Spring Break
Growing crisis of domestic abuse in the church
Charlotte Young/Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/21/07 Section: Cover
"I was told I could have died with the deadly mix of pills that I took, which is just what I wanted to do -- just die," Rev. Pettus writes in her tell-all book, "Nobody But God: A Journey of Faith From Tears To Triumph." The book was released October 1, the beginning of Domestic Violence Month. It's available online on Amazon or through contact with her at upettus@aol.com. Many Christian and African-American bookstores are also carrying it.
"God told me to write this book and that it would be successful," Rev. Pettus said. "Those that have been victimized were happy because finally people could see that the abuser could be in your church, sitting in the pew next to you."
Her self-published book is informational and a testament of personal domestic violence from a spiritual perspective. Though Rev. Pettus believes there may be judgment from the church and surprise that she had been in the situation, she is not afraid to face it.
"I'm not embarrassed to say that I was a victim and that I tried to kill myself," Rev. Pettus said. "I would be if I hadn't written the book."
Rev. Pettus believes that the emotional battering has left her with incurable Chron's disease, a type of inflamatory bowel disease. During the last three years, she has undergone major surgeries. Her surgery in June 2004 ended with the removal of her colon.
"They didn't think I'd make it to see my 38th birthday," Rev. Pettus said. "But now I'm 39. Even with this, I praise God; He uses it for his glory. God kept me through this; I'm a living miracle. No matter how far you fall, God can pick you up."
If you are in an abusive relationship please seek help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-784-2433.
"God told me to write this book and that it would be successful," Rev. Pettus said. "Those that have been victimized were happy because finally people could see that the abuser could be in your church, sitting in the pew next to you."
Her self-published book is informational and a testament of personal domestic violence from a spiritual perspective. Though Rev. Pettus believes there may be judgment from the church and surprise that she had been in the situation, she is not afraid to face it.
"I'm not embarrassed to say that I was a victim and that I tried to kill myself," Rev. Pettus said. "I would be if I hadn't written the book."
Rev. Pettus believes that the emotional battering has left her with incurable Chron's disease, a type of inflamatory bowel disease. During the last three years, she has undergone major surgeries. Her surgery in June 2004 ended with the removal of her colon.
"They didn't think I'd make it to see my 38th birthday," Rev. Pettus said. "But now I'm 39. Even with this, I praise God; He uses it for his glory. God kept me through this; I'm a living miracle. No matter how far you fall, God can pick you up."
If you are in an abusive relationship please seek help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-784-2433.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 7
Carmin Wharton
posted 10/22/07 @ 11:51 AM EST
I am a relationship coach, author and professional speaker. Below is a recent article I wrote regarding domestic violence. I applaud Rev. Pettus for being obedient to God and writing the book. (Continued…)
Zebulon
posted 10/28/07 @ 5:52 PM EST
I am a member of the same church that Rev. Pettus attends and its apparent that we sometimes look at people because they are Ministers thinking they have an ideal life, but we never know how fragile their lives are. (Continued…)
Pastor Jacqueline Stewart
posted 8/07/08 @ 12:59 AM EST
Precious Rev. Pettus:
Greetins to you in the precious name of Jesus. Thanking Jesus for you and your testimony. We have
so much in common. The Lord leads me as well to tell my story in churches throughout California, on the highways and byways, to sinners. (Continued…)
eboneyse
Jacqueline
posted 8/05/09 @ 4:06 AM EST
Dear readers:
PLEASE READ MY COMMENTS DATED AUGUST "2009" ABOVE--IT IS AN UPDATE AFTER THE ONE i WROTE IN 2008, FOR AFTER THE HARD WARFARE FOR MY ONCE MARRIAGE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN CYCLES; OF CRUEL BEHAVIORS CARRIED OUT AGAINST OUR DAUGHTER AND OUR SUFFERING IS SO WELL DESCRIBED IN THE FIRST COMMENTS (ABOVE). (Continued…)
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