commingling of MD Evergreen funds into JD’s ministry: should be investigated too

Welcome to De-Commissioned, a place for former members of the Great Commission movement (aka GCM, GCC, GCAC, GCI, the Blitz) to discuss problems they've experienced in the association's practices and theology.

You may read and post, but some features are restricted to registered members. Please consider registering to gain full access! Registration is free and only takes a few moments to complete.

[Badger]

I can explain it, Fireball. It's called desperation to make trouble for the Darling family, and grasping at straws.

Desperation?  a state of despair, typically one that results in rash or extreme behavior?

Mark and Jeromy Darling seem to make trouble for themselves in their past words and actions  They have their livelihood, position, and power in the church to cling to.  Evergreen church has leaders desperately clinging to their power and weeping over their "reputation."

Shinethelight just illuminated the rash and extreme rhetoric Jeromy displayed on this forum earlier this year.  Evergreen Church pastors are changing their sermon series and labeling fair criticism of their leadership as "unfair" and "unjust".  Evergreen supporters and Jeromy Darling have been quick to shame and attack women making allegations of spiritual abuse and sexual abuse and misconduct against Mark Darling.

I don't think a majority of members on this forum are desperate to paint a poor picture of the above leaders, they are painting the picture for themselves.  This forum is not asking anyone to donate and tithe to it, Mark and Jeromy Darling and Evergreen/The Rock are.  They have already shown themselves to have questionable integrity; it is, therefore, not desperate to
explore what other improprieties they may be covering up.

[ShineTheLight]

I can explain it, Fireball. It's called desperation to make trouble for the Darling family, and grasping at straws.

It wasn't me or anyone on this forum who caused 5 women to speak with the ECC investigator and definitely wasn't me who did not file the required paperwork for The Salvage Project with the IRS for 3 consecutive years which caused the tax exempt status of The Salvage Project to be revoked and by not filing, effectively shields all information on amount and purpose of funds raised by The Salvage Project from public scrutiny that the IRS forms would have provided had they been completed...But sure, blame others.

I call for all financial information on The Salvage Project to be disclosed publicly. It is not on the organization's website and because The Salvage Project has not filed it's required form 990 or 990N or 990EZ with the IRS - FOR THREE YEARS - , it is not available there either, as it should be if The Salvage Project wants to hold itself out as a public charity which according to the website, it does, apparently incorrectly given the revocation of its tax exempt status by the IRS.

"The Salvage Project is a Minnesota nonprofit corporation recognized as a tax-exempt private operating foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The charitable organization is qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions under the rules applicable for contributions to public"

[Rypick]

Oh, sorry. My comment was for Fireball.

By the way, how do I get myself on that list of people who aren't worth responding to?

[Huldah]

By the way, how do I get myself on that list of people who aren't worth responding to?

It's dicey. You just never know who's going to make the list and who gets left off, or dropped without ceremony as circumstances change. It doesn't help that there's no universal list. We each make our own. It actually takes a fair amount of effort to get on someone's list. Not everyone gets to be ignored. It's a prize for the rare few who've done the hard work required. Hope this helps. 

[Greentruth]

By the way, how do I get myself on that list of people who aren't worth responding to?

It's dicey. You just never know who's going to make the list and who gets left off, or dropped without ceremony as circumstances change. It doesn't help that there's no universal list. We each make our own. It actually takes a fair amount of effort to get on someone's list. Not everyone gets to be ignored. It's a prize for the rare few who've done the hard work required. Hope this helps. 

Otherwise simply sharing truth that doesn’t follow forum protocol. Walking on eggshells of manipulation and distortion of sensitivie issues that are extremely hurtful has never been my forte. Words and situations are bloviated over here with what I would define as gossip. It is said that the pursuit of truth is the object here, but it is obvious the intention is to tear down. I will side with those who desire to build up over this forum that attempts to tear down any day.

[zeal4god]

While I had no intention of posting on this forum again, I feel like I need to speak up, and speak against, this current discussion thread. It is one thing to stand up for those whom we believe have been abused by MD, it's another thing to go on a hate-filled fishing expedition looking for dirt on members of his family. This is not loving, detracts from the original goal of holding MD and ECC accountable for their actions, and is just plain wrong. Time for everyone to do a heart-check and determine what your real motivation is here. 

