Reclining in his Miami home, 85-year-old David Lawrence Adderley faced the television screen through which he has watched countless Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) programs over the years. But on this particular Sunday in early September of 2023, the lifelong Seventh-day Adventist expressed regret while reflecting on a real estate transaction with 3ABN. According to Adderley and his family, what started as an act of faith, philanthropy, and retirement support more than a decade ago has led to legal fights over land in The Bahamas that had belonged to four generations of Adderleys and is now controlled by 3ABN’s co-founder Danny Shelton.
None of this surprises me. Danny Sheldon has embarrassed the Adventist Church many times before. He has gone through 4 wives, which I know isn’t a crime in and of itself, but it says a lot about his character. His brother, who was part of the executive staff at 3ABN even after he was convicted of sexual molestation, should give you more concern. Just Google Tommy Sheldon, you will get a sickening number of web sites which speak of his crimes, all while continuing to work at 3ABN. The network has no direct affiliation with the SDA Church, but they proport to be a Seventh Day Adventist ministry, even though the church has no control over anything they do or say. It is similar to Doug Batchlors Amazing Facts and his independently owned and controlled church. Batchlor, who also runs his own “independent” ministry and I think he took over Weimar Institute. These people can propagate teachings that are contradictory to that of the SDA Church, but at the same time, speak as if they are an arm of the church. Danny Sheldon has become very rich off of the proceeds of 3ABN. The above story tells how he accomplishes that. You might want to ask how he, a “minister”, can afford his own private jet.
And Ted Wilson, because he gets to show his face on 3ABN every so often, condones this whole disconnected process whereby these people can tarnish the reputation of the church and we can’t do or say anything to stop it. EXCEPT WE CAN KEEP FROM GIVING MONEY TO THESE CON MEN. And that is what they really are. If they were legitimate, they would have worked within the church structure. Their comments to the effect that “they didn’t want the camel to put its nose under their tent” should give you some idea of what kind of people they are.
I don’t blame the person in the article who said that they would want no part of the SDA church. Can you blame them? But there is a name for people who sign over their property and write big checks to organizations like this,but the bible forbids me from using the term. Hint…it starts with f and ends with l.
Last weekend, the Village SDA Church in Berrien Springs held a Biblical Sexuality Conference. Guess who the senior pastor, Ron Kelly, celebrated and flaunted during the divine service. Yes, it was Danny Shelton in person along with his fourth wife posturing in front of the congregation as authorities on biblical sexuality. Danny Shelton was given time during the divine service to discuss and promote his new book that bashes LGBT+ persons.
Granted, Ron Kelly is a well-known crackpot, loony conspiracy theorist, and antisemite. Normal SDA pastors do not disseminate anti-vax disinformation and loony conspiracy theories or gratuitously demonize George Soros during politics-laden sermons. But notwithstanding what Ron Kelly manifestly is, I would have never predicted that he would give pulpit time to someone like Danny Shelton, especially (and ironically) during a Biblical Sexuality Conference. Ron Kelly’s brazenness, his moral depravity, his capability of sinking to a new low, is shocking to me.
Where are the Village Church elders? Where is Michigan Conference president Jim Micheff? Ron Kelly is sorely in need of spiritual counsel. I shudder to think what he might do next.
This is an astounding report. Where has this story been? Why have we heard nothing about this, and is the case over?
The law in this kind of transfer is complicated for the average person. Combined here are centuries-old property laws, with lawyers practicing internationally, and the highly technical legal jargon used in estate planning. Then, apparently, several trust instruments, and a play for the owner occupied home. If that’s not enough, look at the parties: on one side, the recipient if this largess, has fame, lawyers, and things like…eyesight. The other side doesn’t.
It may be their job, but their contributions to their own retirement plans, which many won’t collect on for decades, demonstrates that they don’t believe their own claims. So, their basically liars. It’s not really a good look.
Also, note the really bad track record they have, which they fail to mention. That’s more or less another lie.
Non-profit implies that all income is spent, hence no profit. There is no real impetus to be frugal with the money - high salaries, executive perks, family jobs etc, etc. It would be real interesting to see an audit of how much of the 3ABN income is actually spent on the mission of spreading the gospel, the right gospel, not the financial gospel. I think it would surprise the donors if they knew. It may actually encourage some accountability in the executives.
What astonishes me the most is that the GC is totally conivent with those satellite groups that make money in a fraudulent way. I wonder if there are any kickbacks involved…
Some transactions may even be legal, but the only thing that really matters is, Áre they honest, morally sound, and permissible from a Christian point of view?"
Legal doesn’t necessarily translate to moral. Like I said earlier, Ted is getting lots of free airtime on 3ABN. Most of the sheep out in the Adventist community are totally oblivious to all the corruption, both in these untouchable ministries, and in the church itself. I would certainly be very afraid of Christ’s return if I were any of them. Perhaps, they should be taking all those excessively gained riches into the purchase of a very fireproof suit.
You should notice that none of these individuals are as gracious to those they finger point at as sinners than Jesus. I would imagine that this must bring tears to God’s eyes. It certainly doesn’t demonstrate God’s true character.
Transactions involving God’s ministry should only involve the highest of ethical and legal standards. Clearly, this principle was not followed by 3ABN in this instance and they should make it right by returning at least a substantial portion of the property to the family.
