Final draft. Estimated reading time: 45 minutes

Clouds Without Water

An Open Letter To Pastors Of Independent Baptist Churches

Preface

More than 2 years have gone by since the sedition of our Church on the 17th of March 2024. More than enough time to hope and pray for repentance should wicked men be permitted to see their evil for what it is. But when corruption is coddled by vain ministers, when the sin of the malevolent is mollified by wilfully ignorant pastors, when “the unfruitful works of darkness” are now REWARDED rather than “reproved” for their sin (Eph 5:10) and those who have done good are now charged with doing evil, then “judgement is turned away backward and justice standeth afar off: for truth has fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter” (Isa 59:14); then it is time to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which [we] have learned; [to] avoid them” (Rom 16:17-18).

Dear Pastors, this letter to you is written on behalf of Hope Baptist Church. It is written by the Pastor, Edi Giudetti, in conjunction with the Deacon, Phillip McKenzie, and with the full knowledge and consent of the leaders of this Church. 

It testifies to attacks against this Church from both within and from without. Within, by a wolf in sheep’s clothing; without, from another pastor’s unsanctioned ministry. 

Twenty-six of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, warn us of sinful men who will come to lead people astray. Such is not expected to lessen in the Last Days but to increase all the more as we see the day approaching. Nevertheless, the Church sits largely apathetic to the dangers and will not obey the command of the scriptures to warn of the wolves that should come (Acts 20:29-31, Rom 16:17-18 et al). 

This letter is both a warning and a call to both firm up your Constitutions and agree on a an ethical and Biblical standard respecting Pastors ministering to members of other churches. Our experience over the last two years ought never to be the experience of ANY other Independent Baptist Church in this nation or anywhere. Brethren, the sword of apostasy has already come, we have experienced its barrage and now warn you, you can decide for yourself whether to take heed (Ezek 3:16-21, Ezek 33:1-9).

Please note: This pastor and Church has no expectation to endear you to them, to the contrary, we may expect some to despise our warning, to hide both the sin and the sinner and hate those who expose both. Such are the days. 

Nevertheless, in knowing this to be our expectation you are therefore free not to take sides, but to take warning!  

Introduction

The testimony below involves an unrepentant sower of discord who led a rebellious sedition of some 20 persons at Hope Baptist Church on Sunday morning, the 17^th March, 2024.

The testimony also sadly includes an unrepentant, recalcitrant pastor who both ministered to this man beforehand and now justifies the evil that was committed. 

That pastor now elevates this man to a public pulpit and intends to reward him with a ministry amongst I.B. Churches (1 kgs 13:33), calling evil good and good evil (Isa 5:20). His doing so on the 24th May 2026 is the reason we now extend this warning.

A revision of our constitutions can protect Churches from sedition within.

Limitations of Pastoral Responsibility to members of other Churches, can protect Churches from subversion without.

Affirmation

Both the testimonies of members and leaders of this Church affirm the acts done by both Cody Kereopa and that pastor are manifestly and evidently true. They are brought to your attention ONLY due to the now promotion of Cody Kereopa to that public pulpit and the rejection by that pastor of every admonition. 

All effort is made in this letter not to speculate nor defame, but to speak to the facts of what happened and to show that which is self-evident, allowing the reader to judge for themselves. There is no concern whatever on our part to convince you respecting the matter, only to WARN you respecting our experience and for you to prepare where necessary as men who have responsibility over your own churches. As stated, there is no doubt self-conceited brethren who will judge us as wicked for identifying the wicked, such is the evident testimony of the last days, when “judgement is turned away BACKWARD” (Isa 59:14).

The information contained below attest to both an increase of such evil within the church and the astonishing level at which it is being legitimised by far too many fearful ministers who reward the wicked and condemn the just (Isa 5:23). 

Our priority is to first “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (Rom 16:17-18).

Our secondary purpose is to teach through this testimony; to encourage you to look at your own constitutions respecting their strengths and weaknesses, to deal with the perilous times which are evidently upon us. And also, to ensure a basic ethical standard respecting pastoral responsibilities related to members of other churches. For example;

1. When does ‘advice’ cross the line to become ‘subversion’?
2. How familiar ought pastors be with the sheep of another shepherd’s pasture? 
3. How do you identify an undermining of your ministry?

Apostasy Warning

Paul wrote saying;

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:1–5

It is the church Paul was warning about in this passage not the world! 

