I still never got an answer as to how Walt Thompson could make LS leave the state. Did he use a gun?, Blackmail? If he used these methods and Linda did not trust the local police, surely she could have gone to the State Police, the State Attorney,the State Representatives, the Governor? Surely DS didn not have all of them in his pocket.
Linda never left the state, nor was she ever asked to. She was offered an agreement by 3ABN but did not agree to it or even reply. Thus it wasn't binding. Dr T could not, and did not force her to do anything, it was her choice, just as it was his and the board's choice what to do, and how to proceed if she didn't agree.
Background to that and the proposed agreement are below.
Johann Thorvaldsson released this letter,(written before Linda's employment was terminated,or her position on the 3ABN board was removed. It has been published on various forums and websites (Pickle and Joy's save-3abn website being first and foremost) with commentary inserted - that commentary been deleted here so the original letter may speak for itself)
------- Original Message --------
From: Walt Thompson
To: Johann Thorvaldsson
Subject: 3abn
Date: May 2004
If we like, we can continue to nurse this dialog of battle over Linda and involve the whole church and whole world in the warfare. Should we do so, God in His great mercy may still find a way to bring good out of it as He did when He took ancient Israel to Babylon. I would prefer that He have a more faithful people to give Him a better, more powerful witness.
I do not agree with your belief that Linda is being victimized.
But though we disagree we still need to work together to find solutions.
Accordingly, I would be pleased if you would submit to me in writing a comprehensive account of the allegations you have about the way 3ABN has treated Linda. I would like this to be comprehensive with whatever documentation you can provide so that we may assess it accurately.
Once this has been done, my request is that you discontinue further correspondence with Linda or anyone else regarding this matter. In this way we will have the information we need to act, and you will have opportunity to pursue your work of spreading the Good News to Europe. Our work there has been too long stagnate while we have been fighting.
It is my determination to give Linda every opportunity to restore her home and ministry should she be willing.
She has been offered a proposal whereby this may happen. Only she can decide what she will do with it, but all of us at 3ABN want her to choose right. All are desirous of helping her - NONE trying to hurt her.
She may disagree with our proposal, in which case she will be given opportunity to tell her side of the story before the board.
In fact, if she were to desire to bring her case to a neutral party of the Church - and accept the publicity such an event would generate - I would welcome it. When all is said and done, it is my intent that no one will be able to honestly say we have not done everything possible to save her and her place of service.
As you can confirm, I have not expressed any judgments about Dr. Abrahamson other than to say that he is in the wrong for continuing a relationship, even a doctor-patient relationship, that is destroying the very thing he is trying to save. Having said that, a continuation of communication between Europe and Linda will place the board in a place where we must deal with an insubordinate member of the organization. She has been asked on numerous occasions to discontinue the relationship, first by her husband who is also her superior in ministry, by her pastor, by her board chairman, and now by the committee of the board created to seek resolution. Likewise, both you and Dr. Abrahamson have defied our requests to cease communication with Linda. While I can forgive this action on the mistaken belief that it is helping Linda, there comes a point when defiance must be dealt with lest it destroy the whole organization. If you are so concerned about Linda, and I believe you are, you will encourage her to get help here and break off the relationship there. Certainly there are people in America that can give her the help she needs.
Thank you for helping me to meet with Dr. Abrahamson by phone. We had a good discussion that gave me opportunity to hear his side of the story, a thing I appreciate.
While we are going through this challenging time, please confine ALL further discussion about this matter to me or if unreachable, Bill Hulsey or Nick Miller (other members of the committee). In my mind this matter must not continue to spread - for the sake of Linda, 3ABN, and the world church and cause of God.
Your continued earnest prayers are cherished as we accept this responsibility.
Sincerely in Jesus' precious name,
Walt T
This email and letter were apparently furnished by Linda Shelton and published on the Save 3ABN website and also on BSDA and several other internet forums.