[Fireball]

Yes, this warpath against Jeromy needs to stop. Its disgusting, and it shows your intentions were never good.

[OneOfMany]

I did a quick check. If indeed Jerome accepted donations and was not as he claimed in good standing as a 501c3 then there are several serious problems. First anyone who deducted their donation on their taxes is liable to the IRS for the tax they should have paid plus late fees and penalties. Jeremy himself has opened himself up to lawsuits of fraud by everyone he has defrauded. He also can be criminally charged.

[Rebel in a Good Way]

Zeal, knowing that you believe Mark Darling did indeed abuse women, it is worth exploring other possible abuses in his ministry and closely affiliated ministries.  People who think they are above scrutiny and can behave in whatever manner they like with no one challenging them (which would be implied by this pattern of abuse, and Jeromy has said he doesn't have to follow rules and answers to no one except God) sets up the possibility for other abuses as well, including financial.   STL already mentioned 2 instances of what could be misuse of funds (if not illegal, definitely unethical), one of the claims having been made by ECC themselves.   

Looking in to Jeromy's ministry is part of holding them accountable--if the attitude that allowed Mark to abuse women and the other pastors to cover it up has also enabled questionable behavior by others, it should all come out. And no one is attacking Mark's family other than pointing out potential problems for his son---who is in public ministry, calls himself a missionary, is employed by ECC (should ECC employ someone who is fraudulently claiming to be a 501c3 but isn't?) and on this very link a "donation" link was posted. This is not attacking Mark's family, but also holding his son accountable who has put himself in the spotlight and should not then be allowed to hide from said spotlight.  Two of the board members of Jeromy's organization are his father's co-pastors.

When an investigation (in which the final report was revealed in its entirety) confirmed wide-spread spiritual abuse at my previous (non-GCC) church, they recommended a financial audit as well.  At the time, even though I knew there had been spiritual abuse, was "No way!  There's no way that they misused finances.  It's one thing to mess with people, but embezzling is illegal and they wouldn't do that."  I thought the leaders were simply misguided in their spiritual abuse but didn't think they would cross the line to criminal behavior.  For months I thought this.  Then the church hired a firm to perform a financial audit and within the first hour the accountants said "you need a forensic audit" (forensic audits are required when it looked like their is criminal misconduct to uncover).  It was devastating.  Financial abuse is also difficult to recover from.

I'm sure the initial people who suggested looking in to financial mismanagement were told "don't go that far."  Unfortunately they were right and it's good they didn't stop.  If there's nothing to be found, wonderful.  But with no inside look at the budget, no audit, no inside information whatsoever, someone on this forum has already discovered that Jeromy is collecting donations as a 501c3 even though it was revoked 3 months ago.  He may have gotten a spike in donations from those who want to support him and his family.  This does not speak to intentions, only behavior.  And most of us would find this as behavior that should be corrected.   

While I had no intention of posting on this forum again, I feel like I need to speak up, and speak against, this current discussion thread. It is one thing to stand up for those whom we believe have been abused by MD, it's another thing to go on a hate-filled fishing expedition looking for dirt on members of his family. This is not loving, detracts from the original goal of holding MD and ECC accountable for their actions, and is just plain wrong. Time for everyone to do a heart-check and determine what your real motivation is here. 

[Fireball]

This forum IS crazy. Do any of you have lives?

[AllOfGodsWordIsTruth]

Galatians 5:13-6:10
Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Doing Good to All
6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

[Greentruth]

Galatians 5:13-6:10
Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Doing Good to All
6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Amen

[zeal4god]

Zeal, knowing that you believe Mark Darling did indeed abuse women, it is worth exploring other possible abuses in his ministry and closely affiliated ministries.  People who think they are above scrutiny and can behave in whatever manner they like with no one challenging them (which would be implied by this pattern of abuse, and Jeromy has said he doesn't have to follow rules and answers to no one except God) sets up the possibility for other abuses as well, including financial.   STL already mentioned 2 instances of what could be misuse of funds (if not illegal, definitely unethical), one of the claims having been made by ECC themselves.   

