Black Church Gets Happy Surprise From Former 'Terrible Racist'

Mystery donor apologizes and sends $2,000 check
By Linda Hervieux,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 3, 2017 7:29 AM CDT
Former 'Terrible Racist' Offers Apology, $2K to Black Church
Nicholtown Presbyterian Church will use the $2,000 donation in part for youth ministries.   (WSPA)

A self-confessed former "terrible racist" surprised a Greenville, SC, pastor with a plea for forgiveness—and a fat donation. Rev. Michael Sullivan tells WSPA he was floored when he read the letter signed by "Anonymous Donor." The missive dated May 13 (which can be seen in its entirety at CNN) reads, "I am white and used to be a terrible racist. … Due to Christ's teachings, I am appalled at my former thoughts and words." Tucked inside the envelope was a $2,000 check. "I send this donation as a heartfelt apology to the African-American community, as a sign of God's love for you, and as a sign of my love for you as well," the letter read. Sullivan says, "When I read the letter, I said 'Wow ... Look at how God works.'"

"I don't care whether we are talking black or white [or] whether we are talking about Christian or Islamic," Sullivan continues. "If we can hear the heart of this man as being a heart that represents all of us, I think all of us can become better.” The gift, which Nicholtown Presbyterian Church will devote in part to youth outreach, as well as the donor's "change of heart" inspired Sullivan as he planned his Sunday sermon. As to the identity of the mystery donor, Sullivan has no idea, but he'd like to find out. "I [want] to find the guy so I could embrace him," he says. (This just days after LeBron James declared that "being black in America is tough.")

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