Johannesburg, South Africa.At the conclusion of Wess Stafford’s Summit session on the power of forgiveness, hundreds of leaders responded by taking communion and forgiving those who had sinned against them by nailing their hurts and burdens to wooden crosses in the auditorium. The sound of hammers hitting nails was audible as people did business with God.
The Holy Spirit’s presence was palpable as this went on for 40 minutes.
By: Janine Couchman (@janineraecouchy)
Event Director, WCA South Africa
Wess Stafford’s Summit session was a turning point towards forgiveness for many attenders. His words remind us that God has a plan and a purpose for us… to give us a future and a hope.
Resources on forgiveness:
"Forgive those who brought my sister’s life to an end.”
“I was raped at the age of 15. Please, Lord, help me forgive and forget.”
“Forgive our church leadership and help us to build trust between each other.”
The Holy Spirit’s presence was palpable as this went on for 40 minutes.
By: Janine Couchman (@janineraecouchy)
Event Director, WCA South Africa
Wess Stafford’s Summit session was a turning point towards forgiveness for many attenders. His words remind us that God has a plan and a purpose for us… to give us a future and a hope.
Resources on forgiveness:
“If the pain your life is fueled by someone in your past who hurt you, there’s one word you need to know: forgiveness.” -Wess Stafford
ReplyDeleteLike Wess I too went to an a boarding school (parents were missionaries) that allowed what I know now is abuse. Not like his, but still abuse. I was able to get through that, get past it (as much as anyone can), and ultimately forgive because I knew while it was going on that it was the sin of the abuser, and not of God. In fact, it was my faith that my parents gave me that got me through. It took 7 years to begin to forgive and in a way, I first had to forgive myself for being abusable.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I see that made it okay to do what those teachers did was the foolish belief that Christians have that something like that won't happen because they're Christians. Yes, but they're still sinners. Never assume when the safety of your children are involved.