Defending our church's name from the New York post

Rebuttal refuting the New York Post’s article that our Pastor had company selling pots and pans during church service

https://nypost.com/2017/02/27/pastor-had-company-sell-pots-and-pans-during-church-service/

by the Board of New Beginnings Church of Williamsburg

Barbara Norwood, Aurora Soto, Juan Delgado, Betsy Ocasio Delgado and written testimonials from the members of New Beginnings Church of WIlliamsburg 

Represented by the law office of Mark J. Weinstein 

February 26-March 4, 2017 

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Proverbs 18: 17 “The first one to plead his cause seems right,

Until his neighbor comes and examines him.”

 

In 2013,  Ryan Chittum wrote an article for the Colombian Journalism Review entitled, “The New York Post’s Disgrace” that covers the Boston Marathon bombing. He writes the following: 

The paper smears a kid and a young man on its front page as possible terrorists. At some point, you even have to hold the tabloids to account. That point is now with the New York Post, which has exhibited reckless and appalling journalistic judgment this week in its reporting on the Boston Marathon bombing. First the paper reported early in the developing story on Monday that 12 people had been killed in the blasts. It then reported that authorities had a “Saudi national” in custody as a suspect. Both reports turned out to be false. That’s bad. Pathetic, really. But with the smoke still clearing on a breaking story, mistakes—even serious mistakes—can happen. But today’s front page of the Post is a black mark in the annals of newspaper history, and it shows that the Murdoch paper deserves no benefit of the doubt. Any pretense of professionalism—as thin as it might have been—is gone.

This article serves as an example of how the New York Post was not responsible for reporting. The board and church members of New Beginnings Church of Williamsburg write this rebuttal that goes against the wishes of Pastor Jaime Zelaya. He believes in forgiving, so do we, however, we felt obligated to defend his name, his family, and our church’s name as it has been defamed by a person who is a non-member of the church.- Proverbs 18:13 ““He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shameful to him.” This will be proven through irrefutable evidence and written testimonies by the members of the church that the  New York Post article stunningly ignored evidence submitted by our Attorney, Mark Weinstein. This non member, had reported that our pastor had a company come to our church and sell us pots and pans. We diametrically go against this story published by the New York Post. 

    On February 13, 2017, pastor Jaime Zelaya was preparing his family's taxes at the wonderful Serrano Business Tax Services located at 256 S 4th St, #1, Brooklyn, NY 11211..  During his visit, he was approached by an employee from Serrano Business Tax Service named Lizette Serrano. She had asked him if her church could come to New Beginnings Church of Williamsburg to teach the church how to cook healthy meals. She stated that her church does this for many churches. Since our Pastor, Jaime Zelaya loves to promote community unity. He agreed happily due to the fact that he loves to encourage the body of Christ. Pastor Jaime is a natural connector and is always bringing the community together. (See article published on him:) https://www.bklynr.com/saving-williamsburg/

 

They agreed to set the date on February 19, 2017, at 3pm after their church service. However, Lizette never mentioned to Pastor Jaime Zelaya that she would be bringing Royal Prestige items to sell pots and pans to sell at the church (see attachment of the company admitting their error that was denied by the NY Post submitted by Mark Weinstein, church attorney.)  This is a true testimony as Jacob Juarez and his wife Rebecca Juarez both attest to speaking with Lizette on February 18, 2017 (the day before the event); they were at the same tax service preparing their taxes as well. Jacob testified that Lizzette had mentioned to both him and his wife that the pastor had agreed to bring her church to cook healthy foods for New Beginnings Church of Williamsburg. Jacob and Rebecca Juarez never heard Lizette mention that she would be bringing in Royal Prestige to sell pots and pans. Jacob states, "Lizette told the me that we will see you on Sunday at the church. We will be cooking healthy foods for your congregation."

