That time I got an angry call from the subject of an article about anger and abuse
This was one of the more difficult stories I’ve had to write. It really triggers me to mention people I actually know in negative stories. In fact, you may have noticed that as much as I've talked about my issues with conservative evangelicalism, I've never named one of my former churches or pastors. I've alluded to them. But I've never named them. I feel like if I do, I'd be putting myself under their personal judgment again. And I can't bring myself to sit in that chair anymore.
But unfortunately, this story had to be written.
Tim Whitaker of The New Evangelicals called me within minutes of my article last week being posted and was being very intimidating. That led to discovering he's been manipulating and threatening other influencers behind the scenes, and that he tried starting a podcast network for abuse survivor related podcasts, without telling any of the prospective podcasters about the GRACE investigation he was the subject of. And there's more. It's really discouraging.
Also, in this piece, I mention an anonymous account named Giant Boulder. Then today, Tim’s wife Sarah posted online that she was indeed Giant Boulder. And now Tim is back to releasing content as if basically nothing happened.
In any case, thank you so much for your support! It really means a lot, especially when times are discouraging like this. Here’s the link to my latest piece: That time I got an angry call from the subject of an article about anger and abuse, published by Baptist News Global on March 23, 2025.
Thank you Rick.
Abuse is abuse no matter who is doing it. Whether it’s someone you admire or someone you don’t admire. Even if they’ve been doing what you feel is good work in the world.
My prayer is for the person who has done the harm to pause, hear the victims experience and then own it. Learn from it. Grow from it. This is what we are called to do as humans.
Rage driving is an act of violence, in my opinion.
I read the article. Sounds like you have been on the receiving end of some classic narcissistic behaviour. There are so many Christian leaders like this it’s unreal. They’re Jekyll and Hyde people. I’m sorry that you, and seemingly others, have had to experience that Rick.