The Children of Tyranny (Chapter 6):
An Open Letter To Robert A. Grove
(Known as "Elail" on the FACTNet.org discussion board)
To:
Mr. Robert A. Grove,
President and Chairman of
"Robert A. Grove Ministries, Inc."
(A Virginia Corporation)
149 Edgemoor Street
San Leandro, CA 94579-1414
Regarding: An Appeal for Just Consideration in the Fort Worth/Joshua Assembly of "The Church Which is Christ's Body".
Reference: www.FactNet.org, "Discussion Board", Topic "Religious Cults and Sects", Subtopic "Church Which is Christ's Body / Robert A. Grove"
Dear Mr. Grove, presiding "elder" of said Church:
Because you posted your comments on the FACTNet.org discussion board (See "Church which is Christ Body / Robert A. Grove") under the pseudonym "Elail", I shall address you henceforth by this peculiar "handle" with one slight modification. By "Elail", do you mean "Eliel", which means, "My God is God" from 1 Chronicles? As I believe this is the case, I should like to address you by the correct spelling of the name. It seems to me to be more appropriate.
Mr. Eliel, in rereading your post on Wednesday, August 04, 2004 @ 01:52 pm -- I noticed you made the following statement: "I have called you no names, but asked if the charges against you were true or not."
I believe, honestly, that you DON'T know whether the charges are true or not. I DO believe you've entertained charges against me from those who have charged me and who want you to know only their side of the issue. So, you have one side of the story only. Do you think it is fair to me, if I am your brother in Christ, to hear only the side that accuses me and to form your opinion of me thusly? Knowing you, I find it difficult to believe you are that unjust.
If you really don't know, as you say, whether the charges against me are "true or not", would you come to Fort Worth and give me a fair hearing?
Is this asking too much? Would our friend, Jesus Christ, grant such a request as to allow the accused to defend against the accusations? If you were accused, would you want an opportunity to present your defense to the church, or would you be content to submit to the church's discipline based on the testimony of the accusers only?
Mr. Eliel, you seem to be too "just minded" to permit such injustice! You certainly defended your right to post on the message board even when I asked you to reframe from doing so. So, I know you are a man who believes in presenting your side of an issue, especially if you believe you are misunderstood or misrepresented.
Are you fair enough to grant others this same privilege you give yourself? Or, is this the right thing to do for you only? No, I don't wish to believe you to be that way! I wish to believe you are just and fair, that you defend the right for others to present their cause to an unbiased jury for just consideration against their accusers.
Will you come to Fort Worth to give me a fair hearing? That's all I ask. I want a hearing, an opportunity to present my cause to the church. I am willing to let the church make the final judgment as I have confidence in the "church" members. I do not have this same confidence in the present leadership.
Tom Collins and Jeff Grove have accused me before the church. They have not allowed me to present my case to the church for the church's judgment. I am accused and condemned before the church by men who have not allowed me to present my defense to the church. My accusers marked me for avoidance, not the church. The church was compelled to follow the testimony of accusers only. This Eliel, you know is a flagrant violation of God's justice for judging a matter between two disagreeing parties! (Matt. 18:15-17)
According to this particular verse, the unresolved disagreement between me and the Fort Worth/Joshua leadership over the reason for which leadership had the "church" mark me for avoidance remains yet unresolved because the third step in the process of judging the matter remains unfinished -- that of "telling it to the church." Allowing the "church" to hear the case from both the prosecution and the defense BEFORE THE CHURCH RENDERS A FINAL VERDICT!
This would cause you to question the motives of Tom Collins and Jeff Grove or their confidence in the "church's" ability to decide such matters. Just what are Tom Collins and Jeff Grove hiding from the "church"? What are they hiding from you, Mr. Eliel? Why do they appear to lack confidence in the "church's" ability to hear and make sound judgments between two dissenting parties?
There is an additional consideration to this issue, also -- The question of who is really FIRST TO PRESENT HIS CASE" to the church? Obviously, Tom Collins and Jeff Grove are the FIRST and the ONLY ones in this matter to do this. I have yet to present my side to the church. Proverbs 18:17 says, "He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him." That "neighbour" in this case is the "church" and the "church" has been restrained by the prosecution from completing it's "searching" of the matter. The defense has not had its opportunity to "tell it to the church". Yet the defense has been accused, judged, and sentenced by the prosecution! You know this is a flagrant violation of God's order, Mr. Eliel! What are you going to do about it! Nothing?
Will you come to Fort Worth, Texas, to set in order what is disorderly and allow me a vocal defense to the church who are the rightful jurors who should hear and judge this case?
You put Tom Collins and Jeff Grove in power. Can you control them yourself? Do you believe every word they say? Do you believe they could never be self-serving and abusive to the flock of God? Do you believe they could never lie to you? Do you believe they would never alter their story enough so that you hear what they know what pleases you and not the true issues in question? Can you be unbiased in your judgment of your own son? If you believe every thing they say and trust every thing they do, you sure have a lot more faith in humanity than God does!
I know you have preached against "Country Club" mentality in the assembly here. What have you done to prevent the "Country Club" mentality from becoming a reality in this assembly? Closer examination will reveal to you that the "Country Club" mentality does exist and that it was used in a very oppressive and abusive manner on this child of God to prevent him from exercising Ps. 41:1 - "...consider the helpless..." and Matt. 5:6 - "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
I "considered the helpless"! I showed "mercy"! I showed these Godly attributes in the spirit of the office that is rightfully mind - that of a father. In return from the leadership here I received the "the stings of scorpions" and the "scourgings of injustice"! I was "murdered" for exercising the mercies of God in the life of a son begging for these mercies. Tom Collins and Jeff Grove prevented me from fulfilling my God-given office as a father and the "calling" from Christ to show "mercy" to those seeking "mercy".
Mr. Eliel, will you come to Fort Worth, Texas, and give me a fair hearing before the church here in Joshua, Texas? Are you one who "considers the helpless"? Is there within your heart the merciful spirit of our risen Savior? Is your God, indeed, God?
Will you come to Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. Eliel and arrange before the church a fair hearing between the prosecution and the defense into the accusations made against me?
You may reply to this appeal either by phone or by e-mail. My phone number is 817-428-2214. If I am not in, leave a message for a return call. My e-mail address is rehudson1@hotmail.com.
You may also post your response here on Battered Sheep, on the Discussion Board at www.FACTNet.org as referenced above, or in both places, whichever suits you.
Thank you for your kind consideration of this matter. In expectation of a response from you, I remain
A fellow "king and priest" to God,
Richard Hudson
