FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For More Information Contact:  Jolene Bivens, 727.866.7362    info@IslandChurchTV.com

NAMB Declines to Participate: Inside the Church Tribunal Moving Forward

Local church to hear evidence after federal courts defer to ecclesiastical authority;
arbitration proceeds without NAMB involvement.

St. Petersburg, FL – Island Church of Tierra Verde, Florida, will convene a formal church tribunal on April 29–30, 2026, to hear evidence in the long-running dispute between Dr. Will McRaney, former Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, and the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board (NAMB) and its President, Kevin Ezell.  This follows more than nine years of civil litigation that federal courts declined to resolve on the merits.  In response, McRaney made the request for Christian arbitration.  NAMB declined to arbitrate and take the opportunity to present their case under public examination and cross examination.

            The tribunal follows a series of federal court decisions concluding that the dispute falls outside of civil jurisdiction, meaning it must be addressed by the church rather than through the civil court system. Throughout the litigation, NAMB argued that disputes involving ministry leaders and cooperating Baptist bodies and partners are inherently matters of internal church governance leaving Baptist ministers no civil recourse. The courts ultimately agreed to treat Baptist partners like hierarchical denominations, determining that adjudicating such claims would require impermissible intrusion into religious matters such as the Strategic Partnership Agreements. In response, Island Church has agreed to host a structured proceeding to hear the claims and evidence. Despite NAMB’s arguments that it is a matter for the church, not the courts, NAMB now refuses to participate in Christian arbitration and has declined involvement in the tribunal.

            “This proceeding reflects the reality that civil courts have deferred these matters to the church,” said attorney Whitehead, who with Harvey Barton, will serve as McRaney’s attorney in the tribunal. “Accordingly, the church will hear the evidence in an orderly and structured process consistent with both biblical principles and recognized standards of adjudication.”

The dispute at the center of this tribunal dates back more than nine years, when McRaney initiated civil claims.  McRaney alleges that NAMB and its leadership made false statements regarding his actions and violations of the partnership agreement, made financial threats against the BCMD tied to McRaney’s employment and continued with defamation and interference even after his removal as Executive Director, thereby hindering his ability to secure future ministry opportunities. According to those claims, communications were made to other Baptist leaders suggesting that McRaney had acted improperly, including assertions that called into question his credibility and professional fitness for ministry roles.  McRaney claims that it was actually NAMB that repeatedly and knowingly violated the Strategic Partnership Agreement.

            NAMB, represented by counsel throughout the litigation, maintained that the dispute could not be separated from ecclesiastical considerations and therefore should not be heard in civil court. Legal arguments advanced by NAMB emphasized that the relationships between cooperating Baptist entities, though not hierarchical in structure, nonetheless fall within the broader scope of religious governance when disputes arise between ministry leaders in similar ways to the Catholic, Methodist and similar hierarchical denominations. Their arguments advocated that cooperating, autonomous Baptist organizations were all part of “The Southern Baptist Church.”  Baptists have historically rejected this type of connectional structure.

            As the case progressed through the federal court system, including review at the appellate level, courts in split decisions declined to adjudicate the underlying claims. In the most recent decision, they affirmed that the First Amendment prohibits civil courts from resolving disputes that would require interpretation of religious doctrine, governance, or internal decision-making processes. This application of the ecclesial abstention doctrine effectively redirected the matter away from civil litigation and toward a church-based resolution.

            Following these rulings, McRaney sought to pursue Christian arbitration consistent with both the court’s direction and historic Baptist principles of autonomy. Island Church agreed to host the tribunal and worked to establish a process that would allow for a structured and credible examination of the evidence. NAMB and its leadership were invited to participate in this effort but declined. In written correspondence, NAMB’s General Counsel indicated that prior “biblical efforts” had been exhausted. As a result, NAMB refuses to participate in Christian arbitration, and the tribunal will proceed without its direct involvement.

            The tribunal has been carefully designed to incorporate both theological and procedural considerations. A professional arbitrator will oversee the proceedings to ensure that the presentation of evidence adheres to established standards similar to those used in formal arbitration settings. A court reporter will transcribe the proceedings to create an official record. In addition, a panel composed of members of Island Church will hear the evidence and render findings addressing both the civil allegations and their related biblical implications.

