Called to Forgive: The Charleston Church Shooting

While the murder of his wife devastated Anthony Thompson, he and three other relatives of victims chose to privately and publicly forgive the shooter. Years later, the church and community still struggle to understand the family members' deliberate choice to forgive the racist murderer. But as Charlestonians have witnessed these incredible acts of forgiveness, something significant has happened to the community--black and white leaders and residents have united, coming together peaceably and even showing acts of selfless love.This book is the account of Anthony's wife's murder, the grief he experienced, and how and why he made the radical choice to forgive the killer. But beyond that, Anthony goes on to teach what forgiveness can and should look like in each of our lives--both personally, in our communities, and even in our nation. After much pain, reflection, and study, Thompson shares how true biblical love and mercy differ from the way these ideas are reflected in our culture.Be inspired by this remarkable story and discover how the difficult decision to forgive can become the key to radical change. From the Back Cover Witness the Power of Forgiveness through the Charleston Church ShootingOn June 17, 2015, Dylann Roof, a young white man, attended the Wednesday evening Bible study at the predominantly black Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. An hour later, Roof pulled a concealed weapon and killed nine African-Americans as they prayed, including Myra Thompson, the wife of Reverend Anthony Thompson. Myra's murder devastated Anthony, yet he chose to privately and publicly forgive the shooter.Many in the church and community still struggle to understand Reverend Thompson's deliberate choice to forgive the racist murderer. But as Charlestonians witnessed this incredible act of forgiveness, something significant happened within the community. Instead of theexpected racial riots in the aftermath of the shooting, black and white leaders and residents united, coming together peaceably and even showing acts of selfless love.This book is the account of Reverend Thompson's wife's murder, the grief he experienced, and the radical choice to forgive the killer. But beyond that, Reverend Thompson casts a compelling vision of the power of forgiveness to transform our lives--personally, in our communities, and even in our nation.Be inspired by this remarkable story and discover how the difficult decision to forgive can become the key to radical change.The Reverend Anthony Batiste Thompson is the pastor of Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church of Charleston. The Reverend Thompson was married to the late Myra Thompson. They have three children and six grandchildren.Denise George is the author/coauthor of thirty-one books. She is married to Dr. Timothy George. They have two grown children and one toddler grandson. George has served as founding director of LifeWay's Women's Ministry program and adjunct instructor at Beeson Divinity School. About the Author Anthony B. Thompson is the pastor of Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church of Charleston. He is a member of the community advisory board of Mother Emanuel AME Church Empowerment Center, as well as the National Board of Foreign Missions of the Reformed Episcopal Church. The Reverend Thompson was married to the late Myra Thompson of Charleston, South Carolina. They have three children and six grandchildren.Denise George is the author/coauthor of thirty-one books. George has served as founding director of LifeWay's Women's Ministry program and adjunct instructor at Beeson Divinity School. She is married to Dr. Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama.