Mark Coffey to a Pastor

From: Mark Coffey Date: August 18, 2021 To: *** Baptist Church Subject: Re: Praying for You

Hello [Pastor],

Thank you very much for reaching out. I was meaning to call you last week and the days just got past me. The allegations that are being made toward my previous pastor are not new allegations. They first came out 18 years ago when Bro. Gardner was still a missionary in Peru while I was working with him there. The allegations of sexual abuse was from around 40 years ago, long before I met Bro. Gardner.

I want to first tell you that Bro. Gardner denies and has always denied any sexual abuse allegations. It would also be helpful to know that Bro. Gardner has not been accused by any other person of any sexual abuse allegation during the last 40 years, even up until today as far as I or his family knows.

I want to also let you know that nothing was swept under the rug 18 years ago. Brother Gardner was embarrassingly transparent with all the details of the allegation to our team of pastors in Peru and our team of missionaries and American pastors in the states. There are dozens of pastors that heard Becky’s accusations in their entirety of her time in the Gardner home as a teenager. The operating board of Macedonia World Baptist Missions met with Jonathan Earnhart while he read Becky Earnhart's full side of the story without Brother Gardner being allowed in the room. At the end, because of inconsistency in stories and details, and because of lack of witnesses, Macedonia stood with Brother Gardner. Brother Gardner’s pastor, Wayne Cofield, who is also my father-in-law, was also in the board meeting with Macedonia and he also stood with Bro. Gardner and still stands with him. The Earnhart’s and the Gardner’s were both missionaries working with Macedonia and the Board of Macedonia had no reason to side with Bro. Gardner over the Earnharts.

Many of our current missionaries with Vision Baptist Missions do not know about the allegations because they came out so long ago. I was with Brother Gardner in 2004 when he received the first phone call from Peru where he first heard that Becky Earnhart had accused him.

Brother Gardner has resigned Vision Baptist Missions for the purpose of not bringing unnecessary harm to the board. We as a board decided to open a 3rd party investigation into the allegations within a few days of the new video being posted. With me being on the operating board of VBM as the Africa Director, I was in favor of that decision.

Brother Gardner has told me personally he has been advised not to make any public statements, but will have an opportunity to share his side of the story during and after the investigation.

I can also tell you from personally being involved in the ministry in Peru, that much of the information in the video concerning things that happened in Peru are not true. There was also a lot of information not shared in the video that would have given everyone a different perspective.

I do stand with Vision Baptist Missions and will continue to stand with them. I have complete confidence in our General Director Jeff Bush, and the entire operating board at VBM. We have no desire to cover up any accusations and will continue this process seeking truth above all else.

If you have any specific questions please do not hesitate to ask. I will answer any question I can as honestly as possible.

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.

I sincerely count it an honor to be able to partner with **** Baptist Church. You all have been such a great blessing. I count many of your members as dear friends. I hope I can calm any fears and doubts you may have concerning our mission board.

Thank you for your time. You and your church family are always in my prayers.

Here to serve,

Mark Coffey