24 year CCV Board Member submits testimony that Bob Grenier, fully Affiliated and Endorsed by Chuck Smith, Pastor of Calvary Chapel Visalia confessed to Felony Child Abuse...but the Board covered it up, didn't report and much abuse happened before that admission and after that admission...including Molestation according to Bob's blood son, Paul Grenier.
“My name is XXXXXXXXXX, and I started attending Calvary Chapel Visalia (CCV) in early 1981. I write these notes with the greatest of trepidation, knowing that I am a “chief of sinners”, saved only by the grace and blood of our Lord Jesus, respecting the admonition to not touch God’s anointed, and somewhat fearing what I have come to know as the long reach and vindictive nature of my former Pastor, Bob Grenier.
When my family and I moved to Visalia, we were thrilled to learn that there was a Calvary Chapel, and immediately began attending and serving at CCV. Over our years there, we profited immensely from the excellent expositional teaching of God’s Word, our beliefs and faith were challenged and strengthened, and we were afforded unbelievable opportunities to serve and minister. To be completely fair, I must say that I have known Bob Grenier to be a compassionate, caring pastor, who has helped many people through personal crises, and helped lead many to know the Lord. Unfortunately, I have also observed, heard and experienced him as a very proud, vindictive person who has used bullying, berating, slandering, and using his position to overpower those who disagreed with, challenge or questioned him.
In approximately 1985, I was asked to serve as an Elder & Board Member of CCV, a position I accepted with the utmost sense of respect, before the Lord. I served as an Elder/Board Member from approximately 1985 until July of 2009, when I moved to XXXXXX, CA. I would say that for the first 10 years, or so, of serving as an Elder/Board Member, although I observed and heard some things from Bob that I questioned, I extended grace, respect and understanding to my pastor. During those early years, I was troubled by his seemingly quick and harsh policies toward other pastors, volunteers and staff at CCV, and thought his quickness in dismissing these servants was unfair. Since Bob normally only told Board Members of such terminations, after the fact, it was impossible to change the action; however, I always felt his anger more dictated the action than serious offense. Included were Dave Thomas, Mark Boesch, Patricia Boesch, Glick Callahan, Jeff Pierce, Tina Jenkins, Ron Alves, Walt Smith and others.
During my early years of serving as an Elder/Board Member, I also came to understand that Bob did not like, nor would he listen to, constructive criticism – again, I would often just let the issue pass, seeking to err on the side of grace and in respect for the position he held. I also recall several issues with congregants, particularly an unfortunate event involving adultery in our church. Although the matter was initially handled with integrity, and in a biblical manner, some were very troubled about Bob sharing the matter with others, and the resulting harm done. I accompanied Bob to the home of one of the offenders, and was surprised to find Bob unapologetic, even pugnacious about having said too much about the persons involved. This incident hurt many in our church and several people left the church as a result.
Bob would also forcefully crush any question regarding the finances or direction of the church. I recall one incident in which an employee and congregant, began to question certain expenditures made by Bob. Bob maligned these people and quickly dismissed their allegations, as lies and twisting of the truth. Ultimately, these two left the church out of disappointment and due to being severely hurt by Bob.
After about 10 years, of serving as an Elder/Board Member, I definitely began noticing an increasing move away from a multitude of counsel (from within the Elder Board decision making process) to an increasingly Pastor only decision making process, which Bob expected to be approved by the Board. I believe the Board was seldom, if ever involved in any decision regarding the governance, spiritual direction, or finances of CCV, until Bob had already made the decision. Additionally, if he was questioned, he immediately squashed the issue, by saying it was his decision and that he had already taken action or initiated a change. During this time, I also came to understand that Bob became very manipulative, often badgering and maneuvering through the Board to get his way. Board Meetings became infrequent and some decisions were made by Bob calling each Board Member individually. I must say that I believe all the Board Members extended a lot of grace and respect for the office, and I believe the Board was only there as a legally required body. Bob later confirmed this belief, by telling me and another Board Member, that the Board was not like regular Boards, and that we were only there to approve his decisions.
Over the ensuing years, I continued to be troubled about Bob’s growing autocratic, defensive and pugnacious attitude toward church governance, finances, and spiritual matters, especially if anyone disagreed with or questioned him, including the Board. I also began to be approached by several people who expressed deep hurt and disappointment about the way Bob treated them, and sometimes gave them an ultimatum to leave the church. Whenever I would, out of a deep concern for the flock, ask Bob about someone who was hurt, I was told they were complainers and sinners, and was admonished about being a sounding board for dissenters. I also began to notice an increasing separation and elitism, by Bob, from his congregants and his Board Members.
I believe Bob intentionally manipulated the Board on financial matters, such as his salary and overall benefit package, the purchase of a vehicle, by the church, for his exclusive use, the hiring and payment of family members on staff, and other “perks,” he enjoyed as Senior Pastor. Although the Board approved all of these matters, it was frequently done via a phone conversation, where we did not really get to discuss the issues, and were often told other Board Members had already approved his request. I can think of several of these issues, but I particularly remember that after he got angry with me for questioning the purchase of a vehicle, for his exclusive use, by the church, he angrily indicated that he had already made the deal, before getting Board approval. Although, again, I, and I believe most other Board Members, were manipulated in making and approving decisions regarding CCV, it is clear to me, that Bob and our church administrator, Greg Dowds, made many of the decisions, without the benefit of the multitude of counsel, and have led to the tragic tale of CCV.
