Hillcrest Christian College dramas split Reedy Creek Baptist Church

A southeast Queensland parish has become divided over ongoing dramas at the elite school the church runs.

Hillcrest Christian College

A FEUD has split the church that runs a strife-torn Gold Coast private school.

The Reedy Creek Baptist Church has become divided over dramas at its Hillcrest Christian College, with parishioners at loggerheads.

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Hillcrest has been rocked by months of turmoil, including bullying complaints against principal Jeff Davis, the suspension and departure of senior staff and controversy over hundreds of thousands of dollars in college loans to a private company set up to commercialise a reading program.

Principal Jeff Davis

An angry faction of the church has called on the board to call an urgent meeting of Reedy Creek Baptist company members who control the school to thrash out concerns.

They include board claims that an ‘independent’ investigation had cleared Mr Davis of any wrongdoing despite admissions that none of the complainants, including staff, had been interviewed.

The Independent Education Union, which represents Hillcrest staff, wrote to members last week expressing “grave concerns” about the review and calling for an urgent ‘thorough and wide-ranging investigation’.

A four-page letter sent by a group of “deeply concerned” church company members to fellow parishioners last week warned of the ‘seriousness of the situation’ and said the reputation of the church and college was at stake.

“Some of you may already be aware of the situation that has been and is still escalating at Hillcrest Christian College,” the letter stated.

“As company members of the College, it is our duty and responsibility to protect our biggest ministry and outreach and to act hastily and diligently when concerns arise.

“It is time to call for transparency and not simply verbal cues.

“These issues are not going to go away and need to be dealt with courageously and honestly.”

Reedy Creek Baptist Church

The disgruntled church company members gave the board a deadline of 5pm last Friday to respond to demands to call an extraordinary company meeting.

However the board refused, saying there was no basis under corporate law or the church constitution to do so.

The board — whose directors include Reedy Creek Baptist pastor David Moyes — instead urged parishioners to attend an ‘information meeting’ planned for next Sunday with board members and Mr Davis.

Concerned church members are rallying to continue to push for an extraordinary meeting.

“The board’s statement last night shows they are just ignoring the genuine concerns of the church community,” one Hillcrest parent said.

“Some of the church members have demanded a company members’ meeting because they have been disgusted at the way the matters have been handled by the board and the college.”