            Attorney Jonathan R. Whitehead of Missouri will represent McRaney and present the case before the panel. McRaney will also be represented by his trial attorney Harvey Barton of Mississippi. The tribunal will include the introduction of documentary evidence, testimony, and materials developed during the course of litigation. Although NAMB will not be present, its legal positions, court filings, and prior public responses will be presented as part of the record, allowing the panel to consider the full scope of arguments advanced throughout the dispute.

            Proceedings are scheduled to take place from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT on both April 29 and April 30. The event will be open to members of Island Church, guests, and credentialed media. To provide broader access, the tribunal will be live streamed through the church’s official YouTube channel, enabling observers across the Southern Baptist Convention and beyond to follow the proceedings in real time. The church’s YouTube channel is at https://www.youtube.com/@IslandChurchTierraVerde33715.

            Beyond the immediate dispute, the tribunal raises significant questions within Baptist life regarding the nature of church autonomy and the mechanisms available for accountability among cooperating ministries and entities. Baptist polity has long affirmed the autonomy of the local church as the final earthly authority in matters of faith and practice. At the same time, the cooperative framework of the Southern Baptist Convention involves partnerships among churches, state conventions, and national entities such as NAMB.

            This case highlights the tension that can arise when disputes occur within that cooperative framework. As the now law of the land, civil courts have declined jurisdiction of cases of defamation and torturous interference based on ecclesiastical considerations.  As such, the responsibility for addressing such disputes necessarily returns to the church. The tribunal at Island Church represents one application of that principle, providing a forum in which claims may be examined within the context of local church authority. Once the evidence is presented and arguments made, a panel of Island Church members will issue a judgement, following approved arbitration standards.

            Observers and first amendment legal experts have noted the broader legal implications of the arguments advanced in the case. The doctrine of ecclesial abstention, while protecting religious liberty, can limit access to civil remedies for Baptist ministers and bodies in certain disputes such as the Preston Gardner vs. SBC case currently before the TN Supreme Court. As a result, questions have emerged regarding how Baptist ministers and ministries can pursue accountability and protections when conflicts arise between voluntary cooperating relationships and partnerships.  Currently, Baptist ministers have unknowingly given up legal rights in the courts just by serving in a Baptist church or Baptist partnership ministry that cooperates with the SBC and any of its twelve entities.

            Within this context, NAMB’s decision not to participate has drawn particular attention. While asserting in court that such disputes should be resolved within the church, NAMB now refuses to participate in Christian arbitration facilitated by a local congregation. Organizers of the tribunal have indicated that the process will nonetheless proceed with the available record, ensuring that prior arguments and documented positions are presented for consideration.

The structure of the tribunal reflects an effort to balance transparency, fairness, and theological fidelity. By incorporating legal oversight, formal evidentiary procedures, and a recorded transcript, the process seeks to provide a setting in which claims can be evaluated carefully and responsibly in full view of Baptist people and beyond. At the same time, the involvement of a local church panel reflects the conviction that such matters ultimately fall within the authority of the gathered body of believers not denominational entities.

            For many observers, the tribunal represents a rare and highly visible test of how longstanding Baptist principles may be applied to complex disputes involving multiple ministries and leaders. The outcome, while limited to the authority of the host church, may nonetheless contribute to ongoing discussions regarding accountability, cooperation, and the practical implications of autonomy within the Southern Baptist Convention’s affiliated churches and organizations.

            “This tribunal represents a watershed moment for Southern Baptist,” Whitehead added. As such, “The process has been carefully structured to ensure fairness, clarity, and accountability as the evidence is presented and considered.”

            Island Church of Tierra Verde, Florida, is a local, autonomous Baptist church which cooperates with the SBC in mission efforts, is committed to biblical teaching, congregational governance, and the application of historic Baptist principles in matters of faith and practice. The church seeks to uphold the authority of Scripture while engaging faithfully in the life and witness of the broader Christian community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For More Information Contact:  Jolene Bivens, 727.866.736   info@IslandChurchTV.com

BREAKING: NAMB Disputes Move to Church Tribunal After 9-Year Legal Fight

Local church to hear evidence after federal courts defer to ecclesiastical authority;
NAMB declines participation.

