Part 3f
Steven Anderson’s Personal Vendetta
Steven Anderson’s Personal Vendetta
While this may seem like beating a dead horse, it is important to understand the mindset of Steven Anderson, especially since as has been noted before, as Steven Anderson goes, so goes the New IFB.
Unlike his campaigns against others, Anderson’s campaign against Adam Fannin was not confined to YouTube videos. In fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that Steven Anderson had embarked on a personal vendetta against Fannin, and engaged in a conspiracy with others to do everything in his power to destroy Adam Fannin.
As previously noted, on January 3, 2019, Steven Anderson called a meeting of the men of Stedfast Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Five men showed up for that meeting. One of them, who has asked to remain anonymous, stated that during this meeting Anderson revealed Donnie Romero’s sins; specifically that he had stolen $50,000 from the church, was gambling at casinos, drinking, doing drugs, and engaging the services of prostitutes. Anderson then told the men not to say anything to anyone because, “we need to keep Donnie out of jail.”1
According to Steven Anderson himself, the churches in the New IFB are considered autonomous, and therefore independent from all other New IFB churches.2 However, noted Anderson, when a church has no pastor, it is no longer independent.3 When Anderson arrived at Stedfast Fort Worth, and removed Donnie Romero, he effectively removed Stedfast’s independence and placed it under the authority of his own church. At that point, for all intents and purposes, Stedfast became a satellite of Faithful Word Baptist Church, thus empowering Anderson to effect any change he personally desired. One of the first those changes was the firing of Adam Fannin.
Anderson states that when he fired Fannin on the morning of January 4, 2019, he was “respecting the wishes of the incoming Pastor, who was Pastor Shelley."4 Anderson claims, "He and I were in communication, in one accord, and we were the legitimate leadership of the church.”5 Look at that statement again, and remember the date in question, Friday, January 4, 2019. Anderson fired Adam Fannin at 12:10pm Jacksonville, Florida time. That was at 11:10am Fort Worth, Texas time on that date.
Unlike his campaigns against others, Anderson’s campaign against Adam Fannin was not confined to YouTube videos. In fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that Steven Anderson had embarked on a personal vendetta against Fannin, and engaged in a conspiracy with others to do everything in his power to destroy Adam Fannin.
As previously noted, on January 3, 2019, Steven Anderson called a meeting of the men of Stedfast Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Five men showed up for that meeting. One of them, who has asked to remain anonymous, stated that during this meeting Anderson revealed Donnie Romero’s sins; specifically that he had stolen $50,000 from the church, was gambling at casinos, drinking, doing drugs, and engaging the services of prostitutes. Anderson then told the men not to say anything to anyone because, “we need to keep Donnie out of jail.”1
According to Steven Anderson himself, the churches in the New IFB are considered autonomous, and therefore independent from all other New IFB churches.2 However, noted Anderson, when a church has no pastor, it is no longer independent.3 When Anderson arrived at Stedfast Fort Worth, and removed Donnie Romero, he effectively removed Stedfast’s independence and placed it under the authority of his own church. At that point, for all intents and purposes, Stedfast became a satellite of Faithful Word Baptist Church, thus empowering Anderson to effect any change he personally desired. One of the first those changes was the firing of Adam Fannin.
Anderson states that when he fired Fannin on the morning of January 4, 2019, he was “respecting the wishes of the incoming Pastor, who was Pastor Shelley."4 Anderson claims, "He and I were in communication, in one accord, and we were the legitimate leadership of the church.”5 Look at that statement again, and remember the date in question, Friday, January 4, 2019. Anderson fired Adam Fannin at 12:10pm Jacksonville, Florida time. That was at 11:10am Fort Worth, Texas time on that date.
