Pastor preaches forgiveness

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, March 28, 2004

Members of Pastor Jason Martin’s Jesus is Lord Life Tabernacle were as offended as his neighbors and others at the cross left burning on Martin’s lawn.

Sometimes, turning the other cheek is hard, even for believers.

"I was actually thinking about retaliating until I heard (Martin’s sermon Sunday)," said Lyle Estep, 23, a member of the nondenominational Pentecostal church in downtown Marysville. "I changed my mind.

"I think it’s awesome that the pastor’s been preaching this stuff for a long time, and he’s actually walking what he’s preaching. He’s not angry with these people. I think it’s awesome that God is using this for good," he said.

Martin was asleep Wednesday morning when firefighters arrived to put out the fire on his lawn and pounded on the front door of his home in Arlington’s Gleneagle neighborhood. Since then, friends, neighbors, his congregation and the greater Snohomish County community have rallied around him, marching in support of him and against hate that leads to crimes such as the cross burning.

On Saturday, Arlington police arrested two 16-year-old boys in connection with the cross burning. The boys turned themselves in and were booked into the Denney Juvenile Justice Center. They are scheduled for an initial appearance in Snohomish County Juvenile Court today.

Martin’s sermon Sunday morning, to a standing-room-only crowd that spilled out the door, urged people to love their enemies and reply to anger and evil with love and kindness.

"When I saw the cross on my front yard, I had an opportunity to be hateful, bitter and resentful," Martin said.

But he urged the congregation to send flowers to those who have wronged them.

"I’m glad justice has been done, but I’m also sad that these young men have chosen to throw away a portion of their lives," Martin said. "One thing I’m looking forward to is visiting these two young men in jail."

He plans to wait until the court process is finished, and already has another pastor who wants to accompany him, he said.

"I want them to know that their life isn’t over. I’ve done wrong, too. I haven’t always been a preacher, a good husband and father," Martin said.

"First I’ll say I forgive them, and is there anything I can do to help," he said.

His words ignited the congregation, which was joined by 16 other area ministers who came to show their support.

"This is a brother in the Christian community," said Charles Forbes, a retired Episcopal minister. "It’s hard to put it in words, the disgust that something like this could happen here. I did marches in the ’60s like lots of other people and thought we put all this to bed."

Jo Beecher, an Episcopal priest with a Hispanic congregation in Marysville said her members wanted to come, but all are farm workers and they had to work.

"Since I work with people not of the dominant culture, I’m aware of the difficulties of not being white," Beecher said.

Joel Villasenor, one of Martin’s congregation, said the pastor has "always told us to turn the other cheek."

"It’s hard to send flowers to someone who has hurt you," said Jonathan McLean, 18, another church member. "He’s always been a role model to me and to other young men in the church. My respect level for Pastor just went way up."

Aaron Winston, a member of Martin’s congregation, said the church always has been a close family, and this incident has simply brought them closer together.

"It lets us know there’s still work to be done. Nothing comes easy. You have to keep your eye on the goal," he said.

During the church service, Martin led his congregation in rocking the house with music and songs and frequent prayers, repeatedly asking God to touch the lives of those responsible for the cross burning, as well as those who were troubled by it.

He hammered home the message of love and forgiveness and "never pay back evil for evil to anyone."

"What would it look like if we all showed up where those young men are and let them know we’re praying for them," Martin said. "I challenge you to go with me."

Martin was deeply touched by the outpouring of support and the community’s attendance Saturday at a candlelight vigil and march to his home, as well as those filling the church Sunday and dozens who showed up at his home to pray where the grass on his lawn was burned. He hosted those in fellowship in his backyard, offering hotdogs and soft drinks along with his spiritual message.

Neighbors he knew and some he didn’t stopped by to wish him well, and some yards in the neighborhood bore signs urging everyone to support diversity.

"It just reaffirms this is an awesome county," Martin said. "I’ve always felt welcome."

Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.