Jeff Kahl resigns Project 14 ... Northland deal "seriously impeded"
It is with great regret that we must announce that, for personal reasons, Jeff Kahl has resigned his position as Executive Director of Project 14 Global Missions. This is effective immediately. Please pray for Jeff and his family as he seeks the Lord’s will for his life. We want to thank Jeff for tirelessly working to promote world missions and the other endeavors of P14GM.
Because of Jeff’s departure from P14GM, this seriously impedes our ability to assume control and operation of the Northland campus. We are currently reviewing our options, and the Board of P14GM is working with the current Board of Northland to determine the best course of action. Further announcements will be forthcoming as soon as any decisions are made.
Respectfully, P14GM Board
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Is the acronym IDIOT-G intentionally pejorative? As far as I can tell, if the name of the organization is In Defense of the Gospel — it would be IDOT-G, correct? So why on earth would someone intentionally switch it to IDIOT….particularly one who claims to be a Christ-follower? Sounds particularly juvenile.
@mmartin-
Dear Ministry Friends,
After weeks of prayerful consideration, in-depth research, and constituency testimonials, it became clear God would have us continue a ‘walk of faith’ in reviving a fresh, dynamic, impacting Northland campus. Therefore, the board members and executive leadership team of Project 14 Global Missions voted on Saturday, July 25, 2015, to unanimously and cheerfully accept the stewardship responsibilities of the Northland campus, effective immediately.
I have already notified the founding family members of this decision, and they stand in full support of moving Northland forward in the tradition of its original core values and vision. With an aggressive youth and family camping program, along with a relevant and impacting training facility, Northland and P14GM will have an opportunity to impact churches, campers, and the world. Utilizing this beautiful Wisconsin campus, along with our national office in Charlotte, North Carolina, and our two Nicaragua campuses in Central America, the goal of ‘getting more trained laborers into the harvest field’ is an exciting prospect.
Exceedingly generous funds were pledged and given on behalf of ‘Saving Northland.’ The friends of Northland and P14GM made this achievement possible because of their many kind and heart-felt gifts. Out of one’s love for God, love for Northland, and love for ministry, the future of Northland continues. We are still receiving gifts and donations to satisfy a bank note that is due soon, but not due immediately. We ask that friends of Northland will continue to help this worthwhile cause.
We are pursuing the name Northland Baptist Ministry focusing on camps, education, missions, and ministry helps. Northland Camp and Conference Center will change to Northland Camp and Retreat Center. The Project 14 Global Missions board of directors will lead Northland Baptist Ministries in parallel philosophy and commitment to our other ministry and mission focuses around the world. We will merge our global mission efforts at Project 14 Global Mission agency, Global Bible University, OneLife Christian Camps, and BluePrint Church Planting program to Northland campus in strategic ways to be determined soon.
On behalf of our entire P14GM leadership team, we publicly thank the Lord for this opportunity and consider its stewardship a sobering responsibility. Praise God for His faithfulness.
Respectfully,
I counted three uses of the word ‘impact’ in the original press release. While they’re kind of all smushed together within three or four sentences, I don’t really think of it as ‘excessive use’.
If the author of this blog that Jim linked to is who I think it is, then I knew him while we were at NBBC together, and I always had a hard time trying to understand him and where he’s coming from. It’s not personal or anything like that…we just didn’t ‘click’ like I did with some others there.
Personally, I’m not taking anything away from this blogpost other than he’s not very satisfied with the school, the direction, or the P14GM ‘saving’ of NIU; it’s hard to take anything more from that with just the one post, and I’ve got enough going on in my life now that I don’t have the time to read through all his stuff to get a better grasp of his perspective. I’m just going to file what he wrote away and maybe I will get more clarification at some point in the future, if I revisit it.
@DLCreed -
I’ve seen that acrostic used elsewhere (can’t remember where, now), but yes, it’s intentionally perjorative, similar to the Beelzebub / Baalzebub play on words in the Gospels and elsewhere. In my opinion, that would violate Ephesians 5:4 - “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
Your mileage may vary.
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
It strikes me that if Kahl was shown the door because of his use of a word in the project announcement, that would mean that (a) the board did not do its job in putting the announcement together with Mr Kahl and (b) the board told a “bit of an untruth” in announcing his resignation.
Disagree as I do with the theological perspectives of a couple of people on the board (Monte and Cazis), and perplexed as I am at what has gone on there (past and now), I can’t go there without proof. Probably best not to guess at what went on and pray for Mr. Kahl and others around the situation, whatever it was and is.
On the light side, I got a kick out of Jay and Rob’s comments about why MBBU might not want NIU’s old campus. I’m sure they are both bummed at the degree of truth in their comments, too. Hoping and praying that the best use for that campus is not what I am guessing now; fields surrounded by trees.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
If you want to write a blog and write it in code, more power to you. Just don’t expect people to understand you.
Bert Perry, you said “It strikes me that if Kahl was shown the door because of his use of a word in the project announcement… .” Where did the idea that Kahl was shown the door because of the wording of his announcement come from?
I got a kick out of Rob’s comments too.
[mmartin]If you want to write a blog and write it in code, more power to you. Just don’t expect people to understand you.
Bert Perry, you said “It strikes me that if Kahl was shown the door because of his use of a word in the project announcement… .” Where did the idea that Kahl was shown the door because of the wording of his announcement come from?
From the conversation about the “unknowing” blog.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
[mmartin] If you want to write a blog and write it in code, more power to you. Just don’t expect people to understand you.
I think that was more pastiche than code. ;^)
Why would I be bummed? I’m not bummed out because MBU has over the years shown fiscal responsibility.
[Bert Perry]SNIP
On the light side, I got a kick out of Jay and Rob’s comments about why MBBU might not want NIU’s old campus. I’m sure they are both bummed at the degree of truth in their comments, too. SNIP
Hoping to shed more light than heat..
I was thinking you might be bummed that your lighthearted disdain for NIU might have quite a bit of basis in fact.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
showing disdain for NIU. At the moment, taking over the Northland property looks to be a fiscal black hole for any non-profit taking it over. I can’t see any reason for MBU (located in the banana belt by comparison) taking over a property closer to the North Pole. The last is spoken from a native San Franciscan’s POV.
Hoping to shed more light than heat..
Prior to Jeff Kahl’s resignation, the P14GM Board voted to acquire the Northland campus. That decision still stands, and ongoing discussions to determine the best course of action to secure Northland’s future are taking place. Should the board decide not to move forward with the Northland campus, all donations will be refunded as promised. We will continue to update you as definite decisions are made.
If Jeff Kahl is the key:
- Northland could hire him
- Project 14 could transfer all donations to Northland
- Taking Project 14 out of the equation
The Project 14 Board of Directors held a beneficial meeting yesterday at our Charlotte office. In regard to the ongoing Northland project, several important benchmarks were decided upon and set that will determine the schedule for moving forward. As we continue to rely upon the Lord’s leading and provision, we greatly appreciate your continued patience and look forward to providing detailed information as soon as possible.
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