A former Southern Baptist missionary has been sentenced to two years in prison for fraud.
Brady Nurse, 38, worked as a logistics and business co-ordinator for the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention.
He pleaded guilty to obtaining nearly $300,000 in mission funds by submitting fraudulent expense reports, according to Baptist Press.
Nurse admitted that he "routinely altered" amounts on documents and invoices, "submitted fraudulent, manufactured, and/or duplicated documentation" on expense reports, "falsely represented" quotes and estimates for service from vendors, altered documentation associated with household shipping charges and falsely obtained reimbursement for non-reimbursable expenses.
He resigned from the IMB in January 2014 but continued to seek reimbursement for "suspect shipping expenses" even after that.
IMB general counsel Derek Gaubatz said: "We are deeply grieved that one sent out to proclaim the free gift of the Gospel would violate the sacred trust placed in him by Southern Baptists.
"IMB believes it is appropriate that Mr Nurse face accountability for his actions and fully supports his prosecution under federal law. At the same time, IMB takes no joy in that prosecution. IMB is praying for Mr Nurse and his family that they would experience the mercy of God in a fresh way."
Gaubatz said that while both IMB's external auditors and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability had confirmed that IMB has robust anti-fraud measures in place, "IMB would be seeking their input on any additional measures they would recommend".
Nurse and his wife Andrea had served as IMB missionaries since March 2006. On his first pleading guilty in October 2014, IMB Executive Vice President Clyde Meador wrote to missionaries and staff saying: "It is one thing when someone sins and hurts himself, but when the individual takes advantage of the funds and the trust given to him by IMB, it seems much more damaging."
He continued: "When family hurts us deeply, a best first reaction is bathing our reaction to the hurt in prayer. God alone can comfort, provide wisdom, and will guide your thoughts and words as you move forward in processing what has happened. Please join us in holding this brother up in prayer... By allowing the federal government access to the facts, we have acted in a biblical manner, and now there is a legal penalty to be paid. We know you will be praying with us for him and those he loves in the coming months and years."
