Resurrection Sunday turns into Testimony Sunday
Only five weeks following a gunshot wound to his mouth, a Memphis pastor returned to the pulpit on Easter Sunday, WREG reported in Memphis.
Pastor Clemmie Livingston Jr., aged 70, delivered his sermon before the congregation for the first time since the incident. To him, Easter Sunday holds significance not only as a day of resurrection but also as a day of testimony.
The New Zionfield Baptist Church in South Memphis welcomed its members with open doors, and the sanctuary was filled to capacity as Pastor Livingston shared his message of hope, resurrection, and testimony.
WREG reported that Pastor Clemmie Livingston Jr. was shot in the face during a theft incident outside his church in South Memphis. Despite the severity of the situation, Livingston expressed his belief that he is alive today because God has a purpose for him.
Reflecting on the moment of the shooting, Livingston shared, “I kept telling myself that I might not survive. What else could one think when faced with such a dire situation?” However, amidst the chaos, he remained conscious and remarkably felt no pain.
God has work for Pastor Livingston to do
“It appears to me that God got some for me to do,” he told WREG.
Recalling a spiritual encounter during his ordeal, Livingston recounted, “While I was down on my knees, I heard a voice telling me to stop giving in to death and embrace life again.” This experience reaffirmed his faith, as he acknowledged, “I am certain that Jesus guided me through this difficult time.”
Although the bullet wound in his mouth has healed, Livingston still has a journey of recovery ahead including two more surgeries. He anticipates it may take another eight weeks before he can fully resume his preaching duties.
Nevertheless, Livingston remains grateful for being alive, emphasizing, “Surviving this ordeal is my greatest blessing.”