    On February 19, 2017, after the church service, all of the members left the sanctuary and headed to the cafeteria to meet with Lizette Serrano's church members to join in the cooking activities and fellowship that were going to take place. Barbara Norwood, church secretary, had welcomed Lizette’s church in the cafeteria to set up the food when the church service was over. However, she had noticed that Lizzete’s crew was setting up a major display of food and cooking products. She then sent Charlie Berger to get Pastor Jaime Zelaya (as the pastor was always the last one out of the sanctuary making sure that all the lights were turned off). Charlie Berger had told pastor Jaime Zelaya that Lizette's church is here, and they set up a professional display of products as if they were selling items. Pastor Jaime Zelaya was shocked, according to Charlie Berger. When Pastor Jaime went to the cafeteria the church members were already in progress sitting and watching a cooking presentation by both LIzette Serrano and a speaker by the name of Lucas Baez. The whole church in attendance was enjoying the presentation. In fact, both the aunt, Josefina Diaz and cousin of the non member were into the presentation that they won prizes for their relentless participation. The church truly was having a fun time. Lizette and Lucas' team prepared steamed chicken and vegetables that the church members of New Beginnings enjoyed. Yet during the presentation, we vividly remember that Lucas and Lizette kept mentioning the products they used to cook the food were products made by Royal Prestige. Lucas Baez had stated, "If everyone enjoyed the presentation?" The church responded, "Yes." After that, we vividly heard Lucas state that if anyone is interested in purchasing our pots and pans, under no obligation, feel free to speak to all of my associates.`` The church seemed content and several church members wanted to purchase the merchandise they were offering, including the non member’s family. While the church was eating and some members were purchasing products we saw the non member and his sister, and a pet dog walk into the cafeteria way after the church service was over. 

   During the presentation, we saw Pastor Jaime Zelaya signaling and calling Lizette Serrano and Lucas Baez along with the deacon of the church Juan Delgado into the administrative office for a meeting. In that meeting, Juan Delgado stated that Pastor Jaime Zelaya was disappointed in Lizette Serrano and Lucas Baez for bringing confusion with their presentation. Juan Delgado states that pastor Jaime Zelaya told Lizette, "I would like a written letter of apology addressed to the church because I never knew that you would be selling products. I thought you were only going to cook healthy foods. I want a written letter so that I can publicly read it before the congregation for next Sunday, February 26, 2017." Juan Delgado testified that both LIzeete and Lucas apologized and promised to write a letter of apology and send it to the pastor as requested. Yet the letter of apology was ignored by the New York Post's journalists according to our attorney Mr. Weinstein. (see attachment again).

    After the meeting was over, pastor Jaime Zelaya came out of his office to bring order to the situation. He noticed that a person who had second thoughts about purchasing a product.  She was timid in asking a sales representative ro cancel the order. We saw and heard Pastor Jaime Zelaya assist her by asking the sales representative to cancel her order. Once the pastor saw that the sales representative was hesitant to the request, without hesitation, he took the contract with her name and ripped it up. We heard the person thank Pastor Jaime Zelaya for defending her. This was clearly witnessed by Barbara Norwood and church members. Yet, many other church members were ok with purchasing the products and were not offended by the presentation. They felt that nothing wrong was happening. We can all attest that Pastor Jaime Zelaya loves to help everyone, however, he, nor any church member did not receive any compensation for hosting the presentation. Nor did our pastor, Jaime Zelaya force church members, or elderly church members to purchase items. The New York Post blatantly lied. 

   Four days after the presentation the New York Post called the church about the event reported by the non member. Our church called a meeting and spoke to the church's attorney, Mark Weinstein.  He stated that he would call up the reporter in order to refute the allegations that were made.  At that time, the church prepared to write up testimonies  to obtain evidence that would debunk such claims. Including the testimony of the non member’s aunt who testified that her nephew was wrong and should not have done this. See attachment of her calling a meeting with church members. 