St Petersburg, FL  – Island Church of Tierra Verde, Florida, will convene a formal church tribunal on April 29–30, 2026, to hear evidence in the dispute between Dr. Will McRaney, former Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, and the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board (NAMB) and its President, Kevin Ezell, following a nine-year legal battle that civil courts declined to resolve.

After insisting that these types of disputes are a matter for local church jurisdiction, NAMB now refuses to participate in this Christian arbitration. Federal courts determined the case falls under ecclesiastical jurisdiction, concluding that such disputes must be addressed by a local church rather than through the civil court system. In response, Island Church has agreed to host a structured tribunal to examine the claims and evidence. NAMB refuses to participate in Christian arbitration connected to this process and has declined involvement in the tribunal.

“Civil courts said they couldn’t decide this matter,” said attorney Jonathan R. Whitehead, who will help present evidence to jurors, along with McRaney’s trial counsel Harvey Barton. “They never ruled on the merits. They just agreed that churches must decide what to do with the facts,” said Whitehead.  “I am pleased that Island Church has taken this matter so seriously and called in “helps” to make sure this proceeding is consistent with historic Baptist precedents and professional standards.”

The tribunal is expected to include a formal presentation of evidence by counsel representing McRaney, under the supervision of an outside, neutral mediator who will instruct jurors and rule on questions of evidence.  An independent court reporter will create a certified transcript. Ultimately, a panel of Island Church members will hear the case and render findings related to both civil and biblical considerations. “These safeguards show that the Island Church wants real resolution of these public claims,” said Whitehead.

Although invited to participate, NAMB and its leadership declined. In a letter dated April 1, 2026, NAMB General Counsel George McCallum, said the Defendants believed the civil courts had “exhausted” all room for additional Biblical efforts. Whitehead said The Island Church planned to press forward and was prepared to present jurors with a summary of NAMB’s arguments.  “As historian Gregory Willls noted, Baptist history is full of cases where parties rejected the authority or jurisdiction of a local church — and that seldom stopped the process,” said Whitehead.  “Baptist courts always start in a church where one of the parties is a member. After some church decides, the matter is taken to other churches and associations,” he said. “Island Church is following a sound, Baptist pattern,” said Whitehead.

Proceedings are scheduled to take place from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT on both days. The event will be open to Island Church members, guests, and credentialed media. A live stream is expected to be available through the church’s official YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@IslandChurchTierraVerde33715).

“This tribunal represents a watershed moment in Southern Baptist history,” Whitehead added. “The process has been carefully structured to ensure fairness, clarity, and accountability in the presentation of evidence.”

Island Church of Tierra Verde, Florida, is a local, autonomous Baptist church which cooperates with the SBC in mission efforts, is committed to biblical teaching committed to biblical teaching, congregational governance, and the application of historic Baptist principles in matters of faith and practice.

Initial Response Statement post SCOTUS

Sandy and I are grateful for the prayers and support as we have sought to defend the rights of Baptists.  While we are disappointed the Supreme Court did not choose to grant cert in this particular case, we trust that in time justice will be done and the rights of Baptist people and partners restored. This decision will have an impact on millions of Baptists and other religious groups.

The SBC and all of its entities won Pyrrhic victories today and in the September 2025 5th Circuit’s 2-1 ruling.  Today after 9 years in the courts, NAMB won and secured their right to do what God forbids, to defame and interfere with Baptist ministers, partners and financial supporters.  Over time, their victory will be seen as a historic loss in multiple ways.  NAMB has made clear in their statement that anyone who supports the mission efforts of the SBC can be defamed and their employment can be interfered with by SBC leaders without Baptist partners having the right to defend themselves in court.

As in other faith traditions like Catholics, now Baptist leaders, ministers and partners will know for certain that they have given up their personal legal rights with their voluntary partnering or contributing to the SBC.  Sadly, this can already be seen in the Garner vs SBC court case before the TN Supreme Court where SBC leaders also lied to the TN Supreme Court justices.

We pray the silence by those who tolerated the lies and deceptions to the courts will be broken and wrongdoings exposed.  We pray there will be forthcoming repentance by SBC entity leaders, trustees, and other Baptist leaders resulting in a surge of renewed commitment to righteousness and truth telling above all as an act of obedience to God’s  Word.

