Mark Coffey continues to support Austin Gardner against VBC's decision
This is very alarming as it shows how these previous excerpts below support the conclusion that Pastor Trent Cornwell of Vision Baptist Church continues to protect his brother-in-law Mark Coffey even after VBC should have recognized Austin as a heathen and a publican. Link to Mark Coffey's entire email here:
Please know, Bro. Gardner is like a father to me. I was raised by a single mom with very little contact with my father growing up. I went on a 5 month mission trip to Peru in 1995 and lived with the Gardner family when I was 19 years old. God used that trip to change my life. I also lived with the Gardners for a year in 1997/1998. They are like family to me. I have been working with Brother Gardner for the last 22 years. I probably know him better than anyone outside his wife. I also know the Earnhart’s very well, up until 2004 anyway. Becky and I had joyful conversations about being part of the adopted gang of the Gardners.
Another link to the following excerpt shows how Mark Coffey knowingly tried to keep Austin from being disqualified when he should have:
Hearing Mark Coffey say on group zoom call with the directors within the first week of the investigation that with all the information that previous VBM missionaries have out there that, “If people found out, Jefe [Austin Gardner] would be sunk and disqualified from the ministry.” There was general agreement that we would focus on sexual abuse accusations only and not deal with the other 24 accusations brought by Becky E. (I did not watch the video in its entirety until 2 weeks after its release after being encouraged by Jeff to not watch it or believe her. I did not know about the 24 other accusations in the video. I watched it in its entirety after a deacon from Hawaii asked me what about the accusations about finances and money which I was at that time unaware of.) I heard Mark Coffey state that he would stand with Jefe and let VBM go down because of all Jefe had done for him. He would not be here if not for Jefe helping in his marriage and ministry. (I got the impression that Austin had too much info on all the directors and they owed too much to him.)
Austin Gardner's February Prayer Letter is below:
February Prayer Letter
Dear friends,
Thank you for praying. God blessed the Stewardship/Missions Conference in the church in Tennessee. It was a tremendous time.
I preached six messages between Friday night and Sunday night. David interpreted my messages from Spanish back to English; Saturday night, I translated his message from Spanish to English. It was wonderful working with our son that way.
Pray for me as I preach several times each week in Spanish or English. I have recently been in Spanish more than English and love this ministry.
I had my three-month check-up. The doctors were to run three scans but only ran 1. The one they ran looked good, and they postponed the others until March. I am in good shape now, still cancer free. My strength is returning. Life is good.
It has been wonderful to have David, Katie, and their children with us since just before Christmas. They leave in about a month.
We will be in Colombia in a few days for a friend’s wedding and see all God is doing there. Then in April, we travel to Peru. In May, we will be in South Africa.
I will attend two conferences to learn. I am writing a book on forgiveness, and these conferences should help me learn how to write well.
Thank you for praying for us and all you doWe love you,
Austin and Betty