    On February 26, 2017 the church had an Agape Feast, and to the churches’ surprise a reporter of the New York Post walked in to question what the church had to say about the allegations made by the non member. The church was kind to the reporter that attended our gathering. The church served her food and respected her. She stated, "I feel guilty being here. Your church is treating me so kindly." Witnesses attesting to this were Barbara Norwood, Jacob Juarez, Aurora Soto, Juan Delgado, and Betsy Delgado. During that time Pastor Jaime Zelaya asked the church to listen to the reporter’s questions. He also helped the reporter by asking the church the following questions:

1. "Did any of us expect that products would be sold to us on February 19, 2017?" We as the church responded. "No!"

2. "Did you feel pressured in purchasing the products by Lizette’s church?" We as the church responded, "No!"

3. "Did I make any or did the church make any commission for hosting the event?" The church responded, "No!"

4. “Did I read the letter of apology by Lucas Baez, representative of Royal Prestige for their dishonest approach of selling products rather than just cooking food after the church service on February 19, 2017? The church responded, “Yes!”

 

Yet, the New York Post reporter ignored and wrote the following: “After this past Sunday’s sermon, he introduced a Post reporter to the congregants, which consisted of about 15 women. “Did you feel pressured last week during the presentation?” he asked them out loud. When no one replied, he said: “You see, no one feels bamboozled.”

 

This reporter blatantly lied. The reporter writes that there were only 15 women. That is amusing. Why? It is due to the fact that the reporter was approached by Josefina Diaz, the aunt of the non member, accompanied by two men, Juan Delgado and Jacob Juarez, Barbara Norwood who witnessed what Josefina Diaz stated. Josefina Stated, "My nephew was wrong. He should have never done this. This is my church and he is wrong. He is wrong. He is wrong". Present on that day was a total of 10 men and 18 women in that room. We do not know what type of calculation the reporter had made. It seems that her tabulation was not basic mathematics. Furthermore, we as a church felt insulted as the reporter states “that no one responded.” This is far from the truth! The reporter was peppered by truthful statements from church members that she ignored. In fact, during our agape feast, Josefina Diaz publicly stated, “my nephew was wrong! I am so ashamed.” Furthermore,  the church was not silent. The church clearly spoke up. The reporter made it out to make us feel that we couldn't speak for ourselves.  Our written testimonies will exhibit that our true sentiments were ignored. (see attachments of written testimonies by church members). 

   The article states "A Brooklyn pastor who complained about needing cash brought in a pack of aggressive salesmen from a shady cookware company to try to peddle pricey pots and pans to his aging congregants, a worshiper told The Post."

    We as the church refute this statement wholeheartedly. This statement is false. We have never heard our pastor complain about needing cash.  He does not express himself in that fashion. He does not complain about cash at all. In fact, he does not even preach about money. The non member states that he has heard him complain about needing cash. Ok, we simply ask the following: What was the title of the sermon that the non member heard him asking about complaining about needing cash? What was the scripture verse he used complaining about needing cash? What year, what month, what Sunday date did you hear him complain about needing cash? 

The fact of the matter is that the non-member is not a member of our church, does not attend our services, and would only come when services were over to eat in the cafeteria with his aunt. 

Another false claim is that the reporter calls the non-member a worshiper and writes that he has attended our church services for the past decade. Here are some questions rebutting this claim: How is the non member a worshiper? When did the non member attend our services? When was this non-member baptized at New Beginnings Church of Williamsburg that started the process of worshiping? When did this non-member ever attend membership classes? When did this non-member ever fill out our covenant membership application? What date did this non-member attest before the church that he accepts membership and in return our church accepts him as a member as our bi-laws states? The truth is that this non-member never attended our services to worship God because he is not a member. If he were a church member he would have believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and not bear false witness. 

