewers have every right to ask questions.”
Viewers have every right to ask questions, yes. Viewers have every right to get answers from those questions, no. Unless you were personally involved in the scheme then you may have a right to some answers, if you are a viewer, such as i, then I believe any information they will reveal (or can be found) is up for grabs. Viewers money was not involved thats a fact, so theres no need for viewers to really know anything, this is there PERSONAL matter, not a public.
Personal issues and problems in life happen to everyone, it doesnt matter who you are, we dont really have a right to know anything, or should everyones lives be an open book? or just ones in power? Why would he want hundreds of thousands of users opinions weighing in on is personal matters?. He stepped down from Crossroads, this phase in his life is done, just as our seasons pass, so the seasons of life pass, let it be so.
Mark
Well David Mainse stature and credibility must have taken a hit with the Mainse Brothers Ponzi scandal?
You can be sure most of the Federal M.P.s know and news media now know about this scandal (Hi Walter Edited. Off topic – BD)
MarK:
Restitution is an appropriate word, needs to be fleshed out.
Ron is President of Broadcasting for a charity. He’ll pay whatever back from charity money, just as he has probably drawn a salary during his time he ‘stepped down.’
I suspect this is the last step Crossroads deemed relevant and the Mainse families will be back on set soon.
Both Mainse brothers personal losses were significant. The losses incurred by those they drew into the alleged ponzi scheme are substantial and the losses many incurred won’t be solved by working.
The Mainse brothers will be fine, have family and the family business to fall back on; they’ll go back to Crossroads and even if donors aren’t given information to make informed decisions, it’ll be business as usual.
Do you know what happened to Reynold Mainse company World Class Communications and the ‘mission’ arm World Class Affiliates?
Just curious.
Mark, if you look again at my first paragraph, you’ll see that I went from the general to looking at particulars. I experienced a not very pleasant reaction to reading the letter and then proceeded to try and pinpoint why. The bible tells us to test all things, a habit I have been trying to develop due to the unfortunate reality of discovering that I had been deceived in the past. I used to be much more easily manipulated and gullible, but I hope am now learning to be more discerning. It’s an unfortunate necessity especially in these days of rampant deception and the falling away of the church at large, to exercise discernment and try to look very closely at what people, especially those in ‘spiritual authority’, are saying. I certainly appreciate that it’s not an exact science, and is a developing skill – I may not always be correct, and others are of course free to disagree.
I don’t agree with your assessment that this is just a private matter – character issues are of utmost importance especially when it concerns those entrusted with the responsibility of preaching God’s word. It’s unfortunate that the church has become so worldly and dependent on mammon that money issues are no longer considered by many to have anything to do with holiness.
The question is if the Mainse Ponzi brothers are not being honest and open with this situation with the general public then why would the general public be open and generous to trust Crossroads anymore?
Ron and Reynold are paid great salaries and benefits by Crossroads…. why do they believe they need to chase more money to help God’s kingdom? and they convince others to do the same. honestly God’s kingdom is about poor and humble.
If you have ever given money or are giving money to Crossroads….. YOU really need to think….. are they the people that need it?
Find the poor among you…. find people who need it….. not a multi-million dollar family run business that uses God’s name.
Go back to the bible and re-examine ….. the life of Jesus comes face to face against their type of philosophy.
Be smart!
The New American National Pastime: Telling and Believing Lies.
Not too long ago the American pastime was baseball and more recently football but it seems to me that the real American pastime today has become telling and believing lies. lying is a national movement contaminating all sectors of our society. Telling and believing lies is the infallible rule for living in national politics, the scientific community, our educational system, national media, business, and even in religion. It seems most everyone either wants to believe lies or they are deceptive themselves. There seems to be a codependency between liars and their receptive enablers in America.
Our government representatives peddle lies one after another. There is no end to their deception. They say they want to stop government spending but continually increase it. They say they will not raise taxes but raise them anyway through the back door. They say they will be open and accountable but then they do everything in secret. They say they will have a moral administration and then appoint the most immoral people in the nation to positions of power. They swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States but continually subvert what it says. The list is endless – Don Koenig, ThePropheticYears.com
JN 18:20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.