I will have a fuller statement in the next couple of days.  More information and links to articles will be available on my website.

Top article on the Consequences

“The Cooperative Program After McRaney: Give Money, Surrender Rights” – David Morrill, Feb. 23, 2026 

Amicus Brief to TN Supreme Court – Garner v SBC

Baptist Pastors and Leaders ask TN Supreme Court to not make the same mistake made in McRaney v NAMB in Amicus Brief filed March 13, 2026

“New Amicus Brief Takes Aim at Fifth Circuit’s McRaney v. NAMB decision, Warns SBC’s Legal Position could Create a ‘No-Resource Zone’ for Ministers”  The Baptist Report, March 15, 2026

Select Articles on the Case from various authors and sources

“SBC Leaders are Fighting for the “Religious Freedom” to Defame Baptist Pastors“– Baptist Religious Liberty Attorney, Jon Whitehead, Feb. 11, 2026

“No, Religious Liberty Doesn’t Depend “Protecting Defamation” – Baptist Religious Liberty Attorney Jon Whitehead, Feb. 18, 2026

“The Cooperative Program After McRaney: Give Money, Surrender Rights” – David Morill, Feb. 23, 2026

“The McRaney Case is a Disaster for Baptists – And Many Still Don’t See It” – David Morrill, Feb. 18, 2026

“McRaney Case Ends, but Debate Continues Over Implications for Baptist Cooperation” –  The Christian Index, Henry Durand,  March 5, 2026.

“Supreme Court Won’t Hear McRaney’s Appeal” – Mark Wingfield, Feb. 23, 2026

“New Analysis: Supreme Court’s Silence in McRaney vs. NAMB leaves Southern Baptists Facing an Unchartered legal Landscape” – The Baptist Report, Feb. 24, 2026

“Supreme Court declines McRaney case, ending lawsuit against NAMB” – SBC’s Baptist Press – Feb. 23, 2026

“Leaders Warn Foundation Principles of Baptist Polity and Religious Liberty are at Stake if the Fish Circuit Ruling McRaney v. North American Mission Board Stands” – The Baptist Report, Feb. 17, 2026

“Conservative Lawyer Warns of Legal Overreach by NAMB and SBC” – Mark Wingfield, Feb. 12, 2026

“Missouri Attorney Warns SBC Legal Strategy Could Create ‘Chilling Effect’ on Pastors’ Free Speech” – The Baptist Report, Feb. 12, 2026

“52 Baptist Leaders Sign Amicus Brief Supporting McRaney” – Mark Wingfield, Feb. 9, 2026

“Baptist Leaders Urge Supreme Court to Rein in Expansive Church Autonomy Ruling” – The Baptist Report, Feb. 9, 2026

“McRaney Appeals to SCOTUS in Lawsuit Against NAMB” – Will Hall, Jan. 13, 2026

“With Circuit Panel Rules 2-1 in Favor of NAMB and Against McRaney” – Mark Wingfiled, Sept. 9, 2025

“McRaney Hearing Explores Whether there are Any Times Courts May Decide ‘Religious’ Matters” – Mark Wingfield, April 4, 2024

“A Battle for Baptist Autonomy: The McRaney Case Against the North American Mission Board and Why It Should Matter to Southern Baptists” – The Baptist Report, April 1, 2024

“McRaney Warns Dismissal of His Case Against NAMB Raises Urgent Threat to Baptist Autonomy” – Mark Wingfield, Aug. 17, 2023

“U.S. District Judge Dismisses McRaney’s Case Against NAMB” – Mark Wingfield, Aug. 15, 2023

“Key Witness Offers Damning Testimony Against Ezell as NAMB gets McRaney Trial Delayed Two Months” – Mark Wingfield, March 6, 2023

“Seven Years Later, Will McRaney Might get His Day in Court Against NAMB – Maybe” – Mark Wingfield and Maina Mwara, August 29, 2022

In order to meet the need for people to read the key documents in the legal case against NAMB for the rights of Baptist churches, organization, and ministers, along with the McRaneys, the following links are provided to key documents.  This list will be updating as things progress and time allows.  For additional study, you can review the website for other related evidence.