The examples in the text are similar to those witnessed in Romans chapter 1, which teach of a world perpetually in such a condition. Paul here was writing a pastoral letter to Timothy of a state yet to manifest, saying “in the last days perilous times SHALL COME“, the godless world was always this way, the passage describes the state of men in the apostate church future to him, in the last of the Last Days. 

We are no doubt in “the last days” for which such a warning is necessary. “Strifes, seditions and heresies” are the fruit of the flesh (Gal 5:20), add this to the character references of 2 Tim 3 and we have all the ingredients of the Laodicean church of the last days. 

Have we ever thought such ingredients are within our own churches (Acts 20:30)?

Look again brethren, the very business structures of your churches may allow for sedition to manifest as it did in our own. And if pastors of familiar churches see no sin in ministering to your members without your knowledge or permission, what are we to say of pastors unfamiliar? 

While the sedition of our church on the 17th March 2024 is manifestly unique, there is little doubt it will eventually affect all IB Churches if you allow it. If such men as below can be so flippantly justified when constitutions are not presently prepared, the “perilous times” of 2 Tim 3 may overcome you brethren.

I implore you therefore to please remain engaged as you read this warning and testimony. 

Several pastors are now receiving this effectively as an “update“. They are good men who had given valuable advice to us when we had been so troubled. You know who you are, and we truly give you heartfelt thanks for our church has certainly prospered since, and many changes have given us rest and confidence for our ministry to survive into the future. 

However, we now warn you!  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ…. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. (Jude 4, 12-13).

For the man who sowed discord and did such evil in our own Church is presently being rewarded and sanctioned to soon “minister” among you.

Jude had not written merely of a 1^st century anomaly in his letter, but a very real and present threat, a truth of godless men who feign themselves as sheep among you, for “…grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:29-30).

Many of you have met such people, I have dealt with eleven such people in my thirty years as a Christian (three prior to ministry and eight since). None but this man moves us to warn you, for it is his promotion now to a PUBLIC PULPIT which motivates our marking. 

What happened?

Cody Kereopa; 

(Pictured. July 2019) entered the congregation of Hope Baptist Church not long after his professed salvation in October 2018. He became a member of the Church in August 2019. 

Certainly, a wonderfully friendly and cheerful disposition who, like Absalom, stole the hearts of many, including this pastor.

In early 2024, Cody Kereopa was set under the disciplinary action of the Church twice in two months. His written rejection of the authority of this Church had then placed him, in accordance with our constitution, at the third stage of disciplinary action where, without repentance, he would have been removed from membership. 

Unbeknown to the pastor, from late 2023 Cody Kereopa had been gaining self-confidence through ministering primarily to a disgruntled husband and wife who originated the sowing of discord in the Church. 

The gossip built up (Ja 3:6) to what became a purposefully intended split, which was miraculously revealed to us through an interstate Pastor on Monday 11^th of March that year. It confirmed this pastor’s own email to his deacon after the second disciplinary action against Cody Kereopa; “I think we are going to have a small split in the Church” (email 5^th March, 2024). 

After the confirmation of March 11^th, we called out the split on Friday the 15^th of March 2024. With no individual being singled out (Splits naturally being attended to in secret), but encouraged any who wish to leave to do so peacefully and in accord with their church covenant obligations.

After three weeks absence, on the 17th of March 2024, Cody Kereopa entered the church with a document containing twenty signatories (see below) and a group of individuals who had all met together in the carpark, entering the sanctuary as one body. 

Via an evident conspiracy, Cody Kereopa and a gathering of individuals entered into the Church for the written purpose of overthrowing the pastoral office (see the second paragraph of his letter). As they had left their children and delicate persons behind, their musical instruments also left behind, and abandoning any ministry on the day, their disruption to our church service was as deliberate as it was unpredictable. Who could believe Christians could behave in such a way?

NB: Aside from the husband-and-wife initiators, none of the undersigned individuals had approached the pastor with any concern prior to that day. The husband and wife were given six written opportunities to reconcile with the pastor biblically, but they would not. The husband became co-conspirator with Cody Kereopa. 

24 hours following the sedition, at 10:52 am Monday morning, this pastor had received a text to advise that the husband of that husband-and-wife team had suffered an unexpected heart attack, and died.

Never had this pastor experienced such a mix of grief and anger as I had that morning.