Looking in to Jeromy's ministry is part of holding them accountable--if the attitude that allowed Mark to abuse women and the other pastors to cover it up has also enabled questionable behavior by others, it should all come out. And no one is attacking Mark's family other than pointing out potential problems for his son---who is in public ministry, calls himself a missionary, is employed by ECC (should ECC employ someone who is fraudulently claiming to be a 501c3 but isn't?) and on this very link a "donation" link was posted. This is not attacking Mark's family, but also holding his son accountable who has put himself in the spotlight and should not then be allowed to hide from said spotlight.  Two of the board members of Jeromy's organization are his father's co-pastors.

When an investigation (in which the final report was revealed in its entirety) confirmed wide-spread spiritual abuse at my previous (non-GCC) church, they recommended a financial audit as well.  At the time, even though I knew there had been spiritual abuse, was "No way!  There's no way that they misused finances.  It's one thing to mess with people, but embezzling is illegal and they wouldn't do that."  I thought the leaders were simply misguided in their spiritual abuse but didn't think they would cross the line to criminal behavior.  For months I thought this.  Then the church hired a firm to perform a financial audit and within the first hour the accountants said "you need a forensic audit" (forensic audits are required when it looked like their is criminal misconduct to uncover).  It was devastating.  Financial abuse is also difficult to recover from.

I'm sure the initial people who suggested looking in to financial mismanagement were told "don't go that far."  Unfortunately they were right and it's good they didn't stop.  If there's nothing to be found, wonderful.  But with no inside look at the budget, no audit, no inside information whatsoever, someone on this forum has already discovered that Jeromy is collecting donations as a 501c3 even though it was revoked 3 months ago.  He may have gotten a spike in donations from those who want to support him and his family.  This does not speak to intentions, only behavior.  And most of us would find this as behavior that should be corrected.   

Again, this all looks like conjecture and gossip. I'm not saying it shouldn't be investigated, just that the endless speculation be curbed until there's some evidence to support it. And before anyone complains about me having a different standard regarding those who have accused MD of abuse, the testimony of the three people I personally know is sufficient evidence for me to justify calling out MD and ECC.

[OneOfMany]

Zeal, knowing that you believe Mark Darling did indeed abuse women, it is worth exploring other possible abuses in his ministry and closely affiliated ministries.  People who think they are above scrutiny and can behave in whatever manner they like with no one challenging them (which would be implied by this pattern of abuse, and Jeromy has said he doesn't have to follow rules and answers to no one except God) sets up the possibility for other abuses as well, including financial.   STL already mentioned 2 instances of what could be misuse of funds (if not illegal, definitely unethical), one of the claims having been made by ECC themselves.   

Looking in to Jeromy's ministry is part of holding them accountable--if the attitude that allowed Mark to abuse women and the other pastors to cover it up has also enabled questionable behavior by others, it should all come out. And no one is attacking Mark's family other than pointing out potential problems for his son---who is in public ministry, calls himself a missionary, is employed by ECC (should ECC employ someone who is fraudulently claiming to be a 501c3 but isn't?) and on this very link a "donation" link was posted. This is not attacking Mark's family, but also holding his son accountable who has put himself in the spotlight and should not then be allowed to hide from said spotlight.  Two of the board members of Jeromy's organization are his father's co-pastors.

When an investigation (in which the final report was revealed in its entirety) confirmed wide-spread spiritual abuse at my previous (non-GCC) church, they recommended a financial audit as well.  At the time, even though I knew there had been spiritual abuse, was "No way!  There's no way that they misused finances.  It's one thing to mess with people, but embezzling is illegal and they wouldn't do that."  I thought the leaders were simply misguided in their spiritual abuse but didn't think they would cross the line to criminal behavior.  For months I thought this.  Then the church hired a firm to perform a financial audit and within the first hour the accountants said "you need a forensic audit" (forensic audits are required when it looked like their is criminal misconduct to uncover).  It was devastating.  Financial abuse is also difficult to recover from.