Legal Complaint – McRaney v NAMB Complaint 12.7.22

SCOTUS…

26- Petition only SCOTUS McRaney vs NAMB 2026 – Filed January 6, 2026

5th Circuit…

Doc 21-1 Appeal Brief filed by McRaney Oct 31 2023

Doc 30-2 Re Amicus Brief filed by 61 Baptist Leaders including Drs. Morris Chapman, & Rady Adams on behalf of Baptists

200+ Baptist Leader’s Publish Open Letter to SBC & NAMB Leaders 2024

Doc 145 – Dissenting Opinion for McRaney 5th Circuit 2025

Doc 145 – Revised Opinion 5th Circuit 2025 — full opinion – majority and dissenting

quote from page 33 “It is obviously sufficient to trigger the church autonomy doctrine that a higher ecclesial body made a decision that binds an inferior ecclesial body.

Question– Are SBC entities “higher ecclesial” bodies than “inferior” bodies such as State Baptist Conventions or Associations or local church bodies?  Does the SBC set doctrine for any of those bodies or control them?

Other Key Documents by Baptist Leaders & Court Filing Highlights

Court and Baptist Expert Witness Report by Dr. Barry Hankins  – Supporting Religious Liberty on behalf of current and historical Baptist people and positions

ERLC amicus brief to 5th Circuit for NAMB seeking En Banc containing false statements by Russell Moore regarding the SBC, State Conventions and Baptists.  Moore, with NAMB’s initiative and documented knowledge prior to the filing, talked about the SBC as a hierarchy and the SBC being an umbrella organization for Baptists and Baptist bodies, which is completely false and dangerous.

         Privilege Log – Evidence showing NAMB initiated and had advance copy of ERLC filing falsely claiming SBC was umbrella organization and Baptists bodies and SBC was a hierarchy– court required and submitted log of communications between Thomas Moore Society, ERLC and NAMB representatives

Court Filed Quotes and Claims by NAMB and ERLC to SBC EC – from US District Court, 5th Circuit and Supreme Court of the United States.  NAMB Trustee chairman Jonathan Jarboe and 2nd Vice Chairman Josh Reavis publicly opposed the motion for a study to be done on NAMB’s filings to the courts at the SBC annual meeting in 2024.  Was this the information Jarboe and Reavis are afraid to both own as NAMB trustees and afraid a SBC appointed study group would discover?

A Few Related Articles

NAMB Asserts a Partnership Establishes an Ecclesiastical Governance

NAMB claims its partnership agreement establishes an ‘ecclesiastical’ governance

Morris Chapman joins in amicus brief against NAMB

Morris Chapman joins 60 signers of court brief arguing against Kevin Ezell and NAMB

Breaking: Morris Chapman, Mike Stone, Randy Adams & over 50 Baptists sign amicus against NAMB

Why did over 60 Bapt local, state & nat. leaders w/ SBC statesman & 20 year President/CEO Morris Chapman file an Amicus Brief in the NAMB case?

What are these leaders seeking to do?  What are they saying?

Are NAMB’s false statements in their filings a threat & attack on all Baptists and put at risk hundreds of millions in Baptist mission gifts?  Short article in Baptist News. 

Baptist historian and expert case witness Dr. Barry Hankins wrote… (1)  “If NAMB’s interpretation of the First Amendment prevailed, every Baptist entity that cooperates in any way with the SBC would be put at risk.” Dr. Hankins also wrote, (2) “It is my opinion as a scholar of Church-State relations in the US that NAMB’s First Amendment defense in this case, if accepted by courts, would actually undermine religious liberty rather than safeguard it.”

Appeal made to US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals – Link is to key court filings by NAMB, ERLC and McRaney along with a few short articles on the case.

It’s Not Just ERLC that made foolish and false statements to the Courts: Read NAMB’s own words

Read for yourself to discover what NAMB and ERLC wrote the courts and that will allow you to determine if they made statements that are false, intentionally deceptive, and put all Baptists for generations to come at risk.

Filed Quotes and Claims by NAMB and ERLC –  Read their own words

Select Summary Statements by NAMB and ERLC  –  Read several key statements, and then answer an obvious question around that NAMB or ERLC statement.

