2024-07-19 21:15:22
Forgiveness is a central condition for practicing the Christian life, which must be applied even when the Church is the target of attacks. This is what a pastor named Kiah Graves did, from the Philadelphia Baptist Church located in Pauline, South Carolina, United States of America.
The church that was in charge of the religion was attacked by a young man who decided to set fire to two vans belonging to the community. They were parked in front of the temple when they were set on fire on the 4th day of that month.
After the incident, complaints led to the perpetrator, who was subsequently arrested. But, despite the huge damage and loss to the church, Pastor Graves understood that it was necessary not only to forgive the young man, who is 18 years old, but also to welcome him.
“Forgiveness and redemptive hope for others, offering a second chance, is a way to make Spartanburg one of the best places to live,” Graves said.
“Even though his actions were wrong and harmful, because we might have to buy new vans, we don’t hate him,” explained the pastor, according to information from Church Leaders.
Personal visit
With that, Graves decided to personally visit, in prison, the young perpetrator of the attack, named Brandon Greene. To his surprise, there was no hostility from the boy, only regret.
“It was amazing. We hugged and I told him that the church loved him as Christ loved us, and then, to make a long story short, I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with him”, said the priest.
The religious leader explained to the boy the reason for forgiveness, teaching him how Christ has forgiven us too, and soon after accepting Jesus the young man expressed his desire to be baptized and born again.
“But none of this would have happened, I think, if everyone didn’t have the same intention. Yes, we’re going to get him, we’re going to make sure this gets resolved, and we’re not going to leave him alone either,” Graves concludes.
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