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An Open Letter of Formal Charges
From various ministry in Kentucky; Dated: 10/11/05
...to Bishop Robert Pruitt, General Overseer of The Church of God
October 11, 2005
Robert J. Pruitt
The Church of God
PO Box 450
Charleston, TN 37310
Dear Bishop Pruitt:
We, the undersigned wish to express our admiration and respect for you and your office. We recognize the tremendous weight of responsibility that rests upon your shoulders as General Overseer of The Church of God. We realize that it is difficult to make decisions that affect the lives of so many. You are constantly in our prayers, that the Lord will guide you and give you wisdom and discernment.
For pure theocracy to be in operation, the government of The Church of God must be held by men of the highest spiritual quality and integrity.
This being said, it is with deep regret that we must write this letter. Because we want to act and operate under theocratic government, we have followed the proper process, as determined by the word of God and the General Assembly. It is not our desire to see the reputation and ministry of a fellow minister publicly held up to scrutiny. In an effort to save this brother any embarrassment, several of us met with you personally to voice our concerns in regards to your appointment of Donald Estep as Overseer of the Churches of God in Kentucky.
Because our concerns were disregarded, we must, regretfully, bring formal charges against Brother Estep. These charges are as follows:
1. Conduct unbecoming to a Minister in the Church of God.
We are prepared to present physical evidence to substantiate these charges, and would welcome a meeting with the Counseling Committee, as soon as possible, to present this evidence.
Again, we are continuing in prayer that the Lord will guide you with wisdom in this matter. Our hope [is] that further public action will not be necessary.
Yours for Christ and His Church,
Earl Hazel,
Representative of the following ministers and members
Bishop Earl Hazel, 502-673-8207, Pastor
Bishop Clarence Wilcox, 859-624-192, Pastor
Bishop Randy Farthing, 270-333-2982, Pastor
Deacon Lonnie Johnson, 270-821-8248, Former Pastor
Deacon Chris Newport, 765-473-5974
Deacon Jeff Wilcox, 859-624-5231, Pastor
Evangelist Melissa Wilcox, 859-624-5231, Former Regional Treasurer
Evangelist Doris Randols, 270-765-5358, Pastor and Former Regional WMB & ABM Secretary
Evangelist Eric Phelps, 270-765-6029, Pastor
Evangelist Loy Widener, 606-371-5939, Pastor
Evangelist Jim Ison, 859-745-2980, Former Pastor
Lay Minister Beverly Benningfield, 270-528-5305
Member Randall K. Hazel, 502-331-9697, Former Publisher Harvest Time News Regional Paper
Member Ralph Lewis, 859-336-5141, Faithful Member, Willisburg, KY
Member Sheena Prewitt, 859-336-0310, Faithful Member, Willisburg, KY
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