What will the SBC Executive Committee and NAMB Trustees do?  Neither group can claim they are blindsided.  The documents are public and both groups have fiduciary duties to all Baptist bodies, leaders and givers.

What will State Baptist Convention leaders, Associational leaders, and leaders of churches say and do?  Will they raise their voices and demand change at NAMB?

NAMB’s reply brief is due about November 30.  Will they intentionally deceive the courts again?  Will others file an amicus brief?  We will see.

One Baptist pastor stated that Baptist churches have been funding Goliath, and then asked, when will Baptist shift and begin funding David.  If you would like to consider financially supporting the defense of Baptist values and autonomy along with the First Amendment, you can contact me directly or give through this GoFundMe account for that purpose.

PS – On unrelated matter except as to veracity of NAMB President who was named in a fraud case in Sept. 2023.  One article on the case “Lawsuit Accuses NAMB President Kevin Ezell of Lying to Get Higher Price on Home“.

5th Circuit Matters in Process: McRaney v. NAMB

Related Quotes

Baptist Historian and court expert Dr. Barry Hankins of Baylor University

Related Court Documents

• Doc 21-1 Appeal Brief McRaney Oct 31 2023
  • Doc 21-2 Appeal Brief Record Excerpts McRaney Oct 31 2023
• Doc 24 Amicus Brief Current and Former Baptist Leaders
• Doc. 191 – Plaintiff’s Supplemental Pleading – FILED 12.7.22 – Operating Complaint

Summary of Key Statements by NAMB and ERLC to federal courts: docs provided to most current SBC Executive Committee members

• Filed Quotes and Claims by NAMB and ERLC to Federal Courts by behalf of Baptists
• Select Summary Statements by NAMB and ERLC with related questions

Related Articles

Baptist New Global – Morris Chapman joins 60 Signers of Court Brief Arguing against Kevin Ezell and NAMB

Baptist News Global  – Coalition of Baptist Leaders will File Amicus Brief Challenging NAMBs View of First Amendment

Capstone Report –  Join an Amicus Brief to Stop the Life of SBC Elites

Baptist Press – McRaney Files Appeal with Fifth Circuit

Video by Dr. Randy Adams – Executive Director of the Northwest Baptist Convention

NAMB Key Filings: District Court, US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, & US Supreme Court

• NAMB court filing 11.2.18 Defenses Select Marking
• Doc 198 – NAMB’s Defense Answer to Supplemental Pleading
• NAMB Defendant’s Brief 5th Circuit
• NAMB Petition to SCOTUS
• NAMB Final Response to Opposition Brief SCOTUS

ERLC Key Filings:  US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, & US Supreme Court

• ERLC amicus brief for NAMB Ezell En Banc marked
• 008 ERLC Correction Amicus Brief 5th Circuit filing re NAMB
• ERLC Muslim Mormons brief SCOTUS 20-1158ac NAMB select marked

Related Articles:

Breaking: NAMB Saw False ERLC Brief Before It was Filed with 5th Circuit

Court Filings June 1, 2023

Doc 272 – McRaney Response to NAMB Motion for Summary Judgment

Doc 273 McRaney Response in Opposition to NAMB’s Motion for Summary Judgment

Doc 272-8 NAMB, ERLS, TMS Communications Privilege Log

Doc 274 Plaintiffs Objection to NAMB’s Undisputed Facts [263] from NAMB’s MOTION for Summary Judgment

Related Exhibits from McRaney Response to NAMB’s motion for Summary Judgment

Doc 272 List of Exhibits Oppose Summary Judgement

272-1 Affidavit Declaration of Scott Gant

272-2 H NAMB’s Carlos Ferrer Depo Excerpts

272-3 I NAMB’s Steve Davis Depo Excerpts

272-4 J NAMB Trustee Danny de Armas Depo Exerpts

272-5 K NAMB’s Kevin Ezell Depo Exerpts

272-6 L Former NAMB  Bill Barker Depo Exerpts

272-7 M Danny Wood Depo Exerpts

272-8 N NAMB 30(b)(6) Transcript Kevin Ezell

272-9 O NAMB’s Tom Wigginton Depo Exerpts

272-10 P Sandy McRaney Depo Exerpts

272-11 Q Rob Paul Depo Exerpts

272-12 R Clint Scott Delaration

272-13 S Steve Wolverton Declaration

272-14 T Rick Wheeler Declaration

272-15 U Joel Breidenbaugh Declaration

272-16 V Plaintiff Interrogatory Responses

272-17 W Plaintiff Third Set of RFPs

272-18 X Discovery Documents

272

McRaney Motion for Summary Judgment on NAMB’s Claim to be a “Supporting Organization”