Jesus Christ who is the epitome of love and truth didn’t go around telling lies or half truths like many ministries of the flesh are doing incluidng Ron and Reynold Mainse. He came clean and told nothing but the truth! He didn’t twist the truth nor was He arrogant and proud because He not only had the truth but was and is the truth!
True Christians are to reflect Christ including love, honesty, humility and the love and defense of the truth which is something these multi-million dollar family run business that uses God’s name don’t do.
They are so full of themselves and are really deceived that they think they are doing a great work, when the reality is that most people think or know that they are liars and crooks.
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I think that this situation could’ve happened to anyone and If we the church are not a soft place to land when others fall, then who will be? I think God is much more interested in the Prodigal than those who think they are just, but are full of sin (look at the story of the older brother of the Prodigal, his heart was not right before the Father, though he thought he was just fine). When people fall/sin or mess up, they need prayer and understanding and love, not condemnation, no matter what the sin, this is what Jesus taught time and time again!
Here is what Jesus taught?
MT 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
MT 10:17 “But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
LK 12:1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
LK 12:15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
LK 20:46 “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 20:47 “who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
I don’t know that this situation could have happened to anybody, I think there are stages in our lives where we can be vulnerable.
I agree the church should be a soft place to land. I think you mean believers should be there for each other, am I reading you correctly Lani?
Some Christians are, some aren’t. Some faith envirnoments are, some aren’t.
God is interested in the Prodigal, I agree. God is also interested in good stewardship. It’s not an either/or proposition in our lives or in the lives of charity leadership and those tasked with goverance.
When people mess up they do need prayer, understanding, love, no argument there. Leadership also needs sound advice, guidance and people around them helping them make sound decisions for the future of the organization they manage as well as loving correction and support in leaderships personal lives.
It’s a tough balance.
Hello, I have just finished watching tonight’s interview with Jim and Ron Mainse. I had absolutely no idea what was going on and why Ron was not on T. WOW! That took real courage and cool nerve to come out and admit what was going on. I don’t understand the ponzi scheme method. All I know that scheme is not a pretty picture. I was impressed with the expression that the devil will try any means to undermine the work of the Lord. How true. May this be a lesson for all of us, and be aware of the devil’s work. Our Lord is stronger than the devil. He is King.
God bless and give you the wisdom needed.
Helen Tangelder
Hi Helen:
The information to help you understand the Gordon Driver/Axcess Automation/Funds and investors is available here at this blog. If you look at the right side of the blog you’ll see a search of Ron, Reynold 100 Huntley, Gordon Driver, Axess etc., will bring up all the documents, informations and events of this event including why the Mainse brothers were yanked off air.
I hope you’ll find the information you want, ask if you get stuck.
I watched with guarded interest as Ron, and then Ann Mainse where interview by Jim Cantalon and Moria Brown respectively on 100 Huntley Street, and then watched again to make sure I was hearing correctly…to be honest I’m still bewildered.
To be fair, I have not commented one way or another on the subject of the Crossroads Board of Directors’ decision to have Ron step down as president of Crossroads over the ponzi scam fiasco preferring of course to get the goods from the horse’s mouth. At the outset David Mainse (former president and father of Ron) comforted the masses and basically whitewashed the event by stating that there was no need for concern and all would be revealed in due time. Personally, I feel the silence (over four months) has done more harm than good.
Crossroads call the people who support the ministry “partners,†but they seem to have drawn a line as to what can be shared and what cannot. If they were truly concerned about the partners would it not have been better to come clean right at the beginning than to leave in the dark the people who have supported them through the years? What was offered by Ron and Ann was little more than what we already knew except to say they lost a bit of sleep over the incident, and would make full restitution to the 40 or 50 people who were scammed with them…oh, and they were both naïve.
Now I have some questions that will most likely go unanswered in light of the statement Jim Cantalon made after Ron’s interview…simply stated that because he did not use a script or have any predetermined questions that this would somehow put to rest any furthers questions that people may have. Although I have a lot of respect for Jim I hope he is not naive enough to believe that this is over by any means. We don’t need to know where the toilet paper goes when we flush it down the toilet, until the toilet starts to back up…then we better find out where the problem is and fix it. What little has come to light, or perhaps what hasn’t, is exactly what will continue to fuel the fire that this long silence has brought about. I don’t think privacy is an issue here, nor do I think that asking questions is like throwing stones as some have suggested. To whom much is given, much is required, and because those who are in the public eye have chosen to be there (no one forced them) they have forfeited the right to privacy especially when the very ministry they are involved in is supported by the public.
