Dear Pray’s Mill Members and Concerned;

Therefore;

Again, thank you for your support. Every one of you who have commented and written to me, mean so much to me. Thanks! Well, there are over 2,450 hits in 3 weeks of operating this site with no official  announcements, mailings etc. My website data sheet (WEBSTAT – a software showing who, what, when, & where viewings are coming from ) shows that there have been 1,488 actual separate readings of the letters and that Pray’s Mill  Baptist Church office computer network and Internet IP address is the leading return visitor.  This shows that they are really looking at my letters – several times daily!

I will keep this letter shorter than the others because I have been asked by  “officials” requesting that I not disclose some of the information and data which was to be used in this fourth letter. However, this information and data WILL come out later so stay tuned.

As for the book, I am writing a book called “ Kool-Aid Religions” based on churches that are followers of men vs. Christ.  Later, I will be detailing contents of the book.

Again, I say to you that all statements made by me are true in fact and in nature and nothing I am about to say is speculation or rumor. I will not say anything that is considered hearsay, rumor or untrue and I will be disclosing some things which may shock you as members of a church.  You will not want to, but you must consider and believe that what I am stating in this letter is true. If you do not want to read and hear the truth about these issues or have your spirituality world turned upside down, then DO NOT READ THIS LETTER as it will only hurt your heart as it has hurt mine to have to write about these issues! There were many, many other issues dealt with that did not personally involve me but were known by me and I will not discuss these issues or the individuals. I will only explain issue I have direct knowledge of, and or which I was personally involved. I am doing this to clear my mind and honor God so that I may move forward and put this behind me.

In starting, many of you have asked how I am holding up. I am doing fine and other than my mailbox on my Liberty Rd property being destroyed twice, nothing else has happened.  I have received comments from some readers who compare the way our church staff and deacons have handled my exposing of the serious issues as discussed in my previous 3 letters to the Mafia, and or gang related responses. One comment relayed to me that “ In your letter’s it sounds as if your being treated like the Mafia guy who leaves the inner circle with a wealth of knowledge in an organization, then exposes the Mafia Kingpin or leader to police the corruptness and wrongdoings within their organization.” I could not have said it more perfect. When you have been on the inside for almost 10 years, you hear and see many things which are good and solid and others that are wrong and corrupt.

Next, I would like to address matters concerning the recent deacon election  who were recently elected to carry on the “works” and “services” to the pastor. I would say “works and services” for the church to, but that does not exist at Prays Mill. I will pray for you and your families. However, our deacons do not listen or recognize issues within our church. Otherwise, how would they allow all the wrong doings going on within Pray’s Mill? To those of you who did not make it, do not count on it that you did not make it. Over the years (especially in last years elections) I have personally seen where someone had higher vote totals than others who were chosen in the voting, but were not listed or told to the church they were elected. So what I am saying is voting totals were not properly reported as they actually occurred during our deacon elections.  Yes, I have seen it with my own eyes after last year’s elections! Now whether this deacon opted out or was told he could not or would not serve, I do not know. But he was in the final 10 and I think would have opted out well before any final count or votes would not have been counted at all. Yes, he was young and healthy and is not aware of this as he has not been told of this yet.

Now moving on, some of you have asked me if I thought Chad knew about hiring Jarrod several months after his incident. Absolutely he knew about Jarrod’s surfing Pornography at our church, during church hours, while being paid from the church memberships tithe’s and offerings. Also, it was discussed many times by me personally with Mike Everson. Did Jarrod’s church know when they hired him? Other than Chad and GOD – NO!  It was not until after consulting with several pastors, deacons, others, and prayers about the issue of his viewing of the pornography that it was decided that it needed to be exposed due to the seriousness and possibility that Jarrod was still viewing Pornography. Or even worse, that he might be acting out on some of the thing now seen on the internet on young members or children at his new church.  I, like you, keep hearing of horror stories about prominent members of society abusing our children and young adults. They said I had an obligation legally and spiritually to the church to let it be known he had a history of surfing of PORNSITES. I agreed. I recently found out Chad and Jarrod have kept his pornographic viewings secret from his new church. Recently I called and asked the chairman of the deacons at Chad and Jarrod’s church in Starke, Florida the following:

“ Were you, the Deacons, the Search - Personnel committees, or church membership aware of or have you been informed of the issues with Pornography viewing history in the past by Jarrod Everson as a minister at Pray’s Mill Baptist Church?”   He was stunned and said, “NO!” We discussed the incident for a while and I answered some of his questions.  He then told me he would take care of this immediately. I told him I had cleared my conscience, and it was now his responsibility to do whatever he felt needed to be done at his church.  It was, and still is my opinion that Mike Everson’s actions against me at Pray’s Mill were in response and in retaliation for my “advising” and exposing to the Chairman of the Deacons in Florida his son’s blatant violation of God’s word, breaking of our policies, procedures and by- Laws at our church.   The church staff is now dealing with it and “at this point” have decided to keep it hidden within the staff. I wonder how long the hidden information will last?

Next, I have been told that Mike Everson, staff, officers, deacons, and others are making changes in response to issues brought up within my last three letters. Comments have been made to me about more showing up at functions and visiting more.   Also there have been several “subtle explanations” to issues such as why does he not show up at occasions such as Wed. night suppers?  Etc.  

In closing, I would like to personally apologize to former members who have left over the years for reasons similar to mine and, or worse. I apologize especially to the members and immediate families who were removed from our rolls without merit, homebound members who were sent letters removing them without cause, members who were thrown out without justification, cause, or hearings about their side of the issues, members and families dismissed during conferences, and members and families who just gave up and left. As the bible say’s - One day we all will stand before GOD accountable unto God for our actions. This includes our pastor, staff, deacons and membership – and me!       I am truly sorry I did not stand up for you in the past.  But, I am doing so now to restore your names which were slammed by a select few in the past at Pray’s Mill.

I leave you with one my favorite quotes from, ….?

“Is it any wonder our churches are in the condition and mess they are in today? They are in the condition and mess today because of the mess and condition of our preachers. Straighten out the preachers, straighten out their walk and “the church” will receive the blessings and revival God desires”.

Yes, you guessed it – this was said by Mike Everson himself. This quote is one which I think he now needs to apply to himself, and one he states often from the pulpit.  We have all heard many, many times as he has slammed and attempted to destroy members within his own church membership, other preachers and denominations.

Remember, there is much more but I cannot expose these to you at this point due to “officials” request for me not to.

Pray’s Mill members: 

1. don’t worry and remember this - no one on this staff is going anywhere because no one else will pay them what they are receiving now  for the work they are doing for the size membership of Pray’s Mill.  In other words, they have it made.  

2. Since the deteriorations and confidence of the church has been broken due to the pastor and deacons actions, It is recommended that Pray’s Mill should immediately establish a minimum of 2 committees, Finance – Stewardship and Personnel, so that the church  can be represented  with reasonable and knowledgeable leadership and  perform proper actions while conducted the church’s business..

Now Pray’s Mill members and others do not have to ask me anymore about my reasons for leaving the church after almost 48 years. You now see in my 4 letters just some of the reasons why I have left this Church and seeking to worship and fellowship elsewhere.

I Pray and hope this has helped you and has not hurt you!

Until my next letter or I see you out in public,

God Bless

Doug Pittman

Here is my definition of ministry?

Ministry is the use of a church or person's gifts and talents, time and energy, in the service of and to others involving the exercise of roles designated by the Church to fulfill its mission in different works of service, such as in worship, teaching, leadership, sacrifices, welfare, and stewardship. In simpler terms:

A ministry is a way of serving and caring for others in Christ’s name.