Forgiveness As Grace

There is little doubt that some of the questions surrounding the recent shootings at YWAM Denver will never be answered. Sometimes, it's less important that we find answers, than it is that we find the grace to offer forgiveness. YWAM Denver director Peter Warren modeled this radical forgiveness in this interview with Christianity Today.

There have also been media stories out of Denver detailing that the parents of both the shooter and the victims -- all Christians -- met together after the memorial service for the slain YWAM'ers, and spent time together mourning, forgiving, and weeping over their children. You don't get that kind of heart unless you've been significantly touched by Grace.

Youth With A Mission has its share of detractors, critics, and nay-sayers (some of it deserved, depending on the particular YWAM base being critiqued). New Life Church has certainly become famous/infamous in recent years. And the family of the shooter has already come under scrutiny and finger-pointing for their alleged involvement with anal-retentive parenting guru Bill Gothard.

Regardless of the frailties and failings of a mission, a church, or a family's child-rearing practices, it's still a testimony to an Amazing Grace when the parents of a murderer weep and pray with the parents of the murdered.