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Fire of Grace: The Healing Power of Forgiveness
This is the story of Trinity Lutheran Church being burned to the ground by one of the most prolific arsonists in the history of the United States. When Paul Keller was finally apprehended and imprisoned, one of his first visitors was Rick Rouse, pastor of the church he burned. Pastor Rouse said that he was compelled by Christ to visit Paul and offer him his personal forgiveness.
That simple and profound act began a process of healing and transformation that included the entire congregation, the victims of arson, and Keller's family. Through sharing his story and highlighting other stories of forgiveness Pastor Rouse outlines the path toward reconciliation that many have experienced when relying upon God's gift of forgiveness.
Richard W. Rouse is the executive director for Church Relations and
Continuing Theological Education at Pacific Lutheran University. A parish pastor for 22 years, he served four congregations in California, Oregon and Washington before coming to PLU in 1994. A popular conference speaker and workshop leader, he also serves the Southwestern Washington Synod as a consultant for larger congregations in the areas of strategic planning and leadership development. Rouse is also a trained spiritual director (certified in 1998).
Purchase the book online (ISBN 0-8066-5112-1, $12.99)
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