My greatest concern is with the way Bob treated those with whom he had a disagreement. Although I know that there is no way to satisfy everyone, I believe a Christian and especially a pastor, should do all in his power to demonstrate the great love of Jesus, being quick to understand others’ weaknesses and gently guide them to truth. I also would not be troubled if only a few people had grievances about Bob; however, there are dozens of people who have been and continue to be deeply wounded by his mean-spirited and vindictive side. Although I could expound on many who have been hurt, I will list only two, who had legitimate disagreements with Bob, and unfortunately suffered unfairly in how he treated them.
The first is Tina Jenkins, who served faithfully at CCV for many years. Tina became very concerned about how our Maintenance Supervisor, Ron Alves, was treated and ultimately terminated. Tina talked to me about how Bob, threatened her with dismissal, stared her down, would not talk to her and ultimately made it so difficult for her, that she decided to leave CCV. When I talked to Bob about Tina’s complaints, he told me that she was a trouble-maker, and enabler to her alcoholic husband, a liar, and someone who he no longer wanted working at CCV. As I tried to explain that she had been deeply hurt by her pastor, he told me that I had become a sounding board for complainers and that in the future, I was to tell anyone who had an issue with him to call him. When I further explained that these people feared him, his temper and what he had said about, and done to others, he again told me that they were complainers, malcontents and that they all had many problems.
The second person I will highlight is our former Youth Pastor Justin Brock. Although I am not aware of all the reasons Justin was terminated, the important thing to note here is that had our Administrative Pastor, Kevin Meisner, take some extraordinary actions to get Justin to return his Pastors License. In doing so, I learned that many unnecessary things were being said about Justin, and that he was deeply hurt by them. When I questioned Kevin Meisner about the matter, I was summoned to Bob’s Office, and told that if I did not obey his rules and complained about anyone else, my “position at CCV, would change dramatically.” Although I explained that my heart was really about people who had been deeply hurt by Bob, I was questioned, scolded and told that my opinion was not needed, wanted or asked for in these matters.
I must say that I truly regret not being stronger, more forceful and willing to defend those who have been so deeply hurt. I also regret not being stronger in admonishing Bob; however, there is the interesting dynamic of trying to balance one’s respect for the office of Pastor, with erring on the side of grace and trying to keep peace within the Church. After reading about, and talking to Alex about, the abuse he and his brothers suffered, I was heart-broken, and began to wonder how I did not know, and how many others must have been terribly broken by Bob. One only need read the many accounts of abuse and bullying to know that my worst fears were true.
Regarding the allegations of abuse from his sons, I distinctly remember that Bob told the Board that he had gotten very angry at Geoff, and had hit him in the face. Bob seemed very repentant, and even asked us if we thought he should step down from the ministry. In questioning him, he said that it had only happened once, that Geoff deserved discipline, but that he had lost his temper and unfortunately struck Geoff. Knowing what the boys are now alleging, I shudder to think that Bob was only using his sorrow as a way to say he had told his Board, and that he was told not to step down. Bob also told me many horrible things about Geoff, Alex and Paul, to justify their estrangement – my response was to advise him to not be vindictive, to forgive, to ask for forgiveness and to seek reconciliation. I believe Bob’s hard heart toward his sons, has led to great harm to the Church, the name of our Lord and to his personal ministry.
About six years ago, or so, I also served, with Bob, on the Board of Reaching Youth, a non-profit organization, funded by a wealthy member of CCV. During that time, I observed Bob become a person who tried to dominate and control every action of Reaching Youth, a person who developed a grudge against the Director, and one who I believe used his power to force the Director’s termination. I was told by the organization’s donor, that because Bob was unrelentless in trying to control the action and assets of the organization, it was decided to disband the Board and just let Bob have the money and run the programs.
As I look back over the many years of my relationship with Bob, I must say that I know he was a master manipulator, one who used his position to his advantage, and one who was able to instill fear into anyone who questioned or disagreed with him. As a Board Member, I, and I believe most of the Board was not advised, consulted, or told about many financial, spiritual, organizational, or people issues in the church. Believing the abuse allegations are true, it is apparent that Bob also hid his personal life. As a result, I believe there was a lack of spiritual oversight, and that Bob was able to pretty much do whatever he wanted, without accountability. This has to a litany of hurt people, questionable financial dealings, and a broken church.
As I close, I again find myself very sorrowful for not being more forceful, more diligent, more concerned, about things which bothered me, but for which I placed confidence, trust and respect in my former pastor, to do with integrity. Although I have tried to be brief and concise, I most likely have information about things which may help you separate the truth from fallacy regarding CCV and Bob. If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.”
Full disclosure: I was told this was for Chuck Smith’s eyes only and not to release this. I have protected the anonymity of the author to the general public, but many close to the situation will know who this man is.
Do the Ends justify the Means? Dunno. I do know that Bob Grenier, of Calvary Chapel Visalia, is a Liar and self-confessed Felony Child Abuser and that Paul Grenier accuses Bob Grenier, the Liar, of Molesting him.
I also know that Bob Grenier of Calvary Chapel Visalia is a lying, unrepentant scoundrel who hurts many people…and I know that Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Chuck Smith’s Attorney Janet Carter and Dave Rolph of Calvary Chapel Pacific Hills all heard this testimony…that Dave Rolph agreed it was a “smoking gun”…that Chuck Smith said that he “believes” us that Bob Grenier is lying about the massive amount of Child Abuse in our home over the many years.
I also know that Chuck Smith used my Mom as a Carrot and Quid Pro Quo for me to “play ball” and agree to lying, deception, cover-up and opacity…or face the Stone Wall and him not doing the right thing in these matters.