Both the constitution of Hope Baptist Church and the Constitution of the Church in which this man has found approval, make plain the responsibility of the pastor in dealing with matters mentioned above;

It is specifically directed that the pastor(s) move with promptness and vigour in dealing with anyone who is obstructing the work or disturbing the peace of the church by slander, falsehood, gossip, conspiracy, or other unfair or unchristian methods. (Sec 2. A)

In the same section we read of that which is good and evil concerning matters of disagreement in the Church;

It is recognised further that while the minority has the right of private opinion in all questions and the right of appeal in any constitutional and proper manner, it shall not have the right to engage in secret or open propaganda, or of deliberately disturbing the peace and interrupting the work of the church. (Sec 2. A)

While the “promptness” of the pastor was late, it was nevertheless exercised in dealing with gossip originated by the husband-and-wife team, together with the procedure undertaken respecting Mr Kereopa (he was not entitled to any favouritism or to be dealt due to his preferential sensibilities), the disciplinary actions against each were measured and undertaken accordingly. Further, it was both these individuals together with Cody Kereopa who betrayed the constitution and all good Christian conduct by engaging in both secret and open propaganda, which culminated in their sedition against this Church.

Nothing can be plainer but that which was both authored by this man and evidenced by the act testified to by remnant members left in shock by such actions (see below). Such actions would never be tolerated in any secular organisation, from Social Clubs to Businesses, sporting clubs to Schools; should such an act ever be testified of such individuals in secular society, they would immediately be rejected from any opportunity to join in affiliation. 

Brethren, there are no pastors who have ministered to Cody Kereopa more than this pastor has, no pastor has known him as well as I, and none have been more deceived by him than I.

In short, Cody Kereopa manifested as a clear representation of Matthew 7:15 which we have ever witnessed. For five years he was given the benefit of the doubt until the Lord was asked to reveal the truth of him. 

Below are some testimonies of that revelation.

Testimonials

Several of the remnant were asked to write a one-page testimony of what they witnessed that day. Below are some anonymous excerpts. These are not fabrications nor taken out of context, they are as written (sic).

That pastor would not hear the voices of the remnant or charter members of the Church. Their voices are now public.

Letter Excerpt 1

(HBC Husband and Wife Members)

Dear Pastor Edi,

This comes with a very saddened heart not just for D___ and me but for you and your precious wife Maria and those who were there to attend the church service on Sunday the 17^{th of} March 2024.

The reason for me saying this is…Codie Kereopa and his supporters marched into the service with intent to disrupt the service which they did. The verbal abuse and attack on you Pastor Edi were extremely upsetting and having to watch your wife start shaking with fear for her husband and wanting to protect you from the onslaught of this attack was beyond comprehension. Codie was loud and aggressive in manner shouting out and pointing his finger at you calling you a liar and a hypocrite, this is defamation of character. Your daughter became extremely stressed having to watch you, and Maria being verbally abused by Codie and his supporters. This especially upset me seeing this fear and anxiety just envelope your daughter’s face with tears streaming down.  I went to the entrance of the kitchen to find your daughter sobbing and was trying to console her. Eventually she calmed down and we three prayed for peace over you, Maria, the church. …. 

Letter Excerpt 2

 (HBC Husband and Wife New Members).

My wife and I were fairly new at Hope Baptist Church, Sunbury (we had only been going there for a few months) when Cody caused a big scene at the church on 17th March 2024.

We attended church that Sunday expecting the normal weekly church service.  We certainly did not expect the unbiblical and disgraceful behavior that took place in the church that morning…..Everyone that was present was seated, waiting for the service to begin.  Then moments later, the usual rest of the congregation all walked in the church together.  I noticed that none of them brought their children that usually attended church with them.  I had also noticed that one of the men who usually plays the guitar alongside the pianist, had no guitar with him. I noticed that leading this group of people was Cody, who did most of the very aggressive talking and accusations against Pastor Edi….They were shouting at Pastor Edi from their seats.  Cody and his ‘followers’ (or more appropriately referred to the ‘mob’ because of their behavior that morning) caused so much confusion and chaos that visitors to the church and parents with young children walked out of the church.

Letter Excerpt 3

(Charter Member of Hope Baptist Church)

I was witness to the events which occurred on the 17^th of March 2024. I came to Hope Baptist Church expecting a Sunday service like usual. That soon changed when Pastor Edi spoke about a text message that was sent out to the congregation on the 15^th of March 2024. Which spoke about a group of people orchestrating a church split. Pastor than asked for those involved in the split to please stand up and exit. Cody then stood up and said that he was not a part of this group but would like to know who is. Pastor than said that Cody was one of them. There was a lot of back and forth conversation between Cody and the pastor which was difficult to follow, as Cody kept interrupting when Pastor and others were trying to speak. The way Cody spoke to pastor, his wife and the congregation was disgusting and extremely disrespectful. He told Maria (pastors wife) that she was not to speak on behalf of her husband….

