An Open Letter to Pastor John Wilkerson

Dear Pastor Wilkerson,

On December 17, 2023, sexual abuse survivor Kathy Durbin and I sat across from you in your office, expressing our frustrations with how the ministry of First Baptist Church of Hammond has historically handled cases of sexual abuse.

I told you that I wish the same energy directed toward celebrating the church’s positive history would also be put toward addressing and correcting the darker elements of its past.

It was at this point in the meeting that I specifically referenced the fact that your decision to platform attorney David Gibbs and Pastor Jack Trieber at your upcoming Servant’s Conference was a massive slap in the face of survivors of sexual abuse.

I told you directly that David Gibbs supported men with credible allegations of abuse a few times at First Baptist Church of Hammond, IN, alongside then-pastor Jack Hyles. You can easily find videos of these meetings online – notably, one held in support of  Bill Winninger.

I told you directly that Jack Trieber, the pastor of North Valley Baptist Church, said of Cameron Giovanelli after his conviction as a sex offender, “I love that man so much. I’m indebted to that man.”

I also told you directly that it was a poorly kept secret in IFB circles that Trieber helped cover up sexual abuse against minors by his brother-in-law, Mike Strouf.

You said you hadn’t heard of this, using ignorance as a shield.

I’m writing you now so you can no longer claim ignorance of these matters.

In case you weren’t already aware, on October 24, 2022, two former members of Jack Triebers’ church, Christina Cheetham and Kim Craig, filed a lawsuit against North Valley Baptist Church and Mike Strouf, bringing forth credible allegations of childhood sexual abuse and an ensuing cover-up by Jack Trieber.

Allowing someone with such serious allegations against them to speak at a Pastor’s conference broadcasts a highly negative message and would undermine the integrity of any event.

I am once again urging you, as the current leader of First Baptist Church of Hammond, to promptly remove David Gibbs and Pastor Jack Trieber from the Servant's Conference speaker lineup.

As a figure with substantial influence in your religious denomination, hosting these men broadcasts a message to hundreds of pastors that those who cover up sexual abuse get rewarded. It broadcasts a message to abusers that they are safe in your denomination. It broadcasts a message to sexual abuse survivors that their safety and protection are not a priority to church leaders like yourself.

You are not responsible for what First Baptist Church of Hammond did before your time, but you can choose to be a voice of change, compassion, and justice moving forward.

Now is not the time for pithy quotes, doublespeak, and empty statements pre-written by lawyers.

It’s time for real change.

I hope you’ll show that you’re different from the pastors who’ve gone before you.

Sincerely,

Eric Skwarczynski