Bestselling author to speak at First UMC's current message series | Community Spirit

SIKESTON, MO (KFVS) - A bestselling author will speak September 23 as part of First United Methodist Church's current message series called, "F-bomb."

Gayle Haggard, the wife of Ted Haggard, will talk about the choices she made in her darkest hour as she decided to stay with her husband who was publicly exposed in an illicit drug and infidelity scandal.

In 2006, Ted Haggard was head of the most influential Christian organization in America (30 million followers), pastor of one of America's largest churches, spiritual policy advisor to President George W. Bush, an overall seemingly great life. In November 2006, escort and masseur Mike Jones alleged that Ted Haggard had paid him for sex for three years and had also purchased and used crystal methamphetamine. A few days later Haggard resigned from all of his leadership positions. 

In the days and months ahead, Gayle Haggard said her life was in turmoil -- her beliefs, her marriage and her relationship with the church community she had been a part of for more than 20 years.

According to First UMC, the F-Bomb, as in forgiveness, is difficult for many people to drop on others. Gayle Haggard will tell how she was able to forgive a devastating event in her life and marriage. Haggard will speak at the 9 a.m. Traditions service in the Sanctuary and the 11 a.m. Journey service in the Family Life Center.  

“For the record, or F-Bomb is not the one you’ll hear in abundance in the locker room, in the streets or on the big screen," said Geoff Posegate, First UMC pastor. "The F-Bomb is Forgiveness. It’s a bomb many of us would like to have dropped on us.  It’s a bomb many of us have trouble dropping on others, Jesus doesn’t just suggest forgiveness. Jesus demands forgiveness on the part of those who claim to follow him.”

The Haggards founded the New Life Church in Colorado Springs in 1985. From meetings in basements, it grew to have 14,000 members by 2006 with a large campus. In her bestselling book, Why I Stayed, Gayle describes choices she made and how they survived his infidelity.

The couple have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, Good Morning America, and other national media programs to offer public apology.

“This is my story of choosing to love my husband through some of the most difficult challenges any marriage could face,” she said.

Her husband wanted her to divorce him believing it was best for her and the children. Gayle Haggard said the difficult experience has given her a deeper understanding of the biblical teachings of forgiveness and grace.

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