Anderson stated that at that time, at 11:10am on Friday January 4, 2019, Jonathan Shelley was the incoming pastor and they -- Anderson and Shelley -- were the "legitimate leadership of the church." Not the men of Stedfast Baptist Church, but Anderson and Shelley. In an interview with Jonathan Shelley, he admitted that he was the only candidate for the position of pastor for Stedfast.6 There were no other candidates, no one else was ever considered. And this was all before the meeting that Anderson called for later that evening, and certainly before the meeting Anderson called for the following night where he talked about bringing in Jonathan Shelley and the men of Stedfast “decided” to accept Shelley as their new pastor. They may think they decided who would be their new pastor, and they may think Steven Anderson only suggested Jonathan Shelley for the position; but they would be wrong. Steven Anderson made that decision, and his decision was to install his protege Jonathan Shelley into the position of pastor of Stedfast Baptist Church.
All those videos that Anderson and Shelley made where they claimed they had been in contact with Adam Fannin and keeping him the loop, and trying to get him to cooperate are really nothing more than setting the stage for what Anderson – with the help of Jonathan Shelley, was about to do.
As has been noted, Anderson began with a series of videos he posted to YouTube from January 5-9, 2019, wherein he made accusations against Adam Fannin that moved from subtly implied to explicit, when he clearly accused Adam Fannin of theft, claiming the police were called, and condemning him for this alleged theft from the church. We now know that those accusations were all false. Fannin did not steal anything, and when interviewed, Ben “the Baptist” Naim was emphatic that the police were never once called on Adam Fannin. In other words, Steven Anderson lied. But not only did he lie and bear false witness against Adam Fannin, but he was also engaging in hypocrisy. Anderson had already made it clear that he knew Donnie Romero stole $50,000 from the church, and he also made it clear that he was not going to hold Romero accountable for this theft, and he took steps to cover it up by ordering the men at the meeting to not tell anyone about it. Clearly then, stealing from the church was not a serious crime in Anderson’s mind. Not even stealing $50,000. So any indignation Anderson presented to the camera for his anti-Adam Fannin assault videos was nothing more than hypocrisy. But it accomplished what Anderson was trying to achieve, and that was to turn the New IFB sentiment against Adam Fannin, and that is exactly what Steven Anderson did. It is amazing how easily so many in the New IFB are manipulated. At the same time, it is also very sad how easily so many in the New IFB are manipulated.
Once he had Fannin removed from the New IFB, Anderson did not ease up in his campaign against Fannin. It was not long before two men from the Stedfast satellite church in Jacksonville, Florida began making the rounds of area casinos, allegedly seeking information about Donnie Romero and Adam Fannin. Whether they were under orders of Steven Anderson, or took it upon themselves to do this is a matter of conjecture. At the very least, however, they were there with Anderson’s full blessing.
According to Anderson, the two men, Ben “the Baptist” Naim and Jeff Utzler, visited these casinos armed with photographs of Donnie Romero and Adam Fannin, allegedly to discover if they had been to the casinos.7 But we have to ask to what end? Romero had already confessed to visiting the casinos, so there was no question there, and nothing to learn. And, in an interview with Donnie Romero, he stated that when Anderson asked him if Fannin was involved in any way, Romero told him no. Adam Fannin was not involved, and that as far as he knew Fannin had never been in a casino in his life.8 In addition to this, Romero publicly stated in the comments section of his YouTube apology video, that Adam Fannin was innocent of any wrong doing.9
All those videos that Anderson and Shelley made where they claimed they had been in contact with Adam Fannin and keeping him the loop, and trying to get him to cooperate are really nothing more than setting the stage for what Anderson – with the help of Jonathan Shelley, was about to do.