Many people were brought to tears and utterly disgusted by the actions of Cody, Jason and others. 

Before the service began, each member was emailed a letter from Cody telling them why Pastor Edi is no longer fit to lead a Church. The email was also printed and placed on the back tables for anyone to read.

Letter Excerpt 4

SMS Excerpt on the 17^th March, 2024 at 2:46pm

(Charter Member of Hope Baptist Church, absent on the day)

Good afternoon Pr Edi;

I received a letter via email from Cody this morning that no doubt you are aware of. The allegation he makes against you are not nice to put it mildly. He is really sinking his teeth in and doubling down on you.

His claims are absurd but for new members that aren’t privileged to the behind the scenes and the history of Cody’s behavior, I’m hoping the mud against you doesn’t stick.

Cody is definitely opening himself up to be used by Satan. He is allowing his feelings and emotions to dictate his behavior instead of stay strong in the Lord and allowing the word of God to guide him in thought and action (easier said than done granted).

This is a personal attack at the most senior level of Hope Baptist Church; the Pastor! This attack cannot be taken lightly….

Just curious; have any of

those 20 people on the

bottom of Cody’s letter

come to you with any

concerns prior to this

letter?

Letter Excerpt 5 

(Charter Member of Hope Baptist Church)

Dear Pastor Edi,

Today I witnessed something that I never thought I would experience in the remaining years that I have left,…

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Pro 9:10. No respect was given to the congregation that came to worship. I ask, can any of those who separated themselves from the church gathering stand before a holy God and justify their actions. 

Cody kept on badgering the Pastor with previously answered questions and it was evident that he was not going to cease until he made the pastor capitulate and give answers which he wanted to justify his objective whatever that may be.

In short, todays actions by Cody and his cohorts was nothing less than a (lynch?) mob for want of a stronger adjective.

If any visitors who were here today searching for a new home, they would no doubt have left and probably never return. Potentially a soul may have been lost through the misconduct of the lawless uprising.

Letter Excerpt 6

(Charter Member of Hope Baptist Church)

Quoting from 2 Tim 3:1-5

The key phrase I would draw your attention to is, “despisers of those that are good”.

As we seek to do good, know that evil is present with us (both within and without). We may possibly be hated by those we once considered friends. But rejoice because blessed are those who are persecuted for his namesake. 

That the days are evil, was never more evident than last Sunday March 17^th regarding what elapsed during the church service. This was nothing short of evil. Rather than employing biblical methods to resolve their grievances, the mob employed “rules for radicals”. 

Everything perpetrated by these individuals was done in secret…in the dark.

Letter Excerpt 7, written directly to Cody Kereopa on the 13th of March 2024 by one of the leaders prior to his sedition.

Dear Cody, how far are you prepared to go if you don’t get your way? The church needs people like you who have displayed desirable qualities, but for some reason you have changed and can no longer be considered for ministry other than what the pastor has offered. The door is not yet closed, and I sincerely would like to see a genuine change in you that would make you fit for ministry in due course.

Yours sincerely in Christ

K…..

Cody, I just now watched the video of your testimony with tears running down my face. What happened?

 

Pastor’s Comment

Cody Kereopa certainly seemed to use the individuals who were deceived by him for a personal vendetta, but where are they now? Those gathered (including himself) were all babes in Christ (Heb 5:12), with more differences than commonalities, they could not hold together.  Now Scattered, and providing a clear testimony of the “fruit” of Cody Kereopa, attempt remains to deny the self-evident nature of this man, to hide the truth.

The excerpts above only touch on the evil that occurred in our ministry both on that day and since. On that day, a day in which this pastor was ironically preaching on “The Body of Christ” (Link), our Church looked nothing like the Biblical Body of Christ. 

Two individuals were too frightened to return to the Church due to this act, one of whom was a young woman who suffered an anxiety attack that morning as a result and left, later sending an sms to the pastor’s wife asking “is it safe to come to church on Sunday?”.

“is it safe to come to church“??? Let that sink in for a moment!

The countenance of some of those individuals were so changed that it startled many of the remnant, the devil so clearly being manifest in several of them, it seemed apparent the entire event was satanically inspired. 

The Church body is to serve one another, the gathered “body” that disturbed our service that day were determined to serve only themselves. None more so than Cody Kereopa, who testified on that day that he “serves not the Lord Jesus Christ but his own belly“.

Summary

That SMS to my wife by a woman who never returned, saddened this pastor greatly, for the shepherd is charged to protect his sheep but this pastor was too busy attempting to appease the goats. The sin of this pastor in doing so remains the greatest regret, yet it also became the greatest lesson learnt.

