“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Mt 24:35)

I am a white woman and a pastor living in Nigeria. Last night we had our mid-week service and it was wonderful. This story touched me; that’s why I write this letter. This morning I heard this breaking news: last night, a ‘white’ young man went to a church in Charleston, USA. This is an old, historical ‘black’ church. The congregation was doing Bible study at their mid-week service. For some time, the young man stayed in the pew and listened to the preaching of the Word of God. Suddenly, he drew his gun and shot the pastor and eight others. They all died on the spot. Many were wounded. The criminal ran away. Police is calling this a ‘hate crime’. The police are looking for him right now. Most people are now afraid of backlash, of increase hatred between the races. This is the normal thing to do. But I pray that God glorifies Himself in this tragic story! I pray for a miracle of reconciliation, peace, forgiveness and hope! I pray that men and women all over the world, black, brown, white or yellow give their lives to Christ! I pray that God will do something new in that city! I pray that revival will come to America, that these believers did not die in vain!  Holy Spirit please comfort the broken hearted!

As for the young man who hated blacks, Christians or the Bible, one thing is sure: He cannot run away from God, from His Word. I do not know the topic of the Bible study in that church last night. But whatever the pastor preached, it is the Word of God and this man listened for some time. He may hide from men, from family and friends even from police, but he can never hide from God, from the Word of God he heard last night! The Word of God has done its work in him! God can never lose!

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Is 55:10, 11)