Emanuel AME: A Testament to the Work of Jesus

Pastoral Editorial from the desk of Pastor Bob Hampton

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I know you were as saddened as I was to hear the horror story that unfolded in Charleston last week. The depravity of but one man reared its most grotesque head once again, resulting in the tragic loss of nine precious lives. And I suspect many of us expected what so many others around our country expected, Baltimore revisited.

Parishioners hold hands and sing during services at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, June 21, 2015

 

But out of this nightmare and the bubbling cauldron of riotous “revenge”, we began hearing reports of REVIVAL!! Many of the church members at Emanuel AME Church, though grieving the loss of close friends and family members, didn’t reach for stones to throw at the police. Instead, they reached for each others’ hand and together they bowed their heads in prayer. Black and white coming together in love and harmony as God intended life to be lived among all those created in His Image. My eyes welled up with tears of joy to see the love of Christ overflowing from that very wounded church. Rev. Norvel Goff preached in its pulpit today and he was quoted at one point in the aftermath of their heartache, “A lot of folks expected us to do something strange and to break out in a riot. Well, they just don’t know us. We are a people of faith.” He also spoke with the media, which seemed surprised that family members of the victims told the assailant that they forgave him. Rev. Goff simply explained: “If you knew our daddy, you would know”, referring to God.

What a TESTAMENT to the work of Jesus when people yield their hearts to Him. I praise God this day for our African-American brothers and sisters at Emanuel AME who gave us a beautiful picture of our colorblind Savior.
Joy over those who reflect Jesus, Peace in the midst of heartache and Hope that the Church will show the world we shall overcome,
Bob