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    As a church we have seen how Pastor Jaime Zelaya has been very kind to this individual and his family. In fact, Pastor has supported their most recent loss of Aida Diaz, mother of Josefina Diaz, and grandmother of the non-member. Pastor Jaime Zelaya would often visit with Aida while she was sick, during hospital visits, was present at her passing, and even offered the church building to hold her viewing funeral services FREE of CHARGE in order to help the family with the expenses. We as the board attest to this fact as he has done this for other church members and community members who could not afford viewings at funerals whose family members have departed. We never charge families to view their loved ones in the church sanctuary. Pastor Jaime Zelaya has taught us to give church members love and comfort by helping families save money due to New York City’s Funeral viewings being highly expensive. He has always done this for church members and extended it towards this non-member’s family, which they exercised. In fact his aunt writes the following to attest to the Pastor’s testimony: 

“I have known Pastor Jaime Zelaya since 2005. He came from La Iglesia Bautista Central and he became our pastor. To my person, he has been there when I have needed him. When my mom was sick he was there. And when she died she was viewed at the church. I have been grateful for all of that. He does work in the community. He brings food to the homeless and the needy and works with those who are handicapped.”

Josefina Diaz

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This is why we as a church must come to the defense of our pastor, his family, and our church name.  This article is a ridiculous piece of writing that ignored the basic principles of facts and skewed a story by selling sensationalism. Charlie Berger, who is an avid reader of New York City papers and has been a 15 year attendee of our church services  states, "this article is a rag! And so is the New York Post!"

In closing, we refute that our pastor had a company sell pots and pans during church service. We refute that our pastor complains about needing cash. We refute that our pastor or any member of the church received funds from this presentation. We refute that our pastor invited Royal Prestige to aggressively go after church elderly congregants. We refute that this non-member has been a worshiper for the past decade. He is not a member. 

 

It is to be noted, this article is written with the sole purpose of refuting the NY Post article that alleges that our pastor was selling pots and pans at our church. We are all eye witnesses of the event that took place on the 19th of February, 2017:  We were there. The non-member came half-way to an event on February 19, 2017 that took place after a church service that he did not attend. In fact, some members of the church reported that they felt uneasy as they saw Walter and his sister scolding their aging aunt for freely wanting to purchase products. 

Our pastor believes in restoration and forgiveness, and so do we. Yet, we as church members and the board feel an obligation to protect the good name of the church and the work of our Pastor Jaime Zelaya. He has freely served our members with love and has shepherded this flock such as; visiting the sick, providing funeral and burial services, distributing food to the most vulnerable, teaching the incarcerated youth, helping the immigrant population, collecting clothing for homeless by serving at the Bowery mission, fighting for racial justice by representing our church ministry at Charlottesville, Virginia, and acquiring flu shots for the community.

Thus, we feel compelled to tell the truth regarding this matter. It behooves us to do so. If not, we run the risk of being trampled on and not exercising our God given right to declare the truth. The truth is that Lizette Serrano and Lucas Baez miscommunicated with the pastor and  the church and should have been more transparent in their approach. We are certain that our pastor would have never invited them to come to our church if they were going to sell their products by Royal Prestige. Furthermore, we believe that the non-member was wrong in falsely alleging the aforementioned in this article. He should have waited and remembered with a grateful heart all that this church and it’s pastor has done for his family and aunt who is a congregant and defended her church by never having him step into the building again.  He should have appreciated how this church and its pastor has loved on his family by going above and beyond in serving them. He should have spoken to the pastor and its members as they always welcomed him with open arms in serving him and feeding him after Sunday services whenever he and his sister attended.

     Ou church prides itself in helping the immigrant population, the disabled community, the homeless neighbors with love and commitment; does this bother the New York Post? Maybe it does 

We love our church and our pastor and the ongoing laying down of the life that he displays in order to encourage our hearts. Therefore, we refute this blatant fabrication of what one might call news and we bring the unadulterated truth of the good news regarding the testimony we hold to be true; the pastor had pots and pans sold; clearly not. Rather, the pastor had a company apologize for dishonest pots and pans being sold. This is Royal, because our prestige comes from our God! Amen!