Dr. Johannes J. Christian
Dr. Johannes J. Christian was the founding Pastor of The Adoration and Peace Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Christian is now Pastor Emeritus of Adoration and Peace Baptist Church and CEO of Face of Forgiveness LLC. The Rev. Dr. Johannes Christian who was severely injured in a rock-throwing incident by a troubled youth has developed a tenacity and passion to nullify bullying behaviors in our communities with the emphasis focused on the youth. Through Dr. Christian’s personal conviction to forgive, the anti-bullying program has gained much momentum and forgiveness is its central focus. On a dark Ohio interstate in the waning hours of July 9, 2001, Rev. Dr. Johannes Christian’s life changed forever. One moment he is checking his watch, counting the minutes until he arrives home. The next moment, the 50-year-old pastor is clinging to life after being struck in the face by a 7-pound rock thrown from an overpass by a troubled youth. The accident left him blinded, permanently disfigured, and in constant pain. Dr. Christian believes he has been blessed by being a blessing to others. Surviving the Rock throwing incident in 2001, gave him the desire to give back to others through humanitarian and spiritual initiatives. The mission fields have been a place he loves to share and express his love for God and humanity. Dr. Christian’s book, “The Face of Forgiveness” is a personal, honest, riveting account of one man’s struggle for survival. It is an inspirational story of physical and spiritual healing, and of faith and forgiveness, and of the power of the human spirit to transform tragedy into a mission to serve mankind as a witness of the power, mercy, and love of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.