From: Walt Thompson
To: [Alyssa]
Subject: Letter for Linda
Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 21:43:07 -0500
Dear Linda,
This is a copy of the letter that has been sent by FEDEX to you. While you may not understand now, someday you will realize that we are truly desirous of returning you to your home and ministry because we care about you. I plan to go to 3ABN tomorrow and will be available to talk with you if you have questions needing clarification.
Walt
[FEDEX Letter]
May, 4, 2004
Walter Thompson MD
Chairman of 3ABN Board of Directors
- address removed -
Linda Shelton
Three Angel's Broadcasting Network
PO Box 220
West Frankfort, IL 62896
Dear Linda,
A committee representing the 3ABN board of directors has been selected and has met for the purpose of evaluating the present problem at 3ABN relating to your relationship to Danny and to the ministry of 3ABN - and seeking a resolution acceptable to all parties involved. This letter is intended to represent the will of the board.
Let me begin by expressing our gratitude to you for the part you have played at 3ABN for the past nearly twenty years. You have been an important part of the ministry from the beginning – a fact appreciated by us all. Accordingly, this letter is not written with the intent to destroy your home or your part in the ministry, but rather to rehabilitate and restore.
In accordance with this intent, we are offering the following proposal to you. We believe it has the potential of accomplishing the desired objectives, i.e., to save both your home and a place for you in this ministry. It would do so without making the details of this matter known to the full board or others.
Nor is this letter expressing an opinion regarding the nature of your relationship with Dr. Abrahamson. Whether or not this relationship has been immoral or not is not the issue of this document. The facts are that the relationship and your refusal to discontinue it in spite of repeated requests by Danny and our requests, has damaged both your family and 3ABN – a reality we must deal with in wisdom, love and compassion – but deal with, we must.
We are offering you a 30 day leave of absence with pay and full benefits - to begin at the time of receipt of this letter. During this time the following conditions must be met.
You will be relieved of all duties at 3ABN and will not appear at 3ABN other than to obtain items from your immediate office upon personal request from me. You will arrange to leave Southern Illinois at 3ABN expense for the duration. Both you and 3ABN need time to cool off.
You will agree in writing to cease all communication with Dr. Abrahamson, whether direct or indirect, whether by e-mail, telephone, letter or any other, or through Johann or any other third party. We are designating a period of 30 days, but with the intent this must be a life-long decision.
During this time you will not discuss the issues related to your relationship with 3ABN with anyone other than your immediate family, your professional counselors or representatives or members of the board of directors.
Since this time is recommended as a time for reflection and serious rehabilitation we are requesting that you arrange to receive professional help relating to the issues at hand. We are recommending Ron and Nancy Rocky to you. They have agreed to open their home to you and to give you personal help in dealing with the issues at the center of the present problems. It will be private and protected from the public eye such that neither your image nor reputation ought be damaged. Should you choose different professional help, it must be acceptable to this committee.
At the end of 30 days we will reassess the situation and make further recommendations as indicated.
The issues in this proposal are not negotiable. Should they be unacceptable to you – we hope sincerely they will be acceptable – we will proceed promptly with further investigation of the facts regarding the matter at hand. In that case we will need a list of witnesses you would like us to hear. We will offer Danny the same opportunity. Once we have had opportunity to hear the evidence, we will be in a better position to make recommendations to the full board based upon that evidence. Based on the facts we already know, however, we think pursuing such a course would make any future role for you at 3ABN unlikely.
That is why, Linda, we are pleading with you to accept this proposal for healing and restoration. This is God's ministry. He has chosen you to be a part of it. We want you to continue to be a part of it. But in order for that to happen really important things must change.
Sincerely,
Walter Thompson MD
Chairman of the Board of Directors, 3ABN Committee members include Nicholas P. Miller, Bill Hulsey and Kay Kuzma (by invitation)
Your signature here will confirm your agreement with this proposal. Please sign and return copy within 24 hours of receipt of this letter.