Hero of Forgiveness Scarlett Lewis

Her 6-Year Old Son Guides Her to Forgiveness After His Death!

One of 26 Killed at Sandy Hook Shootings, He Leaves Behind Powerful Message

On the morning of December 14th, 2012, 6-year old Jesse McCord Lewis said good-bye to his mother and father on his way to Sandy Hook Elementary School. It was the last time they saw him. A few hours later, Jesse was dead along with 25 other victims of the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. 

In the midst of their smothering grief, resentment and anger, Jesse's parents were overwhelmed by the power of a message Jesse left on his chalkboard a few days before the tragedy. It was in the form of three words, "Nurturing. Healing. Love."  Scarlett says that she and her husband understood that those powerful words were a calling from Jesse. For them, the message was, "I have something for you to do for us. That's to consciously change an angry thought into a loving one" Scarlett Lewis has come to realize that to change anger and hate to love is within our power, "because it is a choice."

Hero of Forgiveness Dana Leisegang

 

Champion of Forgiveness Dr. Marshall Rosenberg 

His Nonviolent Communication Movement Now Spans the World

Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, psychologist and author of Nonviolent Communication, spent his life advocating for nonviolence, challenging the standards of educational motivations, and revolutionized conflict resolution. Rosenberg has been instrumental in creating education models that transition from a "dominator culture" based on punishment, reward, humiliation, and shame into one of empathy, generosity, and compassion. These life enriching models stray from traditional methods of evaluation and diagnosis, allowing for free communication and willful expression.

Rosenberg's methods are currently being used successfully throughout the world. Nonviolent Communication training has been available for many years throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, India, and Australia. Peace activists have used Nonviolent Communication in such war-torn and/or economically disadvantaged countries as Israel, Palestine, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Brazil, Russia, Rwanda, Burundi, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Serbia, and Croatia.

Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, will be honored as a Champion of Forgiveness at the 18^th Annual International Forgiveness Day Awards Ceremony on Sunday August 3, 2014. 

Champion of Forgiveness Rev. Patrick Egberuare

As a missionary evangelist in Africa, Rev. Patrick Egberuare came face to face with the horror effects of the perennial conflicts that had engulfed many parts of Africa and particularly North-Eastern Nigeria. So many lives, goods and property have been lost in ethnic and religious confrontations from one end of the nation to another, with all their terrifying dimensions.

These events and their devastating effects burdened the mind of Rev. Egberuare. As a result of the horror he witnessed in these conflict affected regions, he began the search for solutions. He started the Global Peace and Forgiveness Foundation, a non - governmental organization dedicated to the promotion and sustenance of world peace, forgiveness and reconciliation around the world. He wrote a book titled: Pathway To Peace, Forgiveness And Reconciliation. He sold his personal car and used the money to distribute the book free because he wanted people to know about peace and forgiveness because it wasn't a popular message.

He began to organize conferences on peace and forgiveness while collaborating with government institutions to promote forgiveness and facilitate reconciliation in Nigeria. He founded the National Forgiveness Day in Nigeria. His message was that the need for world peace is urgent and therefore demands global attention. He then called on other peace lovers, builders and promoters to join hands with him in this noble task.

Rev. Patrick Egberuare will be honored as a Champion of Forgiveness at the 18^th Annual International Forgiveness Day Awards Ceremony on Sunday August 3, 2014.