At the end of Jim’s interview with Ron, the marlette at the bottom of the screen blatantly declared Ron’s title as president of Crossroads Christian Communications. It begs the question why the board would reinstall Ron as president when in his carefully crafted speech he declared himself a “novice†when it comes to anything financial. Not that he needs to be a financial expert, but the fact remains that he failed to consult anyone with experience that may have given him some much needed advice before making a critical decision. Although I like Ron as a person he doesn’t exactly exude with confidence…which is ok, but not necessarily the image of someone who would be the president of a large ministry and making assessments that would involve the hard earned cash of their supporters. Personally, I would think twice before investing in a business where the leader keeps things under the table or doesn’t see the need to seek advice about things that seem too good to be true. In my opinion Jim is more astute and would be viewed as a more competent president, and Ron would be more suited as a host.
I also wonder why Ann was allowed to stay on as host of the couch potatoes when she was equally involved in the same scam that dethroned her husband Ron, and also removed Reynold and Kathy from their perspective positions.
Of course part of the problem was the interview itself. How could anyone expect an impartial interview when the host(s) is (are) employed by the people being interviewed. An outsider (perhaps Michael Coren) would have pressed for answers to the tough questions instead of leading everyone along the garden path to a happy ending. And speaking of endings, I was very dismayed after Ron’s interview when he announced that the following week would be yet another two week membership drive and fund raiser…with a huge smile on his face.
Business as usual…indeed!
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Whatever happened or the motives, the Lord already knows.
The business and responsibility of fellow Christians is to first take it privately to God first. Pray that He will help give the wisdom and understanding within His will to make amends.
i trust brother Ron’s story.
We also are equally vulnerable to the same disasters that can happen to us too!
We need to pray for each other too.
More and more each day and age towards the end days the spiritual war will be more intense especially on God’s people.
Hi. I didn’t know about this, but sometimes we do make unwise decisions (my husband & I have), convincing ourselves, perhaps that “Oh, this has to be God!” Anyways, quite frankly all I can say is it was an honest mistake. Unfortunatly one that others were hurt by as well, but God forgave you, so I pray you forgive you as well. Really the issue has been inflated b/c you are in the public eye, & of course the devil loves to condemn us. God bless you & may the truth continue to shine through & silence the naysayers.
Lara:
Is’ silencing the naysayers’ biblical?
Bene Diction:
Silencing the naysayers’ you say.You can’t be serious ? Looks like the naysayers” are having a field day with this one. After all,this is what naysayers’ do best. Perhaps you might take a minute and look in the mirror, oh great one, without spot or blemish. The more you blog, the more you sound like a clanging gong. By the way,Lara got it right.
Hi Mike:
Lara got some things ‘right.’
It is against the law to set up ponzi schemes, defraud, trade without a licence, and bring others into investments without licencing.
14 million dollars.
Betrayal of trust. Loss of property. Shaken faith.
Brokeness.
Seems to me we are talking a couple of levels of forgiveness here: individual, corporate and public.
What do you know about the Axcess scam and Canadian involvement?
The snake lurks, tempting all who follow Jesus. Only Jesus
knows who walks with him. Sins of the flesh, money, material
objects all die when you leave this mortal world. There is only
one judge. Moral decay will continue at a rapid pace, as Jesus
is coming sooner than you think. There is no reward in loving
only those who love you. Reach out and forgive everyone. The
bottom line is,”Do you want to live?” or “Do you want to die?”
Bene D
Get it right will you. Lara in no way endorsed Ponzi schemes and neither do I. I myself have lost money in a similar fashion and can only blame it on myself for not asking more questions. We’ve all been duped at one time or another, except yourself, of course.
As for forgiveness, I believe it has been asked for. Time will tell if it indeed was genuine. What do I know about Axcess you ask. That it’s just another scam like all the rest. It took advantage of both ill informed and informed people alike.Perhaps you might better focus your blog on the weasal at the center of this scam, you know, what’s his name, and not the victims.