As has been noted, Anderson began with a series of videos he posted to YouTube from January 5-9, 2019, wherein he made accusations against Adam Fannin that moved from subtly implied to explicit, when he clearly accused Adam Fannin of theft, claiming the police were called, and condemning him for this alleged theft from the church. We now know that those accusations were all false. Fannin did not steal anything, and when interviewed, Ben “the Baptist” Naim was emphatic that the police were never once called on Adam Fannin. In other words, Steven Anderson lied. But not only did he lie and bear false witness against Adam Fannin, but he was also engaging in hypocrisy. Anderson had already made it clear that he knew Donnie Romero stole $50,000 from the church, and he also made it clear that he was not going to hold Romero accountable for this theft, and he took steps to cover it up by ordering the men at the meeting to not tell anyone about it. Clearly then, stealing from the church was not a serious crime in Anderson’s mind. Not even stealing $50,000. So any indignation Anderson presented to the camera for his anti-Adam Fannin assault videos was nothing more than hypocrisy. But it accomplished what Anderson was trying to achieve, and that was to turn the New IFB sentiment against Adam Fannin, and that is exactly what Steven Anderson did. It is amazing how easily so many in the New IFB are manipulated. At the same time, it is also very sad how easily so many in the New IFB are manipulated.
Once he had Fannin removed from the New IFB, Anderson did not ease up in his campaign against Fannin. It was not long before two men from the Stedfast satellite church in Jacksonville, Florida began making the rounds of area casinos, allegedly seeking information about Donnie Romero and Adam Fannin. Whether they were under orders of Steven Anderson, or took it upon themselves to do this is a matter of conjecture. At the very least, however, they were there with Anderson’s full blessing.
According to Anderson, the two men, Ben “the Baptist” Naim and Jeff Utzler, visited these casinos armed with photographs of Donnie Romero and Adam Fannin, allegedly to discover if they had been to the casinos.7 But we have to ask to what end? Romero had already confessed to visiting the casinos, so there was no question there, and nothing to learn. And, in an interview with Donnie Romero, he stated that when Anderson asked him if Fannin was involved in any way, Romero told him no. Adam Fannin was not involved, and that as far as he knew Fannin had never been in a casino in his life.8 In addition to this, Romero publicly stated in the comments section of his YouTube apology video, that Adam Fannin was innocent of any wrong doing.9
Clearly, Anderson had a separate agenda concerning Adam Fannin, and did not care one bit that Fannin was innocent.
Exactly why Anderson was (and is) determined to see Adam Fannin destroyed is unknown, and it is likely the real reason will ever be known. However, by removing both Donnie Romero and Adam Fannin from the only two positions of leadership over Stedfast Baptist Church, and installing his sycophantic lap dog Jonathan Shelley as pastor, Anderson now gained complete control over Stedfast. This is similar to what happened at All Scripture Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. When the pastor of the church was removed and Steven Anderson installed Grayson Fritts as pastor in February 2018.
There have been some who have denied Naim and Utzler actually visited any casinos, especially in light of Steven Anderson’s sermon where he clearly stated that all it takes is walking in through the doors of a casino places one “on a dark path, my friend, and who knows where you’re going to end up on that dark path. It all starts when you walk into that stupid casino. … Hey! Run screaming in the other direction because the Bible says, ‘Thou, o man of God flee these things!’ Flee them! Run away! Get away from that stuff! Don’t go near the casino!”10 “Who would disobey Pastor Anderson’s clear biblical teaching on this?” they ask. But it was Anderson himself who admitted they had done this, and they clearly had his blessing to do so.11 Additionally, when they were asked about their casino visit, not only did Naim and Utzler refuse to deny visiting the casino; but, Ben was quick to clarify which of the Stedfast men did not accompany him and Utzler12; and Utzler asked if we could thank the bartender for him, and tell her “the chicken fingers were delicious.”13
Exactly why Anderson was (and is) determined to see Adam Fannin destroyed is unknown, and it is likely the real reason will ever be known. However, by removing both Donnie Romero and Adam Fannin from the only two positions of leadership over Stedfast Baptist Church, and installing his sycophantic lap dog Jonathan Shelley as pastor, Anderson now gained complete control over Stedfast. This is similar to what happened at All Scripture Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. When the pastor of the church was removed and Steven Anderson installed Grayson Fritts as pastor in February 2018.
