Today, I attended A Worship Service of Faith in God. This memorial gathering to Rev. Billy Honeycutt of Rutherfordton, NC was held at the First Baptist Church. There were very few open seats when I walked in around 2:42pm. Eric Ross and his wife had a seat for me.

I met Billy when I began serving with the Faith Freedom Fund (FFF). If my memory is accurate, that was in 2011. When I had my first sit down with Michael Lowry, Billy was there in the Chinese restaurant to listen and ask questions. There I witnessed Billy’s mature stability and tender heart as we listened to Michael tell his incredible story. A few weeks later, Billy also went with me when we took Michael to Asheville airport.

The FFF helped many different survivors over the next several years. Each survivor came out and told us their story. I admit, at times, after hearing these stories my emotions would become intense. Other Board members may have shared those emotions, however, when we closed our meetings and it was time to pray, Billy’s prayers would calm and direct us to consider the person who had recently exited and those who remained in Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF).

A general paraphrase of his prayers included these thoughts; We pray for wisdom not only for us but for this young man or woman who had recently left WOFF. He went on to pray for those that were still in the group, for them to have a curious, inquiring mind and heart. Let them to begin to ask You about what they’re seeing and experiencing. Lead them to ask You, Father, for answers.

Today, as I reflected on my times with Billy, I was reminded that nowhere in these prayers did he express hatred for anyone at WOFF, regardless of what we had heard regarding the abuses the recent ex-member had experienced.  He prayed from a heart full of the love of God.

During and after the Worship Service, I learned of other ministries he started and gave his life to. Meeting his family was an honor as well. To his wife and family, I say, “Thank you”- for sharing him with the FFF. Our evening meetings went longer than we planned- most every time.