Looking for Grace

Elita Galvin

This podcast explores the roots and history of the Baltimore-based group Greater Grace World Outreach (GGWO), how they got to where they are today, and what happens to those who discover that twisted grace isn't so great after all.

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19 episodes
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Avg 47 min
English

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Friday · 51 min
Predators in the Pews
In this episode, we will be taking a look at what the church's response should be when a convicted child offender wants to join their faith community, or when a member of their faith community is convicted of an egregious crime against children and wants to remain an active part of the faith community. Specifically, we will be looking at this through the lens of how church leaders in Pawley's Island Community Church and Greater Grace World Outreach handled these requests-and what the results of those decisions were. We will also be looking at what organizations such as GRACE recommend in response to these situations. CONTENT WARNING: this episode contains multiple references to sexual crimes against children. Please take care if you choose to listen. Reporting credit for this episode goes to: Tim Whitaker of Tim Whitaker Speaks, The Post & Courier News/SC, WCBD News/SC, WMBF News/SC, ABC4 News/Charleston, and Fox News/Baltimore. Constructive feedback, stories, or just a hello can be sent via email to lookingforgracepodcast@gmail.com.
August 14 · 48 min
The Devil's in the Details
Here we are-we have arrived at the big split of May 2005 at the Chicago conference after over a year of chaos, division, battles for power, and failed attempts at peacemaking. In this episode, we will not be looking at just the Chicago conference itself, but the lens through which the lead up and result was framed by Baltimore leaders. We will also explore how this was just the beginning of a pattern that has continued to this day. Constructive feedback, stories, or just a hello can be sent via email to lookingforgracepodcast@gmail.com.
July 31 · 1 hr 51 min
Hot Takes with Grumpy Bex: GGWO Doctrinal Clarification
For this episode I am joined by a special guest who is not only a great friend of this podcast but an excellent writer in her own right. Becka from the Grumpy Bex blog is here to help me break down the recent Doctrinal Clarification presented by Greater Grace. We discuss what they clarified, what they didn't, and all the missed opportunities and pitfalls we spotted along the way. This episode is a bit longer than most, but it was a great conversation and one I hope you all enjoy listening to as much as we enjoyed having. Becka's work can be found on Substack at https://substack.com/@grumpybex -be sure to go give her a follow, as she's doing phenomenal work!
July 17 · 55 min
A Kingdom Divided
In this episode, we explore not only what happened in the immediate aftermath of Tom Schaller being named head of Greater Grace, but also what being handed great power can reveal about people's true character. As Maya Angelou once said, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."
July 3 · 39 min
The Battle for the Throne
Welcome to part three of the series on how Greater Grace came to change hands from Carl Stevens to Tom Schaller. In this episode, we take a look at how things went from seeming unity at Sandy Cove in February to rifts and schisms all over the place as a power struggle took place over who would actually become Carl's successor as head of Greater Grace.
June 19 · 44 min
Sandy Cove
Most people who have had interaction with Greater Grace, the GRACE report, previous message boards, or have even looked into the organization from the outside have seen or heard about Sandy Cove. In this episode, we are going to take a deeper look into this conference-it's intent, what was discussed, the implications and takeaways, and how it what was meant to be the beginning of re-solidifying the alliance between Baltimore and the affiliations would instead become something entirely different.
June 5 · 34 min
Cracks in the Foundation
Welcome to part one of a multi-part episode series on the decline of Carl Stevens, the rise of Tom Schaller, and the messy, messy middle in between. In these next few episodes, we will be taking a look at what happens when a leader fails, a power vacuum is created, and ambitious men pretendingto be humble servants see an opportunity too good to pass up-as well as what happens to those who dare to ask questions or get in their way.
May 22 · 1 hr 7 min
Shadow of Joy with Jennifer Dean
For this episode I am delighted to welcome back Jennifer Dean as we discuss her new book, "Shadow of Joy." We talk about the writing, editing, and launch process, along with all the emotions that come with creating and releasing such a personal project. We also talk about her book and what she wants the readers to know and to take away from the story. For more information, you can visit her website at www.beyondtheshadow.me. Content warning: This episode contains adult themes around coercive control and abuse.
May 8 · 30 min
The Appearance of Accountability
In this episode, we talk about the latest news of Greater Grace's decision to resign from the Evangelical Counsel for Financial Accountability while under investigation for being out of compliance with one of the ECFA guiding principles, and why this kind of accountability matters.
April 24 · 51 min
Duggar v. Anderson: A Cautionary Tale
Two families. Two super conservative religious ecosystems. How does this result in both families having two sons who became predators? On this episode we take a look at what might be contributing factors to how these two families got here-and what we can learn from it all. CONTENT WARNING: this episode contains conversation about sexual assault, molestation, and CSAM. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
April 11 · 1 hr 6 min
Purity Culture Pitfalls with Grumpy Bex
For this episode I am joined by the writer of the Grumpy Bex blog on Substack as we tackle the topic of purity culture and the impact it had on our generation, especially females of our generation, both as teenagers and in our adult lives. Content Warning: sexual content including abuse, coercion, and venereal disease
March 27 · 1 hr 5 min
In Conversation with Jennifer Dean
This week I am joined on the podcast by survivor and author Jennifer Dean. Jennifer is an absolute delight, and in this conversation we talk about her experience being in a marriage marked by coercive control and abuse while also being part of Greater Grace, and the way church leaders responded to her cries for help. She has turned those experiences into a way to help others, and is about to release her very first book, "Shadow of Joy" in April. You can find out more at beyondtheshadow.me.
March 13 · 1 hr 20 min
In Conversation with Arrow
I am so pleased to bring you the very first guest conversation on Looking for Grace podcast! I had great time chatting with Arrow about what's it's like when the world you know crashes with reality. We also discussed contradictions, cracks, and finding a way out. -and how we even managed to find some fun along the way.
February 27 · 39 min
Guilt by Affiliation
In this episode we will examine some examples of abuse at GGWO affiliate locations by local church leaders and the response of GGWO leaders in Baltimore. We will also take a look at GGWO's view of affiliation and why it is problematic. Content warning: this episode contains harsh language regarding abuse, listener discretion is advised.
February 12 · 42 min
Flag on the Field
In this episode, we take a look at the timeline of abuses at GGWO Baltimore that were detailed in the GRACE report and whether or not they fit the leader's claim of there having been no findings of abuse at the Baltimore campus in the last 20 years-and whether or not that even matters. Episode note: after recording this episode, I did uncover that Jesse A. was required to be on the offender registry for life.
January 31 · 24 min
Take Me To Your Leader
In this one we start right with the figure who was central to it all-Carl Stevens. Content warning for manipulation and abuse.
January 17 · 28 min
The C Word
Join us as we discuss the difference between a church and a cult and why it matters-with a side dish of spice about the latest GGWO update.
Dec 31, 2025 · 17 min
Urban Invasion
This episode explores the origins and evolution of Greater Grace World Outreach, founded by Carl Stevens in Baltimore after a controversial past in Massachusetts. The discussion delves into the church's recruitment strategies, financial expectations from members, and the establishment of a new headquarters.
Dec 30, 2025 · 5 min
An Introduction
Welcome listeners to Looking for Grace. This brief introduction will introduce the host and what the podcast will be about.

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