There have been some who have denied Naim and Utzler actually visited any casinos, especially in light of Steven Anderson’s sermon where he clearly stated that all it takes is walking in through the doors of a casino places one “on a dark path, my friend, and who knows where you’re going to end up on that dark path. It all starts when you walk into that stupid casino. … Hey! Run screaming in the other direction because the Bible says, ‘Thou, o man of God flee these things!’ Flee them! Run away! Get away from that stuff! Don’t go near the casino!”10 “Who would disobey Pastor Anderson’s clear biblical teaching on this?” they ask. But it was Anderson himself who admitted they had done this, and they clearly had his blessing to do so.11 Additionally, when they were asked about their casino visit, not only did Naim and Utzler refuse to deny visiting the casino; but, Ben was quick to clarify which of the Stedfast men did not accompany him and Utzler12; and Utzler asked if we could thank the bartender for him, and tell her “the chicken fingers were delicious.”13
Interviews with local casino employees revealed that Ben Naim and Jeff Utzler did indeed visit them, armed with photos of two men (allegedly photos of Romero and Fannin). The casino employees we spoke with stated they did not recognize either Romero or Fannin. The bartender at the Best Bet Casino in Jacksonville said she remembers Naim and Utzler coming in and showing her the photos, and then staying for lunch.14
A former member of Stedfast Jacksonville who has asked to remain anonymous stated, “You know, I wouldn’t put it past them. I wouldn’t put it past them to try and frame him. It’s just super sad. I heard some rumors they were going to try some stuff like that to try and incorporate Bro. Fannin in Donnie Romero’s sin.”15 This individual went on to say that no one even had the idea to investigate Fannin, “until Shelley tried to fire Adam Fannin. When he first tried to fire Adam Fannin, I feel like at that point a switch went off in their minds, and they’re like, ‘ruin Adam Fannin’s life.’ I don’t think they care if they frame him, or if they are truthful or not, obviously. You can see it in their videos, they don’t care if they’re telling the truth or not. They’re just [throwing] everything they can at Adam Fannin. I mean, if the worst thing they can say against him is he’s a flatterer, you’re going to say he’s a reprobate, he’s unsaved because he’s a flatterer? I mean, like there’s no other flatterers? Ben the Baptist is like the biggest flatterer ever to some of those guys. He was to Adam Fannin too. I feel like they are just trying to ruin Bro. Fannin’s life.”16
When one takes into consideration the complete lack of evidence against Adam Fannin, coupled with Romero’s exoneration of him, and Anderson’s knowledge of that; Anderson’s actions in this situation are very suspect to say the least, and certainly demonstrate what kind of man he really is.
Part 3f Sources:
1. Interview with former member of Stedfast Baptist Church conducted 25 July 2019. This person expressed legitimate concern for their personal safety and the safety of their family, as based on their personal experience with the Stedfast pastor and other members of Stedfast.
2. Interview with Steven Anderson conducted 09 March 2019
3. Ibid
4. Ibid
5. Ibid
6. Interview with Jonathan Shelley conducted 23 Feb 2019
7. Steven Anderson Uncensored (Episode 3)
sanderson1611
Streamed live 06 June 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Zk6D9xsjI&t=8331s
8. Interview with Donnie Romero conducted 26 June 2019
9. I’m sorry for the sins I’ve committed and the people I’ve hurt
[Donnie Romero apology video]
Uploaded by: shedrock
Published January 9, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q80awpau7F4&t=12s
10. Casinos and Gambling are Wicked
Uploaded by: sanderson1611 (Steven Anderson)
published on February 21, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TiehZzRlJY
2 Corinthians 8 (Love of Money, Giving, Deep Poverty)
Uploaded by: sanderson1611 (Steven Anderson)
Streamed live on February 20, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDc8KGFQ8E4
11. Steven Anderson Uncensored (Episode 3)
Uploaded by: sanderson1611 (Steven Anderson)
Streamed live on June 6, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CxPJwzIjhQ&t=4111s
12. Steven Anderson Uncensored (Episode 6)
Uploaded by: sanderson1611 (Steven Anderson)
Streamed live on August 10, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CxPJwzIjhQ&t=4111s
13. Video comment from Jeff Utzler
14. Casino’s in the area include Best Bet Casino Jacksonville, Best Bet Casino Orange Park, Victory Casino, Daytona Racing and Card Club, Emerald Princess Casino, and Big M Casino.
