Opinion:”Nothing Good” About the Southern Baptist Convention’s “Forces for Good Summit,” Says Prominent Survivor

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Christa Brown is widely known as one of the most prominent advocates for survivors of sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention. A survivor herself, Brown has spent decades documenting institutional failures, amplifying survivor voices, and challenging denominational leadership to confront patterns of concealment and minimization. Through her writing, public commentary, and memoir Baptistland, Brown has become a central figure in discussions about clergy sexual abuse accountability within evangelical spaces.

On her Feb. 16 Substack, reposted on Bishop Accountability, Brown sharply criticizes the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee’s upcoming “Forces for Good Summit,” scheduled for February 25 at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The event is being promoted as a full day of programming focused on what organizers call the “holistic stewardship of churches,” including sexual abuse prevention.

Brown argues that the framing of the summit rings hollow given the SBC’s documented history. Of particular concern to Brown is the inclusion of Robert Showers as a featured speaker. Brown notes that Showers previously served as legal counsel for the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, an organization connected to a missionary, Donn Ketcham, who was later accused of serial sexual abuse.

Brown points to findings from an external investigation conducted by Professional Investigators International. According to Brown’s account of that report, investigators corroborated allegations involving 18 child victims and 5 adult victims. Brown emphasizes that the investigation also examined how earlier inquiries were obstructed.

Brown highlights one conclusion that she views as especially troubling. The investigatory report stated that ABWE “lied about and hid the existence of hundreds of documents pertaining to Ketcham at the direction of ABWE attorney Robert Showers.”

Brown suggests that Showers’ documented role in directing the concealment of abuse related records makes his appearance at an abuse prevention themed summit deeply contradictory. Brown contends that platforming such a figure undermines claims that the SBC is acting as a “force for good.”

Brown draws parallels between the SBC’s handling of abuse information and broader controversies surrounding the release of the Epstein files. Brown recalls that in 2022, the SBC Executive Committee released a long secret list identifying more than 700 convicted and credibly accused clergy sexual abusers. However, Brown notes that many names on the list were redacted.

Brown says that denominational leaders publicly committed to conducting further research into the redactions and indicated that “some of the redacted entries will be fully released in the future.” Brown counters that argument by pointing out that nearly four years have passed without substantial follow through.

Brown specifically references what appears to be the still redacted name of Paul Pressler, described on the list as a “Former Texas justice.” Brown questions why the name remains concealed despite prior litigation, reported evidence, and Pressler’s death.

Brown argues that meaningful reform requires transparency rather than what she describes as performances of accountability. Brown suggests that repeated delays, partial disclosures, and carefully managed public messaging have contributed to ongoing mistrust among survivors.

Brown also criticizes the summit’s ticket price of $209. Brown says the optics are difficult to ignore, describing the fee as the Executive Committee charging churches to learn how to address an abuse crisis that survivors and investigators have said was exacerbated by institutional failures.

Brown references the Guidepost Solutions investigation, which detailed how the SBC Executive Committee responded to survivor reports. Brown states that the report documented patterns of resistance, stonewalling, and survivor maltreatment. Brown argues that hosting an educational summit without first addressing those findings risks reinforcing skepticism.

Brown characterizes the event as “a gospel-wrapped seminar” that adds another layer of messaging while doing little to provide survivor centered care or structural accountability. Brown suggests that symbolism and branding cannot substitute for systemic change.

Brown concludes by urging survivors and advocates to remain vocal. Brown says survivors may lack institutional power, but they retain the ability to name harmful practices, challenge narratives, and continue pressing for transparency and reform. Brown encourages readers seeking deeper context to consult her memoir Baptistland: A Memoir of Abuse, Betrayal, and Transformation.