The only purpose for sharing this information is not to celebrate the indiscretions in the church, but rather to warn others in church ministry and leadership who may be inclined to make similar wrongdoings in exchange for some gain or benefit. It’s NEVER worth it.
The Argentina Union Conference, administrators at River Plate Adventist University in Argentina and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) have all been named in a federal judge’s criminal complaint. As a result the Union President Carlos Gill Krug, Union Treasurer Carlos Giménez Graf, and legal representative, Roberto Giaccarini have all resigned from their respective positions.
At the heart of the criminal indictment are the allegations that top SDA leadership in collusion with a local Adventist University have been using ADRA’s humanitarian shipping containers to illegally smuggle goods into the county. Argentina’s Custom Agents found nearly 15 million Argentine pesos worth (about $1 million U.S. dollars) of undeclared electronic goods: six Samsung smart TVs, thirteen HP computers, five Sony Bravia 74.5 TVs, HD camcorders, iPads, iPhones, iMac computers, a generator set, car parts, a 3D printer, a Yamaha QLS professional sound console valued at 30 thousand U.S. Dollars, and a tractor mower.
In the criminal complaint the federal judge says that “false documents and misleading statements” were made in the shipping manifests to hide the illegal contraband in the effort to avoid paying import taxes. The complaint also says that these illegal importations have been taking place since 2013.
The shipping containers were marked “donations,” and came from ADRA headquarters in the United States and were destined for River Plate Seventh-day Adventist University in Argentina. To add to the problem, the SDA leaders phone, text and email conversations were being monitored and it is alleged that there is incriminating evidence of a conspiracy to defraud the government, even talks of seeking political influence to help squash this incident. (This is the very definition of corruption).
The work of the ministry is not a career choice, but a calling from God. God’s work is not to be used as a cover-up to further one’s personal ambitions of benefits. When employed in God’s work we cannot ask what can “I” get out of this.
These leaders were in a strategic position in the ministry to advance the cause of truth in a powerful way, but instead they were distracted with gain (greed). This has created a scandal and for what purpose? All for personal enrichment and benefit because a few men have lost their focus on the purpose of ministry. This has created an unwanted and an unnecessary burdened upon all the faithful people in Argentina who have to live through this painful scandal with all the media coverage.
Was it all worth it? Of course not.
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul.” Matthew 16:26.
“What we need in this time of peril is a converted ministry. We need men who realize their soul poverty, and who will earnestly seek for the endowment of the Holy Spirit. A preparation of heart is necessary that God may give us His blessing, but this heart work is not done. O, when will the ministry awake to the solemn responsibilities that are laid upon them, and earnestly plead for heavenly power?” Review and Herald, April 5, 1892.
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