AN OPEN LETTER TO DR. EARL CARTER: A BIBLICAL APPEAL | @the7000clubministry | @PRDirector1

[music] Heat up here. [music] Heat [music] [music] up [music] here. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat [music] up here. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat up here. [music] [music] Heat [music] [music] up here. [music] >> [music] >> August 28th, 2026. Public defense of G. Craig Lewis. A biblical appeal. Dear Dr. Carter, I am writing in response to your relatively recent public appearance at ABC and your response to the serious charges of sexual misconduct, spiritual abuse, manipulation, and misuse of scripture that have been raised against Pastor G. Craig Lewis. My intention is not to prejudge anyone based on an accusation. It is clear from scripture that this is sin. Instead, you publicly condemned accusers and witnesses to the pastor and derisively labeled them as Pharisees. And to my knowledge, you have never interviewed the alleged victims or multiple individuals who claim to know the facts of the matters that have been disputed. That in turn poses serious biblical questions. Scripture teaches that an accusation should not be taken on faith, nor rejected on faith. Deuteronomy 19:15 calls for corroborating witnesses. This protection of biblical due process is especially extended to elders, as is evident from 1 Timothy 5:19. against an elder receive not an accusation but before two or three witnesses. However, it is not justifiable to overlook more than one witness in protecting an elder from baseless allegations. The subsequent verse states, "Then that sin, rebuke before all that others may fear." Verse 20. Moreover, Proverbs 18:13 warns, "The one that answers before he listens is a fool and ashamed." And Proverbs 18:17 makes a fundamental rule of investigation. He who is first in his own cause appears to be just, but his neighbor comes and examines him. Thus, for a pastor to publicly defend a matter without first listening to relevant witnesses is to do just what scripture forbids, to draw conclusions before hearing the relevant facts and witnesses. This is an even greater concern now that Pastor Lewis has given a public response in recent days. He said he acknowledged things I did 30 years ago, 20 years ago, and in 2017 and 2019 supposedly confessed to his wife and children and to his church in 2017 and 2019. But members who say they heard him speak firsthand insist he did not openly admit the actions he had been charged with, but instead begin to blameshift and manipulate the congregation. I am not suggesting nor am I implying that you believe their account just because they said it. I am asking why were they not heard prior to your public defense of G. Craig Lewis. Biblical confession is not a general admission of error that took place at some point in the past. Scripture speaks of confession in terms of coming to terms with the truth about sin. Those who cover their sin will not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13. David said, "My sin is ever before me. I acknowledge my transgressions. Psalm 5:13. Zakius was an example of repentance by paying restitution to those he had wronged. Luke 19:8. Paul also preached repentance and turning to God by doing works worthy of repentance. Acts 26:20. The answer to the biblical question is not merely did Pastor Lewis say he confessed, but what was confessed? Was the misconduct itself specifically identified? Did those G Craig Lewis supposedly sin against seek their forgiveness? Did responsibility take the place for blameshifting, deflecting, and manipulating others? Are there fruits that are genuine and consistent with repentance? Those are biblical questions that are legitimate. There is forgiveness from the family, but the opportunity for forgiveness from others G. Craig sinned against has not been sought. Whether it is significant or not about sins committed to his wife and children, Pastor Lewis states that his wife and children have forgiven him. However, their forgiveness cannot atone for alleged sins committed against other people. If Alice sins against Brenda, Carolyn is not entitled to simply say, "Forgive Alice," on behalf of Brenda, and to call it done. Jesus said, "If thy brother sins against you, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." Luke 17:3. If someone can be identified as the person who has been wronged, then biblical reconciliation should include that individual as well. When you label witnesses Pharisees, it does not render their testimony invalid. Using derogatory labels toward people who are alleged victims and witnesses in public without investigating their statement is sin. Period. If a person is a Pharisee, a disssatisfied former member, a critic, a friend, an enemy, a supporter, or a detractor, whether his or her testimony is true or not, is not based upon that. Scripture commands, "Prove all things. Hold fast that which is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21. God commanded Israel, "You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment." Leviticus 