Interview with Best Best Jacksonville Bartender July 2019
15. Interview with a second former member of Stedfast Baptist Church conducted on 26 June 2019. This person expressed legitimate concern for their personal safety and the safety of their family, as based on their personal experience with the Stedfast pastor and other members of Stedfast.
16. Ibid
A former member of Stedfast Jacksonville who has asked to remain anonymous stated, “You know, I wouldn’t put it past them. I wouldn’t put it past them to try and frame him. It’s just super sad. I heard some rumors they were going to try some stuff like that to try and incorporate Bro. Fannin in Donnie Romero’s sin.”15 This individual went on to say that no one even had the idea to investigate Fannin, “until Shelley tried to fire Adam Fannin. When he first tried to fire Adam Fannin, I feel like at that point a switch went off in their minds, and they’re like, ‘ruin Adam Fannin’s life.’ I don’t think they care if they frame him, or if they are truthful or not, obviously. You can see it in their videos, they don’t care if they’re telling the truth or not. They’re just [throwing] everything they can at Adam Fannin. I mean, if the worst thing they can say against him is he’s a flatterer, you’re going to say he’s a reprobate, he’s unsaved because he’s a flatterer? I mean, like there’s no other flatterers? Ben the Baptist is like the biggest flatterer ever to some of those guys. He was to Adam Fannin too. I feel like they are just trying to ruin Bro. Fannin’s life.”16
When one takes into consideration the complete lack of evidence against Adam Fannin, coupled with Romero’s exoneration of him, and Anderson’s knowledge of that; Anderson’s actions in this situation are very suspect to say the least, and certainly demonstrate what kind of man he really is.
Part 3f Sources:
1. Interview with former member of Stedfast Baptist Church conducted 25 July 2019. This person expressed legitimate concern for their personal safety and the safety of their family, as based on their personal experience with the Stedfast pastor and other members of Stedfast.
2. Interview with Steven Anderson conducted 09 March 2019
3. Ibid
4. Ibid
5. Ibid
6. Interview with Jonathan Shelley conducted 23 Feb 2019
7. Steven Anderson Uncensored (Episode 3)
sanderson1611
Streamed live 06 June 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Zk6D9xsjI&t=8331s
8. Interview with Donnie Romero conducted 26 June 2019
9. I’m sorry for the sins I’ve committed and the people I’ve hurt
[Donnie Romero apology video]
Uploaded by: shedrock
Published January 9, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q80awpau7F4&t=12s
10. Casinos and Gambling are Wicked
Uploaded by: sanderson1611 (Steven Anderson)
published on February 21, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TiehZzRlJY
2 Corinthians 8 (Love of Money, Giving, Deep Poverty)
Uploaded by: sanderson1611 (Steven Anderson)
Streamed live on February 20, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDc8KGFQ8E4
11. Steven Anderson Uncensored (Episode 3)
Uploaded by: sanderson1611 (Steven Anderson)
Streamed live on June 6, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CxPJwzIjhQ&t=4111s
12. Steven Anderson Uncensored (Episode 6)
Uploaded by: sanderson1611 (Steven Anderson)
Streamed live on August 10, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CxPJwzIjhQ&t=4111s
13. Video comment from Jeff Utzler
14. Casino’s in the area include Best Bet Casino Jacksonville, Best Bet Casino Orange Park, Victory Casino, Daytona Racing and Card Club, Emerald Princess Casino, and Big M Casino.
Interview with Best Best Jacksonville Bartender July 2019
15. Interview with a second former member of Stedfast Baptist Church conducted on 26 June 2019. This person expressed legitimate concern for their personal safety and the safety of their family, as based on their personal experience with the Stedfast pastor and other members of Stedfast.
16. Ibid
RSS Feed