Never would backbiting, sowing of discord or heresy be tolerated again, never!

The determination of this church the week following the sedition was to revoke the membership of 13 individuals and the fellowship of another 9 attendees.

All who signed their names to the document below and all who joined in affinity with Cody’s sect were removed: They testified that they have no place amongst us, they went out from us, but they were not of us (1 Jn 2:19). These people subverted the entire nature of relationships that ought to govern the church (1 Cor 13:4-7, Mt 18:15 et al).

Should Such Men Be Trained For The Pulpit?

This is a man whom this pastor has found to be one without conscience, without empathy, he has no regard for any law or regulation that is not practical to his purpose, he is in this pastors view manipulative and unpredictable. This pastor’s personal experience testifies Cody’s subtle wickedness extends well beyond dividing only a Church, personal information he gleans may be distorted and employed against you at will to destroy relationships you hold dear.  He demonstrated himself as a Cloud Without Water, giving you the impression of a Spirit filled believer whose prayers seem little more than “swelling words of vanity“, through which he “allures through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error” (2 Pet 2:17-19). 

Scripture plainly teaches that such men exist, why are we startled to meet them? Why are we fearful in identifying them?

Discern if you will whether such an unrepentant wolf is fit to minister among our Independent Baptist Churches. Is this our new standard? Is this what the Lord refers to as having “a good report of them which are without…” (1 Tim 3:7)?

Men such as Cody Kereopa can seduce both the sheep AND shepherds, I was certainly one of them, that pastor who now rewards him testifies to being another, recently defending him after our rebuke to his first public sermon, as having,

“a genuine heart for the Lord and in a world filled with bitterness and strife, his gentleness and grace is a breath of fresh air“.

When simply added to his evident “fruit” on the 17^th March 2024 and the document below, this pitiful statement proves Jesus own words …

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Ye shall know them by their fruits. ….

Matthew 7:15–16

Longevity in a Church is not the standard by which matters are measured brethren. It took three years for Judas to manifest himself; Cody Kereopa took five years to manifest when the opportunity presented itself as testified above; Joash waited almost four decades till the death of his master before his true nature manifested (2 Chron 24:15-22), what is a single year in an ignorant ministry? 

 

“Put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Cor 5:13)! If a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (1 Cor 5:6, Gal 5:9), how will we stand before Jesus as true shepherds over his sheep if men such as this qualify to minister among us?

This is not a pleasurable report brethren, this is not that which we are pleased to warn of, we have done all we can to avoid it but have been left with no alternative, God himself takes no pleasure in judgement but that repentance may be found in the hearts of men (Ezek 33:11), nevertheless he has long ago warned that it does not require much leaven to leaven the whole, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump…” (1 Cor 5:7).

“Thou art the man” said the brave prophet to the King. As a man after God’s own heart, David broke down before the Lord in repentance and sorrow, we have his prayerful account in Psalm 51. This is the heart of those whose desire is only to please the Lord. This is not witnessed in the men described herein.

Contrarily, many are the accounts of those who despise the “Nathan’s” who point out  sin and sinner; “From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the alter and the temple” (Lk 11:51) said Jesus to them both against him as well as against all the prophets who pointed to the sins of the people. We have little doubt such will be against us also, but HOW shall such men ever be given opportunity to repent before the day of Christ? Is it more wise to judge righteous judgement now than to be judged by the righteous judge in eternity (Jn 7:24)?

Our sincere prayer is that each of these men would choose to have the heart of David (2 Sam 12:13) and not the heart of Joash (2 Chronicles 24:22).

Undermining Church and Pastoral Authority

The full responsibility for this revelation is nevertheless due to the contempt of a minister who has been seduced by Cody Kereopa and is now determined to train him in spite of the sedition committed on the 17^th of March 2024. 

That minister was once my pastor, who I had mistakenly thought was my friend. 

I attended Bible college with him, he married two of my children and buried my mother. The first church he planted was that which he set myself to pastor. Though we had superficial disagreements, I indeed thought of him as my familiar friend whom I trusted _{(Ps 41:9)}. He was the first man I called in tears after the sedition on that day, for both counsel and advice, I certainly trusted him!

Until, he alarmingly revealed that he had been ministering to those very members of the sedition, members of our church, prior to their act, and without my knowledge.

If that were not bad enough, he later welcomed the seducer himself into his Church never inquiring further respecting his actions. Then finally admitting to his startling intention to train him for a ministry nearby.

