VBM Social Media Defenses
VBM Missionary Defenses on Social Media during the 2021 scandal and investigation of Austin Gardner, founder and former president of VBM
The comments of the vast majority of VBM missionaries prove that this is a systemic battle. I pray for eyes and hearts to be open on all levels of VBM/VBC.
These are all quotes from VBM families on Facebook. Mostly connected to Austin Gardner’s rebuttal video.
This is all BEFORE any investigation took place
Austin Gardner’s Response
- August 29 – Austin Gardner hires a Public Relations (PR) Firm to help him craft a response and polish his reputation
- August 27 – Sept 5 – 30 posts are posted on the VBM page in 12 days to bury the negative statements (vs. 3 posts in the previous 2 months before the accusations)
- September 2 – Austin releases video response wherein he avoids all specific allegations, highlights his “good works,” tries to discredit the accuser by emphasizing her devotion to them (common for victims of abuse), acknowledges nothing, plays the victim, and states his intent to return to ministry and power.