Group Holds Second 'Forgiveness' Forum at Christian Stronghold
Nathaniel Lee - September 24, 2019
The Community Forgiveness and Restoration Program (CFR) met at Christian Stronghold Baptist Church, 4701 Lancaster Ave. in West Philadelphia, to hold its second annual forum Saturday.
The event was moderated by WURD radio broadcaster Solomon Jones and consisted of a panel of formerly incarcerated men who shared their stories of redemption and reentry.
“I think its something that the community can grab onto. Not because of the politicians or me or anything like that but because of the stories of the brothers that have been through this program,” Jones said.
“You have brothers who have talked about changing their mindsets and changing their lives and I think that that’s the thing that’s going to make it take off.”
Jones said the testimony of those whose lives have been changed would get the attention of the community and stakeholders.
“It’s really about those individual lives and I think that, now that folks have heard those individual stories, they will get involved,” he said.
Immediately after the panel discussion, Jones said he was approached by a member of the clergy who wanted to bring the CFR Program to his church.
“That’s the kind of response we want,” Jones said. “We’re looking forward to seeing what happens with it.”
The symposium was a collaboration of multiple faith-based groups that are part of the CFR Program. Although the event was held at Christian Stronghold, it was Great Commission Church at 2043 Eastburn Ave. in the West Oak Lane section of the city that hosted the event.
“It was a wonderful event,” said Great Commission Pastor Larry Anderson. “We had an opportunity to not only tell about the program but to have our returning citizens communicate about how the program has made a difference in their lives.”
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