I'm sure the initial people who suggested looking in to financial mismanagement were told "don't go that far."  Unfortunately they were right and it's good they didn't stop.  If there's nothing to be found, wonderful.  But with no inside look at the budget, no audit, no inside information whatsoever, someone on this forum has already discovered that Jeromy is collecting donations as a 501c3 even though it was revoked 3 months ago.  He may have gotten a spike in donations from those who want to support him and his family.  This does not speak to intentions, only behavior.  And most of us would find this as behavior that should be corrected.   

Again, this all looks like conjecture and gossip. I'm not saying it shouldn't be investigated, just that the endless speculation be curbed until there's some evidence to support it. And before anyone complains about me having a different standard regarding those who have accused MD of abuse, the testimony of the three people I personally know is sufficient evidence for me to justify calling out MD and ECC.

There is sufficient evidence. JD's website claims to be 501c3. The IRS says it is not. Now everyone who deducted donations to that charity on their taxes is at risk of collections by the IRS. And those that work for the charity are at risk of criminal charges.

[Fireball]

James 3:8
"But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

[OneOfMany]

James 3:8
"But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

I think you confuse us with those who can be silenced by using scripture to manipulate others into not speaking.

[Huldah]

This forum is dedicated to discussing the problems within the GCC movement. Possible financial irregularities fall well within that scope.

If all of this is just baseless speculation and slander, it would be so very, very easy for Jeromy or someone else from The Salvage Project to prove it. And if they can prove it, why pass up this opportunity to show how the forum got it all wrong?

First, someone from the Project could come here and verify that their tax-exempt status has been restored. Also, they have a website. It would be easy to post financial statements and copies of IRS letters reinstating them. And I believe that most of the members here would be open to admitting we were wrong about this instance, if the proof were offered. If all the IRS accusations here are shown to be wrong, then I here and now commit to each of you that I will go back and edit or annotate my posts (edit to add: including the titles of my posts) in this thread to reflect that.

Second, the current webpages on The Salvage Project site carry a 2015 copyright. The natural assumption is that the 501(c)(3) claims have been allowed to stand since late 2017, when tax-exempt status was revoked. That is, there was apparently no attempt to remove the 501(c)(3) information from the site. If there's a good explanation for that, I for one am open to hearing it. (The revocation itself isn't in question; that information is right there on the IRS website.)

Third, on the original accusation of commingling funds between ECC and The Salvage Project, that particular issue isn't necessarily a problem. It's not illegal, as far as I know, for one nonprofit to transfer funds to another nonprofit. For example, I used to be part of an educational nonprofit. At the end of every year, we transferred all unused revenue to an unrelated historical trust. So on that issue, I'll give ECC the benefit of the doubt. On the other issues, it all looks very troubling, so if there's documentation that all is in order, I'd be very interested in seeing it.

[Rebel in a Good Way]

If no one speculates, things stay in the dark.  Evidence of wrong doing doesn't usually jump out and announce itself.  Someone on this thread speculated a suspicion, another person looked in to it, and and a clear violation was discovered.  There are ramifications to this expiration of the 501c3 for both donors and people being paid by the organization regarding tax exemptions.  2 ECC pastors, who are supposed to be providing oversight and accountability to this ministry run by Jeromy, allowed this to happen.  Whether it was through lack of knowledge or on purpose, no one is claiming to know that here.  But if these are the same ECC pastors who are providing oversight and accountability in in their own church and over each other...it is fair to ask questions because lack of oversight and accountability is part of the women's accusations.  We are asking questions on the forum because that obviously has not happened well enough within ECC (appreciate that some are trying now, but historically too much has gone unquestioned or unchallenged).  

People are also specifically responding to comments by Jeromy's friends and supporters (summary: "look at how much good this missionary does through his ministry--none of you do anything close to the good he has dedicated his life to").  So...if his ministry is used to boost his credibility and silence others, it is fair to question if his ministry is credible.  And--well, claiming to be a 501c3 on your website while asking for donations is...wrong, by any accounts.  Illegal maybe.  Unethical for sure.  

