SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST MISSION
International – Papua New Guinea / Malawi Africa
P.O. Box 60150 Ndirande Bt. 6 Blantyre Malawi /
P.O. Box 233 – Mt Hagen (WHP) Papua New Guinea
Missionary / Evangelist: Peter A. Halliman
Website: sgbm-malawi-africa.com
Date: 16th May 2019
By Steve C. Fulton, Pastor — Providence Baptist Church, Henderson, Texas
Recently accusations have been made that SGBM practices fraud, scams, con-jobs, and similar wrongdoing regarding the finances given to the work. I have been pastor of this church since 1974, and nothing of this sort has transpired since I have been here. This letter is to inform you, as much as is within my knowledge, about the expenditures of these funds.
First: When Peter joined our church in October 2010, he was authorized to be sent as a missionary to the field. Funds were transferred from Landmark MBC of Roseville, CA to our church and put into a newly opened SGBM bank account. We also opened a bank account for Peter from which he can use a credit card for his personal and mission expenses. We do online banking with him, so all we have to do is a transfer of funds from the mission account to Peter’s personal bank account on the same day the transfer is made. Included in this transfer were designated funds for Building and Land, Tractor, and a General Fund used for monthly deposits and expenditures. These are all in one bank account but listed separately as Reserve Funds so that supporters may see on a monthly basis where the money is spent.
Second: In the last few years a Helicopter Fund has been established and it is reported and recorded in the Monthly Financial Statement. Neither I nor any member of our church membership is an Accountant or Bookkeeper, so the Financial Report is devised with the intention of providing for things honest in the sight of all men. Any mistakes made are unintended. One would be a fool to lie and cheat with GOD the Judge watching — the same can be said of those that spread false reports.
Third — Regarding the Reserve Funds:
1. Helicopter: A required performance ability for such is that it must be able to fly a non-stop distance of about 225 miles (there are no refuelling stops), and reach an altitude of at least 12,000 feet, as Peter says there are tall mountains along the way. One such machine with these capabilities is called a gyro-copter; demonstrations of these machines can be seen on YouTube. A cost for this type is about $74,000.00. The cost of a regular helicopter is much more and is not under consideration as it is out of reach.
2. Land and Building: While in Malawi, Peter purchased land, bought materials, paid for labour, and built a building on the land purchased. This building is now being used as a church meeting place and classroom for teaching people, church members, and preachers. Eric is the overseer in this part of the SGBM mission work.
Peter is also building a house on the mission station in PNG. As it is being constructed, Peter lives in a tent. He hopes to use the remaining Building and Land funds to complete the house and to pay the taxes due to the PNG government for the lease on the property. The PNG government does not allow foreign entities to purchase land from PNG native people — instead, the land may be leased, and the government levies a tax on the lease. Peter has reported that about $1,500.00 is due for this tax.
Fourth — Tractor Fund: This was started when Peter was living on the farm in Malawi which had been leased from a land owner. Peter hoped to use the tractor to farm for food for himself, the preachers, and church people. However, since not enough money was raised to buy a tractor, a large-scale farm operation could not begin. The land owner evicted Peter because he was not farming to the satisfaction of the land owner, who had hoped for financial gain from a large-scale operation.
Fifth — The Water Project: There was a house on this property and Peter lived in it; however, there was no water to the house, and water had to be pumped by hand and carried in. Some churches in Kentucky raised money, sent it to Peter, and he began to use it to put an electric pump on the water well, run PVC pipe to the house, and dig a cistern for the storage of water. Bro. George Hurst (now with the Lord), at age 85, went to Malawi to help Peter and told me after his return that he fell into the cistern before water was added and hurt his back — so I do believe a cistern was dug. After all the labour and expense on this project and property, Peter had to move. A good effort was made to spend the money wisely. How can one call this fraud?
Note: After all donations to the special designated projects were received, they were spent within the parameters of the projects when possible. Not all of the funds have been spent, as you can tell by looking at the Reserve Funds in the monthly financial reports. We plan to use the remainder wisely and according to SGBM needs.
Final — A False Aviation & Security Project Accusation: A fake news report is circulating that says Peter is a crook associated with a group of crooks who have cheated the PNG government out of money. I have been in contact with a retired Army officer — one in this group — who has told me that they did not charge the PNG government any money for their services. It does not seem to me that these people are a bunch of crooks. Who is spreading this fake news? The final transaction and shipping of the truck is in process. Another church in California has sent $4,500.00 for the cost of shipping the truck.
More specific questions may have to be addressed to Peter, as I am somewhat older and do not remember all the details, and have not been present at all conversations and transactions. We do have all the SGBM reports, both Missions and Financial, since October 2010. They are not a secret, having been distributed widely to supporters and friends by email and printed copies via post.
As a reminder, Providence Baptist Church of Henderson, Texas does not receive any funds from SGBM donations, nor are any monies received for publishing the SGBM reports.
Peter reviewed this report and has been asked to make corrections and additions as needed.
Yours by His Mercy,
Pastor Steve C. Fulton