Topics: Forgiveness; Preaching; Revenge; Violence
References: Matthew 5:38–44; Romans 12:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:15
A pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently had an opportunity to practice what he preaches about forgiveness.
The pastor was preaching when a man came up and punched him in the face. Victory Christian Center’s pastor, Billy Joe Daugherty, continued his sermon, even though the blow had opened a cut above his eye that would later require two stitches.
Church members subdued the attacker, and police arrested Steven Rogers, age fifty. Daugherty prayed for his assailant during the church service and declined to press charges.
—“Pastor Punched in the Eye, Continues Sermon,” firstcoastnews.com (November 23, 2005)