The daughter of an elderly man whose murder was recorded in a Facebook live video has forgiven her father’s murderer and says that through her testimony of forgiveness, people are coming to faith, it was reported in April.
Debbie Godwin, the daughter of 74-year-old Robert Godwin who was murdered in Cleveland, Ohio, while his assailant streamed the crime on Facebook live, made news when she did an interview and expressed her forgiveness for her father’s killer.
‘I just would want him to know that even in his worst state, he’s loved by God. That God loves him, even in the bad stuff that he did to my dad. That he’s still loved,’ said Debbie Godwin in the interview.
Robert Godwin’s murderer, Steve Stephens, ended up shooting and killing himself.
Those who have been touched
Debbie Godwin has begun posting messages on Facebook which she received from those who were touched by the forgiveness she and her family extended. ‘I’m in tears as I write this. But all I want to shout is praise Jesus. I want to scream his name! I’m craving to be in my father’s presence again! Thank you and your family for not being scared! I viewed the video and only saw him speaking through you guys,’ wrote one person.
‘I was a backslider raised by pastors, but let me tell you what got me together on Monday!! You and your family interview about your dad and how he forgave people,’ wrote another.
Debbie, who is an ordained minister, presided over her father’s funeral and said: ‘God has gathered all of us here today ... because it is time for the world first of all to know who he is ... to know that he is the true and the living God. It is time for us as a nation to forgive.’
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