Words cannot truly express the feeling of betrayal the members of Hope Baptist Church (The Church he planted) experienced over this.

On the 11th of September 2025 his Church was sent a formal email by us requesting answers to legitimate questions in an attempt to understand the motives of that pastor and to also discover if the Church (in which our family were members since a year after it began) was aware of all that Cody had accomplished in the church they planted in 2016.

Email 11th September, 2025:

Hello Pr _____,

I was going to call you to arrange to speak to you face to face, but thought it wiser to write and to have your formal response to the questions below respecting Cody Kereopa, and what we have been informed are your plans related to his future.

1. We would like confirmation from you that you have now welcomed him into the fellowship of Faith Baptist Church without any requirement on his part to repent of the evil he did to the Church you planted.
2. We would like confirmation from you that you have now affirmed your intention to have him prepared and legitimised to plant a church nearby. 
3. We would like you also to confirm that you believe the testimony given you by myself, the warning emailed you by Phillip McKenzie in July, and the documentation you have received respecting our dealings with Mr Kereopa, to be lies.
4. We would like you to also confirm that you have provided your Church with the received information, both verbal and that written (being addressed to both yourself and Faith Baptist Church), prior to any consideration related to him. Does FBC know what this evil man did?  

Your actions to date, from your communications with members of this sect prior to the sedition, your honouring of the sectarian group at the funeral of the co-conspirator,  your welcoming of Cody Kereopa into your fold, and what seems to be your reward to him for his seditious act, leaves us with many other questions.

While we at Hope Baptist Church remain completely perplexed by your actions, nothing pains us more greatly than what we have recently been informed of respecting your intention to reward this evil man with his own fellowship.  Such an act would indeed add insult to injury.

We would appreciate your early response in writing. 

No formal response would ever be forthcoming. The unprofessional aspect of this was telling, simple questions such as this ought to receive simple answers.

He did however provide a vile and accusatory response on the 19th September 2025 to a previous sincere warning email by this pastor, answering effectively “YES” to the first three questions with the last question left unanswered. We do not know if his church was ever informed of Cody’s legacy.

Nevertheless, that pastor’s ministry to our members was a ministry without this pastors knowledge, without his consent and one where he knew of the danger of a split but without any warning, without any evident concern and without any care. To this day he sadly remains without repentance. 

Extent of Such ‘Ministry’.

The ministry was long enough to recognise that a “split was forming in your church” (email 19th September 2025) 

How can any pastor know a “split was forming” in a church and not warn the pastor of the church? 

That pastor was familiar enough to be invited to and attend the funeral of the co-conspirator who died the following day. 

It was this revelation that stunned this pastor most; ‘how did he even know the man?’, ‘how familiar was that pastor with that man to be invited to his funeral?’; ‘How is it possible that he felt obliged to be there?’; and ‘why is it that that pastor did not wisely suggest such attendance to be at least imprudent, in light of the circumstances?’ ‘What on earth is going on?’.

Such were the questions that plagued both this pastor’s own mind but also of those who were told of that pastor’s intention to attend the funeral of the co-conspirator. Phillip McKenzie (our charter member, now deacon) and our charter member-elder Kest Uscinas were the first to ask respecting the logical conclusion of complicity respecting that pastor. 

Finally, the ministry of that pastor to our members was intimate enough for his welcoming and training of Cody Kereopa and to reward him for a future pastoral role under his stewardship. 

We do not know how much of his secret ministry to our members was to blame for what later occurred, but there was certainly no restraint upon any of them who were ministered to by him to have had second thoughts on committing sedition in the Church and to call for the overthrow of the pastor. 

To this day, no protestations from myself or the deacon would alter that pastor’s perspective respecting Cody Kereopa.

Again and again, and again we have tried to warn him, but he simply would not listen. No plea for him to contact any member of our church to learn of our side of the story would be accepted.  All opportunity to hear from the remnant was simply rejected out of hand with the final sanctimonious statement;

“I do not have confidence that they can provide an objective point of reference” (email 19th September 2025). 

It seemed only the words of those who would naturally wish to justify their sin were blindly accepted as true by that pastor. The Charter Members who began the Church were denied a hearing, yet the sinners had both his ears and heart.

How is this possibly justifiable for a pastor charged to be a minister of the truth?

Today that pastor lifts Cody Kereopa to a public pulpit (Link) and wrote of his intent to train him for ministry amongst Independent Baptist Churches. 

Is this all now acceptable in I.B. Churches today?

Summary of ‘Undermining…”

All that is noted above respecting that pastor’s ministry to our members leads naturally to a determination of some level of complicity.

