Mother Emanuel Church Shows a Nation What to do When Tragedy Strikes

     Every day it seems new tragedies shout their headlines of horror and despair. It may be the ongoing Christian genocide in the Middle East, a terrorist murdering an Israeli family, African children kidnapped by malevolent terrorists, and yes, tragedy right here at home. What do we do when tragedy strikes?

     Two church congregations-among others- serve as inspiring role models. In 2015, a white supremacist walked into a Bible study at “Mother Emanuel” AME church in Charleston, South Carolina. He left behind nine church members shot dead in a hateful display of evil. Then recently a deranged man full of the same hate and evil burst into First Baptist Church on a Sunday morning in Sutherland Springs, Texas murdering 26 church members.
     The reactions of two congregations a thousand miles apart- black and white- are awe-inspiring almost beyond comprehension. And only one reality explains it: their reactions spring from their faith as believers in the Lord Jesus, their reliance on the Bible, and their faith communities.

Mother Emanuel Church  
Credit: The Post & Courier 

     Prior to and during the trial of the killer, Emanuel AME church members openly offered their forgiveness to him. Felicia Sanders’ son Tywanza was the youngest killed. She said, “May God have mercy on your soul. You have killed some of the most beautiful people I know. Every fiber in my body hurts. “Another member, Bethane Middleton Brown, lost her sister saying, “I acknowledge that I am very angry but my sister taught me we are the family that love built. We have no room for hating, so we have to forgive.”
     The grieving church was clearly drawing on the truths of the Bible like this verse in Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
     Expressing his grief in the tiny Texas town, Joe Holcomb said, “We’re having a hard time.” He went on to say that his family “has gone home and he will see them in heaven.” And smiling he said, “We'll be together again for a long time." Mr. Holcomb lost 8 family members; children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, one of whom was an unborn child.
     Pastor Frank Pomeroy whose daughter was murdered, encouraged the remaining congregation saying, “Whatever life brings you, lean on the Lord rather than your own understanding Though it may not make sense in our finite mind…leaning into God is the way we should go, because God's got it figured out whether we do or not." The pastor quoted this verse in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
     Evil people must suffer consequences. For victims and their families, forgiveness is an antidote for bitterness and loss. How can we do this? We overcome by the Blood of the Lamb. Rev. 12:11 These families, these churches, are authentic in two important ways.
     Authentic in their grief, shock, trauma, and loss. They are also authentic in their faith. They are living out of John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  #InJesusLightOvercomesDarkness