Hi Mike:
I’m sorry you’ve been through something similar.
The person at the centre of the scam is Gordon A. Driver and if you type his name into the BDBO search bar on the right hand side, you’ll find what information people have gathered and shared.
We do need to judge and understand what has happened, but there is no need for
name calling as in, “couch potatoes”, “Mainse Ponzi Scheme”, etc. We need to judge
righteously, not with arraogance. We are all vulnerable at some point in our lives and we
need to remember that as we judge and so judge with brokeness. Most of what I have
read above does not reflect that.
We all err–as I have–but we need to still find that acceptance and love in the body of Christ,
when we ask for forgiveness. I’ve found that people feel so ugly when making mistakes,
that they naturally blame someone else, because they cannot believe they, themselves
could be so “stupid”. But it happens. I do trust that the person who began this blog is very
careful at what they do and say.
Its not about feeling ” stupid”. It should be about restitution and proving that the parties involved are truly sorry and state what they did that caused them to feel remorse.
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There are two scripture verses that come to my mind when I read about this issue.
1/ Give to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar and to God what belongs to God.
2/ The love of money is the root of all evil.
The heart of the matter is what is important. The question that I ask is Who is our GOD?
Let us serve the Lord Jesus Christ with our whole heart, our whole mind and all of our strength. We need each other in Christ. Bless you.
Candace: “The question that I ask is Who is our GOD?”
Funny, I ask myself that question all the time.
“Examine facts.”
I agree.
Your worship of the Mainse family is disturbing.
You didn’t read the documents did you? SEC, CFTC and OSC information is public and available to you. I get no sense you sought facts. I say that kindly – the Mainse family have not settled, Reynold has not addressed his involvement with the OSC.
What makes you think this is over?
Have investors received any money back?
While Ron Mainse and David Rutledge acknowledge they were victims/victimizers, and have accepted the conditions of restitution, why in the world would you allow your anger to run away with you and worship them?
It is difficult when our idols have clay feet – what are you left with other than anger and disappointment?
The issue is not whether Crossroads has done something for the kingdom of God, the issue is about what happened with Axcess, and the conditions in an organization and lives which helped make it possible.
It seems intolerable to you that this came to light, and if your idea of defense is to shoot the messengers, how does that honour and glorify Christ?
Demanding justice for investors and transparency for a media organization which has Canadian charitable status is not a sin.
Over 100 investors were harmed – many of those because of he involvement of Ron Mainse, Reynold Mainse and David Rutledge.
I’m sorry Lynn/Linay, facts aren’t going away because you like and admire someone.
You seem unable or unwilling to accept others opinions and experience with Crossroads and spiritualize your emotions. I’m sorry you feel that way.
I’m glad your volunteer experience with Crossroads was positive.
I’m also sorry you were scammed earlier in your life and no doubt it helps you identify with the investors who trusted the Mainse brothers and the cousin. I sincerely hope there were people who stood up and sought justice for you and that that what you learned will be used to help others.
Comment removed at request of author – BD
Lynn/Linay:
It is painful to relate to you as somebody who was monetarily scammed, but uniformly worrying to observe your fascination with man. Neither biblical injunctions nor post ecumenical psychiatry would support your desolate addiction to the Maise family. Even if their financial issues were fictional – it is unhealthy to devote yourself so enthusiastically to a foundation while completely ignoring reality. While metaphorically speaking, 100 Huntley Street may have taken you from Crayons to Perfume, you are hopelessly irrational and need to take a somber reality test.
Gregory Lester said ” … beliefs are designed to operate independent of sensory data. In fact, the whole survival value of beliefs is based on their ability to persist in the face of contradictory evidence.”
If being “devil minded people” arises from opinions based on truth, evidence, facts and rationality; what label could be assigned to an individual who casts dispersions without foundation?
Lynn: Oh! I forgot you are an athiest…. It’s spelled atheist.
“Do not mock God, the price is to heavy for ignorance.” – What exactly will be the price Lynn?