There was a point in his “ministry” to our members where he surely overstepped his responsibility to them and must accept some level of responsibility for what occurred to this Church on the 17th of March 2024. Most especially the consideration of his foreknowledge that “a split was forming in your church” ought to have given him a recognition of his responsibility to the welfare of his own ministry (i.e. the Church he planted), and given to us warning to pray, to act and to potentially stave off the damage that we now see before us.

Matters To Consider.

1. Cody Kereopa was disciplined for his act and put out of the Church in accord with 1 Cor 5:3-6 and his Church Covenant obligations. How can repentance be pressed into such a man when the authority and ministry of the Holy Spirit to convict him is undermined by a minister from another church, who not only justifies his sin, but rewards him for it? 
2. Hope Baptist Church, together with its pastor, leaders and congregation are now themselves seen as liars and evil for putting out a man for his evil acts. The testimony above is an astonishingly clear representation of Isaiah 5:20, where a switch of the biblical standard of truth has occurred against our church by that pastor. Now we are forced to mark Cody and implicate that pastor, only to draw more disdain from those who wish to ignore the sins of these men. Is this to be the acceptable norm today brethren?
3. If that pastor’s subversion of our pastoral office is witnessed as justifiable in the eyes of congregations, which pastor among you will be able to stand when his office is attacked (details below)? 
4. If the counsellors of the godless Ahasuerus were wise enough to see the implication of Vashti’s revolt, how can we not see that the deed of that pastor would not spread abroad to all congregants and their pastors become despised in their eyes (Est 1:16-18)?  
5. If a pastor can vindicate the sedition of another church, how shall he stand when it comes to his own church? 

We do not know why our former pastor has turned up his heal against us, but we do know that such an act diminishes the authority of all pastors.  

Summary Of ‘Matters…’

The choice to mollify the sin of that pastor and to thereby accept men such as Cody Kereopa ministering among you, is your own. This matter will not be followed up by us. We are tired of fighting this foolishness and as stated already, our responsibility is only to warn you in the hope you may learn from our experience.

The decision to accept a little leaven therefore will be yours to consider my brothers, but what is certain is that if there will be no call for pastoral standards in such “ministry” and no change to any democratic style of constitution, you will unlikely survive such spots in your feasts of charity, whether the efforts against you be from within or from without.  

Two areas need your urgent consideration: 

1. Your Constitutions.
2. Pastoral Standards.

CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

The Church is NOT a Democracy brethren! 

I do not know how it is that Independent Baptist Churches, who traditionally hold most tightly to scripture, have largely the most unbiblical business structure.

God does not work through democratic means and never has. Cody Kereopa took advantage of what he had seen as a weakness in our constitution to deliberately boast of gathering at least “half the members of the church” with hope of convincing more, for the spoken and written purpose of overthrowing the pastoral office of the Church.

The choice respecting your constitutions is left to those of you who know its strengths and weaknesses. Mark our words however, if the tyranny of the majority is the method in your church model, sedition and subversion is already baked into your Church Governance.

Consider, how can you justly be held accountable to God for your ministry, if your ministry is outvoted by those whom you are charged to be the overseer? (Heb 13:17)

YOU MUST look to make the changes necessary to protect your own churches, and especially that of the pastoral office. Scripture holds the precedent respecting accusations against an elder (1 Tim 5:19), so too respecting relationship reconciliation (Matt 18:15-17) and any heresy (Tit 3:10).

No member has a right to the conspiratorial sedition witnessed by men such as Cody Kereopa.

PASTORAL STANDARDS

NO PASTOR has the right to unqualified ministry to the members of another church.

NO PASTOR has the right to interfere in the disciplinary actions undertaken by the leadership of another church!

There must be a standard, at least between Independent Baptist Churches. We find it difficult to believe this needs to be elucidated.

All of us as pastors are well aware of the nature of our ministry to individuals in our churches, some of which extends over many years under many diverse circumstances, almost all of which is private. No effort of our lengthy ministry to members of our churches should be assumed by pastors of other Churches as unlawful. Very little of our private dealings could ever be subject to the scrutiny of those who could not possibly know of all the circumstantial events, nor are such private matters to be subject to public enquiry.

Pastors have a responsibility to advise on matters according to the scriptures, those whom they counsel are free to accept or reject such counsel. Never are complaints against such counsel to be simply assumed as justifiable, especially when the fiduciary duty of their pastors prevents any private ministry to be employed as a public defence of their ministry! 

