“Hatred is not a creative force. Love alone creates. Suffering will not prevail…it only melts us down and strengthens us.” ~ Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941)
Kolbe, a Polish priest, died in the place of another man in the German death camp of Auschwitz. Franciszek Gajowniczek was chosen for the starvation bunker. When he lamented, “My wife! My children!” Kolbe was moved with compassion and volunteered to take his place. Kolbe survived the two week sentence and was put to death by lethal injection. It is reported that he calmly raised his arm for injection.
The hatred of others stirred Kolbe’s soul and awakened him to the evil around him. The love of Christ that he held deep within his soul created life for another. The love of God became his courage and the presence of Christ became his strength. Even in chains Kolbe was free.
Hatred may awaken us, whether it comes from others or from our own hearts. But hatred does not offer solutions. Only love can do that. Love alone creates. Love alone liberates.
Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred has also served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. He has also served as a guest lecturer on the subjects of racialized cultural systems, poverty, and missiology at various universities, such as William & Mary and Oklahoma Christian University. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience.
Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas.
Fred is a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of the leadership team for Williamsburg's local chapter of Coming to the Table, and a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
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