As of today, this is on the ministry page:  "The Salvage Project is a Minnesota nonprofit corporation recognized as a tax-exempt private operating foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The charitable organization is qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions under the rules applicable for contributions to public charities pursuant to Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). © 2015 The Salvage Project. All rights reserved."

Zeal, knowing that you believe Mark Darling did indeed abuse women, it is worth exploring other possible abuses in his ministry and closely affiliated ministries.  People who think they are above scrutiny and can behave in whatever manner they like with no one challenging them (which would be implied by this pattern of abuse, and Jeromy has said he doesn't have to follow rules and answers to no one except God) sets up the possibility for other abuses as well, including financial.   STL already mentioned 2 instances of what could be misuse of funds (if not illegal, definitely unethical), one of the claims having been made by ECC themselves.   

Looking in to Jeromy's ministry is part of holding them accountable--if the attitude that allowed Mark to abuse women and the other pastors to cover it up has also enabled questionable behavior by others, it should all come out. And no one is attacking Mark's family other than pointing out potential problems for his son---who is in public ministry, calls himself a missionary, is employed by ECC (should ECC employ someone who is fraudulently claiming to be a 501c3 but isn't?) and on this very link a "donation" link was posted. This is not attacking Mark's family, but also holding his son accountable who has put himself in the spotlight and should not then be allowed to hide from said spotlight.  Two of the board members of Jeromy's organization are his father's co-pastors.

When an investigation (in which the final report was revealed in its entirety) confirmed wide-spread spiritual abuse at my previous (non-GCC) church, they recommended a financial audit as well.  At the time, even though I knew there had been spiritual abuse, was "No way!  There's no way that they misused finances.  It's one thing to mess with people, but embezzling is illegal and they wouldn't do that."  I thought the leaders were simply misguided in their spiritual abuse but didn't think they would cross the line to criminal behavior.  For months I thought this.  Then the church hired a firm to perform a financial audit and within the first hour the accountants said "you need a forensic audit" (forensic audits are required when it looked like their is criminal misconduct to uncover).  It was devastating.  Financial abuse is also difficult to recover from.

I'm sure the initial people who suggested looking in to financial mismanagement were told "don't go that far."  Unfortunately they were right and it's good they didn't stop.  If there's nothing to be found, wonderful.  But with no inside look at the budget, no audit, no inside information whatsoever, someone on this forum has already discovered that Jeromy is collecting donations as a 501c3 even though it was revoked 3 months ago.  He may have gotten a spike in donations from those who want to support him and his family.  This does not speak to intentions, only behavior.  And most of us would find this as behavior that should be corrected.   

Again, this all looks like conjecture and gossip. I'm not saying it shouldn't be investigated, just that the endless speculation be curbed until there's some evidence to support it. And before anyone complains about me having a different standard regarding those who have accused MD of abuse, the testimony of the three people I personally know is sufficient evidence for me to justify calling out MD and ECC.

There is sufficient evidence. JD's website claims to be 501c3. The IRS says it is not. Now everyone who deducted donations to that charity on their taxes is at risk of collections by the IRS. And those that work for the charity are at risk of criminal charges.

[OneOfMany]

Even if JD were to reinstate his tax exempt status, there are still the years during which he collected, did not pay taxes and did not file his paperwork. I have no idea what forensic accounting is entailed but it appears he might owe the IRS taxes!

[Huldah]

Even if JD were to reinstate his tax exempt status, there are still the years during which he collected, did not pay taxes and did not file his paperwork. I have no idea what forensic accounting is entailed but it appears he might owe the IRS taxes!

If the exemption wasn't revoked until November of 2017, then anyone who donated before that time should be okay.

From the National Council of Nonprofits:

Donor relations: Be proactive about communicating with your donors and transparent in explaining that while donations given before the effective date of revocation are still deductible, future gifts are not, until such time as the nonprofit receives recognition from the IRS that is it once again tax-exempt. If your donors need more information on the deductibility of their gifts, refer them to IRS Publication 557.

Edit to add: Given how recent the revocation was, one would think The Project could fix this pretty easily and with minimal expense. It's possible to get tax-exempt status reinstated, so that would be the obvious way to go. Along with a commitment to better IRS compliance. This is not an unfixable problem.