Members clearly have a right to reject the ministry given them and to either address the pastor directly or leave the church if they believe their matter to be handled unbiblically.  

Brethren, ALL PASTORS of independent Baptist Churches are to be given the benefit of the doubt by other pastors. 

No pastor can possibly have the right therefore to minister to the members of another church without the involvement of that pastor.

No pastor is to assume the responsibility over the members of another congregation, such an act is irresponsible at best and, depending upon the bias of the pastor, injurious to all respective ministries at worst.

Such is now the case between these two churches, that pastor should have known better than to get so involved. He should at least have made the diligent inquiries that would normally pertain to a “minister of the truth”, but he would not.

Pastors unlawfully ministering to members of other churches cannot but dig a hole for themselves: in the undermining of the authority of other ministries they undermine their own.

While pastors may certainly find themselves questioned by dissatisfied members of other Churches from time to time, they are NEVER to minister at length to these sheep without the knowledge of their shepherds. And most significant of all, they are NEVER to presume they have all the information to make any righteous judgement.

There are certainly points where many of us may have crossed that line, it is vital to be able to identify where that line is however, the consequence of neglecting that line is where the devil deals deliberately to destroy our churches.

THERE MUST BE AN ETHICAL STANDARD TAUGHT TO FUTURE PASTORS!

THE DISSEMINATED DOCUMENT.

The document below has already been seen by those of you this pastor sought the counsel of not long after the event. I truly thank those Pastors who were discerning enough to recognise it for what it is.

Consider Cody Kereopa’s own words in that document. 

Replace this pastor’s name with your own name and consider the nature of that which he claims constitutes disqualification as a pastor.

Note the list of “charges” to be the advertised best evil he managed to excavate (Prov 16:27) to convince the remnant of the Church of the seriousness of his claim. While all nine of the so called “charges” are false and may also testify to the precise opposite of their claims, imagine them as true and consider if such ought not to have been given the simple opportunity to answer prior to any demand for the overthrow of the pastor. 

And finally, recall his being at the third stage of disciplinary action in the church as the context which originally motivated his act.

Proverbs 29:1

He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Conclusion

Beloved, our responsibility to you is now concluded. 

While the letter is lengthy, it contains the information necessary to both warn you and relieve us of any further responsibility to you.

We have been forced to mark him which caused “divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine“, our encouragement to you now is to “avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the heart of the simple“. (Romans 16:17-18). 

We would certainly not have taken this serious action had Cody Kereopa been refused entry into any I.B. church without first repenting of his sin. And certainly, would never have taken this action if he were not now being elevated, justified and rewarded for his sin.

Pastors have a responsibility to rebuke, not reward such acts;

“and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them”  (Eph 5:11).

There is no question: Cody Kereopa sowed discord, committed sedition and split the first church he was ever a member of. Tragically, my former pastor and friend betrayed the trust and sanctity of the first church he had ever planted. How we pray that this “first fruit” of their ministry does not become their final legacy.

This is such a sorrowful time, how I pray there may be repentance in these men before the Lord, that this be not recalled in eternity (1 Cor 11:31).

If this a sign of the division spoken of within the scriptures respecting the days in which we live, what a sorrow it truly shall be as it develops further.

Our church has not been spared grief, my own family has not been left unscathed by it and the respectful relationship with my former pastor has now become part of the wages of sin.

Pray for these men brethren, please earnestly pray for them, for if they would judge themselves they will be not judged. How I pray a time will come when vanity and pride becomes contrition and repentance, for these only are the sacrifices pleasing to the Lord (Ps 51:17).

Again, if it be your mind to despise this Church for its revelation of the wicked acts done unto us, we have no answer for you but that which testifies to the days in which we live, men love darkness rather than light.

This was a reluctant letter to write, testified to that it has come about over 2 years since the event on the 17th of March 2024. It would never have been written had the Spirit of God simply been permitted to work the repentance required in Mr Kereopa, that the Lord may have the possibility of having him one day approved of. We are again commanded to reprove sin beloved, not reward it!

Lastly, I would like to publicly thank my wife Maria and my deacon Phillip who stood by my side at the pulpit the day of the sedition, one to my right and the other to my left. You were both a picture of courage and strength that day amongst an angry mob who had no idea of why they were there. 

Phillip and Kest, we have known one another for thirty years now, your willingness to stand for the truth and your courage to take criticism is what our Church needs to ward off the evil that comes our way. The devil now knows where we stand, and we will stand.

God bless you all.

Pr Edi Giudetti

Deacon Phillip McKenzie.

On behalf of Hope Baptist Church.