Doc 266 McRaney Motion Partial Summary Judgment on NAMB’s claim of Supporting Organization

Doc 265 Exhibits by McRaney on motion Supporting Organization

265

265-1 Affidavit Declaration of Scott Gant

265-2 Exhibit A NAMB’s Response to 2nd Set Interrogatories

265-3 Exhibit B Excerpts NAMB Kevin Ezell 30(b)(6) Depo Transcript

265-4 Exhibit C Excerpts NAMB Carlos Ferrer Depo Transcript

265-5 Exhibit D Excerpts from NAMB Steve Davis Depo Transcript

265-6 Exhibit E Exhibits 30 & 31 from NAMB Mike Ebert Depos

265-7 Exhibit F Excerpts from BCMD Bill Warren Depo

265-8 Exhibit G Excerpts from de Armas Depo Transcript

All court documents available in federal court Pacer system  –

• set up a free account
• log in to Pacer system
• Court to review – Northern District of Mississippi under US District Courts
• Select/Click on Norther District of Mississippi – Document Filing System
• Select Query
• Look for case under either Will McRaney or North American Mission Board or case number from document above and select Run Query
• Select an area such as History/Documents
• Select from newest or select from oldest

Baptist News:

• McRaney Trial Finally gets a Date and NAMB is Compelled to Expand the Scope of Its Documentation
• Six Years Later Will McRaney Might get His Day in Court Against NAMB Maybe

Baptist Message:

• McRaney v. NAMB: Newly Released Materials Appear to Show Intent to Harm
• Key Documents Filed in McRaney v. NAMB

Below are new court documents and articles on our case.

Judge’s Order – Doc 190 Order on Motion to Compel

Amended Complaint – Doc. 191 – Plaintiff’s Supplemental Pleading – FILED 12.7.22

Published Articles on 12.9.22

“McRaney trial finally gets a date, and NAMB is compelled to expand the scope of its documentation” – Baptist News

“NAMB corrects false legal filing; it is still misleading” – Capstone Report

“SBC CP giving crashed in November” – Capstone Report

GoFundMe “Help the McRaneys Fight for Religious Liberty“

Doc. 155 – Memo in Support of  Motion to Compel NAMB

Doc. 154 – Motion to Compel NAMB Production

Doc 153 NAMB petitions the court to add attorney

October 26, 2022 filings – Amended Complaint and related documents 

Doc. 148-1 – Amended Complaint against NAMB – actual 13 page amended complaint

Doc. 148-2 – Correspondence with Defendant’s Counsel and NAMB

Doc. 149 – Memo ISO Motion for Leave to Amend Complaint – Memo in support of McRaney’s request to amend complaint

Select recent court filings FYI…

NAMB’s filing for partial summary judgement – (see PACER electronic filing system)

Doc 86 McRaney response to NAMB’s request for partial summary judgement

Doc. 85-1 CPA Expert Report on Supporting Organization

Doc. 134 – Economist Expert Wage Damage Report

Doc. 133 – Religion Baptist History Expert Report

Doc. 136 – McRaney Response to NAMB Motion to Reconsider and Vacate

Related news articles on above docs

McRaney v. NAMB: Newly Released Materials Appear to Show Intent to Harm  – Louisiana Baptist Message

NAMB Engaged in ‘Egregious Misconduct’ Court Filing Claims   Capstone Report

“Will NAMB cost the SBC tens or hundreds of millions of dollars?” Capstone Report

“Expert: NAMB threatens religious liberty of every Southern Baptist” Capstone Report

“Separate filings accuse two SBC agencies of misleading courts to delay trial and avoid scrutiny” Baptist News Global

“Key Document filed in McRaney v. NAMB” Baptist Message (LA paper)