Church Extends Forgiveness to Thief and Fellow Parishioner After He Comes Forward to Confess Crime
"I just did what I felt in my heart, for my kids that I have to raise. I needed to be accountable. I've never been accountable in my entire life."
(Dallas, Texas)—Even though Isaac Booker attended Inspiring Body of Christ Church, it didn't stop him from breaking into the church and stealing thousands of dollars in cash and other items. A surveillance tape captured him in the act, but Reverend Rickie Rush didn't realize at first that Booker was one of the congregants.
Following the break-in, the pastor announced that he preferred not to press charges, but would rather have the culprit come forward and allow the people to extend forgiveness. He then gave a radio address centered around the Scriptural story of the Prodigal Son.
Unbeknownst to him, Isaac Booker was not only listening to that radio message, but his soul was being stirred. Subsequently, he called Pastor Rush and confessed, saying he wanted to come before the congregation.
Appearing with the pastor on ABC's Good Morning America recently, Booker said: "I just did what I felt in my heart, for my kids that I have to raise. I needed to be accountable. I've never been accountable in my entire life."
According to the ABC report, one of the items stolen was a watch donated by fellow parishioner Dallas Cowboy safety Roy Williams, who was honest about his own misgivings toward Booker.
"I forgive you, but I'm still bitter toward you because you broke into my pastor's office," Williams said, reportedly choking back tears while addressing Booker during his confession. "I broke down and cried in that office and you broke into it."
