HEARTBROKEN by David Maddox
I am heartbroken for my Brothers and Sisters in Charleston, South Carolina and Columbia. A heartless act to sit with the small group of the faithful for an hour in a prayer/Bible study meeting and then to kill or believe he killed all but one he left alive to tell the story. Dead is their precious Pastor – one of the few today who still attend prayer meetings. I wonder how he would have felt if he had not gone and this tragedy had happened to those who were present merely seeking to obey the Biblical command that My house shall be called a house of prayer. Added to the tragedy is the white on black issue which some will seek to make the issue. I have had the privilege of spending much ministry time in South Carolina with Time to Revive in Revive Columbia SC. both then and in follow up visits. Our base of operations was (and remains) a Black Church with a really cool picture of a Black Jesus at the Last Supper with all the disciples Black. We invested most of our ministry time in Black communities at the request of the Black Mayor going our with racially mixed groups because in Christ there is no race. Nine people died in Charleston simply because they came together to lift others up (intercede) before the Throne and to study God’s Word. Their welcome home will have been immense. Please pray for all the hurting ones in South Carolina – that Satan not be allowed to take this precious sacrifice and use it for evil. Pray for racial unity in South Carolina – particularly that the white churches reach out to the hurting Black churches. As Believers we have all suffered loss – a really deep loss for these were praying people not just church members. Grieving for all of my precious friends. Wish my health permitted a flight to South Carolina to attend whatever memorial service will be held.
About David Maddox – After a legal career in both Texas and Arizona that spanned over 40 years as a civil litigator, God called David to leave his law practice and work full time as Discipleship Director for Time to Revive. That call is really the fruit of decades of prayer for revival and teaching God’s Word, writing discipleship materials and seeking to make disciples. David married Janet Whitehead in 1976 and they minister together from their Phoenix home. God has blessed them with four children and thus far seven grandchildren.