19:15, "Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. And he who justifies the wicked and who condemns the righteous, both are an abomination to the Lord." Proverbs 17:15. The evidence should reveal witnesses lies if they are dishonest. Deuteronomy 19:16-19 presents that principle. An alleged false witness was to be investigated, not insulted. If they are telling the truth, then attacking their character when defending the accused is a double sin. Furthermore, I am curiously concerned of your immediate leadership role regarding Pastor Lewis and ABC. Even though you are not an elder or member of that local assembly, neither have you gone through the biblical process of examination prior to assuming such a role. In the New Testament, qualified elders have oversight over the local congregation that is committed to them. Acts 14:23, Acts 20:17, Acts 28, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3 1-7, Titus 1 5-9, 1 Peter 5 1-3, both Peter, 1 Peter 5 1-2, and Paul, Titus 15, instructed elders to shepherd the flock. flock of God which is among you. Pastors can and should consult with other wellrespected ministers who are not in their own congregation. Wise counsel is commended many times in Proverbs Proverbs 11:14, 15:22, 246, and 27:17. However, outside counseling are mutually exclusive from local church eldership. If there are qualified elders at ABC, which is highly disputed, they have the duty and responsibility to shepherd that congregation, investigate accusations, protect the flock, and adjudicate the qualification or disqualification of Pastor Lewis based on scripture. not an outside minister presented to the congregation as a looming authority. This issue is not just a matter of whether something happened years ago to determine whether a man is qualified for pastoral work. Neither 30 years ago nor 20 years ago is enough to settle the matter either. Christianity is deeply rooted in the concepts of forgiveness, restoration, and the cleansing power of Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 John 1:9. But forgiveness of sin and the qualifications for the pastor are related, but distinct questions that cannot be conflated or confused. An overseer must be blameless, of good behavior, self-controlled, able to govern his household, not self-willed, and one who has a good report of them which are outside. 1 Timothy 3 2-7, Titus 1 6-9. So there are questions that must be considered. Did this happen? Was it continual? Was there genuine confession and repentance? Did deception and concealment of sin continue? Does G. Craig Lewis now meet scriptures requirements for an overseer? Given G. Craig's own open and now public admission he committed these sins 30 to 20 years ago and even currently, G. Craig Lewis is disqualified from being pastor at ABC and should step down immediately and indefinitely. Therefore, I respectfully request you, Dr. Carter, to refrain from prejudging the issue on either side. Do not take accusations at face value, but do not assume the defense of the accused automatically. Investigate here, Pastor Lewis. hear his elders. Listen to his wife, family, but also listen to the statements of alleged victims, witnesses, former leaders, and others with firstirhand knowledge. Review recordings, documents, and contemporaneous communications, and review any supporting documentation that exists. Treat everyone equally without favoritism or bias. Paul gave Timothy instructions regarding elders. Do not show any favoritism in serving. Be impartial. Do not show partiality. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that thou do nothing by partiality. 1 Timothy 5:21. This is the standard I am calling for you to apply to this situation. If the charges are wrong, then argue the case against Pastor Lewis using established truth. If some are true and some are false, disclose which are true and which are false. However, if there is credible evidence that there is serious and persistent conduct that is inconsistent with the qualifications of a pastor and Pastor Lewis does not seem to repent, then no friendship, loyalty, history, outcome of ministry or personal affection can ever take precedence over scripture. He that covers his sins shall not prosper. But whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13. This issue is bigger than G. Craig Lewis, his accusers, ABC, EX ministries, you or me. It is about the glory of God, the honor of Christ, the supernatural work of the spirit, the purity of his church, justice toward those who have been injured, true restoration of sinners through repentance and believability of the saving effect of the gospel in the eyes of the watching world. Ephesians 5:11, 1 Timothy 3:7, Titus 27-8, 1 Peter 21:12. I ask that you please reconsider your public defense of Pastor G. Craig Lewis, and that you will give the witnesses and victims the same opportunity to be heard as you have given Pastor Lewis. Our law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing. Does it? John 7:51. In his [music] service, Pastor Seiko K. Woods. [music]