Words cannot accurately express our response to the events that unfolded on the fateful evening of June 17, in the historic city of Charleston, South Carolina. Horrific and senseless. Cold and shocking. Nine innocent people murdered in cold blood! Though strong and forceful, these words fail to truly capture how we feel about this incident. These nine God-fearing individuals were praying and studying the Bible when they were gunned down by the stranger that they had welcomed into their midst. Hateful, heartless, brutal and vicious. The South Carolina governor spoke for all of us, when she tearfully proclaimed that as a result of this ghastly incident, “the heart and soul of South Carolina was broken.”
“Why, oh why?” the whole world inquires and ponders. Why would a 21-year-old White man kill six African American women and three African American men whose only connection with him was that one hour in a Bible study? Why? Eventually, the killer’s dark background emerged and the radicalization into hatred for African Americans surfaced. It may not be surprising that the murderer’s isolation, together with his distorted southern pride roots, seem to have contributed to his deranged heart. It is sobering to consider how unchecked sin in our hearts and minds when left unchallenged, can lead to horrific actions.
We were disconcerted and startled when informed that the shooter desired to incite a race riot. Yet, his intent provoked the opposite reaction. We were amazed and inspired by the forgiveness immediately extended by the victims’ families who set the tone for the entire community. For the first time in history, Charleston citizens of all races, peacefully poured out onto the streets by the thousands to condemn this hideous act and show support and solidarity for the families of the victims and the shooter and the Emmanuel Church.
Some of us participated in the prayer vigil held shortly after the mass murders at the Charleston Coliseum and witnessed thousands of all races show up to pray, mourn and sing. We sung as one, “We Shall Overcome”, and “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.” A darkened soul intended so much harm, yet God is using it for profound good. The nine souls, faithfully studying their Bibles and praying together, have inspired and stirred the hearts of so many in Charleston, in South Carolina, and hopefully the whole world to never stop praying, gathering together and reading the Word.
In the midst of such turmoil and pain, it is comforting and encouraging to witness the Charleston community pull together to comfort and express their hearts. This entire horrible incident would have been so much harder if our own ICOC churches in South Carolina (the deep south) were not built on unity in Christ and love across all lines of race, age, and gender. We are grateful to God for inspiring and using those who have built these churches and leadership to be diverse and racially mixed and we pray that we can continue to be a beacon of hope in even more profound ways. Yet we are all challenged to examine our hearts to see if hatred and prejudice remain in any corners of our hearts.
What can we do to rid ourselves and others of any racial hatred or other factious thoughts? As we continue to grow in our understanding of loving each other across boundaries, the ICOC Churches in Clemson, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach and Charleston are committed to being united and one in Christ. Please continue to pray for the families who have lost loved ones and for the hearts of those who still harbor hate as a way of life. Pray for us to shine like stars with the hope of Christ for all souls.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. -- Galatians 3:26-27
Lowell Hoover, Evangelist, Charleston, South Carolina
Scott Kirkpatrick, Evangelist, Columbia, South Carolina; Chairman, Regional Family of Churches
Ronnie Rose, Evangelist, Greenville, South Carolina
David Laing, Evangelist, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Keith Winship, Evangelist, Clemson, South Carolina
PS: These events have added a new gravity and meaning to our Southeast Evangelism Conference in Greenville, South Carolina September 4-6, 2015. We invite you to join us for a life-changing weekend as we are “Compelled” to love, share the gospel and be unified.