Of the 46 Million Americans who profess the born-again experience, only 10% have read the bible cover to cover. In my 30 some years as a Christian, I read it several times including the scriptures you suggest, and continue to read and study it. As for it being full of great men and women – I can tell you its full of something. Your bible (like it or not) has been shredded by historians and scholars and exposed as a fraud and a hoax. It is filled to the brim with scientific, historical, and archeological errors and contains so many contradictions that is at best a laughable and ridiculously pathetic attempt to con men and women into a religion which uses fear and intimidation as a basis.
Please tell me what portion of this description is NOT true…
Definition of Christianity:
Christianity: The belief that a cosmic Jewish Zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree.
AtheistAtBirth, do you not know what will happen to us non-believers? Here’s a video from someone in the know…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UmotTE-VlY
Just goes to show you how stupid some people really are and that they can be led to believe and defend almost anything.
If you think the above video is an isolated moment of insanity, look at the rest she has posted!
Tim: Someone else has stepped forward to shoulder the blame: Senior pastor Cho Yong-gi of Yoido Full Gospel Church, (world’s largest) recently mused: “the catastrophic Japanese quakes and tsunamis were “God’s warnings. “I fear that this disaster may be warnings from God against the Japanese people’s atheism and materialism,” an online Christian press quoted the elderly religious leader as saying Saturday.
Lynn might also clarify for us if this is the type of “price” she referred to as having to be paid for ignorance, since it appears she is an expert on the matter and is speaking on behalf of God. Are Japanese atheists ignorant and paying the price? and what then of Christchurch? If these are ignorant, who then are the enlightened ones?
You know Atheist, I just searched for Yonggi Cho’s quote and it seems ironic that it’s only being reported on Atheist and humanist blogs… I guess even the majority of Christians realize how utterly stupid these remarks are or perhaps they just haven’t figured out a way to capitalize on them yet!
Here’s the media that originally reported it:
http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110314001022
Comment removed at request of author – BD
Why didn’t prayer work for the Mainse family? Didn’t they have an army of prayer warriors interceding on their behalf?
The Templeton Foundation funded a lavish and comprehensive study on prayer. The conclusion? See for yourself in the link below. I have also provided a link to the foundation (Christian).
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/health/31pray.html?_r=2
http://www.templeton.org/who-we-are/about-the-foundation/mission
Some said recently “It’s pretty much conceded by most modern philosophers that atheism wouldn’t stand a chance if Christianity hadn’t adopted so many silly beliefs, such as the time thing, Free Will, rebelling angels, an otherwise perfect garden with a lying snake in it, and a supposedly all-merciful God who seems to enjoy inflicting the most hideous forms of torture imaginable. In my sleep I could have come up with a more credible religion.”
Tim:
The video you linked to by tamtampamela was a hoax. The disgust, outrage and hate under the video wasn’t – byhuman beings who grasp the enormity of the tragedy facing Japan and the Japanese and who know such a catastropic loss of life is not cause for satire.
She was in talks with a group called LaughAlone TV. You can see that they did not file a copyright claim, although that is what her tamtampamela YouTube account may have said when she first took her account down. It now says the account is closed
http://twitter.com/LaughAloneTV#
@squaccs Still not affiliated. She deleted her account. I guess the hate was too much for her. never got to sign her. it’s an error.
Tue Mar 15 2011 06:04:49 (Eastern Daylight Time) via web in reply to squaccs
@Trig0r it was not our intention we actually contacted her but she closed her account when we sent her an invite. Our name should be out.
Tue Mar 15 2011 05:40:30 (Eastern Daylight Time) via web in reply to Trig0r
Our heart goes out to everyone who lost their lives in JAPAN.
Tue Mar 15 2011 05:34:09 (Eastern Daylight Time) via web
@squaccs thousands. but not by mistake. We’re part of a network. we didnt file a dmca she deleted her account when we were signing her,
Tue Mar 15 2011 05:31:48 (Eastern Daylight Time) via web in reply to squaccs
She acknowledges she has been making troll vids for awhile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=364_VCNSVDA&feature=player_embedded
Post here: http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/03/did-this-woman-just-troll-the-entire-internet/
She kept up the act for a year – however her vids about the Haiti quake and the Japan quake went way past satire or mockery – she manipulated past decency and got slapped down hard.
SHOW ME A MAN WHOM HAS NOT SINNED AND I WILL SHOW YOU JESUS CHRIST.
No argument there Tony. Your point?